I'm still trying to get an idea of how I can improve my puny & yucky ensuite. Previously I was thinking of getting a small chandelier for above the toilet, but I think I chickened out on that.
I found a light bar I like at HD that is chrome that makes me think 'sparkly & shiny', so I'm trying to work with that now. The floor I'm thinking of going with has small squares (2-3' size) in a dark charcoal, so the square design in the light fixture kind of works with that nicely. I also found a faucet with a shape that I think will pick up on the squares, and I'll be getting a white sink. I'll be painting the cabinet white, installing a darker granite-look counter (possibly perlato), and shopping for a mirror in a dark or black frame. I'll use either chrome or crystal knobs on the vanity also.
How does that sound so far? I'm still stuck on that back wall behind the toilet as the stupid window frames butt up right against that wall. I may be limited to just hanging art on that wall, and maybe adding a shelf that runs above the toilet so I can display a few choice things. I have a couple of black wicker mannequin forms that I could set on that, with a couple of other things.
Any other ideas to make this dreary room sparkle?
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| ensuite10450.jpg | 22.9 KB |
| ensuite8450.jpg | 26.54 KB |
| ensuite1450.jpg | 26.19 KB |
| bathroomfaucetAmerican StandardTown Square136450.jpg | 24.89 KB |
| ensuitelightHDrainlightfixture1450.jpg | 24.22 KB |
Comment Guidelines
We welcome your feedback on Houseandhome.com. H&H reserves the right to remove any unsuitable personal remarks made about the bloggers, hosts, homeowners and/or guests we feature. Please keep your comments focused on decorating, design, cooking and other lifestyle topics. Adopt a tone you would be willing to use in person and do not make slanderous remarks or use denigrating language. If you see a comment that you believe violates any of the guidelines outlined above, please click “Alert a Moderator.” Thank you.
Dawn----why do you think that sink might be too big for your counter? You look like you have plenty of space there. You can move the pipes to centre the sink in the middle of the vanity and if you have a drywaller coming it might be a good time to centre your light fixture and patch over the existing hole. We are in the process of doing this at my sister's house now in one small bathroom. My DH is moving pipes and drainpipe over to accommodate a new sink. He also removed a recessed cabinet that was across from the toilet and drywalled over the hole. She's happy! He's a great BIL! ;) Almost done there. She had many flooring samples home and this bathroom is small. She thought about going with a small patterned tile but the larger squares seemed to create the illusion of more space in her room so maybe bring some samples home to view in your room. I'm sure whatever you choose will look great! Boy--------- this decorating seems to snowball-------one thing leads to another----another idea--and it ends up costing more $$$$$!!!!!!!! If you move the sink it means a new countertop! OMG!
The mirror looks good -- great find!!
Whoops, yeah, meant the May issue :o
Home Depot sells nice porcelain tiles that look like slate. They come in brown and two shades of gray. They don't come in small squares -- but on the other hand, you won't need too many of them because your bathroom is small :) Might be worth checking them out. They're special order, so look for them on the display boards.
For the window that doesn't open, have you considered the stick-on paper that lets light through? There are some nice patterns. I know HD carries it.
No bathroom on that page in the April issue, but there's a nice one on that page in the May.
My floor plans are foiled-it's discontinued. I don't think I'll be able to find it so I'm back to sqare one on that. I went to HD for the light, and it's out of stock. Too bad I didn't pick it up the last two times I was there looking at it! The sales person said it's hard to keep that one in stock because it's popular.
Good luck with the mirror, though. I got a bargain buy at Homesense that just barely fits, and I think I like how it fills the wall. It has some surface scratches bit that's ok as I have several cans of black paint hanging around, and it won't take much effort to do. It has a half inch bevel (hard to see, lousy photo and it's just propped up over the other mirror) and it was marked down to $26.
Dawn, check out the April issue of Style At Home -- you might get some colour & accessory inspiration from the bathroom featured on page 84.
LOVE that rectangular sink!!
I have the ML 3 lights from HD in my powder room, they are not bad for that price.
I really like the 'squared' look, so I have some comparison shopping to do. I would have liked this in the main bathroom, but budget dictated some compromises in there. Things are a little easier now, so I hope to splurge just a little to make this awful room a little more interesting.
