March 11 is a big day for us this year. Today is the 10-year anniversary of our moving into this house!
I can hardly believe we've been here 10 years. My sons were just 7, 11, and 13 years old when we moved here. Now two of them are adults and my "baby" is about to turn 18!
Our house was brand new when we moved in. As you can imagine, some things we've changed over the course of 10 years; other things have stayed the same. One room we're in the process of changing right now is our master bathroom, and I could really use your help as I work on this room.
For years our bathroom was painted "Craftsman Brown" by Sherwin Williams. It's a nice dark taupe that worked well with the tumbled marble tile. After awhile, though, I grew tired of the brown. Here are a couple of old shots:
One thing I never liked was the shower door. It was a nice quality door, but so ugly:
So recently I repainted with Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore and got a new frameless shower door. Much better!
Now, here's where I need help. I still like the tumbled marble tile and the large tiles of the floor, so I don't think replacing all the tile would be a worthwhile project. But the countertops are a different story. Here's a look at them:
They're not dreadful by any means, but neither are they beautiful. They're Corian in a very neutral, slightly speckled finish with white sinks.
So here's where I need your help. First, what do you think of the countertops? Do you agree that it would be good to replace them? If so, what do you think would work well? I really think I'll keep the tumbled marble tile in the shower and tub surrounds, so it needs to be a material that would work well with that. Any ideas?
Second, what do you think I should do with the mirrors? Would replacing the large plate glass mirrors with framed mirrors work well in here? As you can see from the first photo, my side of the bathroom includes both a sink area and a vanity area, with countertops of two different heights. Do you think I should hang two framed mirrors side by side there?
Help! Do you have any suggestions? Photos? I'd love to have your opinion!
I think updating the mirror with some framed mirrors would make a big impact. The room has good bones, so just a few changes would make it more updated. I think with new mirrors your eye would be drawn there and you would be satisfied with the Corian which is not bad at all. I have framed mirrors in one of my bathrooms and they really are the focal point.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you decide.
You know-the Corian is neutral enough that it doesn't bother me at all. Have you seen those kits that let you "frame" the mirror just as it sits there? That would give you a whole new look, too. I have a shower door I have to replace, too. You new one looks great! xoDiana
ReplyDeleteYes, to both. I think new counter tops would look nice as well as new mirrors. We found mirrors at Kirklands when we were building.
ReplyDeleteWould you like granite for counter tops?
I love that new shower door. That was a great choice!
i say leave the countertops for now.... and using some pretty molding you can frame out the existing mirrors. my mom just made them and used liquid nails to stick them up and they are GORGEOUS and make all the difference in the world. then you might not think the counters need any help!
ReplyDeletemy mom pretty much did this (saw this on pinterest!): http://www.amomstake.com/2013/11/how-to-frame-a-mirror-bathroom/
ReplyDeleteI think your countertops are pretty great. They're neutral, and they're in good shape. You might remove the backsplash and frame the mirrors (I second the recommendation to just faux-frame them in place). You're going to change the light fixture, aren't you? It's an above-average bathroom!
ReplyDeleteI think you would really miss the full mirrors were you to go with the smaller ones and you would defeat the purpose of the dressing table if you lost the mirror at that level. Frame the existing ones for more impact. You will not be able to do them in place as others have suggested because of the back splash, but that is not a big deal. I would go with something simple and similar to other trims in the room. I also find the counter tops pleasing to the eye. Your eye can be drawn to colorful accessories and/or window treatments with these neutral ones. Mine are white as well and I really like them. They aren't fighting other pretties in the room for attention. You have a lovely room and I do like the art work.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty bathroom Richella...I love your new shower door! I think changing the mirrors to pretty framed ones would look great...we did that in all our bathrooms it makes a huge difference! I would go with granite countertops too.
