Gorgeous makeover, love the color!

How about adding some sort of a wall art on the wall where the window is, by the towel holder ?

I wonder if you could afix an empty, decorative EMPTY frame on top of the mirror, right over the sink, to make break up the large expanse of mirror?

I think that a greyer blue would be nice, but still beachy....

And perhaps some wall panelling (like beadboard - cottagey) that runs from the same height as the marble backsplash across the window wall, etc? Painted an antique white (can still keep the trim very white)?

I love the color and the marble and the shower too. Somehow though it has a 'cold' look to it. Also love the roman shade. Maybe just needs art, towels, and a few things on the counter.

The blue is not right. It needs to be a grey blue. Other than that looks good.

My thoughts exactly...very cold looking...

june

I'm a total rank amateur, but I'm thinking it is the blue too. It is not related to the marble. The marble is grey/white, and I too am thinking you need a wall color that goes in that same direction.

Maybe Funcolors will chime in here.

Creating a themed room is usually based on how someone "visualizes" the specific theme based on their own experiences. Before "we" decide that the color isn't right do both of you like the color? Before I even considered repainting I would purchase the accesories and place them in the room. A room never looks right until you accessorize. The majority of those accessories will remain the same regardless of what color you put on the wall. Beach accessories to look for might include starfish, shells, sand dollars, white picture frames, laterns, fluffly beach towels, glass jars etc. If after accessorizing something still doesn't seem right you may want to consider changing the color. I'm pretty sure it won't be necessary.

If there is one thing that my eye was drawn to that didn't seem "beachy" was the roman blind. I think a soft wispy window treatment or a whimsical "netting" would look better, IMHO. I think the suggestion to add the bead board is a good one and would add to the overall feeling.

I googled beach themed rooms and this link popped up on youtube from "askadecorator". She has tons of great information to create a beach bathroom, might want to check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CyfEhGSlus

Good luck, she's a lucky girl to have such a nice bathroom at her age.

Exactly what pmartin said.

A grey blue, which I know is in style right now, won't warm up the room, but accessories will.

Texture, like the netting suggested, or a woven wood, along with tactile things like the starfish, will do the trick.

I'm very envious as I haven't finished my bathrooms yet.

I think the issue is the lighting. Normally, you would expect the sink to be directly under the wall light, or two sinks under two wall lights. When you removed one of the sinks, it threw the lighting off.

And they look like spotlights, which are creating areas of intense light and shadows in the room.

The blue is very bright an not relating to the elegance of the marble. BUT, since this is a bathroom for a 12y/o I would work with it. Kid's bathrooms can go a little wild. She probably loves it and you can always repaint when she moves out.

I think that once you get the towels, rugs curtains, and soap dishes in, that the room will look festive and beachy. Work with your daughter on the color palate she wants. Kids tend to love purples and oranges and pinks. Don't faint.

Some of these color combos can be inspiration:

I agree, wrong blue for the beachy look. The roman shade is classy....not beachy. :0)

One way to soften the look and accentuate the beach theme is to add some tropical plants in the bathroom - Hawaiian Ginger or Bird of Paradise, if the bathroom is warm and steamy enough, but any palm or fern type plant would help.

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*They also have a matching bath rug with the thong sandal design. Kewl.

It seems like the long expanse of mirror is bothering you.
I once saw an ad for the link I've copied below. It is framework that you can buy and put over your existing wall mirror.

I also will attach a link that tells about making a frame from plywood, painting it, and then covering it with glue and sprinkling sand and/or shells etc. I don't know maybe that would just be an awful dust collector :(
Here's the link, sorry, you'll have to copy/paste:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4548674_make-beach-themed-mirror.html

I wondered about putting a container (like wicker or wood) of grassy looking stuff in the corner of the counter--like seagrass. I think the room needs texture in some form. I'm not much for this, but I'm sure you'll get lots of good suggestions from others! Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mirror frames

Thank you for all the suggestions. I don't like the paint color but, it matches DD bedroom and after many fights with the hubby about how it is her room and let it be, I had to give in.

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Thank you for all the suggestions. I am going to do just as some of you suggested and get a textural shade like a woven grass one for the window, add some art to that one wall, and put a dimmer on those lights. I don't know if I said this but, a couple people nailed it. The mirror drives me insane and the contractor (my bro in law) was supposed to frame it out and he left and didn't do it. Now DH keeps putting it off. I was thinking about framing it into sections by using flat trim and liquid nails. But, now I am worried the one sink looks weird on that really long cabinet run. Hmmmm. This is a hard one. Thanks for all your input.

