Mrs. Type A has decided to remodel the guest bathroom. I have done bathroom remodels before, and have learned a lot. Specifically, I learned the consequences of aiming for something “timeless” than ends up boring. I’ve always been worried that anything trendy will be out of style soon and then I’d be stuck with it. So now I’m attempting the impossible: a bathroom remodel that is both timeless and trendy.
Here is my inspiration photo:
There are certainly a lot of trendy things here (black steel grid shower door, dark grout, encaustic tile, oil rubbed bronze hardware). It’s really going to be tough to achieve this look while not having the bathroom look dated in a few years!
So, what are you going to do with your guest bathroom remodel, Mrs. Type A?
Here is what I’m thinking for my timeless and trendy bathroom remodel:
Step 1: Establish a “boring” foundation
While I want the bathroom to pop and look really modern, I am aiming for somewhat basic fundamentals: white vanity, floors, and shower tiles. Basically, if it’s hard / costly to replace, it’s going to be basic (and “boring”) in this bathroom. I’m thinking that the rest (i.e., finishes, paint, etc) can really stand out. In other words, if it can be easily or cheaply replaced, I’ll jump on the bandwagon.
But just because I’m aiming for basic, doesn’t mean it has to be ugly. Here is what I’m thinking for my basic items (includes affiliate links):
Vanity
I think I’ll go with white. I’m choosing one by Eviva, which is a brand I used for my last remodel. It’s a simple white vanity that is pure wood (no MDF). I chose it in my last remodel in haste and upon recommendation from a designer. It was one of the best choices I made with that bathroom; it withstood a lot of abuse from the kids and looked elegant all the time. Every time I walk by that bathroom, I smile when I look at that vanity.
It’s timeless with the white and the marble, as well as the oval sink (no rectangle for me). It also looked good with hardware with cool undertones (chrome) and warm undertones (nickel). Eviva no longer makes the model I purchased before, but this is very, very close and will likely be the one I choose:
Tile
Yes, this will also be also boring white. Even worse, white grout! Actually, light grey grout as I learned with my last remodel that white grout can lead to many, many tears for someone who is Type A. We need something a little more forgiving in our household…but still timeless. I’ve opted not to do a dark grout as that would be really, really painful to replace. I can’t live through yet another bathroom remodel.
I am a big fan Daltile. I used these subway tiles in my last bathroom and I plan to use them again. So cheap, yet so so classic and beautiful….and durable. Here is a photo from the other bathroom:
I plan for the floors to also be white. I do love encaustic tile. In some ways, it is timeless as it has been around forever, but it’s also trendy now. I cannot imagine replacing floors anytime soon, so I’m opting for something pretty basic:
Sooo, white vanity, white wall tile, and white floors. Everything seems pretty boring with this bathroom remodel, Mrs. Type A!?
Well, yes, so far. But since those items would be so painful and costly to replace, I’m ok with that. Here is where things start to get interesting (and trendy).
Step 2: Opt for Trendy where items can be easily or cheaply replaced
Shower Door
Yes, I’m going to do the Black Steel Grid door! I was initially hesitant because my local custom glass place that made my previous sliding bathroom door quoted me $3000 for this door. I was really reluctant to spend that much on something that I see as potentially “trendy.” But, I found a cheaper alternative in a shower screen (vs. a door). This is made by the same source my local glass place would outsource to (Coastal Shower Doors):
Same look, for a fraction of the price. And a bit easier to replace than a custom installed shower door should I change my mind in a few years. Yea!
I was a bit reluctant to go with a shower screen vs. a door, but I realized we need a curbless shower anyway (aging parents) and, so, I ended up liking the idea. If you are interested in a curbless shower, you should talk to your contractor because there are many considerations when building out the floor. Also, if you go with a shower screen, you may want to consider making your shower as long as you can to block water, and opt for a rain head vs. wall mounted shower head to better control where water goes.
Hardware
Brass! I love the look of brass fixtures and hardware, and brass will look amazing with the black/white palate. I decided against putting in a brass faucet since that would be tough to “swap out” should the brass trend die (see below for faucet). But all of the knobs and pulls will be brass; they can be very easily changed later. I’ve always purchased knobs and pulls at Pottery Barn and have never regretted it:
Also, the mirror will be brass, as that is super easy to change (right, Mr. Type A??).
Faucets
I’m too nervous to do brass for this, so I’m going with black. I recognize that something like chrome or polished nickel would be “safer” in the long run, but black is always generally safe in my opinion. Since I was already mixing metals (brass and iron), I didn’t want to add nickel or chrome on top of it.
I used this faucet before, so I’d just get the same thing in Wrought Iron.
There are also matching rainhead, towel bars and toilet paper holders that I plan to get.
Toilet
Believe it or not, this is a complicated decision. Smart Toilets have taken over! In case you aren’t aware toilets now have control panels and apps. This one has heated seats, warm air dryer, air deodorizer and more:
I’m not sure I fully understand the merits of it. Yes, I’ve traveled to Japan and, yes, I did enjoy the warm seats. But, not sure I need it. That said, I honestly cannot think of 1 person I know who did a remodel and didn’t choose a Smart Toilet. Is there something I’m missing?!
I’m on the fence (or, rather, can’t get off the pot! lol), so I’m going with a basic one for a few hundred dollars, and can swap out if I ultimately get bitten by the Smart Toilet bug. I guess in this situation, I’m actually doing the reverse; I’m opting for basic and potentially swapping for something trendy later!
Walls
Still undecided here. I don’t feel the need to play it safe here since walls are relatively easy to change. So, while I’m tempted to do something “loud” with the walls, I don’t want them to compete with the shower screen (which is the centerpiece of the bathroom, in my opinion).
I think I will wait until everything else is installed before making a final decision, but in the meantime, here is what I’m thinking for walls:
I’m hoping the wallpaper doesn’t make it too busy. If so, I may just still go with it because I do think it’s fabulous.
Otherwise, I would go with white paint…which is ridiculous to just throw out there because there are thousands of white. I’ve had success with Benjamin Moore Simply White; it’s a creamy white so it doesn’t look sterile. I’d probably start there. But if we end up tearing off the wallpaper, or repainting after a few years, I could live with that.
That’s it for now. I’d love your comments and thoughts as I prepare for this bathroom remodel journey? Anyone else tried to mix timeless and trendy in a bathroom remodel?
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