ReplyDeleteChanging the counters will make a huge impact. I'd use granite or quartz. Quartz is indestructible. Adding framed mirrors would be perfect. The shower door is pretty
ReplyDeleteCindy
I think you would love the change to framed mirrors....Do you use the mirror in the vanity portion of your sink area?....I have cultured marble countertops with an ogee edge with porcelain undercounted sinks...I love my countertop, but if you are thinking of switching a wonderful light granite would be beautiful....I love the white granite with gray veining...We are both celebrating 10 years in our homes this month!
ReplyDeleteI would switch to framed mirrors first then decide if you still need to change the countertops. A showstopping mirror can make a huge impact. I recently had a custom mirror done for my mother's new bathroom and it turned out beautifully and was well worth the $400 for a 32" x 60" mirror.
ReplyDeleteI really like the ideas mentioned by others about framing the mirrors as they are right now. To offset losing some of the glass in front of your dropped vanity, you could always add a stand-alone mirror that's beautifully framed. I love the shower door you bought!
ReplyDeleteHi, Richella. My two-cents' worth since you asked :) - I agree with you on the Corian, but I would definitely not go with granite (we have granite in the kitchen and it's pretty, but even though it's sealed how sealed can it be that you can't use certain cleaners on it? Therefore, I always worry about its cleanliness). When we replace our bathroom counters I'm pretty sure I'll go with a quartz for look and durability.
ReplyDeleteAs for the mirrors: I read a lot of blogs where people replace these large "builder-grade" as they call them with "prettier" albeit smaller ones. I happen to like a mirror that gives me full view instead of having the gap between the counter and the mirror. Building matching frames around them (in an espresso or black??) would add the ummmpphh that makes a statement. And...I would enlarge the mirror over your sink/vanity so it takes up the whole wall as the other one does.
Hope these are ideas for you to consider. :) ~Zuni
Hi, Richella. My two-cents' worth since you asked :) - I agree with you on the Corian, but I would definitely not go with granite (we have granite in the kitchen and it's pretty, but even though it's sealed how sealed can it be that you can't use certain cleaners on it? Therefore, I always worry about its cleanliness). When we replace our bathroom counters I'm pretty sure I'll go with a quartz for look and durability.
ReplyDeleteAs for the mirrors: I read a lot of blogs where people replace these large "builder-grade" as they call them with "prettier" albeit smaller ones. I happen to like a mirror that gives me full view instead of having the gap between the counter and the mirror. Building matching frames around them (in an espresso or black??) would add the ummmpphh that makes a statement. And...I would enlarge the mirror over your sink/vanity so it takes up the whole wall as the other one does.
Hope these are ideas for you to consider. :) ~Zuni
I remember when I started reading your blog quite a few years ago! Time goes soo quickly! Love your ensuite... I'd change the mirrors to two side by side framed ones! Another option is updating the hardware on the cupboards? Countertops seem to get dated soo quickly. Ours in our bathrooms need updated too. Can't wait to see what you do, Richella! xo
ReplyDeleteKendra @ www.joyinourhome.com
I love having a big mirror in my bathroom instead of smaller ones, and I ended up framing it myself by attaching wood to the border. I still have my big mirror and looks more modern. Maybe framing your mirror would work too.
ReplyDeleteIf you decide to change your countertop I highly recommend quartz. Beautiful and easy care. I like the idea of framed mirrors as well. I love your new shower door.
ReplyDeleteJeannette
I wouldn't touch the countertops - they are still fantastic! I agree with the others - perhaps changing the mirrors would be beneficial. The new shower door is lovely!
ReplyDeleteY'all have me wondering if perhaps instead of changing the countertops I should simply focus on the mirrors and change the sink faucets. Do y'all think it's okay to have sink faucets that are different from the tub faucet?
ReplyDeleteI think the countertops match really well! Plus, the rest of your bathroom looks amazing! I love your bathtub, it looks so relaxing. Your shower is amazing! I like that it is tucked away in the wall, but still has an open feeling with the glass door. You did an amazing job!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.suburbanglass.ca/en/