http://serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com) Decorating Dilemma's party
at http://serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/2009/10/decorating-dilemmas-partyround-3.html. For some reason I can't get the party icon to work!
Welcome to my bathroom!
The only changes we have made to our bathroom since we moved in are the yellow paint (Benjamin Moore Golden Straw), the window (mis)treatment and the L-shaped shower curtain rod. My major dilemma right now is the cabinets.
The cabinets definitely need to be painted. My dilemma? I don't know how to paint them or what color to paint them. Here are some pictures of the bathroom decor:
The shower curtain:
My attempt at making the toilet more pleasing to the eye:
Some of the wonderful character our 1940s house came with:
Here are some pictures of the cabinets (there are 8 drawers, 2 cupboard doors below the sink and four doors on the floor to ceiling linen closet):
The drawers:
Here is a close up of one of the drawers:
The linen closet just has plain doors (no grooves) and the same handles as the rest of the doors/drawers:
Above the counter is beadboard. Above (and behind?) the beadboard is tile that is painted white. The tile goes from the floor to about 5-6 feet up all around the bathroom and the ceiling is also tile. All of these will remain white.Here are some thoughts to ponder (and respond to please!):
Should I paint the whole cabinet the same color and the linen cupboard the same as well? Should I paint the inside of the groove an accent color? Should I paint the inner part of the drawer front a different color than the outer part?
After painting, a second dilemma will rear its ugly head... what should I do with the handles???
Should I keep the handles? Should I paint the handles? Should I toss the handles?I would love any and all input and ideas! Thanks so much!
17 comments:
Hmmm... I can see your dilemma because you could do it multiple ways.
I like the cabinet handles with the way you've decorated so far. It almost mimics the paisley shapes in the shower curtain. I also think you could leave the cabinets totally white and they will look great. But if you do paint them, I'd just paint the groove, which could be your straw color or any of the colors in the window treatment/shower curtain/candles. I guess my question to you would be: Do you want to emphasize the cabinets and their details or do you want them to blend in?
Hi Heather, thanks for your suggestions on my dilemma post. Our landlord had no leftover paint from the original bathroom color so painting it & repainting it back isn't an option unfortunately. But you're right at least the whole wall isn't that color. I do believe that bathroom used to just be a tub that was later converted into a shower. And yes, the curtain does get soaking wet when we're in it. I hate it.
As for your bathroom, I love the cabinets & think even a creamier shade of white or very light taupe or beige might look nice on all of them & I do like the idea of painting the accent on the drawers a different color; whether darker or lighter, I'm not sure, maybe you could test it w/ a light color first & if you don't like it try and darker one after. I actually like the hardware on the cabinets & drawers but think they look more lke they should be on a dresser drawer or something & would look nice repainted. Having some simple knobs on the bathroom cabinets & drawers will probably make it look a lot more streamlined too. Hope this helped! :-) Thanks for stopping by my blog. Take care.
I really like what you have done with your bathroom, the shower curtain etc, that fabric is so pretty. I honestly think the drawers and cabinets look good white, but I think it would look good if you painted the drawers a dark chocolate brown color so it would look like a built in chest, and it would be a contrast with the walls, counter top.
My opinion on the hardware - I really like them, they have a lot of character, but if they are not to your taste it is pretty inexpensive to change that out.
I would paint the handles a really highgloss black.
I'm visiting from Amanda's Decorating Dilemma party...
What about painting the cabinets that dark brown in your shower curtain? That might help to balance some of the white on the tile and beadboard. You could paint the grooves a white color if you like, kind of like this:
Painted Dresser by Centsational Girl
If you do choose to paint grooves, you could paint the existing handles the same color. Or, you could replace them with single glass knobs (if you can find them cheap).
One more idea - since the linen closet doors don't have the same groove as the vanity, could you remove them alltogether? And either use baskets and other pretty storage for the not-so-pretty stuff, or do some kind of mistreatment?
Good luck!
Thanks for linking up! :) I hope you're having fun "mingling" at the party. ;)
I LOVE the shower curtain you chose---beautimous. :)
I think the handles are pretty, but they are kind of small and seem to disappear. Perhaps you could go with something a bit more substantial or even paint the existing ones black and add a few black accessories to the counter to pull it all together.
I also like the candle colors you chose for the back of the toilet. :) Maybe try grouping them on a small try that coordinates with whatever handle color you choose for the drawers.