I stil don't know how I'll deal with those terrible windows. One opens to the outside, the one that is on the sink side of the room. The other one is in a thin wall that separates this ensuite space from the main bathroom, and this window does not open-it's just icky textured glass that I can't improve upon right now. It lets some borrowed natural light into the main bathroom which has no window to the outside. When everything else is done I'll hopefully find some fabric to inspire some simple treatment, like a simple panel in some kind of textured white sheer.
Very nice Dawn! Pottery Barn used to have a line of bathroom accessories called Montgomery------- all of the square stuff------really nice!!! it must be discontinued. I tried to get it a couple of years ago but to no avail. Love the sink and toilet!
You may find a similar looking toilet at HD by Koeller.
Anrol I really like that first chrome one from Canadian Tire. I almost got the 4-light one when I spiffed up my main bathroom, but it never went on sale so I went with a similar one at HD in brushed nickel that was $49.99 and has rounder bits over the glass squares that worked with my taps. It just figures that the CT one is finally on sale, now that I've kind of fallen for the sparkly one at HD! :hairpull:
I found a picture of the faucet I'm hoping to get for the main bathroom online at a US site, listed for $136 US. It is by American Standard, and is in their line called Town Square. I'm hoping it won't be hard to special order it in from either HD or Rona, unless one of the bath showroom stores nearby has one on hand. Also in American Standard's Town Square line is a really great coordinating sink I love the look of, but it might be a little large for my counter. There's a toilet in that line too-haven't looked into it yet though.
Dawn ----I really like the faucets that you chose for your bathroom. May I ask where you found them? I'll post some more square lighting for you. Neptune lights at Canadian Tire----3 light $47.99 reg. $79.99. 4 light $59.99 reg. $99.99. I don't know if you will like these or not. Next ML 3 light at HD $49.99.
well i think you are putting things together nicely....you are going to have one beautiful room when you are finished. :clapping:
smiles
janetc
Sounds like you are on the right track and going to have a really nice little ensuite after instead of one that obviously bugs you. I bet you can't wait to finish.
i think what you've mentioned so far sounds great. It'll look really beautiful. I love the look of a sparkly bathroom. :)
Thanks for all the encouragement! I'm sure glad I found that light bar as inspiration. And at $89.99 I think it's a really good buy for the looks of it. I kind of have some urgency with getting the floor first, as this is my first choice not only because I like it but because it is the same pattern, different colour than what I put in the main bathroom not too long ago (almond) and I can't find it on the Armstrong website anymore. So, since my flooring place said they still have some when I called, I figure I'd best get it in case it is being discontinued. Oh and yes I am DEFINITELY getting a new toilet too-forgot to mention that.
Maybe I'll wait until all is done and rethink the chandelier idea when I find one I have to have. Smoodgie I really love your chandelier and I still like the idea of prisms casting reflection in there. For now I'll buy the light, and get the flooring ordered. I am currently waiting for a call from a drywaller to get some wall work done elsewhere, and I have to get that done before continueing with the rest of the ensuite.
I think everything you're planning sounds great!! I love that faucet -- and chrome will give you that sparkle you want.
I've been thinking of buying that same fixture to put above the vanity in the guest bedroom.
You should go for the chandelier above the toilet. The one we have in our ensuite was cheap ($80 at HD) and easy to install (pic below). You can mount it flush with the ceiling, or hang it lower if you have the space.
I think gray walls will look great with the colour scheme you're planning. How about a gray that's similar to but lighter than the tiles you selected??
To add some more sparkle, how about clear glass shelves with chrome brackets for the wall above the toilet??
Sounds good so far!!!
How bout doing some shadow striping in your bathroom? Use a darker colour to get the contrast....
You are on the right track. It will look great as it comes together. For the mirror go with something large to cover the most of the area in a black or chrome frame.
Are you changing the toilet. White would be best here to go with your new white sink.
Have you decided on a paint colour?
You must post pics when completed.....can't wait to see it.
Love your choices and color scheme! We are going with the same lights from HD in our new ensuite too. I can't wait to see your finished room. Your floor tiles are great too!
Here is the floor sample I mentioned, and the black wicker dressforms I thought I might use in there if I had a shelf over the toilet.