Happy New Year!
I’m excited to share the first room reveal at Snowberry.
It’s about time, right?
Sources are listed throughout and at the end of the post.
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Oops, this photo was taken before the touch up painting got done!
Sometimes it’s the smallest room in the house that packs the biggest punch.
That’s certainly the case at Snowberry.
Our second bathroom performs two functions … guest bath and powder room.
The Powder Room That Wasn’t
Our initial renovation plan included the addition of a powder room. But, the only way to make that happen was with an addition and a reconfiguration of the entire floor plan. At that point we might as well have torn the house down started from scratch.
That said, forgoing a powder room was the first and most painful compromise we made during the renovation.
More Headaches
So … how to fit all my must-haves into a dual purpose bathroom?
Space constraints (the room is 7’2” square) presented the biggest headache.
And did I mention the roofline slants downward making the space appear even smaller?
Here’s the original layout. And our architect’s proposed layout. Not much of a difference between the two.
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- Proposed Bathroom Layout
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- Existing Bathroom Plan
For a home with only two bathrooms, I think a double vanity is essential … for functionality and resale. Replacing the regular door with a pocket door was an obvious solution. Unfortunately, placement of water and electrical lines made this impossible.
A bathtub was abandoned as well. Wah wah wah …
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- Before
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- Before
Our architect’s proposed layout didn’t feel right to me and I asked everyone, including our UPS driver, their thoughts on possible solutions. When Mary Ann, from Classic Casual Home, stopped by to work on window coverings I dragged her into the fray. After looking at the space for all of two seconds she said … ‘it’s a shame you can’t move the toilet to the opposite wall’.
Cue the Hallelujah chorus.
Why couldn’t we move the toilet? It would allow the vanity to be centered on the wall creating a less crowded feel.
Why hadn’t I or anyone else (ahem … our architect) thought of this?
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- Demo
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- Demo
By making this change, we gave up recessed shelving and a shower bench. But those things were lower on our hierarchy of needs.
Jim drew up the new layout, with a pony wall between the shower and toilet, and I turned my attention to creating a functional and beautiful space.
Final Layout
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Let’s look at the bright side.
Snowberry’s not a large house and the trip from living spaces to bathroom is hardly inconvenient. With no children at home and overnight guests few and far between, it’s really not a tragedy to do without a powder room.
And it’s one less bathroom to clean.
What we lack in space can be made up for in design. And that brings me to the inspiration …
Design Inspiration
Ta da … Schumacher’s Pyne Hollyhock wallpaper in Indigo.
Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock
This is happy wallpaper. I’ve wanted to use it for a while and our small bathroom seemed like the perfect place.
It pairs beautifully with my favorite paint color, Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore … so that’s what I chose for the vanity.
Benjamin Moore’s White Opulence is the paint color used throughout the house for the moldings, ceilings and trim.
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- BM Hale Navy
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- BM White Opulence
Before demo I tried out several blue paint colors on the existing vanity.
It took a longer than expected to get wallpaper samples so – don’t laugh – I printed a few options. The scale is all wrong, but it gave me an idea of what it might look like and confirmed that Pyne Hollyhock was the clear winner.
Vanity Cabinet
Back to the vanity and the harsh reality that one sink is all we’re going to get. Even after moving the toilet, wall space is limited. The vanity is designed with a deeper center section tapering back on either side. When I say deeper, I mean a whole 22” … a couple of inches less than a standard cabinet.
Tile & Stone
I chose a Pure White quartzite slab for the vanity countertop. In a honed finish.
It was used on the shower curb and pony wall cap as well.
Selecting our quartzite slab at Peitra Fina, Inc.
For the flooring I went with a simple ceramic … white octagon with a gray dot. And I used the same tile in all white for the shower floor.
On the shower walls I chose classic white subway tile in a brick layout.
The niche is unadorned to keep it clean and simple.
The grout color is Bostik’s Silver Bullet.
You can see the pony wall separating the shower and toilet area. I chose a Kohler one-piece toilet to fit easily within the shallow depth of the space.
Pretty Plumbing
I fell in love with Delta Faucets’ champagne bronze finish and picked their Cassidy faucet with cross handles.
As well as their TempAssure shower trim.
With a shallow vanity cabinet, the sink has to fit just so. Toto’s rectangular undermount sink worked!
Finishing Touches
I’m all about molding and trim and decided to add a chair rail height (42″) bead board on the lower walls with the Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock wallpaper on top.
We used a frameless shower glass with oil rubbed bronze clips and door handle.
A round mirror softens some of the hard edges.
I decided to install the sconce lighting facing downward.
We used Emtek’s bathroom accessories (towel bar, TP holder and robe hook) in an oil rubbed bronze finish.
The door hardware is a clear knob with rectangular backplate in oil rubbed bronze.
The vanity cabinet knobs are from the same line.
I found this cute plaid rug and navy blue towels.
Mary Ann from Classic Casual Home sourced a simple white fabric and Greek Key pattern trim for this sweet little Roman shade.
I found similar here and here.