Nice bath! :)
Hi there, I'm visint from Amanda's blog. I love what you've done so far. I think it would be cool if you painted the cabinets/drawers a dark green (not forest green, darker)to pick up the green in your shower curtain. I would leave the grooves white to pair up the linen closet (which I would leave white so that the focus is on the cupboards under the sink). I actually like the hardware you have on your drawers already, I would save money and leave them. Anyways, can't wait to see what you do!! Good luck!
Thanks for all the ideas so far!
Mandy, Great question! I don't know!! =) That's part of my dilemma...
The cabinets have to be painted because even though they look white in the photos the seafoam green the used to be has bled through (particularly in the grooves) the flat white they were painted before we bought the house. I can paint them white again. I also like the idea of painting them dark brown to match the window and shower curtains.
I think I will keep the handles. I like them.
Kristy, I really like what Centsational Girl did with the dresser. I made a mental note of it when I saw her post a while back. I'm not sure if the grooves on these drawers are big enough to do that though! I also LOVE your idea of removing the linen closet doors... I think that would have to be a "down the road" project. The inside of that cupboard is fire engine red and the shelves and inside of the doors are sea foam green!! It would be a lot of work, but it would look awesome with fabric over the lower part and baskets in the upper part... hm. My wheels are turning!
Amanda, I will be on the hunt for a tray now! I LOVE that idea!
Visiting from Amanda's party!
If you want to change the cabinet color I think I would use the same yellow as the walls, or a shade or two darker.
I like the idea of putting the candles on a tray. My only suggestion would be to use all the same colored candles and set them on a tray filled with some colored pebbles/stones (whatever they are called, lol)
I like the handles, but agree that they are a little small and kind of get "lost."
I think to help them stand out I'd paint everything inside the grooved area an accent color.
I like the idea of chocolate brown or possible a blue-green to match what's in the shower curtain (which I love!)
For the rest of the cabinet I'd use go with white again - I think it looks nice with the beadboard and tile!
First, looove your shower curtain. Where did you get it? It'd be perfect in my bath.
I'd paint the vanity part dark brown so it has a seperate identity from the linen clost. I like the idea of removing the doors on the linen closet and using baskets etc. But as you said that can be done later. So I'd leave them white for now. Spray paint your hardware (pulls and hinges) copper to match the door knob, love btw. Get a copper paint pen (craft store) and use it in the grooves on the drawers to highlight. A mirror or glass topped tray for the candles could also be sprayed copper also.
Big surprise, I say stick with white - a fresh coat if necessary. Keep it all the same shade, in such a small space this will just have a better look. The hardware really isn't bad, but new hardward (vintage or not) does go along way to spruce things up. Now that I'm done giving my opinion, I must say you have a really nice bathroom, lots of potential!
:) T
Hi Heather,
I was going to tell you that I like the cabinetry as is, but then I read your comment about the old paint bleeding through. I do really like the white, but I also like the idea of painting them dark brown. I actually just recently spray painted my master bathroom cabinetry dark brown (I think I'll post about it today or tomorrow)and I'm really happy with the result. I think your bathroom would equally nice painted creamy white. I'm a little stumped on the handles. Part of me likes them, part of me is curious to see what updated hardware would do to your space. I like the idea of new vintage-inspired hardware in glass or silver tone.
Maybe something like this for the cabinet in the silver tone:
http://houseofantiquehardware.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2472/.f?sc=11&category=111
Or maybe glass ones like these:
http://houseofantiquehardware.com/s.nl/sc.11/category.100/.f
Hope this helps!
Hey Heather,
I hope you are doing well. We'd love to get together soon! I would paint all your cabinets either the dark chocolate brown from your curtains or a deeper color of your walls-maybe two shades deeper of the same color. I like the handles, but if you want updated, maybe just go streamlined. Like the long strait silver handles that look like rods. I would paint the cabinets all the same color and you just take all the drawers/doors off and paint those separately from the frame.
Take care and I'm sure we can talk soon.
Love, Anna
P.s. I would get a big silver clock and I would also replace your mirror with a chunky framed one...I got the ones in my bathroom for 20 bucks at Walmart. Just something with a dark brown frame? It would really update the look and make a big difference for cheap!
So, since I'm just getting here, and you've already had lots of great ideas,
What did you do???
Blessings
barbara jean
PS I love white, so like them the way they are.
You can always jazz up your space with accents to pick up the color of your shower curtain.
Oh, put a doily or try under your candles. will give them a bit more of a lift and separate them from the toilet. =0))
blessings
barbara jean
The information here is great. I will invite my friends here.
Thanks
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