I want to chime in with white: white curtain, towels, mats. White. Clean and fresh and bright.

Also Tibb's suggestion of a curved shower rod. I was a doubter, but they are great.

I am leaning strongly towards the white matelassé for one of the baths, and will definitely consider white towels, mat, etc. I don't want to do the second upstairs bath the same way though -- want to mix it up a little, especially since the tile and other design elements are the same.

What are the advantages of a curved rod?

Another contender for the second upstairs bath? (If we go with the white matelassé in the first.) Or too wimpy against the dark wood?

Auntjen, a curved shower curtain rod will give you more elbow room in the shower.

Curved curtain rod

Mine is installed slightly more inward than the attached photo, but you get the idea. I pooh-poohed the idea when it was recommended here. I couldn't imagine how it would make *that* much of a difference. I also was reluctant to drill into brand new tile. Well, I'm very glad I got over my doubts and fears. Never has something like 6 inches made such a difference. I have a standard tub/shower alcove and feels so spacious in there. It's a little like when you go from a full bed to a queen and the difference in a few inches seems like much more.

I don't think the cottagey PB curtain works with the tile. The Shore color in the RH curtain would be very pretty with the brown tile, accent, and any white in the room, like shutters! I can't do all brown and beige in a room or all white. I need a little color.

Or the eucalyptus.

Personally, I don't like it when shower curtains take over bathrooms. Simpler is better, IMO. Keeps a bathroom looking clean and not so bathroom-y.

Ohhhhhhh ... Those RH washed linen curtains are fabulous! I love both the Dune and Shore shades - they're gorgeous! Tibbrix - have you washed yours, and if so, how'd it hold up?

I'm so glad I posted here before diving headlong into shower curtain shopping, because what I'm loving now is not at all what I would have initially been looking at!

Thanks so much for the info on curved rods. We will look into having one installed in the upstairs bath that DH chooses as his own. We've already decided that the downstairs master bath is mine. Alllllllllllllllll mine. :-D

Eucalyptus is really pretty too, tibbrix! I'm starting to come around to your way of thinking, and it's quite a departure for me - considering not too terribly long ago I was using a brightly hued and patterned Mexican Saltillo blanket as a shower curtain! But that was then - and this will be now. This house calls for a completely different kind of approach, I'm learning.

I think DH will like the colors of the RH curtains better than the white matelassé. The two upstairs baths are in fairly close proximity to one another ... How would it look to use the RH washed linen curtain in both baths -- Dune in one and Shore in the other? I'm seeing these curtains as very neutral, and I think I can make the rooms distinct by choosing different accents and artwork for each. Good idea? (Bad idea?) I hate to miss out on the curtains while they're on sale.

(Oh, dear. Juniper is a lovely shade too!)

I would keep the curtain pushed to the side to show off the tile, so I'd go with something that pulls the accent tile colors. To my eye, Shore works perfectly, but I have that color with my paint so I'm partial. I was able to find that Shore color in cotton Calvin Klein bath rugs at Marshall's.

I guess it depends on what they have in stock, since they're having a sale on them.

I have washed mine a few times. I've never put it in the dryer, though, for fear of it shrinking and also, because it's linen, sure it would come out a very wrinkled mess. line dry it and then just hang it back up. Much less wrinkling when line dried, and then the humidity from a shower will take care of the rest. (I've never ironed it either!). Curtain has held up very well, no were or thinning or fraying or anything like that. It's like the day I got it, which was four years ago. It does give my bathroom a spa feel, which I really like. Like I said, it hangs nicely because it's a very good weight linen, not flimsy thin.

Why wouldn't you use a linen curtain in each bath? Nothing wrong with that at all. They really are nice curtains, and linen is timeless.

I have no ideas for you, but I just wanted to say hello!!!!!

I had lost Gardenweb, and accidentally found a link today on Google Images, of all places! It was so nice to arrive here and see a familiar name!

Hope all is going well for you, and good luck with the shower curtain....if all else fails, don't forget I can sew ;^)

Blessings to you,

Jaybird

Well, now my day is truly MADE! A big hello and hugs to my old friend, Jaybird! It's wonderful to see you here!

I think I am going to order the RH curtains. Love them. Love, love, love them. :-)

Oh, excellent idea to distinguish each bath via artwork and knickknacks.

I have the curved rods and they're great. Also, I know this is spending someone else's money, but I always use 2 shower curtains for a more luxurious look and feel.

Ordered! One in Dune, one in Shore. Even found a promo code to save an additional 10%, so that helped. Will still need liners, rings, etc. - but those can come later. I'm just delighted to have shower curtains on the way that will be pretty and classic and last us for years. (I hope - I do worry a bit about that linen weave and kitty claws. My Penny is a water baby. She LOVES the tub!)

Thanks so much to all who weighed in and helped me reach a decision. Now ... here's hoping they look as good in the rooms as they look online!

You do need a good liner as well.

dee - lovely idea to use two shower curtains! DH balked a bit at paying $176 for the two I ordered, so I think I'll not go there just now. ;-) He probably expected me to do what I've always done in the past and just pick something up from Target. Not that you can't find decent offerings there, but I think I convinced him that I won't tire of the RH curtains, and we'll keep them for a long time.

Definitely, tibb. Will tackle that once we're in the house next month, for sure.

Congrats!

Btw, I bought these double hook curtain hooks for my shower curtains. They are GREAT! They make no noise when you open and close the curtain, and since they don't clip, you simply hang the liner on the inside hook and the curtain on the outside hook, and when you want to launder the curtain or toss the liner for a new one, you can just lift the individual curtain/liner off its hooks and put the clean curtain/new liner right back on. None of that PITA unclipping of each ring.

