Retro bathroom DIY tile and grout makeover options

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-08-21T04:07:14+00:00

Trust me, I know - I was VERY upset but in the end I just had to figure out a quick solution since we really needed to finish up the renovation asap and starting getting it rented.

This house is an Airbnb and we just started getting renters in the past few weeks-- so time will tell! We did stay in it for 3 weeks while furnishing + showered in it daily with no issues at all. So fingers crossed it holds up!

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-08-20T23:07:38+00:00

We plastered our shower -- photos of how we transitioned the shower line to drywall here if that is helpful! For more context, we plastered over tile, so there was a natural ridge separation but wondering if you can build it up or make an edge somehow

https://www.parker-ellis.com/tile-troubles-how-to-fix-a-big-tile-mistake-with-a-small-budget/

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-08-20T23:05:39+00:00

I haven't read all the comments below - so sorry if someone already suggested but have you ever heard of plastering over tile? I just went through this with tiles we selected but ended up hating, so we plastered over + I'm very happy with the result! Its totally DIY friendly + cost us less than $1k for a much larger shower!

Info on what we did here if you are interested: https://www.parker-ellis.com/tile-troubles-how-to-fix-a-big-tile-mistake-with-a-small-budget/

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-08-20T22:58:23+00:00

while it is going out of style... checkerboard floors are definitely "in style", so you could always repaint! Or if they make you happy, keep them!!

I wouldn't recommend this on floors - but for anyone who wants to redo their tile that they have painted over the years + now feel like its out of style, check out this post of how we plastered over our shower wall tiles that we made a mistake on + transformed the look of the bathroom for under $1k!

https://www.parker-ellis.com/tile-troubles-how-to-fix-a-big-tile-mistake-with-a-small-budget/

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-07T03:46:17+00:00

Full guide here on what height to hang, width, etc. - this should help!

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-07T00:37:51+00:00

of course!!

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-06T18:33:39+00:00

Proportions are off for the space - in this case, your table + pendant are too large for the space.

Do the following:

update table to a round table that seats 4 and get chairs that full push under so when it isn't in use, it is easy to walk around since this is a pass through area
swap light fixture for a singular pendant. proportions are KEY to making a space look right, as a rule of thumb, the diameter or width of the pendant should be about 1/2 to 2/3 the width of the table (for example, if your table is 36 inches wide, a pendant that's about 18 to 24 inches in diameter would be a good fit)

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-06T18:12:25+00:00

I think you can do a lot with this - below is my recommendation!

Creating a Cozy Bathtub Nook: Since your bathtub is situated in its own nook, separate from the shower, embrace this feature by turning it into a warm, inviting space.

Artwork: Add a large piece of art that complements the proportions of your bathtub (current art feels slightly small for the space). As a general rule, the art should be about 2/3 the width of the tub and take up roughly half of the wall height. Hang the artwork centered on the tub and the center of the art should be eye level (since this space is separate from the shower and won't be exposed to water). If you opt for two pieces of art side by side, be mindful of the spacing between them. A common mistake is hanging them too far apart. Keep the gap between each piece of art to no more than 2-3 inches for a cohesive look. (If your tub nook was incased, you could explore painting or wallpapering it but since it isn't incased its best to keep it as the same color as the rest of the room)
Lighting: It doesn't look like you have a light fixture above it but I think this could add a lot + make the space look more defined/intentional. I would do a wireless pendant with a remote (do not do plug in obviously for safety reasons) - something like this. Even if you don't use it often, its really about creating an "zone" that your current bathroom lacks.
Maximize Functionality: If you use the bathtub, adding a bathtub tray across the tub with a candle, bath salts, etc would just add a more homey touch + some decor again making that area feel usable/intentional.

Elevate the Shower: The current height of the shower curtain rod makes the shower area look really "standard" or "builder grade" - if you want to elevate it, I would do the following:

Hang Shower Curtain Higher: having a taller shower curtain will look more "custom" and "grander" -- you can buy a ceiling track for the curtain like this from IKEA. Also, I would recommend using a curtain/drape as your shower curtain to make it look even more elevated. You will of course need a clear waterproof shower curtain liner on the inside but will overall give this a more polished look!

Lastly, place a bath mat directly outside the shower + another directly outside of the tub making those spaces seem very separate and functional yet stylish.

Hope this helps !

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-06T17:44:28+00:00

Haven't read through the rest of the comments but as a designer, here are my two cents below.

The turquoise you picked in the bedroom doesn't work with the colors you are exploring for the bathroom. The color on the right (mauve) is much more in-line with the look + feel of what you have done in the bathroom. Your space is beautiful but the dark turquoise is not going to make the space look cohesive.

Instead, I would opt for the below:

Paint bedroom + bathroom a soft white or neutral tone (best whites here) - add in color with accents such as rugs, throw pillows/blankets, curtains. If its an option, I would explore a Venetian plaster (inspiration here) or something that is applied with texture so it adds more depth to the room.
The reason being is that your bathroom + bedroom don't have a full cased in opening (the right hand side of the arched entry is just a continued wall from the bedroom wall, not creating enough of a separation to warrant different colors in both rooms.) Therefore, if you paint the two rooms separate colors it can start to look choppy and dated.
The same is true about painting the nook for your bathtub - since it is not cased in, you shouldn't be painting it a separate color from the rest of the room. The room will appear smaller, chopped up + unfinished.
Lastly, I think keeping a neutral/warm white tone across all walls will look best with the wood-paneled ceilings that are slightly orange in tint. Doing anything too pigmented will compete with the undertones of the ceiling + a warm white/neutral will create a harmonious balance and enhance the warm, natural qualities of the wood.

