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4.29.2014

Rental Dilemmas: My Basic Beige Bathroom

There is a part of my apartment that you all haven't seen much of, and that's my bathroom.
Functionally, my bathroom is perfect. Firstly, it's giant. It's got a large soaker tub, a huge shower, and a decent sized vanity. There is also a large window so I have ample natural light. The layout is also ideal, and the fact that I don't have to share it is pure bliss.

Aesthetically...it needs a bit of work. There is nothing really wrong with the way it looks. It's fine. My instinct as a designer is to replace all the tile with something fabulous and paint the vanity blackt, but let's face it, this is a rental and the fixed elements are not changing. Not only would my landlord say no, it also doesn't make sense for me from a financial perspective. But, I am thinking I could spruce it up for around $100.

Take a look at its current state:
^ Call me crazy but I actually kind of like the light fixture. I know it's super outdated, but it reminds me of an old Hollywood starlet dressing room. Things I don't love (but cannot change), are the  plain mirror, the counter top, faucet, light oak vanity colour, and the boring beige tile floors....so pretty much everything.
^ I do like the toilet. It's fairly small and nice looking. 
^ I love my tub and the big window. Again, the tile is not my favourite but atleast it's neutral.
^The view of my shower.
I also currently have pinky corally bath towels hanging on the wall opposite my vanity:

I'm thinking it needs a few minor tweaks to make it look a bit more cohesive, and a lot more styled.
Even though it's perfectly clean and tidy, it looks kind of hodge podge and cluttered to me.

I saw a small graphic black and white rug at The Home Depot that I am considering to replace the boring brown one I currently have. I put my black and white pillow down to get an idea of how it would look, and I'm liking the contrast:
I also think that the black and white help to make the fixed elements feel more 'goldy', which I like.

I also know that I can't change the mirror, but lately I've been seeing a lot of 'mirror on mirror' in bathrooms.... I wonder if there is a way I could put my octagonal mirror on top of this one in a non-permanent way....

Lastly, I'd add some chic accessories, and paint and hang a couple of abstract black and white paintings. I did a quick twenty minute brainstorming sketch:
What do you guys think?
xox
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8 comments:

Julia@Cuckoo4Design said...[Reply]

Yes, yes and YES. Love your drawing too

Tracey said...[Reply]

Do you like in an Apartment cuz your bathroom is HUGE! So nice to have the tub and shower option. I love your drawing and ideas.

Lesley Metcalfe said...[Reply]

Wow, what a great size bathroom! I haven't seen one this big in a house that someone owns, let alone in a rental. You lucky girl! But you're right, while the bones of it are great, it is a little on the boring beige side. Love your ideas for sprucing it up. If you aren't able to get your octagonal mirror on the existing one without causing damage, perhaps you could try adding some trim around it, make it look like a framed mirror? Could be easily done with a few pieces of mitred moulding, if there's enough space around the edges of the mirror. As for the rug, since it's going to be placed in a moisture-rich environment, if you want something that's easy to clean there's a little shop on Dupont called Titus & Louise - they have machine-washable, graphic rugs. I have one and I love it. It would be the perfect size for your bathroom. I'll put a photo of it on Instagram and tag you in it so you can see.

Love your sketch!

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...[Reply]

I am a huge fan of "mirrors over mirrors"! I have done it many times! One solution that MC has done is to hung a framed mirror, with chain, from a hook above the existing mirror, just below the light fixture. It works!

Because I'm Obsessed said...[Reply]

Whatever you decide, it will look fabulous --I mean, look at the rest of your space! Perfection! & HOLY COW that's amazing that you have a shower AND a tub with such a small space!

xx
Because I'm Obsessed

srldesign said...[Reply]

I think adding the octogon mirror over the existing one is a great idea! And the black art will definitely give it some contrast. If you're not feeling the cabinets, you could always change out your hardware for something in black, or even add a table skirt with some fabulous trim, ie: greek key ;-) You could just use some velcro to the top of it, so it's not permanent. Good luck sister, can't wait to see what you come up with!! xo-Sara

Christine @ Suburban Charm said...[Reply]

GREAT ideas!!! Try hanging your mirror on mirror with one of those 3M command strip plastic hooks...they come in all sizes and would be easy to remove. I also like Sara's idea of adding a skirt around the vanity...it would "glam" it up to match the "glam" of your Hollywood light fixture.

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...[Reply]

Its bigger than mine, so you are already ahead of me. :) Love your plan!