OK. It’s time to tackle the turquoise bathroom. It looks like this (brace yourselves):
jealous?
The turquoise tub and toilet aren’t that bad, I suppose. In combination with the rusty brown and cream 70s tile though? Plus the crappy wood? Yuck. Who thought that was a good look? I think they got everything on sale (dirt cheap? free?) and didn’t care. It’s the only explanation I can come up with.
Eventually, Brandon and I would like to redo the bathroom. We want to knock down a wall between the toilet and the closet next to it, move the toilet over and then put in a bigger sink/vanity. Or maybe a more drastic layout change? That wouldn’t be for a few years (at least) though.
layout
The lighting? So nice. The ceiling light needs to be replaced, but do you think the vanity light is salvageable (with a fresh coat of paint)? I think it could look so-so, but still not very nice.
So this will be the next project. I think I’d like to do it for a couple hundred dollars, maybe a little more if we change the lighting fixtures. Wish us luck!
kickpleat
July 6, 2007 at 2:12 pmi think it’s totally salvagable! i saw someone (on flickr?) who painted their entire bathroom a lovely robin’s egg blue…walls and cabinet. they also replaced the old medicine cabinet with a round mirror and it looked so fab. but they had a white ol’ tub/toilet.
i do love the blue tub/toilet and it reminds me of my old bachlorette apartment with it’s lovely mint green tub/toilet. i loved it!
Anna van Schurman
July 6, 2007 at 2:16 pmYou could fill in the carving on the vanity (to make it flat) before you paint it with paintable wood filler. It would look more modern and you wouldn’t have to replace the whole thing…esp if this is a temporary fix before you gut it.
Shannon
July 6, 2007 at 2:21 pmVery salvagable! Paint the yucky dark brown cabinets a crisp white, which will look fab with the turquoise. And paint the walls a lighter shade of tub/toilet or a complimentary color. I agree the lighting needs an update. I don’t really know what to say about that tile, not pretty. I am excited to see what you decide!!
erin
July 6, 2007 at 2:32 pmAre there other bulbs/fixtures that fit those openings on the light fixture? Those are retina-burning.
Anonymous
July 6, 2007 at 2:43 pmDear Turquoise,
Don’t listen to the hate! You’re not alone; I get you. Your beautiful from the tips of your country-oak doors to the top of your earthy tile (daring colors, Turquoise. Daring colors.)
You and I are special, quirky, dare I say charming? Yes, we are charming. One day we will find someone who [ahem] appreciates our retro splendor. Until then, what do you say we meet up for a drink and commiserate?
Yours truly,
pink bathroom in so-cal.
raisingirl
July 6, 2007 at 3:10 pmYou can totally improve this bathroom for a few hundred dollars. We had a similar “before” bathroom that we updated for under $500 (although we had a white tub and toilet…I really think the blue is cool though). We painted the cabinets (and any other wood) white and retiled the floor ourselves. I’ll post a before and after pic on my flickr page…although, I’m sure yours would end up MUCH cuter.
Jaime
July 6, 2007 at 3:23 pmIt is totally do-able! Before we moved the hubster and I redid 2 bathrooms for under $500. If you need any tips, feel free to ask!
Lili
July 6, 2007 at 4:39 pmOhhhhh… i think we could go toe to toe in the ugly bathroom competition.
Lucky for us, they are redoing the pipes in our building in september. We are planning on remodeling the whole thing then.
Do you have any good bathroom inspiration photos? I havent found much yet.
janet
July 6, 2007 at 5:17 pmfound your blog recently and am in love with it and in awe of your talent and artistic eye. my husband and I are househunting on a budget right now and you give me hope that maybe I can turn something old into something pretty. I can’t wait to see what you do with the bathroom!! we have a turquoise triangular sink in our apt bathroom right now.
Only a Paper Moon
July 6, 2007 at 8:27 pmWow, turquoise tub, and I thought my tub was bad. Just kidding, I am positive that you will be able to revamp the 70’s flashback for a couple hundred. Wishing you the best of luck in your new adventure!
drey
July 6, 2007 at 10:20 pmthe bathroom looks cramped … maybe it’s the yucky colours :P you could repaint the interiors of the closets a lighter colour and replace the doors with frosted glass or something… and get some bathroom cabinets from ikea that will go with the turquoise bathroom necessities. i mean, white and turquoise go so well together (unlike brown, cream and turquoise).
i’m sure the result will be gorgeous anyway, as the rest of your work!
Sabi Vintage
July 7, 2007 at 4:35 pmI agree with Pink in Cali, I love the blue with the wood. I even think I like the tile next to the tub, but would like to see a closer look. The lights are indeed not the best, they even seem to have different wood stains on them?
judy
July 10, 2007 at 6:15 pmI am so jealous of your bright blue toilet and tub! It’s so cheery and cute! I’d paint that wood white though.
mfaith
July 25, 2007 at 5:05 pmthe more i read your blog, the more i am convinced that you and i are long lost design and home renovation twins-or at least alternate universe twins.
we had an all yellow bathroom with almost the same fixtures which i convinced my bf that we should swap out with stuff i found on craigslist in the interim until we can afford to reno our bathroom. we still have a yellow tub, but the white toilet (brand new for $35) used white vanity ($15) and a new mirror and light ($25) and an hour and a half of tinkering with the plumbing (very easy) I could live with the result indefinitely. I think just having a new toilet is what turned it all around!