Yesterday I shared how I painted the studio bathroom tile black, which I’ll admit, was sort of a big commitment. I wanted the room to feel girlie and fun, but still modern and interesting. It’s technically our guest bathroom as well, but since Heather is living with us in the guest room, it’s mostly just her and Kate and I that ever are in the space. So basically, I felt like I had free reign to go as girlie as I wanted!
The previously white walls felt really stark in here since the only light source was (and still is) a pair of wall sconces, so I decided to warm up the color and to get a little experimental with a fun pattern.
After swinging by The Home Depot and picking up a few rolls of Scotch Blue™ Painter’s Tape to experiment with, I finally had a lightbulb moment.
I used a roll of .94″ ScotchBlue (it’s the Original Multi-Use 2090) to make an abstract line pattern on all the walls above the tile and even on the ceiling. I was inspired by this uber-talented artist that Domino featured in the current issue. He did a similar treatment to the walls in his home using duct tape. I love how these little lines are so simple and they make such a big visual impact.
To make a pretty fast process go even faster, I cut the tape (5-7″ or so in random lengths) in large batches all at once before applying the strips to the walls.
It’s easy to make the abstract pattern and it actually looks best if you don’t over-think things while you’re placing the tape on the walls.
Like with any painting project, it’s important to really press down the edges of the ScotchBlue tape before you paint.
Don’t forget to let the line continue in and through the corners and be sure to start some pieces below the actual starting line (the tile in my case). This makes the pattern look more like wallpaper.
We have some slight texture on the wall in some places so I did my little trick of sealing the edges with a quick layer of the base coat before painting the top coat. Works every time!
I like to peel the tape off while the paint is still wet. I don’t know if that makes any difference in the end result, but it feels like it would, right?
The color we used for the base coat is my favorite white, Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, and the top coat is the prettiest blush color called Spun Sugar by Sherwin Williams (I had both color matched at Home Depot). We don’t have any windows in this bathroom, but I’m thinking this color would be gorgeous in natural light. So pretty and soft for a bedroom.
The pattern is playful enough that it would look adorable in a kids room, but when paired with black and brass accents and with lots of art hanging on the walls, the abstract pattern feels modern and cool.
I added lots of white to the room to break up the sea of black tile and to balance out the warmth of the Spun Sugar walls.
I also came up with a new way to reface old 80s cabinets that I’m really happy with. The basic idea is to use hardboard to create a faux front. I think I’m going to put a twist on the technique for a redo of our kitchen cabinets, so stay tuned for that tutorial!
Lots of big artwork helped to brighten this space too. I picked up these frames at Target and I love their extra-wide mats.
Luckily the mat openings were meant for 8×10 prints and I had just picked up this book of Matisse prints in the same size for just a buck at a used book store.
Doesn’t get much more girlie than this right?
Also did you notice how I moved the Safevieh gold and marble table in here? It fits well and I love the way it looks against the black tile.
I had to turn down the contrast in this photo so you could see the new sconces. I talked about them
here. They’re from
Triple 7 Recycled on Etsy and they literally could not have been easier to install, especially since the mounting hardware is exposed. I had these babies up in about 20 minutes! I love them and I love the way the light from the exposed bulbs plays on the abstract line pattern on the walls. It’s really soft and dreamy in person.
I’m all for complicated, time-consuming DIY projects (you know I am!), but sometimes simple-and-quick hits the spot, you know? I love the way this one turned out! :) A big thanks to ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape for coming through for me yet again.
(PS Check out their
Pinterest page for some really great painting ideas!)
(PPS ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape gave me a $50 e-giftcard to the Home Depot to share with you readers. Just
click here to enter.)
I am proud to be a 3M- sponsored blogger, and, as part of my responsibilities, I get the opportunity to evaluate new products from ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape. Opinions are my own and additional product used in the project were selected by me.
Brave choice and it has paid off! Love this look
so cute! i recently painted my bedroom peach, and have black and gold accents everywhere, too. i really love it!
Hey, the job you did with the walls are amazing but I am confused, how do you remove tape without damaging the fresh coat of paint? Could you upload a DIY video or something?
Thanks a lot,
Your blog is visionary,
Semiha
Love it all! Where did the rug come from?
What a great idea! I've been tossing the idea around to wallpaper my laundry room, but this may be a better idea yet! Love the blush color too.
