Remove mirror, replace with hanging mirror, cover walls with wide horizontal ship lap, paint warm white, paint cabinets and install new hardware?

Check this out:, but imagine with a warm light green on cabinets....https://thehavenlist.com/light-airy-bathroom-with-shiplap-patterned-tile-mixed-metals/ Can you stencil the floor? If not just lay down a long runner

I don't love the dark gray floor. It's too dark, select a lighter warm gray. The countertop looks fine, but I don't like it with the cabinet which has very warm/orange tones. I'd paint out the cabinet the swiss coffee you like (as long as it goes with the countertop) and use black hardware to pull in your desire for a rustic feel. Then frame out the mirror, and paint the walls the same Swiss Coffee, using an eggshell finish for the walls and semi gloss for the vanity.

thank you both! These are some ideas I've hadn't thought of. Though I have toyed with the stencil on the floor. Since we have some water damage and missing tiles, I am leaning towards taking the opportunity to replace it. I'd also hate to be constantly annoyed by scratches and chips of paint... (3 young boys are not the most gentle).

I honestly have mixed feelings about ship lap and it being overdone.

Both of you mentioned painting the cabinet. I will give that more thought. I may try to complete my current path and see if the color works better, before deciding this. I actually like a natural wood, though the strong orange hue is not good. I will post a pic when I complete this project, but it won't be for about two weeks.

I like the black hardware inclusion.

I have thought about replacing the mirror I'm trying to achieve a more modern look. I see other bathrooms with the simple and clean look, of a flat mirror - but in my space it just seems outdated.

Floor. I willl take a look for a more warm grey tile. Any specific suggestions? The other idea I've had is a medium grey 7-8 inch hex tile.... I started with the idea of a grey slate (or slate look) 12 x 24. I have bunch in my idea book with this color scheme - dark floor, warm wood cabinet, white counter/walls. Maybe I just don't have the natural light to pull this off?

@Amanda- if wanting to keep you cabinet then I think you may have to change the counters. Even if you can get some of the orange out of the vanity it doesn't seem to mesh well with the counter (unless the wood can get pretty dark). See what you can do with it. It looks like a builder grade honey oak cabinet which are sometimes not worth saving. Large hex floor tiles would look great. I wouldn't go crazy with the floor choice until you have the cabinet under control as you may just be spinning your wheels. Keep us posted.

I have had beige tile, off white tile, gray tile, and black marble tile (with white veins), and the black tile is awful to keep clean. It shows every little speck. The other tiles were so forgiving.

@Design Girl - excellent points. Though I don't *think* the cabinets are builder grade; they are 100% solid wood and still in great shape after 30 years and I haven't seen cabinets in any prior house I've owned stand up this well to time. I will post a pic when I finish the attempt at a refinishing to see what makes sense.

Patti Yohe, that's a good point about the solid dark showing everything.

Calidesign - I will explore some warmer options for the floor. I want to explore "warm grey" (is that a thing? - someone I was talking to suggested this). But maybe I just need to get myself off this grey idea and go with something warmer.

I like your idea of trying to keep some natural wood in the bathroom. It will keep it from feeling too cold. If you can get down to bare wood, go to a good hardware store that sells stains (not the big orange box) and speak with someone who can help you find a stain that will counter act the natural orange/red tones of the wood. I agree that the tiles you were looking at are too dark and like the idea of a hex tile. It's just a matter of bringing home lots of samples and finding what works.

That is a very light stain. A medium dark stain would look better.

The current color combo feels sterile. I would definitely go with a warmer floor tile and away from the grey (and I LOVE greys, but they don't work with your space). A soft well-chosen green could definitely go with the cabinets.

It looks like a clear coat or a natural color.

I definitely would go with warmer tones than gray. Swiss Coffee is a great warm white. Keep the wood and you can change the stain shade. you will need a cooler tone stain if you want to neutralize the orange. ( Color theory 101-- Blue is opposite Orange on the color wheel.) But a sanding to the natural wood and a clear finish would also be a brighter option. I like using Minwax Polyshades stain and polyurethane in one step. It takes a few coats for a rich color but it can go over old finish with just a slight scuff sanding. Something we learned about retiling, choose tiles with a clay body that matches the glaze especially in ceramic which is not as strong as porcelain. The chips will not show as much as terra cotta will under white or gray glaze. Having 3 kids and pets, I chose floors in medium shades with a mix of grey and beige. You might delay choosing tile until you make your vanity color choice.

If you are keeping the large mirror, I would at least frame it. It can really help give your bathroom a more finished, updated look regardless of what else you decide to do.

All: will post an update after this weekend of the vanity. My hope is to complete sanding and finish a test drawer with a sealer that the paint store rep told me would seal but add minimal color since I’m trying to keep the cabinet light.

I’m posting a few inspiration photos too. One with my original scheme plan, though everyone is certainly giving me some further caution about the dark floors. I am leaning towards just replacing the counter. (And yes, mirror too- several suggestions on this front.). And while I’m at it I’d like to see if my contractor can raise the vanity about 3 inches. See third photo photo - someone who used tile to give an appearance of a floating vanity. I’m sure some carpentry would be required to create this new platform. Note: I don’t actually want a true floating vanity since I’m worried about its stability with my three young boys!

Hi all - adding an update!! It’s taken us forever to move this project along (luckily no visitors needing to use a powder room)!

• I went with a medium grey hex floor, charcoal grout. Very happy with it!
• Swiss coffee BM on the walls.
• Vanity raised about 3-4 inches by our contractor. New base built. I also sanded it and did clear coat - it’s a lot less orange, but a bit harder to tell in photos.
• new quartz counter, sink and black faucet. New mirror.

My new black hardware needs to go up and I am very interested in any suggestions for art / decor next to mirror or above toilet to round it all out!

All you need is one large piece of art for the back wall. I'd put your hand towel bar mounted on the side of the cabinet next to the sink.

I wish I could see how the vanity looks in person! I am in the process of deciding whether to paint or try to achieve a “raw” wood look. I’ve sanded part of the end of a cabinet down to bare wood - and it looks really nice - if it would just stay that same tone, I’d be set!

It looks very nice in your photos - it’s nice to see how making a few right changes can have a big impact on a space!

@dmac1108 Thank you! I used a general finishes clear coat only (no stain) and it deepened the tone slightly but it is still far less orange than the original. Pretty happy with it! @calidesign - that's my thinking too in the artwork! - I keep trying different pieces (mostly online orders that I can return if needed) but haven't hit on anything I really like yet.