Jan 28, 2013

upstairs bath: making some decisions

since we are now going to finish the "extra" bath in the upstairs, i am in high gear trying to make some selections for it.

since this bath will be used primarily for my son, and i don't need a ton of storage, i want to use a freestanding vanity with some open storage. after doing some research, and showing the cabinet maker some pictures of what i wanted, it became pretty clear that it was going to be less expensive to buy something already made. i looked at a lot of sources online, and kept coming back to restoration hardware. they have a terrific selection of vanities, and while they tend to be a little expensive, they were less than having one custom made at a local cabinet shop.

i really, really like the look of this vanity, from the pharmacy collection:
but the $2,000 price tag isn't working with my budget!

so...i looked into my second favorite, the hutton vanity:
i really like the simple, masculine lines of this vanity....and the price without the marble top is pretty affordable at $600.

and then, i decided to check out the sale department, and i spotted the logan vanity:
only the bottom two drawers are "real", which is enough storage for my son.  i really like that the wood will hide a lot of dirt! best of all, (without the top) it was just under $400  before tax and shipping... i went ahead and ordered it. (so excited!)
i think it will look great with what i eventually want to put on the floors....

 i would LOVE to do a patterned concrete tile. i found this amazing pattern here that i am dying over:

its from villa lagoon tile, and they custom color their tiles! i really like this olive green color, but i also like the idea of a grey and cream. maybe one day....for now, we are going to have to do something cheaper.

i purchased two of these lights at joss and main a while back. they look a LOT like the mason hammered iron pendant from arteriors, but were a fraction of the cost.

i was originally going to use them in my downstairs mudroom/hallway, but i think i want to use them in this bathroom instead. i am thinking that i want one centered over the sink, and another centered over the toilet.

i originally wanted to install a wall mount faucet like this:

(via)
but the cost to change the plumbing was going to be a bit higher, and my contractor (husband) informed me that if they are more difficult to service if there were any issues.  even though we found plenty of cheap wall mount faucets on ebay and overstock, he wanted to stick with a trusted brand, and the cost of the ones we liked were too high for our budget. SO, we are sticking with a "regular" counter top mounted faucet.

i would like to get a honed black marble or granite top, but we may end up putting in laminate until we can swap it out for a stone countertop.
and i am thinking that i would like to do some simple subway tile in the shower area. yeah, i know...everyone and their DOG is doing subway tile EVERYWHERE, but it is a look that i have always loved, and a true classic. my favorite affordable subway tile is dal tile's rittenhouse tile:


it is right around $4 a square foot, and is available in many colors and 2 finishes---matte and semi-gloss. i used the semi-gloss tile in biscuit around the fireplace in house #2
(the decor in the house is not mine, but belongs to the current homeowners. i designed the simple mantle and the cream burlap curtains. the color on the walls is "craft paper" by sherwin williams, and the trim is called "antique white")

i am considering using a grey color, but the white is also a strong contender.
(via)
i really like the way the grey looks in this bath.
what do you think? would you stick with white, or do something a little different, like the grey?


16 comments:

  1. Since that bathroom has no windows I think you should use either white or a very light color - I think the gray tile you show is beautiful but too dark for that location.

    I can't imagine the stress of all the choices involved in a new house! Thanks for sharing the process - it is very informative to hear how & why you make some of the decisions. Especially the idea of concentrating on the things that are hard to change later (floorplan) and economizing on things that are easier to change (vanity counter).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, totally see your point with the bathroom having no windows. the wall above the shower is slanted, and so i can't get a light IN the shower, which is also an issue. the white will for sure be safe bet.
      thanks for your comment! it is so true that building a house on a budget is a series of compromises, and i am glad that you have noticed how we are trying to stretch our dollar, and put money NOW into more permanent things and trying to save on items that can be changed or added later.
      :)

      Delete
  2. Thanks for the resources! I love the grey, too, but classic white is always good for the long run.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ah. so true. it is always safe to go with white. good thing i like both!

      Delete
  3. I love that vanity. I think the masculine lines and the more rustic wood will look just perfect in a boy's bathroom. I know you didn't ask, but have you lived with black granite? I'm just wondering because I have black honed granite in my kitchen and I HATE it! I'm pretty tidy, but not only do you have to wipe it clean, you also have to wipe it dry! Every drip of water leaves a mark if it's not wiped. Of course I stay on top of it, but I only ask because I have two boys and I can't imagine them wiping down a bathroom sink as thoroughly as I have to wipe the counter around my kitchen sink to keep it looking nice. The splatter marks would drive me crazy, but maybe your little guy is super tidy. Excited to see what you end up doing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ha!! no---my son is NOT tidy.
      :)
      i haven't lived with black granite yet. i was kinda hoping that the dirt wouldn't be a huge issue since the countertop is pretty small, but you have definitely made me think twice. another alternative is concrete, so i may look into that a bit more.

      Delete
    2. Yep, dirt is not the problem, just the greasy fingerprints, smudges, water deposits, (and in my boys' bathroom I imagine toothpaste drool and pump soap splatter), etc... That's funny, because I was literally thinking I might consider concrete with that vanity in a boy's bathroom, although I've not lived with concrete so I don't know about maintenance! Whatever you choose will be stylish! Good luck! :)

      Delete
  4. I like the gray tile. We have black granite in a powder room so it is manageable ;) but it definitely shows every stupid water droplet. But it is sooo pretty when it's clean hehe.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my I love that pharmacy vanity! I agree with the white subway, it is classic and timeless. The two light fixtures might not give off enough light for a bathroom with no windows, but I love them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes...the lights wont give off a tone of light. there will also be a ceiling fixture. (tried to get a can in there, but duct work and the way the rafters were wasnt allowing it. ah well....hopefully, it will be enough light!

      Delete
  6. I really like the white subway tile- but would you consider trying out a dark grey grout to add some interest? I'm a big fan of using colored grouts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh, absolutely. if i went with the white tile, i would do a grayish grout, and if i opted for the grey, i would do white grout. i love how contrasting grout brings out the pattern in the tile and makes it look a bit more modern.

      Delete
  7. I really like the look of the grey tile with the white grout but reading the others comments makes me think that the white tile with the grey grout would be the best idea. Plus, grout is difficult to clean so having a dark grout would be a plus in my mind.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have always loved classic white subway tile, but I've got to say, I LOOOOOVE that gray subway tile with the white grout. It's fabulous!! I'm thinking I might have to use that in a bathroom someday. :-) I'm loving the ideas you have going here. Can't wait to see how it all turns out!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like the grey tile in the last picture as well, Autumn do you know what the exact color is, or where I can find it?

    ReplyDelete