Help me with this bathroom mess!

13 years ago

Hello. This is our bathroom. It has grey and pink tile (which is in great shape) and a hideous flowery wallpaper (which is not). I do not have money at the moment to completely gut it, but I need to do something. At the minimum, I want to remove the wallpaper and paint. I need help with color options that would improve the situation at least for the next year or so until I can do a complete reno. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Featured Answer

feeny

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

I just want to say I love the pink and gray retro tile and think you should highlight it! Definitely strip the wallpaper, and I would change out the gold trim on the mirror and light fixture to a chrome (or a gray or white painted wood framed mirror) to go better with the gray tones in the room. White cabinets are fine with your color scheme, though you could also paint them if you want a change (charcoal or medium gray?). I'd either do white or gray or some other complementary neutral on the walls, or if you want wallpaper do a modern two tone in either gray and white or black and white. I'd also put some small pops of raspberry accents in the room to have fun with the pink. Do you need a shower curtain? Any of these would be fun with the color scheme:

Laura Ashley 'Yardley' 72-inch Shower Curtain · More Info

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Comments (31)

Karen Harnar
Original Author
13 years ago
The cabinets are plain white. The gold mirrors and light fixture could be changed as well.
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kcar66
13 years ago
COMPLETELY agree with Feeny!!! Once that wallpaper is gone, mirror framed out in matching color (I like the thought of dkr tone of gray tile) & new shower curtain--room will look awesome!! BTW, what flooring is in there??
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Dytecture
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Here is one idea for wall color with gray and red undertones which compliments the existing tiles.

Camouflage 2143-40 Paint · More Info
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apple_pie_order
13 years ago
Try the same white paint as the trim unless the white fixtures are no longer shiny bright white. If they are worn, then match the new paint to the gray tiles, or a shade lighter. Once you remove the wallpaper and the valence, it will be much lighter in the room. The mirror over the toilet should go somewhere else. The wire storage rack may not be necessary. The toilet seat could also be changed to plain white. For another $100, replace the light over the sink.
Karen Harnar thanked apple_pie_order
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Winterhouse Kitchens, Bath & Custom Woodwork
13 years ago
Love the tile! That wall paper is a nightmare, and thankfully can be easily removed. You have a wonderful space to work with! Simple things like hardware and paint color can make this room a show stopper, even without a whole redo! I would stick to a gray or cooler palate for the wall paint, and accent with similar colors for the window coverings.
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Century Hardware
13 years ago
I would suggest new hardware. Our Monarch Collection would give your bathroom an updated feel.
Karen Harnar thanked Century Hardware
Karen Harnar
Original Author
13 years ago
Oh, goodness! I am overwhelmed by all of the wonderful suggestions. I am anxious to get started on this space. Thank you to everyone, and I'll be sure to post some before and afters!
Karen Harnar
Original Author
13 years ago
Yeah, the flooring is carpet...although its in good shape, I just think it is positively gross and is coming out ASAP. I love the suggestions of using the grey tones and I think that is the direction we'll take.
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Virtus Design
13 years ago
Agreed with Feeny as well! Best of luck on this project,
Geneviève
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
You have a retro so lets work with it ,yes remove the wall paper ,wash the walls down with TSP to remove all glue residue and prime ,now let me find a colour for you .

