I woke up thinking about the two main bathrooms at the Tall House. Is it possible that they’ll be installed by the end of September? Or is the end of October more realistic? We’ll see.
The choices for the bathroom fixtures and finishings have mostly been made, but there are a couple of decisions still to go.
For the kids bathroom we started with the tile palette in warm greys + green. Then we chose gold + brass for the metals. I was really pleased with the glam green vanity we found — it should arrive next week and I’m very curious to see it in person.
This mood board above will give you a sense of what we’re going for, though not every product represented is exactly what we’re using — sometimes it’s hard to find product images that are collage-ready, so I use placeholders with a similar look or feel.
The footed bathtub and traditional toilet have been chosen. The faucets for the shower, bathtub and two sinks have been chosen. (We’re using a French manufacturer called Herbeau for the fixtures and faucets — they are a 5 generation family-owned company and I’m so happy we found them!) The tile and paint have been chosen. The outlets and switches have been chosen. The vanity has been chosen.
What do I still need to choose? The mirror, the vanity lights (which will depend on the mirror), and the ceiling light. And I should really make those decisions this week(!) so that all the products arrive in plenty of time.
I’m a little stuck on the mirror. I like the idea of finding something at a brocante — a big gilded frame that we can have a mirror cut for. Or maybe a frame that we gold-leaf ourselves. Or maybe we’ll find a gold-framed mirror for sale (new or used) that’s perfect as is. I’m using a fancy gold frame on the mood board, but when I replace it with something more simple and modern, I still like the look — so I’m actually feeling pretty flexible on mirror-style.
The kids prefer one big mirror to two separate mirrors over each sink, so mostly I’m just trying to find something big enough. And once I know the mirror size and shape, I should be able to narrow down the light fixtures that will go on each side.
I’m am so pleased with how the kids bathroom is coming together. I love the layout, the fixtures, the color palette. I love it all. I’ll be glad when I figure out the mirror, but overall, I’m super happy with the choices and can’t wait to see it installed and styled.
For the Parents Bathroom, we have a very similar materials, but a different color palette. We started with the wall and floor tiles — in warm greys + blue. Then we chose a silver-colored finish for the metal (polished chrome or nickel).
The tile, bathtub, toilet, faucets, switches, outlets, and lighting have all been chosen/ordered. The main thing I’m still trying to figure out is the vanity. I’m feeling stuck. Here’s the mood board with a place holder vanity.
Vanity shopping for the parents bedroom has turned out to be trickier than I expected. We want a 60-inch vanity, but we prefer one sink. This combo is limiting, because most available 60-inch vanities have two sinks. (We looked into custom-built options but I don’t love my choices and they get really expensive, really fast. Though they aren’t totally off the table. I may order a base and have a custom countertop cut.)
Beyond the one-sink situation, we still haven’t figured out the look that we like best. Do we like a dark blue? Black? A stained wood? Maybe a painted grey? Something else? I’ve tried a bunch of different options in the mood board collage and nothing has stood out to me as the best choice. So I’m still thinking. But I need to think fast so I can place an order!
Anyway, it’s really exciting to have most of the decisions made and see the products start arriving. Most of our tradespeople took an August break, but they’ll start up again next week and I’m just really looking forward to seeing these rooms get put together. When designing, I wanted the bathrooms to fit the style of the house and to feel really French, and I love where they are headed.
Do you have a strong opinion about the mirror for the kids bathroom? Or the vanity for the parents bathroom? Feel free to share.
P.S. — If you want to offer feedback, please remember most everything is already settled/purchased, so suggesting a new color palette or completely different look or style isn’t doable. : )
Can you find an old wood cupboard, maybe oak or walnut that can be restored? I found an old wash stand with a pink marble top for my bathroom and had a single wide shallow bowl installed on top. It’s perfect and adds some authenticity to a bathroom in a really old house that otherwise would have had all new fittings.
Regarding the mirror, I scored a fabulous vintage mirror off my local Craig’s List – $65 and it’s 5′ x 2′. What a steal! The frame has details galore – super fancy looking, a bit more youthful with some flowers and hints of seashells. Anyways, the finish was some brownish dusty looking “color” – yes, I thought it was literally dusty but after power-washing it (and the “dust” was still there), I realized it was part of the finish. Weird.
Anyways, I bought it planning to make it gold/gilded – I landed on the product called Rub N Buff. And it is fabulous! It came in a very small tube, and is a paste. I used a small paint brush (all those nooks and crannies) and a rag (and wore a glove/mask/worked outside), and basically painted and “buffed” it onto the mirror. Super easy process, and I mixed two golds together (Gold Leaf and Antique Gold). My favorite color, for that true brass-y gold, was Gold Leaf. Rub N Buff is far better than spray paint b/c it definitely has an aged look to it – it’s not a uniform gold finish applied everywhere like a spray paint application would be.
So YES – Rub N Buff can definitely get you that “aged gilded brass” look on a mirror/picture frame. I’m already looking around my house to see what else I can use it on. I have a vintage silver tray that’s been heavily tarnished being in the kids’ bathroom, and my 3-pack of Rub N Buff came with silver too, so I might try it on that and see what happens. Definitely fun to play around with!
