How to Create Classic Charm in a Bathroom on a Budget?

Preview

Bathroom at a Glance

Who uses it: This remodel was for an investment property with two children in mind.

Location: Dallas

Size: 117 square feet (11 square meters)

Before

Because this Dallas ranch house was an investment property, designer Jessica Koltun created a versatile design to appeal to as many people as possible. The former hallway bathroom was worn and dated, and it didn’t suit the home’s new style. The vanity drawers and doors no longer closed properly. And the soffit above the vanity made the space feel cramped.

After

Koltun removed the soffit above the vanity to make the space feel larger and painted the walls in Pure White by Sherwin-Williams to keep the room bright. She chose a dark color for the vanity to anchor the piece in the space. “The cabinet color is called charcoal, but it has blue undertones, so it can go more gray or more blue depending on the light,” she says.

The Shaker-style cabinetry and curved faucets also lend classic touches. Koltun chose polished chrome for the faucets, for a shiny look while staying on budget. “I love to mix metals, and chrome is an inexpensive option for faucets,” she says.

The cabinet pulls have a gold finish. “A good way to mix metals is to use two different finishes and split things in half,” Koltun says. Here, the countertop provides the dividing line — all of the metal finishes below it are gold, and all above it are chrome.

“Because the vanity is so dark and the floor is a busy pattern, I wanted to keep everything from the counter up light and airy,” the designer says. This meant choosing a marble-look quartz for the countertop, white grout for the white tile backsplash, and clear glass shades for the sconces. Koltun flanked the mirrors with sconces for good facial lighting.