This summer, I finally tackled a long-overdue bathroom refresh. When we remodeled this space about three years ago, we went all in on white—white tiles, a white tub, a white vanity, and white walls. It was a huge upgrade from the old beige, but after living with it for a while, I was ready for a change. I had previously added a bold black striped wall that I loved at first, but as my style evolved, it was time for a new look. So, about 1 year ago I decided to paint over the black stripes. However, when tackling that paint job I forgot to sand the stripes, which meant that the pattern still peeks through the new paint. Oops!
Finding Inspiration
For this refresh, I wanted to create a cozy, vintage-inspired bathroom that complements the existing white tiles and chrome finishes. My goal was to add warmth and a touch of cottage charm to the space.
Getting Started
I kicked things off by removing the old lights, vanity, and mirror to start with a clean slate. To tackle the old striped wall, I sanded it down to smooth out the texture, then applied a thin coat of joint compound to get a fresh, smooth surface. Once that dried, I applied a primer to prep the wall for painting.
Choosing the Perfect Paint
Choosing the right paint color has always been a process for me. I spent a good amount of time flipping through paint swatches and making multiple trips to the store before settling on a shade. For this bathroom refresh, I wanted a color with a pink undertone that wasn’t too overpowering. I fell in love with Benjamin Moore’s Chocolate Pudding—a lovely mauve tone with a subtle reddish-brown undertone. It’s perfect for adding a moody yet sophisticated vibe to the room.
Adding the Final Touches
To complete the look, I brought in some vintage-inspired elements. I swapped out the old vanity for a beautiful wooden one from Home Depot and added an ornate mirror from Amazon, which is a great dupe for the Anthropologie style.
While the bathroom originally had chrome finishes, I wanted to add some warmth to the space. I introduced brass elements with the new light fixture and faucet, which not only warmed up the room but also perfectly complemented the new wall color.
To wrap it all up, I added vintage-style paintings in gold frames to enhance the cottage feel.
The Big Reveal
Looking at the before-and-after, I’m thrilled with how the space turned out. The bathroom now feels warm and inviting, and the vintage cottage style really shines through. The new wall color beautifully complements the white tiles and chrome finishes, making the entire room feel cohesive and stylish.