So technically, there is nothing really wrong with the downstairs power room {or half bath as some people call it} it just is’t my style. And since we had planned on replacing all the hardwood flooring anyway, I figured all I needed to do was give the room a fresh coat of paint, add a new light fixture, and all would be fine in the universe.
But then we moved in and realized the toilet was way to low {great if you are 5 feet tall, not so great if you actually want to get up off the thing and not need a handrail} and the vanity… well it’s just awkwardly placed. You basically run right into it as soon as you walk in the door. And, the HH hates it. {I don’t love it or hate it}.
Oh, and the 1980’s ENORMOUS ceramic towel and tp holders. Holy cats!
Chino hated the layout too. So he cut out the wall and had the Italian plumber who lives with his mother move the pipes down about 2 feet.
We thought about moving the toilet too but decided it was too much work {and money} but at least this way when you walk in the room you won’t run into the sink anymore.
So here’s the game plan:
- Paint the walls a lighter color
- Install a new light fixture
- Install a pedestal sink {oh la la}
- Install higher toilet {to match sink}
- New toilet paper and hand towel holders
- New hardwood flooring
What do you think? Do you have any suggestions on paint color?
~Mavis
Madam Chow says
Something light and bright, and add another mirror to reflect the light.
Right now, there’s a crew tearing up my decks at the new house – the previous owner/builder didn’t install flashing, so it’s leaking into the basement. Good times! Also, I think we have the same toilets that you do, a problem since I’m 5’9″, and my HH is over 6′. It’s . . . awkward, shall we say, using the loo.
Em says
I think my parents picked that same sink for their powder room. Their floor is oak and the walls are yellow. I’d love to see your “after” photo!
Em
Kathy says
What flooring are you going with? Also, are you staying neutral with color for towel holder, tp holder and pedestal sink? Basic white for sink and toilet? My mom always kept a basic color scheme in bathroom, her current is pale green green, almost a pale mint,with floor a bit darker.
I’d go with a light mint green or yellow, but that’s just me.
Madam Chow says
Also have you heard of http://www.bestplumbingdiscount.com/ ? A couple friends recommended it to me.
Madam Chow says
One of my friends ended up in the Presidential suite of a luxury hotel (long story) and fell in love with Toto toilets. They clean and dry your privates after you’re done, and are from Japan. She and her husband are getting older, and at first they thought it was hilarious but then they decided to put it in their master suite during a remodel because they foresee the day when they are going to need help. They LOVE those toilets!
Mary Ann Isaksen says
They had those toilets in the suites we stayed in at Aria in Vegas. I hated that toilet, but the hubby sure loved it! He wanted to buy one for the house. I nixed that idea.
Judy says
Mavis I have a question..why didn’t you buy a house that had in it and was designed the way you like?
Or do you just like diy projects? Just curious I guess. 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Great question. I just needed updating. Since we were downsizing building wasn’t an option in the area unless I wanted to be on a postage stamp lot that backed up to other homes. I like the neighborhood, and general layout of the home, plus I don’t mind DIY projects. In fact I actually think they are kind of fun. 🙂
Jennifer says
I am with Judy, what exactly did you like about the house? You seem to be gutting the whole downstairs? I am not judging at all so please don’t think so. I showed the pics of the kitchen you are ripping out and my husband was in absolute disbelief, it cracked me up! We live in a 120 year old farmhouse if that tells you anything and he never wants to spend anything on anything in our house because as he says we are just living here, yes fun times!
Jenn says
Last year while the rest of the house was being remodeled I had the half bath done as well. I wanted one room in the house to be girly and fro fro, so my hubby told me I could have the half bath. So I ran with it. It is bright turquoise with a pedestal sink and a chandelier hanging. I love it! It is so me and I couldn’t be happier with it.
Glenda says
We are in the middle of a major redo on a house we purchased. Absolutely nothing was wrong with the house, but not our taste. Great layout and location, though.
I choose Sherwin Williams Hyacinth for our new master bath; it went nicely with the tile and granite. In several rooms I decided on the Medici Ivory. Both are light and fairly neutral, but complement dark wood floors or darker tiles. The light neutral colors are great for decorating. There is always a base color underlying tones, so decorating can be changed periodically using complementary colors.