I’m liking the idea of a dark stained wood vanity for the parents’ bathroom. The kids’ bathrooms feels so warm and the parents’ bathroom could use something just a touch warmer and homier in it, too, I think.
Though the black does look nice! Maybe I’m just really not feeling the current vanity placeholder in the collage. I think the color is right but the style feels wrong. If you go for black, maybe something modern modern, with cleaner lines?
Love these looks! We’re also fans of the long counter with only one sink situation. Even when two of us are brushing our teeth at the same time, I’d prefer the extra counter space.
I think the black looks sharp! When I put my fingers over the vanity and look at the rest of your choices without it, they are really mellow and I think the bold vanity brings it all together. I think white would work in the same, if a more laid back, way.
I like the idea of ordering the vanity you prefer and then installing one sink and custom counter. Would you consider a rectangular or square frameless beveled mirror for parent’s bath?
You can’t go wrong in the kid’s bath, I think. I like the idea of vintage and fancy but, as you already stated, it’s going to be a stunner no matter what. Cheers!
Out of curiosity, why do you prefer one sink? One of the biggest luxuries in our new house was a double sink so that my husband and I no longer had to share! Love the color palates you are using.
We are one sink vanity people too and had a hard time finding a 60″ vanity. We finally found something that worked for us at Ikea, and I love the porcelain top with integrated sink — it’s so easy to clean. I’m not sure what styles/finishes they have now, but we ended up with a dark, almost black-brown wood finish, sort of a Shaker style.
It’s worked really well for us, and I still love it! One sink works for us because we both work from home so our morning schedules are flexible — my husband wakes up before I do. And there’s only one sink to clean, which is a huge bonus : ) .
To my eye I like the idea of a natural lighter wood vanity. With the softness of the muted blues and greys I think I would blend nicely while adding some warmth. You could then add a dark counter if you’re still looking for some contrast.
I second a natural lighter wood vanity with the blue/gray tile combination. And I think a white gray-veined marble counter would give it a more elegant look in line with the fixtures you’ve chosen.
What software do you use to create the moodboards? I love all these looks and color combos :)
I’m so excited for you! My husband is renovating the flat where we live in Paris, but for the owners (and we’re not the owners, unfortunately); he has a lot of freedom, but no the last word, which can be frustrating. I can’t wait for us to have (one day) our place where we get to make according to our own crazy choices! (I follow Nathalie Lété’s inst account, her house is so poetic and special!).
Good luck with all these choices, you have really good taste. you know leboncoin and ebay.fr right? it can be interesting.
Not sure if it’s an option for you, but I’ve seen some home renovation shows that refinish a vintage/antique dresser for a vanity. As long as it’s the right shape/style that might work. Then just install your sink in the centre section. Depending on the style, you might need to have someone rework some drawers into a false front.
I agree with Julie and Amy, an antique dresser that you remake into a vanity would add to the Old World feel. I don’t usually care for that kind of “re-purposing,” but it might work here, especially if it has a marble top. We’re seeing so much black now that I fear it may be dated fast. As usual, none of your choices seem “wrong.” : )
They both look lovely! I especially love the green of the kids bathroom. I am a sucker for green in homes. For the parents vanity I think the idea of a vintage dresser or console table with a sink retrofitted would be lovely! I think the wood would bring in the warm tones it needs. I’m sure whichever direction you go will be beautiful.
I do think natural wood vanity in the parents bathroom is well worth considering, I think it will bring a bit of warmth to that space, and break it up from being too monochromatic.
I think the adults bathroom needs some more warmth and a bridge between the creamy tiles and the crisp bath and silver fittings, I’d go for something in this colour tone (Weathered white washed oak) with a stone top.
Would a full length dressing mirror be an option turned sideways? If the proportions were ok, it might expand your options?
I’m curious. Are you dong an American kitchen? Islands granite etc,
Would a trough sink be an option for you? I don’t know if they’re even available in France. My BFF has one, and really likes it.
We put a trough in my kids bath because we have one drain and four kids and it is grooooooos. Things just don’t easily wash down the drain. We have to wipe it down twice a day. So now it’s actually very clean but it is a pain.
I really love the vanity, tiles and fixtures for the kids bathroom. The mirror has a heavy feel/look to me though, almost like it could literally crush the vanity (even though it would match the claws on the tub). I wonder if something a little lighter, like this would work?
I’m with the kids on one big mirror too. I also like the look of mixing the new things with old world. With great markets you might be able to find a giant picture frame or giant mirror frame from an old long dresser to use. Have fun watching your vision come to life!
What mixer is that in the top mood board? I’ve scoured the site and can’t pick it out!
I like the green and brass bathroom a lot more than the blue one.
Green and brass are just so dreamy to me!!! I agree a repurposed antique vanity for the primary bathroom would be perfect. And your last comment made me laugh so hard. Can’t wait to see it. I know it will be French perfection.
A dark blue for your vanity might just be more interesting than black – although frankly the black placeholder looks great with all of your choices. I love a dark moody blue…
You have great taste! Anything you do has the Midas touch!