A Timeless (very) Small Bathroom Refresh

We recently had the kids’ bathroom get a little refresh. I could not be happier with how it turned out! Although admittedly not entirely on purpose, I feel that we effectively gave the bathroom a timeless facelift. Looking back on the project, I think that this was the main formula: keep what we can/have to/is original to the house, stick with the house’s age range when considering the materials (i.e., the tile), add elements of our (other) favorite designs through more decorative items, add a little luxury (hand soap, new towels), and finally incorporate a little nostalgia with wall art.

Keep What You Can

Of course we debated replacing almost everything (as one does in the dream phase of planning), but in the end we kept quite a few items. We knew from the beginning that we would keep the original basketweave floor. It was in good shape and too beautiful to tear out without good cause. Our daughter would have loved a vanity to replace the wall mount sink. However, it would have had to have been super small. Covering the floor with the vanity would have also made the room feel visually smaller. We considered adding legs to transform it into a console sink but it turns out that sink legs are expensive. Who knew? So, we kept the charming, original sink. We also kept the sweet and very functional medicine cabinet with its beveled glass. The cast iron bathtub was on the chopping block until we measured and found it to have odd dimensions that would be tricky to replace. That stayed too. We did not have a shower niche and I was really hoping to add an extra long one. Once I again, I was surprised by how something that Pinterest kept showing me as if it was no big deal ended up costing. I opted instead for shower shelves and I think it was 100% the right choice and saved us at least $500.

Choose Elements Appropriate to Your House Era

Our house was built in the mid 1920s so I tried to stay within that era when selecting materials. As my growing tile sample bin demonstrates, there are so many lovely and tempting tile options out there. After (shockingly lol) debating the tile selections for almost a year, I made my decision at the 11th (maybe 9th) hour. I chose a classic marble tile and had it laid in a classic brick pattern. The marble baseboard is just so pretty and we finished it out with some pencil trim. While the tile itself was all roughly in the same price range as my original selection, the final choice added a significant amount of labor cost. It was worth it! And since this ended up being a refresh of tile and shower hardware as opposed to a complete redo, I told myself that this was a-okay.

Because our sink had built in chrome fixtures and the bathroom itself is so tiny, I decided to stick with chrome for our hardware finishes. We had recently replaced the lighting (also tricky given the bathroom’s sloped ceiling) with a chrome fixture. That just left replacing the shower hardware. While I absolutely loved the Artifacts line from Kohler, it turned out to be out of our budget. The Devonshire line was also a top consideration. In the end, we went with the Bancroft and it fits the time period of our home perfectly.

Decorative Elements to Create Dimension

As mentioned previously, I wanted the bathroom to be appropriate to its age and era. However, I could not resist incorporating a few coastal elements to the space. Decorative elements are the perfect way to create depth without fully committing to something not specific to the the main design choices. In other words, they can easily be switched out. The decorative tray lends itself to coastal vibes. And, although small, adds some texture and interest to the small space. The candle (by one of my favorite candle companies) gives a spa-like feel with scents reminiscent of the mediterranean coast. While the striped shower curtain feels timeless, it also learns into the coastal light and airy feel. The shower curtain hooks are more modern and are a small but somewhat unexpected detail.

Luxe Details

It’s always nice to add some luxuries to a freshly redone space. Having taken advantage of some summer sales, the kids now have luxe towels, nice smelling hand soap, etc. While more expensive than necessary, these splurges feel special without completely breaking the bank. The towel hooks were reasonably priced and give an elevated look to the room. (And also serve as a nice door stop.)

Art

Art in the bathroom can be tricky. I never want to spend a ton of money on bathroom artwork because of the steam, flying toothpaste, etc. And yet it can be the final touch that completes the look. I had been saving a piece of artwork that I had bought without a specific place for it. While I initially thought that it wouldn’t go because I was set on staying within one metal finish in the small space, I actually loved the added warmth from the brass frame. And I especially love being reminded of our family trip to the Algarve!