Ideabook 911: A Bathroom Remodel- Where to Begin?
I know a few of us write ideabooks all the time, and they probably aren't exactly how most users would use the site. I've been working on one for my best friend Liz that's a lot different than the more formal ones I usually write. I thought I would share it with you because it's a good example of how to use Houzz and create ideabooks that will help you with your design projects at home.
Liz has been dreaming of re-doing her eighties bathroom and isn't sure where to start. I sent her over here to start making an ideabook, but she has only browsed the site and hasn't gotten organized yet. Thus, I'm giving her a jump start full of inspiration and great ideas for designing a beautiful bathroom that fits her taste. Right now she has a long eighties vanity with overmount Jack and Jill sinks, one large wall of mirror above it, and those Hollywood dressing room lights. The floor is currently vinyl and the shower/tub has one of those one-piece surrounds (I do envy how easy those are to clean!).
Liz's style is what I would call traditional modern - she likes simple and elegant pieces and a few antiques thrown in, but also appreciates clean lines and likes to stay up-to-date, which is why her outdated bathroom is driving her bananas. Among her considerations are a large bathtub, a new vanity, new lighting that's bright enough for applying makeup, new tile for backsplashes, new sinks, new faucets, new hardware and new mirrors. Since her dad has a plumbing supply company, the tub is taken care of, but she needs ideas for the rest of it. It's a tall order, but I think I can find it all and then some here.
I'll start my comments with the casual notes I'd written for her benefit, and then flesh them out a little more underneath, so that you don't think I've become too lazy!
Liz has been dreaming of re-doing her eighties bathroom and isn't sure where to start. I sent her over here to start making an ideabook, but she has only browsed the site and hasn't gotten organized yet. Thus, I'm giving her a jump start full of inspiration and great ideas for designing a beautiful bathroom that fits her taste. Right now she has a long eighties vanity with overmount Jack and Jill sinks, one large wall of mirror above it, and those Hollywood dressing room lights. The floor is currently vinyl and the shower/tub has one of those one-piece surrounds (I do envy how easy those are to clean!).
Liz's style is what I would call traditional modern - she likes simple and elegant pieces and a few antiques thrown in, but also appreciates clean lines and likes to stay up-to-date, which is why her outdated bathroom is driving her bananas. Among her considerations are a large bathtub, a new vanity, new lighting that's bright enough for applying makeup, new tile for backsplashes, new sinks, new faucets, new hardware and new mirrors. Since her dad has a plumbing supply company, the tub is taken care of, but she needs ideas for the rest of it. It's a tall order, but I think I can find it all and then some here.
I'll start my comments with the casual notes I'd written for her benefit, and then flesh them out a little more underneath, so that you don't think I've become too lazy!
Photos & Products
TILE UP THE WALLS
Everything about this bathroom is beautiful, but my favorite thing they did was that they covered the entire wall in tile.
Everything about this bathroom is beautiful, but my favorite thing they did was that they covered the entire wall in tile.
PEDESTALS W/ STORAGE ON THE SIDES
People tend to shy away from pedestal sinks in bathrooms they need to primp in, but this bathroom has plenty of storage on both sides of the sinks.
People tend to shy away from pedestal sinks in bathrooms they need to primp in, but this bathroom has plenty of storage on both sides of the sinks.
ALL WHITE/CLEAR GLASS
The use of all-white tiles on the walls and the clear shower door make this small bathroom appear much larger.
The use of all-white tiles on the walls and the clear shower door make this small bathroom appear much larger.
MODERN CLUNKER VANITY DOESN'T SEEM CLUNKY
Liz is looking for this amount of storage and two sinks, and this is like the modern updated version of what she has going on now. The tile halfway up the wall is also quite stunning.
Liz is looking for this amount of storage and two sinks, and this is like the modern updated version of what she has going on now. The tile halfway up the wall is also quite stunning.
GLOSSY BLACK PAINT/INTERESTING LIGHT FIXTURE
This bathroom oozes glamour yet it's a little retro - this is not easy to pull off. Well done!
This bathroom oozes glamour yet it's a little retro - this is not easy to pull off. Well done!
FANCY FURNITURE & SCONCES
I thought this was an entry hall until I noticed the sink!
I thought this was an entry hall until I noticed the sink!