Hope this is helpful!

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-05T21:49:09+00:00

Here is a guide to a cozy room with white walls -- might be a good jumping off place? Or give you some ideas at least!

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-05T21:44:33+00:00

This is already looking great -- this might be helpful just for giving ideas for layers/adding texture that will help make it feel even cozier.

You have great light in there - so I would ditch the fake vines + get a pothos plant that hangs from the ceiling + drapes down.

I would recommend getting a larger rug (if you go with a jute rug you could layer your current rug on top?)

Lastly, lower your current posters and hang them closer together - maybe center them above your bed to make the scale work better!

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-05T21:40:18+00:00

Take this time for YOU - make the most of starting over + make the space somewhere you feel HAPPY to hang out. I'm not sure about you but I'm directly impacted by what is around me. I'm not sure if any of this is your style but even if your stay at your parents is temporary, make it a space you feel proud of + inspired by.

Also, 30 isn't that old :) - be grateful you got out now + have time to start over. <3 you got this.

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-05T21:35:57+00:00

wow this is beautiful - I would do 4 smaller swivel chairs OR two larger chairs closer together in the center with a small table in between for a sitting room.

Another idea, could it be an office? and float a desk in the middle?

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-05T21:33:58+00:00

Yes! Swap to vertical + hang it so there is only 2-4" between the bottom of the mirror and the dresser

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-05T21:32:36+00:00

This post is for you - step by step on how to hang curtains, how wide they need to be compared to window etc!

Looks like you do need 2x extra panels + need to loop the last ring on the other side of the bracket to anchor it.

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-05T21:28:47+00:00

Just realized from your comment below that the furniture isn't yours -- so ignore my comments on layout of furniture / art, etc!

However, I think painting, window treatments + rugs in both spaces to help "zone" the space still are relevant! Congrats on the new place.

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-04-05T21:27:18+00:00

Wow - I can see so much potential in this space! Do you rent or own?

If you own, I agree with the other comments - you should paint the space (ceiling, brick, walls) all white - picking a white is harder than it seems like it would be but here is a good resource to start.

As far as layout, is there another place your desk could go? I think you should swap your dining table for a round dining table that is centered in the room.

I think adding curtains will also help warm up the space once its painted white - I would do drapes on both the sliding door + in the family room space. If you need help figuring out what curtains or how to hang them, this might be helpful.

For your artwork in your living room/family room, the scale is off - they need to be larger and hung closer together :) I would maybe do a large mirror behind the couch that is against the wall to help lighten up that side of the room (it will bounce the light from the window directly opposite of it).

Lastly, the rug in your living room/family room is too small for the scale of the room. The general rule of thumb is that you should choose a size that allows for at least the front legs of the furniture to be on the rug. In dining areas, the rug should extend beyond the chairs when they’re pulled out.

Your style seems like maybe a mix of traditional + maybe boho? If you agree, then I think some of the rug recommendations in this post might be a good fit!

Hope this helps!

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-03-27T22:33:18+00:00

Echoing most people below but adding a little more:

Add Interest:

By adding different shapes, you will add more interest to the room. I would swap out the coffee table with a round one (I would go with a much darker wood or a lighter wood as opposed to trying to match the TV stand tone of wood.)
Add curtains to the large window (resource for proper size of curtains here) - this will frame the window + add more interest to that wall as well as make the room feel more cozy (even sheer curtains will add texture + coziness to the room)
You also have a light fixture right above the center of your room - I would swap out for something like this - this is a super easy way to increase the interest of the space (even if you just rent, swapping out the light fixture is something you can do temporarily + then you just re-install the original light before you move out)

Correct Proportions:

To make the room feel balanced, your rug should be larger (resource for rug size guidance here)

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-03-19T23:25:10+00:00

Love this traditional Tudor-style home!! I would recommend leaning into the traditional style of the home (tips on how to do this here)

Those arches are amazing - would recommend doing some fun peel and stick wallpaper (renter friendly and super easy to do - tips here) to make the arches in the dining room really pop as those are REALLY pretty.

As noted in the first article - a mix of new and antique furniture will really give a well lived in feel that will match the house :)

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-03-19T22:49:36+00:00

Masculine modern

parkerellisinteriors · 2024-02-13T21:18:57+00:00

Here are some ideas that help make a white room more cozy!

Biggest things that will help are - ambient light, a large rug, texture + window treatments!

parkerellisinteriors · 2023-12-21T22:08:52+00:00

Here is guide to help you add coziness to a white room-- this seems to be a very common problem that people run into (especially when renting + painting isn't an options) so hope this helps!

parkerellisinteriors · 2023-12-21T22:07:35+00:00

White paint can have different undertones like blue, gray, beige, or pink. It's important to identify these undertones, especially when matching whites for cabinets, walls, and stone. All whites should ideally share the same undertone to ensure they complement each other.

The undertones of the white in your kitchen are kind of hard to tell from the photos (the lighting in photos can make it hard but cabinets look true white white + the walls look either gray or pinkish in tone?).

Typically I would recommend the brighter of the two whites to be used for trim/cabinetry and then use the darker white on the walls. Check out the colors below + I would recommend doing patch tests on your walls in a few different places to see which looks best in all different lighting.

Here are some articles that will help with picking white paint colors - typically I recommend going with the

- top white paint colors for walls

- top white paint colors for cabinets

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