On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.

Yelp San Francisco

Return to Talk Home

Talk - View Conversation

Start a conversation

Recent Conversations

Yelper decorator challenge; re-do Poe's bathroom.

Category: Other

Page Bottom ↓

email Get email updates about this conversation

Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

I have a small bathroom with an effed up floor plan without natural light that needs a makeover. What should I do? I can't make a decision to save my life. I've painted the rest of my place and love it but this has been puzzling me for 3 years.
Link to photos, hope it works:
http://s299.photobucke...

I can paint whatever I want, new shower curtain, bath mats, maybe add some lighting but it would have to be a lamp or something else plugged into an outlet. Can't get new sink or move the fixtures around.

The floor space not occupied by the sink and toilet is 5' on one side, 4.5' on another side and then the sink and toilet jut out from the other sides.
No natural light.
The light fixture is placed so close to the wall that this type of fixture is the only thing I've found that fits. I've tried different bulbs but nothing is giving me good light. I always look yellow and sick in the mirror.
The base color I have right now is a yellowish cream type thing that obviously doesn't work. I've tried paint swatches and can't come up with anything that works.
There is a small strip of tile around the shower that is a very weird color, like brown with pink. Like a tanned "flesh" color Crayola has. The rest of the tile is dingy white which can be covered by the shower curtain anyway.

So what's a girl to do? Help me Yelpers!
Photo of Janine P.

Elite '08

98

152

05/11/2008 Janine "I shaved my legs for this?" P. says:

Can you fit a floor lamp in that unusable space to help with the lighting?  And I would paint over all of that Oak trim - just to brighten things up a bit.  I would also think that you could find some kind of "tile" paint, if you want to change that too.
Photo of The Artful Dodger S.

113

112

05/11/2008 The Artful Dodger S. says:

I'd paint the woodwork white, the walls like a tiffany blue, a beige shower curtain and beige towels...nothing too intense since it looks on the smaller side.  Go to ikea and get a wall unit, those shelves look like a death trap.  Or build them yourself and then paint them white to match the other wood work.  Maybe get a new light fixture and take everything off the counter and make a storage area under the sink.
Photo of The Artful Dodger S.

113

112

05/11/2008 The Artful Dodger S. says:

That will be 5 million dollars, thanks!  HAHAHAHA
Photo of The Artful Dodger S.

113

112

05/11/2008 The Artful Dodger S. says:

Looks as if the main thing you need is organization and to toss all your products that are more than 6 months old.
Photo of Cliff B.

124

51

05/11/2008 Cliff B. says:

black...paint it all black and get some black light posters and then buy a black light.

and a lava lamp. Buy a lava lamp...and buy some black light floor mats. yeah man, cool.
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Artful Dodger, I'm in the process of throwing away crap and much of that stuff is from under the sink while I clean down there.  I've tried other light fixtures but as I mentioned, the base is so close tot he wall that the one i have is the only thing I've found that fits.

So what kind of white for the cabinets? You know there are like a bazillion whites out there.
Photo of gwynnie p.

Elite '08

270

271

05/11/2008 gwynnie p. says:

Cliff, useful as always!! What color towels would you recommend?
Photo of John B.

31

42

05/11/2008 John "not good enough for yelp standards" B. says:

http://www.stickupbulb...
Photo of Lance G.

76

31

05/11/2008 Lance "Lancehole" G. says:

Sorry I'm no help. I couldn't get past "Poeski".

*snicker*
Photo of rhondita j.

Elite '08

73

63

05/11/2008 rhondita j. says:

What about tract lighting, poe?

Something like:  http://images.google.c...
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Janine, I have research tile paint some more. I thought about it but Uncle Steve discouraged me. He's a contractor so he thinks he knows everything...
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Rhondita, linky no workie.
Photo of rhondita j.

Elite '08

73

63

05/11/2008 rhondita j. says:

okay, try this:  http://www.homedepot.c...

it's not the prettiest out there, but it's an idea.  you could run your electrical, with covering, to your ceiling - to then have tract lighting.
Photo of Lance G.

76

31

05/11/2008 Lance "Lancehole" G. says:

Get a new medicine cabinet ( stainless steel / mirrored) and a mirrored four bulb light bar on top. It's cheap, easy and will brighten the room quite a bit.
I'm a contractor and yes I do know everything.
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Please remember I rent and my landlord will not help me pay for anything.
Photo of rhondita j.

