Making it Lovely

Tag: toilet

  • Basement Bathroom: The Main Pieces

    Basement Bathroom: The Main Pieces

    The basement remodel is nearing completion! I think. First on the list to be finished is the half-bath. It’s the smallest room (4’x5.5′) so theoretically it should be the easiest. Theoretically. I’ve mentioned my indecision regarding the bathroom lighting and accessories, but thankfully I do already have the basics chosen.

    I wanted something that looked like it belonged in our hundred-year-old bungalow, so I looked to our existing original bathroom for style inspiration. I knew all along that I wanted small white hexagons or octagons, and after shopping for tile I chose octagon and dot (with charcoal gray grout to highlight the pattern). Then I found a pedestal sink from the same period as the original one on the main floor. As charming as our vintage sink is though, I didn’t want separate taps for hot and cold water. I did however stick with cross-handled faucets, and they even say “hot” and “cold” on them just like our original ones do. Awww.

    I mentioned on facebook that choosing a toilet is not the whirlwind adventure one might expect. One piece or two? Round or elongated? Even with the myriad of choices it’s just not the most exciting thing, right? Someone commented that I should check the MaP (Maximum Performance) toilet ratings when choosing, so that’s what I did. I went with an American Standard Oakmont Champion. It’s kind of cute. You know, for a toilet.

    I think the rest of the bathroom will come together as soon as I choose a paint color. I’m going with a white porcelain light, and I found a toilet paper roll holder that matches the shape of the faucet handle base. There’s a matching towel ring available too, but I’m thinking of going with a cute hook instead (Anthropologie always has a good selection). And for the mirror? Yeah, I still have no clue. I’m liking this vintage style medicine cabinet, but I don’t know if I want to spring for a medicine cabinet when we only really need a mirror.

    Thank you, Vintage Tub & Bath, for providing the toilet, sink, and faucet.

  • More Basement Bathroom Fixture Options

    More Basement Bathroom Fixture Options

    I had been considering several porcelain lighting options for the bathroom, but I realized that I needed something a little different. The space calls for a light that hangs down or it’s going to hit the ceiling. The half-bath has very short ceilings (6’2″ high) due to duct work. Luckily I found a porcelain sconce that would still work.


    Sage Sconce, Streamline Porcelain Towel Ring (in white), and Streamline Porcelain Toilet Paper Holder (in white)

    Then I started looking at more traditional chrome sconces, and I found myself really liking that look too.


    Mercer Single Sconce, Mercer Paper Holder, and Mercer Towel Ring

    So here goes. I’m going to try to explain the circuitous logic behind my choices for the bathroom so far. Ready?

    First I thought that I would keep everything very clean, white, and minimal, and then get some really awesome industrial cage lights. Then I realized that you need a lot of natural light to pull of white walls (otherwise it will just look drab and institutional). So then I thought I would go with old-fashioned porcelain styles, but then I’d probably want to paint the walls a color. Or I could wallpaper! Wallpaper is always fun in a powder room. But then the porcelain or industrial style is out because it would compete, so that puts me at the classic chrome fixtures. Hmm, unless the wallpaper pattern was small-scale enough to work with the porcelain fixtures and octagon tile. That would probably look pretty good! Ah, but wait. What am I going to do for a mirror? I could do a quirky painted wooden one like I had mentioned a couple of weeks ago, but again I need lighting fixtures that will not fight it. So do I go with a simple rectangular mirror? With or without a frame? Oh, or maybe a frameless mirror in an interesting shape. OK. Pretty color on the walls + chrome fixtures + painted wooden mirror… Or maybe wallpaper + porcelain fixtures + frameless mirror. Yes, definitely one of those two options. Maybe. I think.

    Still there? Yeah, those are the thoughts swirling around in my head these days. I can’t seem to make a decision until I’ve made all the decisions.