Best wishes on your redo.
Jaynie says
So does the Italian plumber live with his own mother or Chino’s mother?
Mavis Butterfield says
His own mother! LOL
Practical Parsimony says
I thought he lived with Chino’s mother!
Debbie says
I like a nice dove grey for the paint color.
kcb says
When we redid our kitchen, I saw the sink & faucet that I really liked at the local plumbing supply place. I ordered them from efaucets.com & saved a lot of money! We’ve used the high toilets since we built our last house. They are great!!
Vy says
I painted mine a silvery grey and it looks fantastic. And why not make something adequate into something great? I say always go for it!
Ashley says
I feel like light colors make a bathroom feel clean. Mine is a light blue/gray with medium gray and white accents.
Debi says
Ashley, we must have similar tastes. My bathroom walls are the light blue/gray tone with the upper portion being white. The accessories are white. Thank goodness our toilet was one that was the high/regular toilet, but does have the temp control so that the piping doesn’t sweat.
JD says
The house we purchased three years ago had toliets for miniature people, the husband who is over 6 foot tall found it a bit insane. Replaced them.
It is curious what you did like about the house. The house you bought looks like a dream instead of what we settled for when we relocated several states away. I won’t go into the gruesome details but let’s just say it was beyond the stuff nightmares are made of. We can’t budget for it all redone at once so it is a bit tedious fixing it but strides have been made. 🙂
Helen in Meridian says
About 8 years ago, we installed those higher toilets with energy flush available at Home Depot, etc. What a joy they have been. Once at a friend’s house, I thought I would never get off her low low potty.
Mavis Butterfield says
Ha! I’m glad I’m not the only one. 🙂
Sandra says
If you ever have abdominal surgery, you will appreciate “seat height” thrones all the more. I am only 5’3″, but I love ours. (Hopefully done with the surgeries, though.)
Tracie H says
Hahahaha! I am with the HH on the vanity. I hate them. I call them “belly” sinks. Can’t wait to see the updated rooms!
I’m loving any color that is a silvery blue right now.
Madam Chow says
There are 4.5 bathrooms in the house we just moved into. NOT A SINGLE TOILET PAPER HOLDER in the whole house. Not one.
Mavis Butterfield says
Seriously… what is wrong with people? It makes me crazy!
Alison says
One toilet (guest bath) is so low that I think it needs to be higher and I am only 5′ 1″ so you taller ladies would be miserable.
The master bath toilet is so high that an NBA player wouldn’t be able to touch his feet to the floor while seated.
What a contrast! Fun times, we moved in the first week of April and are going room by room to repaint and fix issues.
Some of the colors are lime sherbet green, St Patrick’s day green in my kitchen, bright purple in the office, electrified turquoise in the master bedroom and trees complete with trunks, leaves and branches in the guest room. Fun times we are a havin!!!!
Mavis Butterfield says
Holy canolies! Sounds like you have a lot of painting to do. 🙂
HollyG says
We used Silver Sage by Restoration Hardware above white board and batten paneling. I love it.
Carolyn says
If you just want darker wood flooring, why don’t you just refinish what’s there and stain it a dark color?
Practical Parsimony says
I will fight anyone who wants to remove my ceramic tp holder or the towel racks. Mine are close to 100 years old, and I love them. I needed more towel racks, so I just added a metal one. I really don’t care if they don’t match.
While you won’t be needing any of these soon, have you thought of installing the pull bars for the commode and doing other things to make the house more comfortable for older age. Of course, any kind of surgery or sudden, temporary disability can happen to the young. If it were not for the claw foot tub jammed right against the front of the commode, I would have needed a bar to help me up years ago. Just a thought. I cannot wait until I see the after pictures.
Katy says
Personally, I like the wall color. However, for you I would suggest a cornflower blue. So many accent colors look nice with it and it is a very cheery color.
Lauren says
Have you checked Habitat for Humanity for a sink? I got a GORGEOUS pedestal sink for our PDX house there for about $30. Everyone buying houses in NE was ripping them out and putting in vanities (ew!) They had dozens to pick through there.