It's Great To Be Home

OMG, peeps. Life is busy this week! I feel like I’m behind on just about everything, but hopefully I’ll have a chance to catch up this weekend. What about you guys? Are you swamped, or is your spring just chugging along?

Anyhoo, part of me has been dreaming about moving into a house with beat up wood floors so that I can paint them without feeling guilty. Wouldn’t it be fun for awhile to skip across floors that look like this?

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I think I would go for a large-scale graphic pattern to stencil across the floor.

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But maybe you’d like something solid and shiny of the turquoise variety?

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If you don’t like parquet floors, a small-scale pattern would be an awesome option.

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Or a linear stripe, it would be so classic and clean.

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But you could also make the stripe a little fun and funky.

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Or maybe, on a brave day, try something freehand?

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Would you ever rock the painted floor look? What about on a patio, or a space that’s a little “safer” than your living room floor?

When Christy of Beach Brights contacted me to design two new looks for her guest bath, I jumped at the opportunity to whip that bathroom into shape.

Her guest bathroom is the perfect blank canvas, and has some killer architectural details (that crown molding!!) that will really help the new design plans to pop. Christy wasn’t quite sure what look she wanted for the bathroom, but she knew that the builder’s basic finishes had to go (including the shower surround) and that she loved painted vanities. And after taking a look at Christy’s inspiration photos, I knew that she was torn between looks that leaned cottage and vintage. That was enough for me!!

Without further adieu, here’s Plan #1 with a cottage-y yet sophisticated vibe:

This soothing color palette of white, silver and sage green feels spa-like and calming, the perfect retreat for any guest. Little touches of sparkle add an extra layer of texture and interest to the space.

~ Flooring. Christy’s guests will feel cozy and welcomed by this honey-toned pre-finished oak flooring. These woods floors are the perfect complement to her existing hardwood floors, and will allow this space to blend seamlessly with the rest of the house.

~ Vanity. This painted vanity with a granite top and backsplash has cottage charm written all over it, from the bun feet to the paneled cabinet door and drawers. And even though Christy’s bathroom already boasts a great amount of storage for a guest bathroom due to the linen closet, this piece provides oodles of storage and extra countertop space which is a total added bonus. The final touch is this elegant faucet which coordinates beautifully with the other silver accents in the room.

~ Mirror. The intricate carvings of this unique whitewashed mirror will be a stunning focal point above the similarly-toned vanity.

~ Wall Color. This soft sage green (available at Lowe’s) is the perfect counterpoint to the warm wood floors, and will allow the white and silver accents throughout the room to really shine.

~ Lighting. This streamlined sconce is a classic choice, and has beautiful details that will be a welcome replacement for the basic sconce currently located above the vanity. However, the real lighting star in this design plan is the glimmering capiz chandelier that will look fabulous hanging from the ceiling in place of the existing light. The wide top of the chandelier should cover any potential damage that removing the light may cause to the ceiling – if, however, any damage can be seen, a traditional ceiling medallion would be the perfect choice to camouflage the ceiling while remaining stylish and true to the design of the space.

~ Shower Tile. A classic white subway tile laid in a staggered brick pattern is a classic and totally affordable way to upgrade the existing tub surround. Christy will be able to enjoy the subway tile as long as she owns her home, as it will never go out of style.

~ Shower Curtain. This classic toile shower curtain is the perfect choice for this bathroom, with the sage green pattern tying in beautifully with the muted walls. The luxurious, spa-like feel of this bathroom could be amped up even further by hanging the shower curtain from a curved rod.

~ Accessories. In addition to a chrome towel bar on the wall opposite the toilet and a towel ring by the vanity, a few accessories will add some personality to the space. These capiz floor vases filled with sprays of silver dollar and placed in the corner by the shower opposite the toilet will really take the spa-feel of this bathroom over the top. Finally, this gorgeous tulip print hung in a silver frame above the toilet will provide a punch of lady-like color to the space.

And as if that weren’t enough, now it’s time for Plan #2!! This design plan is a bit more glamorous and dramatic, while its vintage-feel keeps the space soft and inviting:

~ Vanity. I know Christy is a DIY’er, so this vanity project will be right up her alley! With just a few coats of black paint, this off-the-shelf sink cabinet will be transformed into the perfect vanity for her guest bath – a little distressed paint technique will up the charm level even more. Adding a pair of these sculptural wooden feet to the vanity will give it the feel of furniture, and these vintage-inspired knobs will add a touch of sparkle. The marble countertop is a luxurious addition to the vanity that is sure to impress, and this single-handle faucet has the look and feel of an antique.

~ Flooring. Nothing says vintage like white hexagon tiles, a classic design. If Christy’s feeling bold, deep grey grout will make each tile stand out and bring her guests’ attention to the beautiful detail in the tiles.

~ Mirror. The geometric shape of the floor tiles is repeated in this stunning mirror that will look amazing hung above the vanity, and make quite a statement with its bold graphic.

~ Lighting. Above the mirror will be this sconce, which has the appearance of vintage lighting. Over by the shower, this sparkling chandelier adds glamour and sophistication to the space, as well as a touch of drama.

~ Wall Color. Pale turquoise walls will add a bit of life to the room and look beautiful against the black and white color palette – almost a Tiffany blue that is absolutely timeless.

~ Shower Tile. The classic white subway tile is again perfect for this space with its crisp, clean lines. To jazz it up a bit, this design calls for a thin line of black mosaic subway tiles at about shoulder height – it will add a beautiful bit of flair without breaking the bank.

~ Shower Curtain. The color palette of black and white is repeated in this crisp shower curtain that has a luxurious hotel feel and a touch of personality with Christy’s own monogram.

~ Artwork & Accessories. In lieu of the typical towel bar, a row of hooks on the wall opposite the toilet would be a charming way for guests to hang their towels – chrome hooks would be lovely, as well. And above the toilet, this series of botanicals in shades of pink (1, 2 and 3) is in keeping with the classic, vintage feel of the space.

So there you have it!! One gorgeous guest bathroom, designed two ways – and all for a budget of around $2,000. Which design would you choose? And while you’re at it, head on over to Christy’s blog to see her post about her snazzy new design consult!

Click on the following link to snag some design advice of your very own – Interior Design Services.