Bathroom of the Week: Bright Personality in Shades of Blue
Two types of blue tiles and rich indigo wallpaper with texture add a burst of personality to a bland California bathroom
This bachelor’s former townhome bathroom was a study in basic and boring. A plain white standard vanity without hardware blended in with the off-white countertop and walls, giving the area an unfinished appearance. Beige carpet in front of the vanity attracted water spots, and the simple off-white shower-tub combo seemed like an afterthought.
To overhaul the 75-square-foot space, the owner put his trust in designer Sarah Kaplan of Blythe Interiors, who had recently refreshed his kitchen. Working in the existing footprint, Kaplan drew on colors she used in the kitchen update — blues, gray and chestnut — to punch up the personality of the bathroom. An indigo blue wallpaper mimics the look of grasscloth and pairs with a moody blue vanity to create an attractive focal point. Matte black and satin nickel finishes add bold contrast, while wood-look vinyl plank flooring introduces warmth in a durable material.
Kaplan also ditched the tub for a spacious low-curb shower with a frameless glass enclosure. And two different types of blue tile create a look and feel that’s anything but boring.
To overhaul the 75-square-foot space, the owner put his trust in designer Sarah Kaplan of Blythe Interiors, who had recently refreshed his kitchen. Working in the existing footprint, Kaplan drew on colors she used in the kitchen update — blues, gray and chestnut — to punch up the personality of the bathroom. An indigo blue wallpaper mimics the look of grasscloth and pairs with a moody blue vanity to create an attractive focal point. Matte black and satin nickel finishes add bold contrast, while wood-look vinyl plank flooring introduces warmth in a durable material.
Kaplan also ditched the tub for a spacious low-curb shower with a frameless glass enclosure. And two different types of blue tile create a look and feel that’s anything but boring.
After: Kaplan didn’t remove any walls but she eliminated the old vanity, shower-tub combo, toilet and carpet. A washable indigo blue wallpaper that resembles grasscloth forms a feature wall. “There’s a decent amount of space between the two mirrors,” Kaplan says. “That space needed something, and having the faux grasscloth is more budget-friendly and durable. I also love the addition of texture to the space — it makes it softer.”
A new Shaker-style double vanity features a moody blue paint (Gale Force by Sherwin-Williams) that adds depth to the room. “I never used this color before and was looking for a shade that wasn’t too bright or too dark, that would work with the shower tile,” Kaplan says. “I just wanted a nice, consistent flow between the two spaces.”
Fresh white walls, ceiling and trim (Pure White by Sherwin-Williams) allow the blues to pop. A dove gray quartz countertop with short backsplash features subtle white veining. A blue-and-charcoal woven rug picks up the colors in the space. Wood-look vinyl flooring warms the cool tones.
Rug: Abstract in blue and charcoal, Safavieh; wallpaper: Barnaby Indigo faux grasscloth by A-Street Prints, Scott Living collection, Wallpapers to Go
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A new Shaker-style double vanity features a moody blue paint (Gale Force by Sherwin-Williams) that adds depth to the room. “I never used this color before and was looking for a shade that wasn’t too bright or too dark, that would work with the shower tile,” Kaplan says. “I just wanted a nice, consistent flow between the two spaces.”
Fresh white walls, ceiling and trim (Pure White by Sherwin-Williams) allow the blues to pop. A dove gray quartz countertop with short backsplash features subtle white veining. A blue-and-charcoal woven rug picks up the colors in the space. Wood-look vinyl flooring warms the cool tones.
Rug: Abstract in blue and charcoal, Safavieh; wallpaper: Barnaby Indigo faux grasscloth by A-Street Prints, Scott Living collection, Wallpapers to Go
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Matte black faucets over rectangular undermount sinks coordinate with matte black mirror frames and medicine cabinets and black-and-brushed-nickel sconces. “I wanted to give it a modern farmhouse feel without being too modern,” Kaplan says.