What is your daughters vision of "beech". You could go tropical beach, with tropical plants as suggested, and tropical prints or it could be more artsy beach with shells, beads etc. Or it could be a combination. I like the black and white and you could play that up with black and white beach theme prints, towels, rugs. I see a black lacquered tray with white shells and a piece of coral for a pop. My 12 year old granddaughter would love that wall of mirror. But at any rate find out what her vision of "beach" is. Maybe have her make a list of items, colors, feelings she thinks of when she thinks of a beach.

That's a good idea pat tea. I am guessing she means seashells, sand, starfish, etc. She has some of that in her bedroom. The tropical beach would be a little too mature looking for her. I was thinking about some big glass jars in the corner filled with seashells in a grouping. What kind of rug would fit her idea? She doesn't want pink or green in there and white would blend in. I have bought 2 different blue bath rugs and the color doesn't go with the BM Seafoam Walls. I don't love the floors but they weren't horrible so I left them and didn's install new ones. This bathroom ended up being twice my budget, if I had know that I probably would have gutted it. She loves the big mirror and there was no way in heck I was going to try to get it out of there. It's huge.

Check this out. This sight has a bead and shell dolphin curtain. Also, you could put a tray of sand on the counter where you could leave her love letters in the sand. You are probably to young to know that song but seriously, I saw a tray of sand with a heart drawn in it that would be cute. A textured rug with a color pulled from the curtain would be nice.

http://www.shopwildthings.com/doshbecu.html

I think the wall color is lovely!

First I would ask her what she thinks a beach theme entails, if there are pix that she would like to see framed in the room, etc. Her vision of beach may be very different than yours or ours.

Not knowing that, tho, I would:

Change the window treatment to a woven wood/matchstick type of blind in a warmer tone. Put hand towels in a similarly colored basket on the vanity.

Get towels in coral color, as well as rugs for the floor, to warm up the space. Penney's has their masterpiece towel collection on sale right now, free shipping offer too, and they have coral.

Get a big glass hurricane vase, put in a couple of inches of sand, then fill about 1/3 with shells (including some with the coral color in them) and then fill with tall grasses like those you would see at the beach.

Your bathroom layout is similar to ours, but we don't have a window. I think you just need some accessories and picures in there to complete the room.

I would change out the stark Roman shade, though. I happen to be a pattern person so I'd probably look for a Jacobean pattern that would complement the blue walls.

I really like the wall color you've selected.

Texture is what you need. A bamboo or some type of natural roman shade is a great suggestion as well as the beach grass. In my beach inspired bedroom I have a basket type vase with the beach grass in it. (I dislike the word themed LOL) The vanity is quite long, so you could use something quite large in scale. Accessories on the walls and vanity will warm it up alot. I could see some sandy colored rugs and towels for a little warmth. How can you have a beach without sand? You've done a great job so far and I love the shower improvement.

I like the color for a tween! Like others, I think the long counter offers the opportunity for vases/baskets filled with shells, fancy soaps, twisty branches, and/or a plant or two. A large print on the wall would be fun. It could be beachy or just colorful like a Matisse which might pick up the blue and have complementary, fun colors. Glad you are going to change the shade. That is the one thing that I think really doesn't work. It is a wonderful bathroom.

If it's your dd's bathroom & her ideas.........go with it : ) I'd start by adding to your large mirror. Some ideas would be to add a frame by going with sea shells, bamboo, etc. You could make a craft type of project with dd by using 3" x 1/2" wood frames cut to size and then use mosaic glass, mother of pearl peices, sea shells or textured wall paper that is painted (silver or bamboo color). It might be easier if you add your ideas to the frame and then tack it to the mirror after.......this way if you change it again in a few years, it's simple.
I'd also consider a shell chandelier or chrome style and accessorize with you beach style with candles, sand etc.
I also like the idea of the bamboo/reed grass shade for the window.
When you decide on a rug that you like and feel it really goes with dd's bathroom......buy it, you can always change the wall color to match and it's an inexpensive adjustment.
Here are a few pics for ideas:
Done with textured wall paper

graywings nailed it. The lighting is all wrong.

The needs to be a light over the sink. There also needs to be lighting for the vanity area. It looks so off the way you have the lighting and in a bathroom it's very important to have the lighting where you need it.

It's really really wrong and I'd be a lot harsher about how wrong it is if it wasn't a relative that did the work.

I also don't understand the logic behind removing one of the sinks. It's the opposite direction people go in.

I would add back the second sink, move the lighting so you have one bar centered over each sink and maybe a decorative pendant/small chandelier over the vanity area.

As for the other things people have said it's a matter of taste. THe lighting is one of those things that bother you but you can't put your finger on it.

Hi kimmieb, I just looked at the color of your bathroom, you have the color below the color that I choose on the color swatch . The color that I choose was the icy moon drops, I was going for the spa look in our new bathroom in our basement,if you want a lighter blue then what you have now, I also got that color in the Aura paint. I did notice that your 2 light fixtures look very cold looking, maybe if you replaced them with a warmer light fixture in the chrome. I'll post the light fixture that we put in above the mirror. We also went with the carrara marble too.