SEPARATE MAKEUP AREA
If she opts for pedestals, Liz does have the room to do another makeup station. Using unexpected furnishings in a bathroom is a great way to stand out - you can convert consoles, desks, bureaus, etc. into vanities, and even have sinks dropped in or mounted atop them.
If she opts for pedestals, Liz does have the room to do another makeup station. Using unexpected furnishings in a bathroom is a great way to stand out - you can convert consoles, desks, bureaus, etc. into vanities, and even have sinks dropped in or mounted atop them.
PRICEY TILES AS ACCENT
If you can't afford to cover the walls in the expensive tiles (seriously, who can afford to tile an entire bathroom in Ann Sacks?), consider using a box or two of them as an accent.
If you can't afford to cover the walls in the expensive tiles (seriously, who can afford to tile an entire bathroom in Ann Sacks?), consider using a box or two of them as an accent.
FRAMED MIRROR
OK, so I can't make a bathroom ideabook without this shot, I just love it!
OK, so I can't make a bathroom ideabook without this shot, I just love it!
MAKE BUILT IN SHELVES BIG ENOUGH!
Don't forget the shelves in your shower! Don't you hate having to line up all of your products way up high where they can fall on your head? Or on the floor where mold can grow underneath it? When planning with the contractor, take the biggest COSTCO jumbo shampoo bottle you'll use in there to make sure the shelf or recess big enough. Also, in reference to that mold, put in a spot where the least amount of shower overspray will hit it.
Don't forget the shelves in your shower! Don't you hate having to line up all of your products way up high where they can fall on your head? Or on the floor where mold can grow underneath it? When planning with the contractor, take the biggest COSTCO jumbo shampoo bottle you'll use in there to make sure the shelf or recess big enough. Also, in reference to that mold, put in a spot where the least amount of shower overspray will hit it.
AWESOME SINK!
I love this cantilevered double sink. If the medicine cabinets can handle your storage needs, a sink like this really keeps the space open.
I love this cantilevered double sink. If the medicine cabinets can handle your storage needs, a sink like this really keeps the space open.
TWO TONE WALLS - LOVE THE CHOCOLATE!
White and chocolate create a striking graphic look here.
White and chocolate create a striking graphic look here.
SINK W/ SHELF UNDERNEATH
Creative tile patterns, and a pedestal sink with room for towels (make the all white and fluffy and neatly folded!).
Creative tile patterns, and a pedestal sink with room for towels (make the all white and fluffy and neatly folded!).
BLACK VANITY W/ MARBLE TOP
A more traditional vanity with a modern white top and undermount sink.
A more traditional vanity with a modern white top and undermount sink.
CABINETS LOOK GREAT/MARBLE COUNTER
Again, maximum storage and counter space is modernized. Ah, this is another of my all-time Houzz favorite bathrooms!
Again, maximum storage and counter space is modernized. Ah, this is another of my all-time Houzz favorite bathrooms!
HARDWARE/BIG MIRRORS
Also, the large mirrors update her wall of mirrors without sacrificing all of that reflection.
Also, the large mirrors update her wall of mirrors without sacrificing all of that reflection.
NOT FOR LIZ
This one's a little much for Liz, but I threw it in here as an example of, oh, let's call it "Fun With Tiles"!
This one's a little much for Liz, but I threw it in here as an example of, oh, let's call it "Fun With Tiles"!
CHECK OUT UNDERNEATH THE CABINETS - WALL MOUNTED!
I hadn't seen a wall-mounted vanity like this before. It lets that gorgeous marble extend further yet provides ample storage. The palette of this bathroom is gorgeous too.
I hadn't seen a wall-mounted vanity like this before. It lets that gorgeous marble extend further yet provides ample storage. The palette of this bathroom is gorgeous too.
THIS GRAY IS GORGEOUS!
I always forget about gray as a wall choice - it's so elegant here.
I always forget about gray as a wall choice - it's so elegant here.
SO ELEGANT (BUT LOOKS TOO DARK FOR MAKEUP)
Oh this bathroom is so refined. It has just the right number of unique elements but doesn't become a hodge-podge because of the color palette.
Oh this bathroom is so refined. It has just the right number of unique elements but doesn't become a hodge-podge because of the color palette.
BRIGHT LIGHTS
These fixtures are great for doing your makeup.
These fixtures are great for doing your makeup.
By Lea Bassani