Way OT...

Old failing drum trap in bathtub drain is leading to a whole new bathroom. My house is a Tudor style built in 1936. I’d like my design choices to be as timeless as possible. AKA, I want to avoid as much trendiness as possible. While I’d like the room to be functionally updated, I don’t want it to look out of style in 10-20 years.

I want to avoid large format tiles, since it’s a small bathroom and also because of the trendiness factor. I definitely want to avoid the faux wood tiles that seem pretty popular right now. I’m thinking standard 4x4 ceramic glazed tiles would be the best option. Also debating possibly mosaic on the floor and square tiles on the walls. My wife feels like subway tiles are overdone, so that would probably be an option to avoid. She also doesn’t want white grout.

I’m also thinking basic clean/white, but even that could end up looking dated at some point if taken too far. What kinds of color schemes, along with white, might look best? I know everyone will have different thoughts, that’s what I’m asking for.

The bathroom originally has chrome accents. All of the fixtures would go, but the wall vent is also chrome and that would stay. I’d probably tie into that. I’m not looking for retro, but something that fits the house and the time period, but will still look ok for as long as possible. “Retro” could be taken to extremes if it goes too far into the past, beyond the age of the house.

This remodel is probably about as basic as it gets. Tub, toilet, and vanity would stay put. 30” vanity. The tub will actually stay, but will be resurfaced to be white (instead of pink). I know the warnings that go along with that, but it’s the best option. We like tub as it is, and it’s a non-standard design. The option would include the expense of ripping out the old one as well as a hefty premium for a custom replacement.

We’re looking for nice. I won’t say money is no object, but we want to be well above “builder’s special.” This is the main/only bath in the home.

What choices did you make in your remodels? Were you happy, or would you have done something different? I just feel like in other projects I’ve done in the past, I’ll look at pictures for ideas and make design choices, but when it’s done, I’m not always happy. I think I just don’t have a good eye when it comes to this kind of stuff.

I’m not home right now, but if this thread ends up fairly popular, I’ll upload some pictures of the current room when I get home.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2020 10:43AM by BernDog.

I'd talk to 3 to 5 bathroom remodeling specialists--that's what we're going to do for our kitchen.

And if money is only a small object, maybe talk to an interior designer? Ideally, one who has a specialty in bathrooms.

Is it possible to upload an image of what the bathroom looks like currently.
And an image of what you consider to be in the ballpark of what you are looking for as a starting point.

I'm a fan of half tile, half paint bathrooms.

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In general, I'd go with something reminiscent of the period it was built. Pre-war still has class. (1950s and forward post-war boom housing is a lost cause, style-class wise, so you have potential.)

Can't go wrong with smooth and white, if you want to be timeless. Seems like colors and textures are what have trouble not looking dated. You can always modify the wall hangings, shower curtain, painted walls, and throw rugs if you want color that won't be stuck forever.

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d4
Is it possible to upload an image of what the bathroom looks like currently.
And an image of what you consider to be in the ballpark of what you are looking for as a starting point.

I'm a fan of half tile, half paint bathrooms.

I like that look, and that’s pretty much the ballpark I’m looking for. I’d avoid the stone-look floor tiles, but otherwise that’s about right. There’s probably not much that can be done regarding a vanity. But it’s also probably one of the easier changes to make in the future. The original sink (that I actually took out a few years ago) was a wall hanger with chrome legs. We need the storage a vanity provides, though, so that’s one concession we’re making towards the modern end of the scale.

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Acer
In general, I'd go with something reminiscent of the period it was built. Pre-war still has class. (1950s and forward post-war boom housing is a lost cause, style-class wise, so you have potential.)

Can't go wrong with smooth and white, if you want to be timeless. Seems like colors and textures are what have trouble not looking dated. You can always modify the wall hangings, shower curtain, painted walls, and throw rugs if you want color that won't be stuck forever.

You’re right. Most everything can be changed in the future fairly easily (fixtures, colors). I suppose my biggest concern is tiling choices.

What's the current floor surface? Is the remodel going down to the studs or are you leaving the wall surfaces intact (as intact as can be)?

You could do a small mosaic tile on the floor with colored grout for an accent. Something like this:
[www.homedepot.com]

You could go with a gray or dark gray grout color to add even more accent.

[www.google.com]

A nice Carrara mosaic for the floor is timeless and beautiful.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

[www.google.com]

Most of these are in the ballpark for what we have now. While it’d be kind of cool to try to recreate, we’re done with it. Plus, we may sell in a couple years, so that’s also a consideration.

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BernDog
Most everything can be changed in the future fairly easily (fixtures, colors). I suppose my biggest concern is tiling choices.

If you need more outlets. Now is the time to do it. Maybe change a 2 plugger into a 4 plugger. One of my plugs has a nightlight in it. So a 4 plugger is convenient.

Maybe also consider talking to an electrician about an outlet on the wall area under the sink inside the vanity cabinet area. I use my vanity cabinet outlet for charging electric toothbrushes and shavers. No need to clutter the countertop with those chargers.