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I guess it's just the lighting, because I want to see white cabs (like your trim) but you say they are White Dove. Looks more like a medium gray from here.

The lighting you have might provide side lighting at the sink, but you really need some overhead, ambient lighting in addition, for the whole room.

Accessories will go a long way, in that the room looks incomplete right now. I can picture a big white oval rug. White towels; maybe with an accent stripe detail, or something. Art on the wall. Some large glass apothecary jars holding seashells, starfish, maybe even some artificial lemons and lime for color, freshness, and aroma; or something to that effect. Small one for cottonballs and q-tips? Beautiful white pillar candle or hurricane of some sort.

Maybe a small table lamp and makeup mirror in the vanity area.

I like the color, as it appears here, with the all the marble, and also with the white trim, and the contemporary glass and chrome of the shower area.

Thank you all for your honesty. I will start with a bamboo shade, add some accessories, big white rug, towels, glass jars with tropical items like shells and sand. Great suggestions. I promise you guys though DD won't let me touch the paint color. It's there to stay for a while.

I do agree that taking out the sink was a mistake but, this is not the master bath anymore so the thought was she didn't need 2 sinks so why put it in again. In hindsight I should not have done that but, the countertop supplier said that. It's way too late to correct that I believe or is it? Maybe when they come to do my kitchen counters they can cut that other hole. Do you think?

Organicnob The lighting is really not as bad as the picture shows but, I see what you mean. In an effort to cut costs I had my Bro in law do the work and i really wanted to remove the mirror and add sconces, etc. To cut costs and because he wasn't really hip on doing that, I let it go and tried to work with what I had and the existing electrical boxes. In hindsight, I would have insisted on what I wanted. I was running over budget & it's a long story. Got frustrated and so on... So, I will consider adding a chandelier. I am learning a lot during the remodel doing it slowly so on bath 2 and 3, i'll know what to do.

I have the PB Teen capriz colored chandelier that plugs in. Maybe if I hang it over the vanity area from the ceiling it will add something there. Then is it worth trading off the vent fan/light thing for another overhead fixture?

Then I'll tackle the mirror issue. Thanks so much all. Keep it coming.

I think it's a lighting issue. Those lights look like spot lights and there are alot of shadows. The before pictues had much better lighting. Can you put recessed lighting or a fixture in the middle of the bath. I also think towels, floor mats and a few beachy knick knacks like seashells will help. I like the wall color and I think it looks okay with the wall marble. The floor is more of a pink-grey so doesn't really go. But you can cover it with a nice seagrass runner and that might do the trick. The beadboard is a gread idea.

kimmieb,

I'm pretty sure you'll be able to get them to cut the other hole down the road, which would be advisable for resale purposes, even if there isn't another bedroom served by this bathroom, the next family could have two children in the one bedroom.

RE lighting: Yep, it's the fixtures. The Hollywood strips gave off almost 360 degree light and you've cut it by more than half with the spot style fixtures. I know you're over budget already, but maybe you could sell these fixtures on CL (as almost new for about 75% of what you paid) and get some new ones that provide the same amount of light you had before.

If you have one near, stroll through Home Goods. I always find interesting things there. I would avoid doing anything permanent that's too specific. Things that can be changed out are best. I'm going to attach a link to one of my former homes. The pictures show it as it was staged to sell. The accessories are simple, but can easily be swapped out as tastes change. Before this bath was staged, my kids had a jungle theme.

A couple of years ago, Kenneth Brown did an episode on ReDesign on HGTV where he re-did a family room in East Coast Beach Chic. He and and the homeowner went shopping for accessories.

Maybe a glass table lamp, the kind you can fill up, filled with sand dollars or shells. Coral picture frames lacquered in a bright pop of color. Texture works too. Target had some cool textured placemats (kitchen section) that could work on the counter. A small rattan bench near the wall.

Great job by the way. I really love the shower. I'd love to do that in my master bath someday...

Kathe

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful:

I think you've received a lot of great suggestions, especially for the window treatment and changing it to a woven wood shade. I also think you need another color in there to give it some punch, a coral color would look good with the blue and possibly add to the beach theme. Roll up towels in a couple of shades that work with the blue and put them in a nice basket on top of the counter. I'd think about cutting another hole for resale purposes down the road but in the meantime, use the expanse of counter to decorate. It just needs some finishing touches and it will be beautiful. I also saw some rugs shaped like shells that had blue, coral, sand and other colors in them online. They would be great for color on the floor and to draw from for towels.

I wouldn't have any regrets about losing the second sink, especially not while it's "her" bathroom. That long space gives you room to accessorize - you couldn't put a glass jar with shells, for instance, in a smaller space used by an active teen... at least, I wouldn't.

