How to wake up on the right side of the bed…
A bit tongue in cheek, but as humans we are so affected by our environments, so put plainly, if you can start (and end) each day in a beautiful space, then yes, I think it’s fair to say you’re on your way to a great day.
This was a project we recently completed for such wonderful clients, and I wanted to share a few details with you!
But let’s start at the beginning.
This ensuite was a 90’s special – alcove shower, linoleum floors, bitty wrapped vinyl vanity, and yes, you guessed it, the tiled-in jet tub! Classic!
I’ll spare you the middle of the story due to certain dirty words for 2022, such as supply chain issues and short-staffed, which are not intended for all audiences 😉
Let’s skip to the good part that makes any reno #WORTHIT.
We got to flex some creative muscles in a couple custom pieces in this space – such as these wood floating shelves and the finger pull Alder vanity by @G.E.O Custom Cabinets.
Here’s an easy recipe for mixing metals my friends. We used chrome and matte black. Chrome for all utilitarian fixtures (think faucet, shower head and controls, towel bars, etc), and black for all decorative pieces (sconces, mirror and the standing towel rack. This one (below) is from CB2, and it’s almost sculptural – you can shop it at my LTK account).
Mixing metals creates a high end look and is so so easy using the above formula! You could also add a third metal, but don’t go beyond 3 in one room.
The countertop is Carrara Marble – so pretty right? Carrara has a cooler temperature than Calcutta Marbles, more in the range of blue white to grey, so works best in a space that sits in that true white to cool white range. We let the countertop (the most expensive hard finish in this space) dictate the other finishes – e.g. a true white subway tile for the shower, and BM Chantilly Lace for the walls. It’s a heck of a lot easier to have your paint and subway tile accommodate your natural stone than it is the other way around!
The takeaway here: Choose your most expensive hard finish first!
We did a pretty, natural looking grey ceramic hex tile on the floor, which looks oh so soft and pretty against the warmth of the wood and brightness of the white in the space.
Does the white grout make you nervous? Nowadays we have access to Epoxy grouts. Made up of two parts, resin and hardener, epoxy grout is impervious to most chemicals and stains. The perfect pick for bathrooms, kitchens, backsplashes, floors, and other heavy-traffic areas. No compromise on colour for practicality’s sake here! Another aspect in creating a space that will help you feel your absolute best!
Let’s talk open shelving for a minute. It’s not for everyone. But if you can commit to keeping it neat and organized, you will LOVE how it looks and functions. Here we styled the shelves for both function and aesthetics – as you do with open shelving! Baskets are your friend, because, clutter happens – but we don’t need to see it behind that pretty woven!
Nothing simpler than stacks of white linens, a plant, and a pretty jewelry organizer. And voila! Fini!
Custom glass in a shower is 100% worth it, however, on this tub we opted for a screen, which is a safe bet to go retail for, as it doesn’t require fitting into a space at millimeter perfect.
I love this subway tile and use it a lot because it has a lot of look for a good price. I love the subtle texture, and that there’s a million different looks you can create with subway tile depending on your chosen installation. If you are more traditional, go for the 3×6″. If your look is more modern, go 3×12″.
This is Ames Marlow Series.
To save where we could, we opted not to have the cabinetmaker do a custom vent cover. But didn’t we luck right out with this off-the-shelf vent cover from Home Depot!? It’s a pretty perfect match. The Design Stars were aligned!
Lastly, try a runner in your bathroom if you can fit it, in place of a shower mat. Such a pretty look to layer pattern and colour in a utilitarian space. It feels thoughtful, and luxurious. Life is short. Buy the rug friend! It will hug you back!
That’s all from me! I’ll leave you with this styling pic, because it’s the most important part of the feel of any room. Even if you’re not planning a bathroom reno anytime soon, give yourself a couple hundred dollar budget and take yourself shopping. I guarantee you, you can right a lot of wrongs with thoughtful styling.
If a reno is in your near future, we would love to help bring that into form for you!
You can check out our Full Service and eDesign offerings on the site!
I hope these tips can help you start each day on the right side of the bed! A beautiful bathroom is an in-home oasis, a smart place to invest your reno budget to be sure.
Until next time,
Meghan