Aw, I'm sorry some of you guys don't like what I did in here. I promise it's cuter in person. :)
I know the look isn't for everyone, but it's just paint. :) We needed a quick, zero dollar fix. And since just a bunch of girly girls are using this bathroom, we decided to go for it and do something fun! When we get sick of it it's an easy change.
If this project wasn't your cup of tea hopefully I can get back on your good side with our guest bath redo in the main part of our house. I'm really excited with how it's turning out! :)
Also, and admittedly I'm in a not great mood today (flu) so apologies if this sounds overly defensive, but I just thought I would mention that it's not fun to get comments like the handful of negative ones above. It's just hard to see the point, other than to hurt me. So just in case you were wondering if I wanted any "constructive criticism" here – the answer is, probably not. Especially if the point of the comment is just to tell me how unbelievably bad you think the room is. There are websites dedicated to stuff like that, so please feel free to leave that bad energy over there so I don't have to see it. I've grown a thick skin over the past seven years, but after a while it just starts to feel like bullying. Not cool.
As always, I so, so appreciate the positive feedback. Seeing your notes of encouragement helps me want to keep going and sharing. Feel free to dish out the (truly) constructive criticism if something is just driving you crazy, but otherwise I would hope you'd keep comments to only positive thoughts.
Thanks!
Jenny
Janet – Yes! The vanity is from IKEA, but we found one on Craigslist. Practically brand new and it was a total steal! I love it. And aren't those baskets the best? I love HomeGoods.
Semiha – We let the white paint dry before we painted on the pink paint. It doesn't take long for such a thin coat to dry. :)
Fabulous trick! I love the simple design you chose, the Matisse prints, those sconces, your mirrors! As usual- you knock it out of the park.
Looks like confetti wall paper -love it!
Love, love, love. Where are the basket and rug from? They are just perfect!
Another tape question…did you let the base coat of paint dry before you painted over with your top coat?
Love the rug! Would you consider preshop Erugs for us?!?
Lovely! Thanks to your amazing blog I had the instruction & confidence to paint our entryway floor tiles black a few months ago. They look gorgeous and I followed the primer and porch & floor paint instructions (can't buy oil based from Home Depot in B.C. , Canada only Rustoleum pre-mix) and so far so good! Is the Vanity from IKEA? And I bought a lidded version of that basket from Home Sense about a year ago.
You are a genius! Once again I love it
I been following your blog for a while and I do love some of the things you do but Im going to be brutally honest on this one….Altho the bathroom didn't look great in the Before picture…it looks really bad now. Way too dark and the combination of colors makes it look outdated. JMHO
Oh the lights look amazing Jenny! It makes me so happy to see my creations up in other homes! And that wall treatment is beyond amazing. Great work per usual :)
I am obsessed with Donald and his Instagram is a favorite! I took a screenshot of that foyer of his, and I'm glad to see it in another application. It looks amazing, Jenny! Stenciling the ceiling definitely took the project to a whole other level…so chic!
I think this is one of the worst projects you have ever done.
I'm afraid I have absolutely no idea what you are going for here, Jenny. I've been a follower for a long time, but this looks reminiscent of a 1980's harem pants print. Bad bad bad.
And did you seriously whitewash that Louis Philipe gilt mirror? Unbelievable. This bathroom is horrendous.
Wow, some really mixed reviews on this one! I think it's a fun, girly bathroom. You're so brave to paint tile! I especially love the Anthro towel hooks. :) I DIY'd some from a plain white version I found at Hobby Lobby. I just couldn't stomach how expensive 4 legit ones was going to cost me, just for a guest room.
I love the creativity of the walls, but sort of agree with the naysayers. Bad tile painted black = bad black tile…I'm sure it was very hard to photograph, though…most likely is better in person!
Aw, I'm sorry some of you guys don't like what I did in here. I promise it's cuter in person. :)
I know the look isn't for everyone, but it's just paint. :) We needed a quick, zero dollar fix. And since just a bunch of girly girls are using this bathroom, we decided to go for it and do something fun! When we get sick of it it's an easy change.