Some people like putting in a recessed nook shelf area between the studs in the tub/shower to store shampoos and soaps.

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Don't forget an outlet near the toilet for the heated bidet.

This look will never go out of style.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2020 12:31PM by rgG.

That tile chair rail trim

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Lots of good choices above. I installed a classic white/black dot mosaic in the upstairs hall bath of our last place (built ‘92) and it was a nice look against mint green paint on the original cheapo vanity cabinet.

But I went with white grout which was a mistake.

If I were doing a bathroom today, regardless of house style I’d pick a non-tile flooring that looks like tile, with some texture. Wouldn’t bother me about it having a fake wood look. That stuff has really improved in recent years. Warmer to bare feet and far easier to keep clean than any grout.

I do like the half tile, half drywall idea though.

My mother in law wants to redo one of hers with a hospital-like floor that slopes into a shower, no lip required. That’s not a solution you typically see at home centers unfortunately.

Be sure to replace all the receptacles with GFCI.

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rgG


This look will never go out of style.

I like this. Build it in mind of someday painting the Sheetrock a different color and changing the towels to match.

what d4 posted. what macphanatic said.

we like our heated towel rack, but we're in cold winter country.

strictly from personal experience, don't buy American Standard anything.
cracked and disintegrating porcelain, fading chipping chrome, cheap shower valves that require regular change.

Our Kohler fixtures have fared way better over time.
As have our hansgrohe faucets, showers, blah, blah, blah.
hansgrohe CS has been outstanding. We did not get the high end stuff.
A 2 headed shower does make cleaning easier.

Copper supply even if PVC is legal.
If you're in a cold winter area, consider pex'd radiant flooring.
Sorry we did not. My dangly bits often run the other way that 1st winter step onto the tiled floor.

High CFM Exhaust fan.

Beer tap.

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"one door closes and another window opens"
Vlad the Impailer.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2020 01:22PM by Fritz.

Heated floor and towel rack!

One we did that we really like is put some storage in over the toilet--it's otherwise wasted space. If you're okay with the look it's a nice way to gain extra storage.

[www.houzz.com]

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Dennis S

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rgG


This look will never go out of style.

I like this. Build it in mind of someday painting the Sheetrock a different color and changing the towels to match.

I like the overall look too, except for the marble(-ish) floor tile. That stuff is super-slick when wet. Swap that for something with some grip to it like good ol' traditional hex or square 1" floor tiles so you're not bunching up the bathroom rugs every time you step on them and not risking busting your butt or neck every time you step out of the tub.

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d4
That tile chair rail trim

Yep, I was gonna suggest that as well. Very nice.

As a possibility and to break up the overall stark whiteness of the room, I'd seriously consider doing the uppermost row of full tiles below the chair rail in something decorative and multicolored. Decorative tile was actually popular during the Tudor period, usually restrained to the area around fireplaces because it was expensive, so that's not entirely out of character for the style of the house. Do an image search for "Tudor tile" to get some ideas as most of the designs from that period seem to be plant-themed, curly leaves and Tudor roses in particular.

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WARNING- If I posted a link in the above message, assume it is at minimum "NSFW- Language". Occasionally you'll be wrong.

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Resist the Thought Police: George Orwell's book 1984 was meant as a warning, not an instruction manual.

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What's my "Super Power"? I can make active threads go stone-dead with a single post. I try to use this power only for good and not for evil but, you know... stuff happens.

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d4

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BernDog
Most everything can be changed in the future fairly easily (fixtures, colors). I suppose my biggest concern is tiling choices.

If you need more outlets. Now is the time to do it. Maybe change a 2 plugger into a 4 plugger. One of my plugs has a nightlight in it. So a 4 plugger is convenient.

Maybe also consider talking to an electrician about an outlet on the wall area under the sink inside the vanity cabinet area. I use my vanity cabinet outlet for charging electric toothbrushes and shavers. No need to clutter the countertop with those chargers.

Some people like putting in a recessed nook shelf area between the studs in the tub/shower to store shampoos and soaps.

Yep. I actually just added an outlet a couple weeks ago. We’ve been limping this bathroom along for years. Finally had to replace the original vanity lights. The old ones had outlets built in that we used daily. That’s not a thing any more. We’ll have plenty of outlets in all the right places.

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macphanatic
Don't forget an outlet near the toilet for the heated bidet.

Yep

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Dennis S
Be sure to replace all the receptacles with GFCI.

GFCI? My wiring isn’t even grounded!

I’m sure it will be all new wiring, but of course, it’ll have GFCI outlets as well.

I’m a pretty handy guy, but with a project this size, I don’t want to live with all the small imperfections I’ll have to look at every day. This’ll be a hired job. Time is of the essence as well, since this is our only full bath. I don’t have the luxury of taking a month or two to get it done.

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Fritz
what d4 posted. what macphanatic said.

we like our heated towel rack, but we're in cold winter country.

strictly from personal experience, don't buy American Standard anything.
cracked and disintegrating porcelain, fading chipping chrome, cheap shower valves that require regular change.

