To give the tub area a modern look, take a tile all the way to the ceiling on the window wall. Molding around a glass block wall is not necessary. The tile will do the job, and you can perhaps carry it around the room as a border, depending upon what you pick. If the tile is still available, you might even be able to purchase it in a smaller size and create stripes on the wall, alternating with a new tile. Another idea would be an iridescent glass tile mix which would pull in the color of the existing tile.

Great ideas. I would put more glass bricks around the tub in a design. Try painting with 3 colors; each wall a different color. Certain greens are very relaxing and Rainforest feeling, which I think you are tring to acheive. Probably 2 muted greens and a beige would look very nice for the walls.

Great ideas :) an I LOVE those pictures. Keep them coming please!

Here is a tiled wall with windows, giving you an idea of what your wall would look like. The light sconces are beautiful, but may not meet code. You would have to check if you are interested in something like this. Also, as another approach, note the shower tile in this same room. You could actually install a larger, complementary tile to the existing tile, but in a lighter color, and then insert strips of a darker glass tile to match your existing tile.


I don't like this mosaic tile, but note how it is used on the shower wall as a border.


No matter what kind of tile you use, the key is to tile the entire wall. This will give you the most contemporary installation.

One more suggestion: since your tub is very white in a dark tile, I would make sure you have some white in whatever wall tile you use (assuming it's a blend). That will make the tub look a part of the color scheme, and not just a "default" color.

Hello! I would be worried that tiling up the wall around the glass block window might make the glass block look out of place. I think it is meant to be the focal pointof that area of the bathroom.

I have a bathroom that has reddish floor tile similar to your tub surround, and painted this bathroom Ben Moore Palladian Blue. It looks so pretty - I never get tired of looking at it!

You mentioned changing a chandelier - maybe find a really eye catching chandelier that adds a little sparkle to the room. Also, on the wall you would be facing when soaking in the tub, hang a piece of art that soothes and inspires you.

Also, if you can find "pencil strip" tile to match or coordinate with your existing tile, you could run it along the top row of tiles for a more polished look.

You have a very pretty bathroom already, Brenda. It just needs a little bling and then it's done!

Your ceiling looks high enough to do something very swank. You could purchase a large oval ceiling medallion with a high profile molding and then run ribbon lighting around the inside or the outside of the frame. The center could even be painted to make the inner area of the medallion appear domed or you could go full scale and get a prefabbed dome ceiling kit. Either way the result could be ultra luxurious and you could just use the same molding for around the window. I did also notice you have enough space at the front of the tub for half-columns which if you so chose you could even create an arched entry. I envy you, there are so many creative possibilities. :)


[The photos below came from the websites listed below/]
http://www.rwm-inc.com/domes/oval.htm
http://www.archwaysandceilings.com/blog/dome-ceiling-kit
http://mitrecontracting.typepad.com/photos/trim/5738.html

being a glass expert, I would say the glass block needs to go. All of the above images look great and the one common denominator is no glass block. If it must remain I agree with tiling to the ceiling with complementary tile and border on the door wall and perhaps grass cloth on the window wall to add texture and draw focus away from the glass block

I'm curious as to how to get the glass block out? That seems like a major demo. This is the only natural light in the bathroom as well.

HI Brenda: the glass block would just be knocked out and replaced with a new window. Is that window 5 blocks across by 6 blocks long? Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I would assume that would make it a pretty standard opening (roughly 30w x 36L?) What is the material on the exterior of this wall? If it's brick, it's much more difficult to alter the size; if it's siding, it's not, and you could even put in a much larger window.

I just realized you said that this is the only natural light in the bathroom - it would be nice to have some natural ventilation, too!

Just an idea of how a new window would impact your bathroom. This would be an expensive upgrade, but it might mean you wouldn't have to do much else but paint (i.e. I don't think you would have to do as much with tile)

removing the blocks and installing a window is not as complex as it sounds, but it should be carried out by a professional. The above images are beautiful examples and would be quite costly if you expand and change the shape of the opening. Keeping the existing size with a simple re and re should be cost effective for what you achieve. Definitely worth getting an estimate. For sure add an opening window for ventilation and some two way silhouette blinds for privacy when required.

This window does face the street (corner lot) and exterior is brick. Hoping to not make it too awful expensive. We are also re-doing the kitchen (adding granite and such), and looking to put a 500sqft addition to the house.
Eventually in this bathroom we would like to take the plastic shower insert out and tile that all the way up and replace the plexiglass with a clear glass, frame vanity mirror and get new countertop and sinks. Here's a few pictures of the rest of the bathroom-want to tie it in so as we DO make more upgrades, they will match.
We have a natural but modern taste with stone and earthy colors. Want the entire house to flow with this similar theme

Oh and I measured the window. It's square 46"x46"

Thank you for a great thread. This is the best example of a blank and boring bathroom in need of some color and texture.

Black and boring lol um thanks I guess. We are trying!

One thing to keep in mind down the road - if you replace the glass block with regular window, you won't get as good sound insulation as you have now.

I personally like glass block, even though a lot of people consider it to be a dated look.

If sound is a concern a triple sealed thermal unit would be the answer. As far as glass block, It really comes down to personal preference, I just don't like a window I can't see through.

Good point, Crawford. Personally I think even frosted glass would creep me out a bit if I was facing the street. You could hang a blind or something, but it would be closed most of the time anyway, so you still wouldn't be able to see out:))

i don't plan on gazing out the window to the street as i sit in the tub ;)

If you did a bottom up/top down type of shade you could still get light but then adjust it for more privacy.

I agree about glass block, to me it does not seem dated. Gives one of those classic looks to a bathroom.. Mixing it too with colorful glass tiles would add a lot of sparkle and beauty.

I think glass block can be used well, and it does serve a purpose. In this case, though, the glass block is just utilitarian, which isn't all bad given that the bathroom faces a street; I understand why they did it (I just wish the builder had given it a bit more design thought). Having said that, though, it's always nicer to have a full bathroom with the option for some natural ventilation, plus in this case, I think it would definitely up the aesthetic aspect of the room. It is an expense, however, that you don't NEED to make!