If this project wasn't your cup of tea hopefully I can get back on your good side with our guest bath redo in the main part of our house. I'm really excited with how it's turning out! :)
Also, and admittedly I'm in a not great mood today (flu) so apologies if this sounds overly defensive, but I just thought I would mention that it's not fun to get comments like the handful of negative ones above. It's just hard to see the point, other than to hurt me. So just in case you were wondering if I wanted any "constructive criticism" here – the answer is, probably not. Especially if the point of the comment is just to tell me how unbelievably bad you think the room is. There are websites dedicated to stuff like that, so please feel free to leave that bad energy over there so I don't have to see it. I've grown a thick skin over the past seven years, but after a while it just starts to feel like bullying. Not cool.
As always, I so, so appreciate the positive feedback. Seeing your notes of encouragement helps me want to keep going and sharing. Feel free to dish out the (truly) constructive criticism if something is just driving you crazy, but otherwise I would hope you'd keep comments to only positive thoughts.
Thanks!
Jenny
if you have a blog/post dedicated to DYI, you will get several people that will tell you what's wrong-or what they think is wrong: Especially when you ask people to tell you what they think.
Hard truth: I think the room is ugly. It is also very cold looking. Why can't you take criticism about a room? Designers get their ideas turned down all the time.
If all you want is praise, and glowing reviews, than you shouldn't ask "what do you think", you shouldn't share..or you should block all "negative" opinions.
People were calling you names? Trolling you? "Verbally"'abusing you? That IS wrong. But for you to nearly demand that people lie and tell you they like a room, again: After you asked what ppl think is wrong on both sides.
You have your own style. That's great. Go for it.
I don't like the room at all because I have a different style than you. It's not worse of better.
Everyone in the world has a different style.
Again: you asked what people thought. Some were mean, and some just…told you. If you can't accept that then don't ask what people think. Because they will tell you.
Janet – Yes! The vanity is from IKEA, but we found one on Craigslist. Practically brand new and it was a total steal! I love it. And aren't those baskets the best? I love HomeGoods.
Semiha – We let the white paint dry before we painted on the pink paint. It doesn't take long for such a thin coat to dry. :)
Oh Jenny, Jenny, Jenny…. I love this bathroom! It is so fun, girly, of the moment, uber chic! You are amazing and don't forget it girl! Inspire on;)
So fun! I love the shot of the corner with those anthro hooks. They are so perfect in there!
Jenny! I love it. I think it looks great, and I LOVE how resourceful you are to use a $0 budget and create a great space. That is one of the many things I love about your blog and your personality -along with your creativity and fearlessness. I've felt so empowered over the years seeing the amazing things you've pulled off in your homes on a budget (and the great bigger projects you do, too). You've really opened my eyes to possibilities and influenced the direction of my own taste quite a bit. Thanks!
While I can't say everything about this bathroom is my favorite style, I can certainly say what an improvement it is! The tile before was absolutely horrific- I imagine you, Jenny, could've figured out something to make it less tragic without covering it up, but I certainly could not have. Painting over it was incredibly smart, and you're right- why not have some fun, try a new pattern, play around until you're ready to tackle the whole thing from scratch down the road. I love seeing some of the solutions you come up with using a minimal (or non-existent!) budget. The big renovations and expensive projects are fun to look at, but posts like these are what get me started on my own house's problems. Thanks for the inspiration, Jenny!
i love the black tile! it looks so chic, like a space where you could take a glamorous bubble bath. i hope the girls enjoy it!
so creative and a vast improvement. again, i'm amazed by your vision, skill and resourcefulness! Dying to know how you fix up the 80s cabinets. I have a whole house full of them, and would love a DIY fix until we replace tehm.
This looks great! I've been following you since December when we bought our new house and you have inspired me so many times. Waiting anxiously for the DIY on those 80s cabinets. Great job as usual!!;)
Kick ass paint job. Love it. 80s glam awesomeness. Such a great solution until it's time to totally gut. I have been contemplating painting some HORRIBLE terra cotta tile on the walls in our kitchen. I can hardly stand to look at it! :) I would love to hear how it holds up after some use/wear. Good work. Thanks for sharing!!
Jenny, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. Really. I have been following for a long time and it's one of my favorites.
That being said, I am pretty turned off by you saying you don't want constructive/negative comments about your work.
Your blog is your job. I know it is a labor of love, and personal, but it also is a job. Could you imagine saying to a supervisor, "I would only like positive comments on my work please, because constructive/negative comments are mean?" That's a bit unrealistic. With any job you are going to get your share of positive, wonderful feedback as well as negative/constructive. I hope you become more open to not-so-stellar feedback in the future and learn to grow from constructive criticism. It's a great skill and can only help your career. X
I think it's a super-fun update! Way to go!
