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Possibly to pull this off? 6 x 6 matte cream square wall tile

4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

Do you think I may keep this 6x6 matte cream square wall tile or it is too dated? I plan to only update the floor tile, faucet, shower trim and lighting. I plan to also keep the pedestal sink, toilet (all Kohler Devonshire and in mint condition). The bathroom is 15 years old; however, the tiles are in almost perfect condition.





For this powder room (even though it's a full bath...) on the main level, I am hesitate to demo mint condition tiles and fixtures. However, I feel it needs work, but don't want unnecessary spending. TBH, I don't trust my taste and appreciate your input! Here's my inspirational picture (This is from one of Beth's posts).



Comments (26)

  • 4 years ago

    Sure. Leave your tile. It’s going to be covered by a shower curtain anyway. Refresh your mirror along with the lighting and flooring.

    A Green thanked Muriel Thompson
  • 4 years ago

    So the tile is dated...do I need to cover them by the shower curtain all the time?

  • 4 years ago

    Did you see the other bathrooms posted today? Yours looks fine. What is your flooring? If it's wood, leave it. How about a nice wallpaper and smaller mirror?

    A Green thanked latifolia
  • 4 years ago

    The tile is fine, but especially for a powder room, why not get a beautiful shower curtain to use in the space. I'd leave the hardwood if it also runs into your hallway.

    A Green thanked calidesign
  • PRO
    4 years ago

    I think the tile can stay, and just replace the mirror and lighting along with the paint. However, won't someone ever use the tub/shower?


    Here are some items I would consider additions to your bathroom


    Glass doors that pivot


    A cabinet over the toilet


    This is a room where I would seriously consider LED border mirrors. Your clearances are so narrow there is no option for sconces and so many of the overhead lights will be over bearing with your small pedestal sink, IMO these might work if you can get the corect size.




    A Green thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 4 years ago

    ^^The lights around the mirrors give me a headache just looking at them on a screen. I can only imagine how jarring they’d be in real life. OP, I’d pass on those for your space.

  • 4 years ago

    It's good to know that the hardwood floor (red oak) can stay. Yes, the rest of the main level are all HW floor. The bathroom floor does show signs of water damage near the tub, but I don't think it's too bad.

  • 4 years ago

    BeverlyFLADeziner, thank you for the mirror suggestion. You are so observant. I hardly have any side clearance for wall sconces. I will consider LED mirrors.

  • 4 years ago

    You can get someone to sand and finish that area. Put a polyurethane coating and it should take water splashes. I think the tile is fine and with keeping the floor I agree with the above comment to do a wallpaper

    A Green thanked Laura Wohlers
  • 4 years ago

    You can totally pull this off with the elements you have. It won't ever be the bright white of your inspiration pic, but there's nothing inherently dated about cream. Bright white has been the "it" thing for a while, but there's a whole lot of middle ground (and personal preference) between all the rage and dated.

    If you want to tone down the cream tones, you can mix cream with bright white (shower curtain, towels), and you can change up your light bulbs to a higher color temperature (4000 K).

    A Green thanked cawaps
  • 4 years ago

    The sink, toilet, tub are all white. What would be a good color pallet for the paint given the cream wall tiles and HW floor? Should I do off white or cream, too?

  • 4 years ago

    The tile really is in good condition so don't need to change it , the floor just needs a little sanding and a coat of protection from water-splashes, and around the bathtub you need to put a silicon sealer and perhaps a molding . I would keep it the walls white and don't do more beige ..or cream color . A beautiful mirror and perhaps a small interesting chandelier is all you need for accent . No shower curtain I would use a partial glass border on the side of the shower , so that the water doesn't spray out ..., keep it simple except for a pretty light fixture ...

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Most led mirrors are dimmable and color temp changeabl. I have one in a small bath and its often the only light I need.

    A Green thanked thisisnotadrill
  • 4 years ago

    I love your vintage tub. And square tiles, even the 4” ones, seem to be having a “moment” right now. So, consider yourself ahead of the curve! Embrace the quality finishes that you have. And, no...your shower curtain need not be closed all the time. It will add softness to the room and, if you like, a spot of color. Lovely bones!

    A Green thanked ptreckel
  • 4 years ago

    “Vintage tub”. 😂 Vintage 2005, apparently.

    2005 was great as I recall. And the tub looks great, too. I’m just afraid of how elderly I might be, if ~2005 is vintage.

  • 4 years ago

    I don't think the tile looks outdated. It's a nice neutral color and shape. I think painting the walls something that will add some contrast would go a long way. I would avoid gray as that will bring out the yellow in the tile.

    A Green thanked pricklypearcactus
  • 4 years ago

    Muriel Thompson, your tub looks vintage! Seriously! The curves in the corners look exactly like those on my 1940s tub! I should have said....the bathroom, including your tub, looks “vintage” in style. Appropriately so. (Given my age, too, if 2005 is Vintage I am Prehistoric! HAHAHA!)

  • 4 years ago

    Good to know. Gray was one of my options.

  • 4 years ago

    Keep the tiles. I would absolutely keep the hardwood floors if possible. If you want the look of Beth’s black and white inspiration pic, you can achieve it in a simpler way. Just add a few things such as: a bright white shower curtain, possibly one with a black border, along with a nice black and white accent rug or runner. Then update the lighting and it will make a big difference!

    A Green thanked kiffkat
  • 4 years ago

    For wall color you can use a warm white, cream, light green, blue-green, or blush. Just check the color against the tiles and the floor, and stay away from too cool tones. You could choose a shower curtain first to get inspiration.

    A Green thanked calidesign
  • 4 years ago

    You have a beautiful neutral powder room to work with! As others have said, keep the tiles and the wood floors. (If anything is dated, it might be the sink.) Have you considered wallpaper? That would bring in some pattern like your inspiration pic, and would work if it really is used mainly as a powder room rather than a bath. An ivory and black wallpaper and a new mirror that's more appropriately sized could give you a really classic look.






    A Green thanked Hannah Wolfson
  • 4 years ago

    These wall paper are beautiful!

  • 4 years ago

    I'd also skip the LED mirrors--they're very modern for the classical vibe you're aiming for. Plus, if it's a powder room, it's not like people are applying makeup or need a super-bright light. In fact, I think it's nice to give your guests a dimmer, more flattering light! I don't like being surprised by my wrinkles.

    A Green thanked Hannah Wolfson
  • 4 years ago

    So glad you like the wallpapers! I thought they'd be your style given the inspo photo. I think if you did one with a creamy ground, the tiles would disappear. And then it's fine for the white sink (and presumably toilet?) to pop a bit; white linens or black & white linens would then be very pretty. You could bring in a delicate brass mirror or sconce even if you're doing silver/nickel fixtures.


  • 4 years ago

    Just an observation. We stayed in a classic historic hotel with the LED mirrors. The light was soft, I loved them and I am older.

    A Green thanked motupeg