Elite '08

73

63

05/11/2008 rhondita j. says:

tract lighting is cheap cheap .... and you can have one of your boyfriends do it for you. :)
Photo of Susy C.

Elite '08

383

521

05/11/2008 Susy "it's effing crawfish season, bitches!" C. says:

poe buy me a smoothie and i will make your bathroom the prettiest evaaaaaaaaaar.

okay not really. i would just throw some glitter at it and call it fierce and fabulous but really, i just don't want to get out of bed.
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Lance, four bulb light bar; if I understand what that is correctly.... the eclectic base up over the mirror right now is so close to the wall, a 4 bulb won't fit.
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

OOhhh glitter! That would make it fabulous!
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

rhondita j. says:

tract lighting is cheap cheap .... and you can have one of your boyfriends do it for you. :)
-------
I'll ask Uncle Steve but he'll probably want to feel me up for his payment.
Photo of Lance G.

76

31

05/11/2008 Lance "Lancehole" G. says:

I'm talking about replacing the the cruddy two bulb set up with mirrored four bulb. I know with 32" horizontal it will work.
Oh shit I'm out of beer, gotta go.
Good luck!
Photo of Tanisha A.

Elite '08

149

124

05/11/2008 Tanisha A. says:

Hey Poe,
check this site.. http://www.apartmentth...
if link breaks, its apartmenttherapy.com and it's got a local thread of bathroom ideas n shit like that.
Photo of John B.

31

42

05/11/2008 John "not good enough for yelp standards" B. says:

seriously consider that link Poe.  They are portable and go anywhere AND won't damage a thing.  ( not sure about aesthetics)
Photo of Drew T.

108

158

05/11/2008 Drew "Hussein" T. says:

that's almost as bad as my my bathroom

you should donat the new light and cabinet and then they might let you pay to have them installed
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

OK, now you've done it Tanisha! I'm going to go get mesmerized by that site for hours now....
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Drew, who is "they"?
Photo of Amy Z.

Elite '08

98

247

05/11/2008 Amy "SassyPants" Z. says:

I'm a  decorating pro.  What's your style? Mod?  Earthy?  Jewel tones?  Retro?  Victorian?
Photo of Amy Z.

Elite '08

98

247

05/11/2008 Amy "SassyPants" Z. says:

And Tanisha, AT is a wonderful website!
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Amy, style? I have no idea except I know it's not modern at all. Other than that I have furniture from all those you listed.
Photo of Janine P.

Elite '08

98

152

05/11/2008 Janine "I shaved my legs for this?" P. says:

20 minutes ago Poe .. says
I'll ask Uncle Steve but he'll probably want to feel me up for his payment.

------------------------------
Just buy lots o' alcohol while he's working in your bathroom . . . get him really drunk towards the end of his job . . . and you can probably throw any bulbous/roundish thing at him.  

If you can/do replace the medicine cabinet . . . just keep that old oak one on standby, and a hang it back up if/when you move.
Photo of Amy Z.

Elite '08

98

247

05/11/2008 Amy "SassyPants" Z. says:

Ok, what's your favorite color or colors?
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Janine "I shaved my legs for this?" P. says:

Just buy lots o' alcohol while he's working in your bathroom . . . get him really drunk towards the end of his job . . . and you can probably throw any bulbous/roundish thing at him.  
--------
That's a good idea. I'll give him my boy cat to feel up since his butt is on the large side and his  belly is soft. And he's soft and hairy just like me.
Photo of Don B.

221

316

05/11/2008 Don "Where am I going? Why am I in this handbasket?" B. says:

45 minutes ago Lance "On a Sunday mornin sidewalk" G. says:

Sorry I'm no help. I couldn't get past "Poeski".

*snicker*
============================== ============================== =============
That's kinda when my brain got numb, also.... (omfg-'giggle')
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Amy "SassyPants" Z. says:

Ok, what's your favorite color or colors?
--------
That is a really tough one......lately in my work I've been using a lot of chartreuse and purples w/ a touch of silver together.
I can't say there is any color I don't like except I would never wear a pastel color.
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Amy, I'm loading some of my plant combo colors right now. Click on my original link in a few min.
Photo of Amy Z.