I have to say, you guys on this board are good at what you do! I agree that making the lighting more ambient rather than spot, and softening the space with accessories including plants, will do a lot. I wouldn't obsess about the mirror though. I think one reason it seems to be an issue is that it reflects the starkness back, doubling it. But it will do the same with the accessories you put in, and I think its severity will pretty much evaporate. A frame might be good, but wait and see.

Finally, I notice that you had a bamboo blind before. Perhaps you could reuse.

KarinL

I think opinions on the wall color may be "colored" by the beaches we might be used to. I've seen ocean water the color of that wall.

It's not soft Hamptons beach blue, it's vibrant Miami Beach Blue! I like it, but it calls for other strong colors, corals, yellows, pinks even reds. I wouldn't tone it down, I'd play it up. Maybe some cool wall graphics - they're not expensive and they're temporary. You can find great ones at etsy and whatisblik.com. You could even do them on that mirror, which could look really fantastic.

Plants make a huge difference in bathrooms too...I'm thinking an indoor palm or something.

Good luck, I think you've got a good start!

I can't say that you're getting good advice on the sink issue until you answer another question or two...do you have a "real" master bath with two sinks? And did you cap off the plumbing but leave it accessable in your daughters bath? If you answered yes to both, leave the long counter. You don't have to plan for a family that does not live in your home and two sinks in a one person bathroom is rediculous (I've had it...it's awful). IF you capped off you can advertise it's ready for two sinks when you sell if you want, but don't cut a hole without knowing if it's necessary. If you don't have a real master bath you've probably made a mistake giving it to your daughter and you should plan on making a real one when you move...but again, why do it now? It's an easy fix later.

Someone mentioned whispy or gauzie for the window. IMO it's absolutely necessary. If you put in a bamboo shade you've added some texture but it's still a hard texture and your bath is far too high on hard textures and way way low on soft textures and the beach is all about softness.

White for your towels and mats...keep it easy and soft (again because it's missing) go fluffy on those mats...fun and fluffy.

I wish I had a pic but in my condo appt I went with a color very near your color and loved it. One thing I did to soften the big mirror was to use a bunch of picture frames on the mirror painted in a shabby chic type of white. (does that make sense?) They were all cheap picture frames, but mostly bulky frames, with the pics removed and then I velcroed (double stick velcro in white) the frames to the mirror, with a big one over the sink and the balance scattered around. You'd be amazed how the harsh lines of the wall mirror disapear in the debth of the framed pieces.

I am with most in that I don't like the lights, but their placement isn't the issue, it's the harshness of the fixtures themselves...but that's an easy fix if you soften up the rest of the room with texture. Fluffy white mats, towels, white frames on the mirror, a soft breezy gauzy window covering (which could be done over a grass cloth shade if you want more privacy) and some lovely counter accessories (candles and sand, grasses etc) would really make the room sing, and fix all of your issues (IMO) I'd consider doing the gauzy covering by tacking the gauze to a whispy piece of thin beach wood for the curtain rod, and then hot glue sea shells or sand dollars or star fish every five or six inches as if they were holding up the gauze...

A collection of antique perfume spritzers would be a lovely accessory to bridge your tween into teen.

Hi, Kimmieb
I'm "late to the party" but wanted to say that I love the blue. The others are right that you can soften the look with accessories. I noted that you asked about eliminating the vent. Please avoid doing that. Teens tend to take longer showers - your daughter might be taking short showers now, but could spend more time later, and you will be very glad to have that vent/exhaust fan.

Plan a mother/daughter trip to find some "beachy" prints that you can hang or even print some pix of your daughter at the beach. A jar of shells, and plants on the counter would soften it up. I would be leary of putting candles in there, though.

Have fun.

I've had a long counter with one sink before - tho the long part was the make up area w/ bench. still there's teenage stuff to go on that counter - just wait. you could put a fake palm tree plant there or some bamboo canes. how about hanging some netting from the ceiling over a corner or something? with some starfish etc on it - like they were 'caught'. maybe that could be the WT.

the lights are a major problem i think. don't look at all beachy.

you could also glue shells / starfish etc around the mirror.

and maybe some beach art on the walls. how about a poster of Annette and Frankie? lol!

I love the color for a teen's bathroom. I don't think she is thinking "beach" the way that adults might. Maybe think more "surfer" wild then "beachy" calm. I would let her pick whatever color towels and rugs she thinks goes with the blue, buy some wall art and call it good.

I love the long counter, and as she gets older and her junk multiples, she will love it too. You can always change the sink, mirror, and paint once you send her off to college. I wouldn't change any of the lighting or anything either, while it might not be themed, it is nice looking, and you won't have to change it later.