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Karen Harnar thanked Geneviève
Karen Harnar
Original Author
13 years ago
Wow, Genevieve, these suggestions are really inspiring and daring. I really like the idea of the pewter mirror and polka dot shower curtain. Thank you for your thoughtful suggestions!
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Sustainable Dwellings
13 years ago
I almost love that pink and light gray tile!! I would rip the paper off the walls and go for some of the ideas above. It is darling.
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Linda
13 years ago
I like that tile too! I would take the paper down and put up something with a white background and a black or black and silver design. You could find a stripe, some crazy allover graphic design or just something with a bit of color/texture...lots of options!
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Lydia (Kazza Design)
13 years ago
I would completely ignore the pink and focus on grey and white. You might not want to consider wallpaper but I actually like the idea. I'm thinking of modern with a vintage twist for your design. A silver wallpaper, a gray linen shower curtain and a simple roman shade.
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Maguire
13 years ago
If the wallpaper is stuck on rather than going through all the work of stripping and since you plan to take out tile and redo walls later, try a paintable textured wallpaper. The beadboard would perfect with your tile, but there are great damasks too. Goes up quick and easy and you can paint it any color you like. If you leave your cabinets white, a grey would look wonderful. It'll give your pretty tile new life! Take down the huge mirror and add some art with white frames, change your light fixture and paint your little mirror frame out. You could have a new look, a great bath in a day. Have fun!
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Martha Stewart Beadboard Paintable Wallpaper · More Info
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Karen Harnar
Original Author
13 years ago
The paper is down and I am ready to get going on this project! Many, many thanks to all who commented!
raallen
13 years ago
Make it all one concept, so enjoy the tiles and do something alike it no the walls, then it will become a clear space. Try adding more grey on the wall and white on the blinds, and the most importance, spread some clear pink flowers in this big counter.
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Lydia (Kazza Design)
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I suggest removing the huge mirror on the wall and just keeping one over the sink. Also, replace the light fixtures.
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Lydia (Kazza Design)
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Remove the mirror over the toilet and put something like this. Here are some other accessories. You could use a small ottoman to store the toilet paper.
PRO
Maguire
13 years ago
All the paper is gone?! You've been a busy lady. It's got to look better already, right?
Karen Harnar thanked Maguire
kcar66
13 years ago
MAKE SURE TO SHOW AFTER PICS!!! :)
Karen Harnar thanked kcar66
123pugsy
13 years ago
The pink paint would kind of "hide" or blend with the border tile. If the walls are painted white or grey, the border tile will look like a racing stripe around the room. Just my 2 cents.
123pugsy
13 years ago
@ Cat Rowe. I understand it's supposed to be an edge or stripe, but that's what makes these old tile jobs look so lousy. (Sorry to the original poster)
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Maguire
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I think her grey and pink tile is beautiful and there's not enough contrast in the colors for it to look like a racing stripe. I'll bet now that the wallpaper is down the bathroom looks entirely different. Post another picture soon please, we're all dying to see it!
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Schelli Martin
13 years ago
I say do the walls in gray to match the tile and then shop for a iKat or susani print shower curtain that has a little pink but very little to pull it all together. You can't ignore the pink because its there front and center but you can make it relevant for today.do towels that pick up a contrasting color from the shower curtain.
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Wallpaper Discount
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
One concern is that the wallpaper may not be strippable especially in the bathroom depending on whats underneath it. Whether or not it was prepped properly or not. Complimenting your subway tiles, I would suggest a simple tone on tone damask or more of a stria wallpaper look in the gray undertones. Hope this helps, happy decorating.
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JudyG Designs
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Believe it or not, I like it…for now. If you are going to re do it next year… I would paint the ceiling that brown, in a semi-gloss. Do something with the window. Add a fun rug and dark brown towels on the counter.
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masgander
13 years ago
I agree with everyone else. Remove the wallpaper for sure. I would paint the cabinets a dark grey and the walls light grey. New taps and hardware would update it as would a new light fixture. The mirror could be changed or just painted silver, I think that wild look nice. I would also remove the valance.
Karen Harnar thanked masgander
sheilaskb
11 years ago
I would suggest you remove the wall paper and then paint the upper wall a grey that is two or three shades darker than the light grey tile. I think the current color scheme is quite nice, and I would complete the look with towels that are dark grey, pink, and coral-pink. Some white vases and/or a small white flower arrangement would be nice.
suellenh
11 years ago
I also like your vintage bathroom tiles. So many wonderful suggestions already. You've taken the wallpaper down and decided on a paint color, as well what you're going to do with the lower cabinets. My one suggestion...get any kind of hardware that will ensure your cabinet doors all stay shut. And perhaps consider another posters suggestion for a shower curtain that has a gray design but also has that light pink at the bottom...the only way to acknowledge the pink.

The floor? Peek to see what's under the carpet. If it's smooth, it could be painted but I'm really wondering if there's original tile in place. That would fit with the age of the house. Also, in the short term, peel and stick tile would be better than carpet.