Faucets: Precept in matte black, Peerless Faucet; sinks: Verticyl in white, Kohler; vanity lights: Lukasa in black and brushed nickel, Linea di Liara; countertop and backsplash: Vena Carbona quartz, MSI
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Faucets: Precept in matte black, Peerless Faucet; sinks: Verticyl in white, Kohler; vanity lights: Lukasa in black and brushed nickel, Linea di Liara; countertop and backsplash: Vena Carbona quartz, MSI
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Vanity pulls in matte black and satin nickel complement the finishes on the light fixtures. “I didn’t want to do all black everywhere,” Kaplan says. “Bringing in that satin nickel finish brightens the space up and makes it not look so hard.”
Vanity hardware: Mergence in matte black and satin nickel, Amerock
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Vanity hardware: Mergence in matte black and satin nickel, Amerock
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To the right of the vanity is the updated water closet and shower area.
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Before: The former shower and toilet area had the same low-energy look as the vanity area. “He has another bathroom with a tub, so luckily we had more freedom with the primary bathroom to eliminate the tub,” Kaplan says. “He’s also not much of a bath taker and didn’t need it.”
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After: With the tub gone, Kaplan designed a roomy low-curb shower with a frameless glass enclosure that helps create a light and airy look.
Cobalt blue 3-by-12-inch ceramic tiles in a stacked pattern accentuate the height of the room, giving the appearance of more space. “This tile took a little convincing with the client,” Kaplan says. “I love a hand-formed tile, because it gives it a lot of dimension and texture. He trusted I was giving him good advice, did some research on his own and decided to go with it. I love the color variation of this tile. It gives it a more organic feel.”
Brushed nickel shower fixtures coordinate with finishes used in the vanity area. A pair of floating lacquered pine shelves above the toilet add warmth and a spot for extra wash cloths and decorative items. An 18-by-36-inch shower niche keeps products off the floor.
Shower enclosure: Enigma-XO, DreamLine; shower wall tiles: Flash series in cobalt, 3 by 12 inches, Arizona Tile
Cobalt blue 3-by-12-inch ceramic tiles in a stacked pattern accentuate the height of the room, giving the appearance of more space. “This tile took a little convincing with the client,” Kaplan says. “I love a hand-formed tile, because it gives it a lot of dimension and texture. He trusted I was giving him good advice, did some research on his own and decided to go with it. I love the color variation of this tile. It gives it a more organic feel.”
Brushed nickel shower fixtures coordinate with finishes used in the vanity area. A pair of floating lacquered pine shelves above the toilet add warmth and a spot for extra wash cloths and decorative items. An 18-by-36-inch shower niche keeps products off the floor.
Shower enclosure: Enigma-XO, DreamLine; shower wall tiles: Flash series in cobalt, 3 by 12 inches, Arizona Tile
Wood-look porcelain tiles in navy, sky blue, light gray and off-white add a playful element to the shower floor and the floor outside the shower. “I wanted to keep it minimal and not introduce another color,” Kaplan says. “I like the continuity and consistency of it. Also, you don’t see it very often. It’s my way of taking a risk. And he loves the color, and it’s such an inviting place now. It’s fun to take a shower in this space.”
Porcelain tiles: Taco Melange Blue, SomerTile
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Porcelain tiles: Taco Melange Blue, SomerTile
More on Houzz
Read more bathroom stories
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Shop for your bathroom
Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A single professional
Location: San Diego
Size: 75 square feet (7 square meters)
Designer: Sarah Kaplan of Blythe Interiors
Before: The former bathroom vanity area virtually disappeared in an uneventful world of off-white. The lack of color and cabinet hardware gave the space an unfinished look. And carpet wasn’t the best choice for flooring in front of two sinks.
The door to the left leads to a closet. The one on the right goes to the toilet and shower room.
“The client trusted me, so I was able to take some risks,” Kaplan says. “I wanted to make this bathroom a showstopper for him. I wanted to give him a space with some pop.”