Elite '08

98

247

05/11/2008 Amy "SassyPants" Z. says:

Do you like aqua or turquoise or baby blue?  I'm thinking those colors complement brown, the brown tones in your floor.  Ripping out and replacing the flooring would be expensive.  Blue and brown combos are very popular now so you can find some cute acccessories.  Ok, I'm biased because that's the color scheme I've chosen for my bathroom.  You could do an espresso brown floor mat, check out the one at  www.westelm.com.    Pink also plays off nicely with brown.

Can you paint the cabinet above the sink?  A quick coat of antique white paint would give it a new look and you could replace the knob with a quirky knob from anthropologie.
Photo of Jenna G.

Elite '08

65

141

05/11/2008 Jenna "kimchee lover" G. says:

I would get a new over the toilet rack (white)  with cabinet doors (you can take that when you leave). I would paint the wood cabinets and other wood white and change the hardware on the cabinets. I would replace the light over the mirror with another one that you can buy at Ikea for real cheap. Paint the walls light aqua (color of water in the Caribbean) and buy a shower curtain like this: http://www.bedbathandb...

Make it look Parisian or vintage by putting in some small accessories. Get a nice rug to put down in front of the tub that matches and you are set! I love decorating! If you really want some help and would like a shopping partner too, I am down anytime! I love picking out paint colors too. Just bought my first home and my husband let me do all of the paint colors and design. PM me if you are interested in letting me help. I don't charge and I am not a serial killer!
Photo of Amy Z.

Elite '08

98

247

05/11/2008 Amy "SassyPants" Z. says:

I like the little built in nook under the cabinet. I really think baby blue would work and be calming.  I think you need to get some taller, dark brown baskets for those shelves, they would be good for storing all of your bathroom items.  Also, maybe splurge on some patterned towels, like fill a shelf with those.
Photo of Amy Z.

Elite '08

98

247

05/11/2008 Amy "SassyPants" Z. says:

I wish I had my first home to decorate ;-(
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Amy, aqua and turquoise. Baby blue not so much.
The floor is straw mats I put down cause the tile is absolutely horrid under there.
Photo of Amy Z.

Elite '08

98

247

05/11/2008 Amy "SassyPants" Z. says:

I would go with a subdued hue on the wall, and play it up with the accessories.
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

Jenna, what if I like serial killers?
Your link just went to the homepage and I didn't see a shower curtain.
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

I'm liking the blue walls ideas and painting the cabinets antique white.
Thanks guys!
Photo of Poe ..

345

0

05/11/2008 Poe .. says:

OK, I'm going to go play with my paint samples for a while....
Photo of Jenna G.

Elite '08

65

141

05/11/2008 Jenna "kimchee lover" G. says:

This style cabinets but not necessarily from here. A little too expensive. http://www.bedbathandb...

This color on the walls and maybe even towels: http://www.worldmarket...|1||CATEGORY_SEQ_2950|0/N/1100 105/Nty/1/view/10000/perpage/0 /index.pro

Then have a backup set of towels in black or white.

Maybe do three of these lights: http://www.ikea.com/us...

I have many ideas and colors for you!
Photo of Janine P.

Elite '08

98

152

05/11/2008 Janine "I shaved my legs for this?" P. says:

While I'm not fond of wearing pastels either.  I hate dark towels . . . because they eventually somehow gather too much lint.  My bathtub is my little sanctuary . . . and the "happy pastel colors" kinda irritate me.  But, I love pure white bath towels - they go with just about any color scheme.
Photo of Jenna G.

Elite '08

65

141

05/11/2008 Jenna "kimchee lover" G. says:

It was a white shower curtain with a sorta of victorian smocked floral pattern in black. I think they had one in aqua with a smocked brown print like it but it's not on the site. I think if you even went for an organic or zen feel it would work for you too. I have a bamboo bath mat in my bathroom and some tall branches in a vase. I have natural colored towels and aqua. My bath accessories match the bamboo mat and it looks cohesive. Oh how I love to decorate! If you don't have the money to buy a new tower to go over the toilet, just spray paint it white and then buy some baskets to put your stuff in that are going to contain everything better.
Photo of Jenna G.

Elite '08

65

141

05/11/2008 Jenna "kimchee lover" G. says:

I think the light aqua and brown are a good combo or even a nice cucumber green and brown would be nice. Black and white with an accent color works too. Let the wall color be the inspiration for the style you want. Then go from there. Can you take a photo of the wasteland space and see if that can be used for anything?
Photo of Amy Z.