Her seamstress made all the shades and draperies at Snowberry. She does beautiful work.
At this point there’s no wall art in the room.
I can’t bear to cover up the gorgeous wallpaper and I don’t think it’s needed.
I’m considering some sort of rack or shelf over the toilet, but haven’t found anything I like yet.
Shop the Look:
So there you have it … Snowberry’s Blue and White Bathroom.
Fairly classic, traditional choices that I hope will age well.
Moral of the Story
This little bathroom caused more than its fair share of hand wringing, but the time spent thinking and rethinking the space was well worth it.
What’s the moral of the story … when you focus on making the most of what you’ve got (and not what you wish you had) things tend to work out.
If something doesn’t feel right … keep after it until it does.
Oh, and … always question your architect.
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Blue and White Bathroom Sources:
General Contractor: C Cubed Construction, Inc.
Wallpaper: Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock in Indigo
Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (vanity) & White Opulence (walls, ceiling, trim)
Beadboard & Trim: Apple Blossom Moulding & Millworks
Countertop Slab: Pure White Quartzite from Pietro Fina, Inc.
Fabricator: Coliseum Tile
Window: Pella Architect series casement window
Roman Shade: Classic Casual Home
Interior Door: T.M. Cobb Carrara Door
Door Hardware: Clear Knob with rectangular backplate in oil rubbed bronze
Flooring: Floor Tile | Grout Color
Plumbing: Undercounter Sink | One-Piece Toilet | Faucet | Shower Trim
Vanity Area: Pure White Quartzite countertop, honed | Undercounter Sink | 2-Handle Widespread Faucet | Round Mirror | Sconce Lighting | Vanity Knobs
Shower Area: Wall Tile | Floor Tile | Grout Color | Shower Trim
Accessories: Plaid Rug | Navy Towels | Emtek Traditional towel bar, TP holder, robe hook | Vanity Tray | Makeup Mirror | Soap Bottle | Candle |Wastebin
Want to get up-to-speed with the renovation? Check out these posts to get the backstory …
Welcome to the Snowberry Cottage Renovation
Snowberry Cottage Design Inspiration
Snowberry’s Exterior Design & Paint Colors
Snowberry’s Interior Paint Colors Part One
Snowberry’s Interior Paint Colors Part Two
As always, I appreciate your visit and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Happy New Year from Snowberry!
Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by Monica Vargas Photography.
I love your inspiration wallpaper and your lemons to lemonade story. Turned out beautiful. I’m not redoing right now but your links will make it do nice for anyone who is. How wonderful to be enjoying your bed home in 2021! Our new home is 1 year old tomorrow. It’s fun to experience a second year with so much already set, now just more tweaking!
Thank must feel great, Carol! Congrats on your home-iversary! It’s so nice to be beyond the renovation stage and to the living stage. Happy New Year! xo
Juliet,
I love this bathroom. I’m in love with blue and white, such a classic color combination, and your bathroom is simply lovely. If a bathroom can bring happiness, this one does. Haha
Karen
Karen, that’s so funny … I’m definitely in a phase of life where a pretty bathroom definitely brings happiness. I need to get out more!!! xo
I love it!!! So crisp and classy!!! You definitely made the MOST of the small space!!!
Thanks, Robbin … we couldn’t have squeezed one more thing into this little space … but it works and we’re happy with it! xo
This might be my favorite room of the house too. And as a guest…. It didn’t feel small at all. The pony wall makes all the difference!
Thanks, Soph … you’ve experienced a lot of our guest baths through the years!!! xo
Beautifully done. Just a quick comment on slabs. Sure hope you didn’t have to purchase a slab for the countertop. Many readers might not realize that some fabricators; the people who cut, and install stone for countertops and etc, keep all their good sized remnants from jobs. Our fabricator is one-stop shopping for incredible pieces of all types of stone for vanities, replacements for damaged marble on antique furniture and the like. He has an entire huge side yard next to his fabricating warehouse filled with treasures. Prices very reduced of course as he ioves to sell what is out there. I scored some gorgeous violet quartz left over from a restaurant bar project of his. Perfect top for a little contemporay occasional table. We have renovated 11 houses during the past 20 years, and have done everything from his side yard, other than kitchen countertops – then slabs of course. So, find a fabricator who keeps and sells their remnants, get to know them, and you will have a tremendous source for more beautiful stone than you can imagine. Congrats on your beautiful bathroom!
Thank you! That’s great advice. We ended up using the two slabs for both bathrooms … and it was enough for shower curbs, surrounds and niche details in our master. To differentiate between the two bathrooms we used a honed finish in one and a polished finish in the other. We used every bit of those slab … they’re so expensive so doing so felt good. xo
Now that looks like another Juliet masterpiece! Nice work!!
Thanks, Michael … I always get a kick out of your visits to the blog! xo
DARLING BEAUTIFUL SPOT TO GO POTTY!
LOVE THE WALLPAPER!
XXX
You know it hadn’t occurred to me to use this bathroom once in a while! 🙂
AT LEAST ONE STOP A DAY!!!