Also good on you for sharing your thoughts re: bullying – some of those comments come off as nasty, not constructive, which is always unnecessary.
Fun Bathroom! So, glamorous with the black and gold. I love the Matisse prints too! Awesome find!
Hey guys! Thanks for chiming in about the negative comments thing. Like I said yesterday, I'm sick right now so maybe I didn't do the best job of filtering/editing my earlier comment. I just wanted to be clear that constructive comments are totally A-OK with me! I just don't love the mean ones. :)
Thanks again, as always for reading LGN and for being a (generally!) very supportive community. xo
I just love that you went for it in this bathroom, thanks for sharing and the inspiration!
I am SO intrigued by painted tile and really curious to see how it holds up in the long run, especially since it's plain old primer and Rustoleum. Pretty please update six months from now with how the paint job is holding up?
I think you are amazing. I am shocked at the negative comments, I don't understand why people think that is ok! I would never leave any so called "constructive criticism" unless you ASKED for our opinion. And even then, keep it positive and kind. Seriously.
You are an inspiration in every way, don't let the meanies get you down.
I love what you are doing with that house.
Re: negative feedback. I don't think Jenny was saying that she doesn't want ANY negative feedback. She welcomes negative feedback that's CONSTRUCTIVE as opposed to negative feedback from people being rude and saying how much they hate what she did and that it looks awful. Taste, style, decorating is subjective to an extent. So the style of this bathroom seems to be producing mixed reactions….that doesn't mean people who don't like the way it looks should be hurtful in their feedback about what they don't like about it. Personally, I do think that dark paint…especially black, is a very strong look that takes getting used to and definitely NOT everyone's cup of tea. I don't LOVE the way this bathroom looks compared to some of Jenny's other renovation projects, but I've felt that way about some of her other projects regarding black paint. I think it's important to be able to separate your own personal taste from what someone else likes. From what I can see, Jenny's going for a girly bathroom with peaches, blushes, gold accents, anchored by black so as not to be too precious. It only matters that she's happy with it, since she's the one who has to live with it and use that bathroom…and echoing your other readers, I'm in awe of your energy and courage to follow through with creative ideas!
Got to say, I was a little lost in the beginning. The thumbnail made the blush color seem tan on my screen! But when I read that it was a pretty pink I can see it a lot better. Would look so cute in a kids room.
Keep your head up! You design for you, not anyone else!
Keep it up,
Stephanie
Wondering about cleaning the painted tile . . . .soap scum in the shower and all.
What products produce the best results and don't damage the paint?
Wondering about cleaning the painted tile . . . .soap scum in the shower and all.
What products produce the best results and don't damage the paint?
You're innovative and ballsy, girl! In three years, everyone will be bringing back the 80's thinking it's edgy and chic and you'll be on to the next big thing :) That shot with the red secretary peeking around the corner is really pretty. Love the fearless color combo!
I really liked what you did with the cabinet doors. Looking forward to seeing your kitchen cabinet project. I have been thinking about doing this, too.
You've got guts and once again delivered on creating a space from idea/vision to completion! I can't say that I do that with any consistency. While the look is not my personal style, I like the mix and don't think it is even that over the top girly. It would be easy to add a couple masculine touches or change out the art for a dude.
I'm curious about the knobs you used on the updated cabinets. I think I love them even without seeing them up close! source details?
This reminds me of Pee-wee's Playhouse, in a very good way. Why not have fun with a temporary fix, right?
The Matisse drawings class it up so much, too.
Hi Jenny –
You blog is great! Keep up the great work!
I have one question however – I have those same black and white hooks (LOVE THEM!), but I'm having trouble getting them to stay in my wall. The screws seem too small to hold in our plaster walls. Any advice??
Hi,
Thanks for the post. I think the black paint is a great idea near the toilet to prevent any stains from the men using the bathroom. I plan on implementing this immediately so I can stop scrubbing the walls after my Dh does his business in our little powder room
I really like the colors you chose and the painted walls are so fun! I think I would have loved to see just the floors black and the wall tiles white since there's no natural light here, I think it would go a long way to brighten it up a bit. I do love your gumption! A quick and easy fix is still A LOT of work and it's a very cute bathroom.