Our Kohler fixtures have fared way better over time.
As have our hansgrohe faucets, showers, blah, blah, blah.
hansgrohe CS has been outstanding. We did not get the high end stuff.
A 2 headed shower does make cleaning easier.

Copper supply even if PVC is legal.
If you're in a cold winter area, consider pex'd radiant flooring.
Sorry we did not. My dangly bits often run the other way that 1st winter step onto the tiled floor.

High CFM Exhaust fan.

Beer tap.

I’m fine with Pex for supply lines. Heated towel rack, meh. There are 5 of us who use this room. Towel bars take up too much space. No such thing as a heated towel hook.

As for radiant floor heat, I think that’s a little much for this room. I can imagine that being a very nice thing to have, but being over the kitchen on the second story, cold floors have never been an issue.

Depending on how big of a scope we get into, we’ve also been talking about adding a 3/4 in the basement for a number of years. We may go ahead and do that at the same time. In fact, when I talk to the contractor, I may plan on doing that first so we have a functioning bathroom while the upstairs is under construction. Might consider radiant flooring down there.

High CFM fan. Yes. Our current one is underpowered/worn out. The walls can get pretty slimy.

Beer tap. I like how you think. The ultimate in recycling!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2020 06:21PM by BernDog.

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Thrift Store Scott

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Dennis S

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rgG


This look will never go out of style.

I like this. Build it in mind of someday painting the Sheetrock a different color and changing the towels to match.

I like the overall look too, except for the marble(-ish) floor tile. That stuff is super-slick when wet. Swap that for something with some grip to it like good ol' traditional hex or square 1" floor tiles so you're not bunching up the bathroom rugs every time you step on them and not risking busting your butt or neck every time you step out of the tub.

Quote
d4
That tile chair rail trim

Yep, I was gonna suggest that as well. Very nice.

As a possibility and to break up the overall stark whiteness of the room, I'd seriously consider doing the uppermost row of full tiles below the chair rail in something decorative and multicolored. Decorative tile was actually popular during the Tudor period, usually restrained to the area around fireplaces because it was expensive, so that's not entirely out of character for the style of the house. Do an image search for "Tudor tile" to get some ideas as most of the designs from that period seem to be plant-themed, curly leaves and Tudor roses in particular.

Regarding the marble, I agree. Also, this may be counter-intuitive, but I think the marble could actually look dated in a few years.

We have half-tile walls now with paint above. I plan on keeping that scheme. The ornate chair rail idea is t quite our style, but a contrasting color would be nice.

Pics coming soon.

Pics

[ibb.co]
[ibb.co]
[ibb.co]

Update: In talking with the wife, we’re expanding our scope. We’ll also now be doing some work in the basement as well. Adding a 3/4 bath and two bedrooms. I’ll be going more modern in the basement bath, but that’s a conversation for another time

We were planning this renovation a couple years ago but it got put on hold. Now, with the prospect of going from one to zero functioning bathrooms during construction, we’re going to do the basement bath first so we have a usable shower while the upstairs is being done. We’ve also needed another bedroom for a while.

This isn’t a money pit situation. These are all things we’ve wanted to do for a while. It’s just funny what a single leaking pipe can lead to.

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rgG


This look will never go out of style....

Except for that damn dinky toilet!
My back hurts just looking at the picture.

I'd prefer less slippery flooring (as others have noted), but aesthetically it is a timeless design, in that it's really not offensive in any major way.

Go for what floats your boat, and let the world be damned.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2020 09:11PM by Buzz.

When purchasing materials — especially tile — do not assume it's in stock and you'll just go to a showroom and walk out of the store with it, or receive it in 2 days. If you're in love with a certain tile, it's a kick in the nuts to find out that it'll take a month to arrive and you'll have to pick another one for the timeline to stay on track. Don't ask me how I know.

Order materials way ahead of schedule. Have it in hand before any work starts.

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Hmm, regardless of all the yellow and black tile, I’ve lost the plot here. You have modern stuff but don’t like the yellow/black? Those patterns are pretty dang neat.

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d4
When purchasing materials — especially tile — do not assume it's in stock and you'll just go to a showroom and walk out of the store with it, or receive it in 2 days. If you're in love with a certain tile, it's a kick in the nuts to find out that it'll take a month to arrive and you'll have to pick another one for the timeline to stay on track. Don't ask me how I know.

Order materials way ahead of schedule. Have it in hand before any work starts.

Wait until you order lighting fixtures. The lead time on those is crazy. You may have a better shot snagging them from a downward ticking parallel universe (while you're at it, order some disinfectant wipes).

Prepare the wife beforehand. Under no circumstances are those unicorns going back into the bathroom.

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Don't forget the bidet.

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d4
Prepare the wife beforehand. Under no circumstances are those unicorns going back into the bathroom.

I bring the magic to the bedroom, she brings it to the bathroom.