I do have a traditional clip ring at each end, though, because they keep the curtain closed and tighter to the wall. I got these in the clear.

http://www.curtainandbathoutlet.com/aquarius-double-shower-curtain-hooks?c1=MSN_SE_NWW&source=PLA_USA&kw=4888442001_-shower_hooks&cr6=pla&utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=4888442001-_shower_hooks&gdftrk=gdfV29199_a_7c2856_a_7c9390_a_7c4888442001

This is the same shower curtain I directed someone else to in another thread. I have the ivory shade (not in use at this time - replaced with burlap) in our master bath. I always get the longer length or have a curtain made.

The idea of two curtains is really cool. I think you'll find, though, you don't need it with this linen.

I ordered the 72" length and hope that will be ok. Hmmmm. Guess I'll just see when they get here. Those double shower curtain hooks are VERY cool! I've never seen anything like 'em!

Mine is the 72" length and it's fine. It's also on a curved rod. You just want to make sure that, if/when you install a curved rod, you do so at just the right height.

Yep. $3 for 12 of those cheapo hooks, but they're really great. Don't even notice them. So, if you get those, tell DH that you saved a bunch on shower hooks! Lol.

Tibbrix, love the style of those hooks! I found some in chrome that I'm going to try.

double hook shower rings

or maybe these hooks

Jen, you're going from a 1 bath house to 3? Two is almost too much for me to keep clean. ;)

We have 1.5 baths now, and we'll soon have ... (gah) 3.5. That's certainly more than we need and we would not have that many if we'd built this place ourselves, but the builder included an optional en-suite bath in one of the guest rooms upstairs when he built the house as a spec.

I probably shouldn't even admit that this may be going on behind one of those pretty RH linen curtains ... but we may put a litter box in the tub that we aren't going to be using upstairs. Heck, twice-daily scoopings and at least one cat that already adores the tub? I can't think of any reason not to take full advantage of the extra space. ;-)

Those Moen double hooks are really pretty and would match our ORB Moen faucets. Our shower rod is chrome colored though. Ugh. I think they're fixed too. Now I'm wondering why the builder didn't use bronze rods, as they ARE available.

I think that's a great idea! Might eliminate a lot of litter tracking too.

Tibb, I just ordered those hooks. You do find the best stuff! Thanks. (Also off to check out the linen curtains!

Jen, I cannot wait to see your new curtains!

Penny is glad you agree! Bathrooms were just MADE for cats, weren't they?

Yay, those curtains are gorgeous, even if they aren't white. ;-)

Adding to what Tibbrix has said about installing the curtain at the right height, you also want to get the perfect horizontal spot. I did it myself but it would be much simpler with two people. Before attaching the rod, put the curtain on to check how it falls. The curve at the ends really contains the water nicely while you want to maximize the amount of space the curve at the front gives you. Once installed, it has a nice look. Whoever is taking a shower will love the extra space.

Zephyr, aka Bathroom Boy

Penny's gorgeous!

Zephyr too! ;)

Here's Charlie.

Lovely Zephyr and lovely Charlie! What sweet babies you have! Isn't it funny how the generally held notion that cats hate water is not always true? Penny sits patiently while I'm in the shower and as I'm stepping out and toweling off - THAT is the time she wants to cuddle. She doesn't mind long hair dripping all over her fur. She purrs and purrs and snuggles up. Silly thing! Defying the stereotype!

I have the Moen curved rod and the Moen u shaped hooks and like them both. Got them at BB&B with the 20% coupon. I also bought the polyester liner there after always having vinyl. It absorbs water but it does dry quickly.

cindymac, love those cheap plastic curtain hooks! Lol. Soundless, and mostly so easy to get curtains and liners off and off.

Jen, did you get the shower curtains? How thick are they? I bought one from Pottery Barn that I'm probably going to return. It's as thin as a sheet.

I did and I love them! They're thick enough, I think. Like ... well, what you'd expect a medium-weight piece of linen to be like. The colors are perfect with both bathrooms too. I'm very pleased.

So did I! They are lovely and those hooks are da bomb, Tibb! Happy dance time.

Of course, Aunt Jen, you have much nicer baths!

Thanks both of you! I think I'll order one.

Cyn, I ordered the hooks in chrome. Good to hear another positive review!

Hey, thrilled to hear the curtains and hooks have gone over well. Cyn, they are da bomb, aren't they? I love them.

Auntjen, when I get out of the shower, Zephyr rushes over to lick any water on my legs or feet. Rather than waste water till it warms up in the bathroom, I catch it in bowls and pour into buckets in the shower (used later in the garden). The minute I turn on the water, both cats come running to drink from the buckets or dip their paws in. High excitement!

I just ordered the clear hooks! :-)

I've been packing all morning and need to shower. I'm sure Penny will come running when she hears the water. Too funny that there are other four-footed water babies out there!

Jen, I have 3 bathrooms, but only one has a shower curtain and it's ivory/off white. All towels in all baths are all off white also. I don't consider towels to be a decorator item, nor necessarily a shower curtain. I think your beautiful bathroom can hold it's own w/o a lot of color. Save that for small accessories. Just my 2 cents. ;)

Tib, hung the new chrome hooks today with a new liner. So easy! Saving the new RH linen curtain until we redo the bathroom later this year. Thanks for both recommendations!

Glad it's all worked for you, CindyMac. Love the person who came up with the double-hook shower curtain hooks!

Btw, did y'all get the curved shower rod? If you love the hooks and the linen curtains, you will go bonkers over the curved rods! They really do make a HUGE difference.