Love this little bathroom. I’m not a blue person but LOVE this. One question, do you ever leave a toothbrush on the sink even if you’re not taking pictures..
Love you
Thanks, Ellen … and the answer is NEVER!!! 🙂
This is so lovely, Juliet…just like you. Thanks so much for the mention.
Mary Ann
Mary Ann, you’re the sweetest … in addition to being the most talented and creative. xo
I love when people use fun colors and patterns in bathrooms. Your vision turned out beautifully!
Thanks, Jane … it’s these tiny bathrooms that bring out my wild side! xo
Your bathroom looks fabulous. Well done, all. Good job in reaching out for opinions. Glad you got good advice!
Wondering if you are going to spray paint your oil rubbed bronze to match up your champagne brass – is that even an option you considered? Just wondering. That champagne metalwork is stunning.
And I wouldn’t cover up that gorgeous wallcovering either. Have a great new year. Sounds like yours has started out nicely for sure! That was a BIG transformation!!!! : – )
Hi Michele … thanks so much for your kind comments. I’m so glad you agree that being without art is ok when the wallpaper is so pretty. I hadn’t considered spray painting the bronze to match the champagne finish. Although I have a good friend who spray paints everything and could probably help me with that project! I actually like the mixing of metals which has become a design trend. We’ll see how long it stays in vogue. Ha! Happy New Year! xo
This is beautiful. Such a great use of space!
Thanks, Robin … it was quite a challenge but at the end of the day everything we need is there! xo
I just love the dark cabinets and that wallpaper! It’s almost identical to the fabric I used for my duvet cover and curtains in my master bedroom. So beautiful. You have such exquisite taste.
Amazing job! I love the wallpaper and the color theme you chose!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
The wallpaper is a dream!! I love that you went with a blue vanity. You have impeccable taste!! Such a good idea to move the toilet. Our toilets face the doors and it bugs me!! Oh well, maybe in the next house we can have a different configuration. If that day comes, I will need your design input!!
Marie – you’re so sweet … looks to me like you have excellent taste and design sensibility it that wonderful home of yours! xo
Juliet, I love this project! Everything in this renovation is beautiful. The wallpaper is gorgeous and the color of the vanity is a
perfect companion. So glad you were able to maximize the space to center the vanity. Well done!
Thanks, Kim … I really appreciate your kind words. It was a challenging room, but we’re really happy with it! xo
Your fixtures are just stunning! I love the color you chose for the vanity, its all just beautiful!
Thank you so much … Delta’s champagne bronze finish is lovely and elevates any room. Even our little tiny one! xo
It’s absolutely lovely! The shade is blue is so calming. The wall paper—stunning!
High praise coming from you, Shelley Welley. I envy you your powder room though. xo
this is simply a stunning renovation! great use of your space. I will refer back to this when it is time to re do our “pink” bathroom! Thanks for sharing!
I had a pink bathroom once, Kim … so I know exactly what you mean! Thanks for your sweet comment. xo
I just love how fresh and cheerful this color palette is! Beautiful work.
Thanks, Brianna … it does feel cheerful and puts a smile on my face when I walk by. I appreciate your comment. xo
Well done!!! I love a good bathroom transformation and this takes the cake!! Great choices all around and I too am obsessed with Hale Navy!
Thanks, Christin … I really appreciate the high praise. And, from a fellow navy lover no less. Yay! xo
HI Juliet,
You might not see this as I’m so late commenting. But, your guest bath is beautiful. I love the blue and white, the wallpaper and your choices for fixtures etc. There are always so many decisions to make and IMO you made great ones.
I’ve never been afraid to question or disagree with an architect. Sometimes they just plain aren’t listening, and often they are so consumed with the entire project that simple solutions can be overlooked. It’s fun to find the perfect solution that no one else thought of!
I hope one day to see this pretty room in person (hint hint!)
XO Heidi
Oh, Juliet…this is just gorgeous!! I loved following along on your project; great post!!
An absolutely gorgeous bathroom. I’m loving the fixtures you chose. Jus lovely!
Thanks, Linda! Those fixtures … and their finish … were my absolute favorite thing. One of my favorite things in the entire house! xo
Juliet,
Your blogs is so beautiful with gorgeous photos. I just love following you.
This bathroom remodel turned out gorgeous. I am a wallpaper gal since my darling DIL designs textiles and wallpaper for York. I have been on a hunt for a blueish green or blue wallpaper for my powder room.
I just love how your bathroom remodel turned out. It’s classic and timeless.
I’m down the bunny hole reading some of your posts that I somehow missed! I sooo love your style and the beauty. I’m working on two bath remodels and a master bedroom and that blue color may be a new favorite for some side table chests that I been trying to find the right blue for. Thank you always for your inspiration!!
Thanks, Leslie … I know you’re about to get into the thick of it with your renovation. I’m excited to see how it all turns out … I know it will be beautiful. The blue is a real favorite and it would be wonderful for furniture pieces. Have a wonderful weekend! xo
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment
didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways,
just wanted to say superb blog!