Elite '08

98

247

05/11/2008 Amy "SassyPants" Z. says:

I dont think doing anything black, unless its maybe jungle print or something, would look good with the brown flooring.
user photo
05/11/2008 Ann "I Saw a Unicorn Vomit Up a Rainbow of Kittens" S. says:

This post violated the Yelp Terms of Service and has been removed.

Photo of Cliff B.

124

51

05/11/2008 Cliff B. says:

setup a trough around the perimeter of the bathroom and then buy one of those pumping systems for waterfalls and ponds. Then drill holes in the top of the walls and stick little hose nozzles out of them. You can use red colored water with corn syrup but I prefer to use chicken blood and start that baby up and you have bleeding walls. You can also buy an ipod and hook it up to a speaker system and blast moaning and screaming or Jim Jones sermons. It's your choice.

oh, and buy blood red floor tiling and white towels with red splotches on them.
Photo of Sharon J.

Elite '08

75

270

05/11/2008 Sharon "Missy" J. says:

I've noticed Landlords love buying those sinks. I lived at 2 places with the same sink.

-Get rid of the the shelving that goes over the toilet. Replace them with wall shelving http://www.containerst... or replace it with this http://www.containerst...
Photo of The Artful Dodger S.

113

112

05/11/2008 The Artful Dodger S. says:

Don't go with track lighting for a bathroom!  It's shitty lighting!  You don't have to spend a fortune, just don't shoot yourself in the foot with this one.  I'd go with an off white...too white will look dirty too fast, even with a little dust.  I might even use some dark browns to offset the light tiffany's blue and white, it'll pop.
Photo of The Artful Dodger S.

113

112

05/11/2008 The Artful Dodger S. says:

I like having white towels because I love bleach.  Well, I love to wash things, but bleach it particularly pleasing to me.  :D
user photo
05/11/2008

This post was removed because the yelper who wrote it has violated the Yelp Terms of Service and is no longer a registered yelper.

Photo of m e l i s s a A.

Elite '08

314

320

05/11/2008 m e l i s s a "LADI DA" A. says:

maybe spend your money on putting overhead lighting into your bathroom? you should be able to take the wires from where they are now to the right spot above the ceiling. maybe?

place a large mirror to cover the area where the light used to be. maybe you can get a mirror with built in lights... http://www.onlinelight...

buy all new curtains and accessories, and your bathroom will look like new without any work.

if you feel like really putting work into it, glass tile might brighten things up:  http://image.ecplaza.n...

or you can do half wood, half paint...in bright colors:  http://www.hawthornest...
Photo of El H.

Elite '08

98

113

05/11/2008 El H. says:

The name of this thread should be:

PIMP POE'S POTTY
Photo of rhondita j.

Elite '08

73

63

05/11/2008 rhondita j. says:

I have tract lighting in my living room - probably 6 times the space - with 3 lights only and it works just fine.
Photo of Jenna G.

Elite '08

65

141

05/11/2008 Jenna "kimchee lover" G. says:

Hi Poe, here are a few pics of my bathroom:

http://www.flickr.com/...
http://www.flickr.com/...
http://www.flickr.com/...

Just to give you an idea and to see the light aqua color.
Photo of kelly m.

90

70

05/11/2008 kelly m. says:

Poe, if you paint it a nice light buttery yellow it can at least create the illusion of natural sunlight and make it brighter. You might also consider replacing the big wooden-frame mirror with a more streamlined one, perhaps chrome-lined, to take up less spatial room and make the place feel bigger (alternatively, any mirrored cabinet with a smaller border will do the same). Also, a clear shower curtain with or without a colorful design will make it look bigger and more contemporary. Have fun!
Photo of J. D.

21

217

05/11/2008 J. D. says:

Get a new sink counter top and have it specially cut to fit into the wasteland. Make  shelves to fit the area next to the existing cabinet and into that nook above the new counter.
Photo of V e s t i g e ..

0

21

05/11/2008 V e s t i g e .. says:

Replace the 2 bulb vanity light with a 3 bulb one like this:

http://www.amazon.com/...

Fit a shallow assemble-yourself shelf system with doors/drawers into that 24" nook between the tub and toilet.  

Install a wall mount swing arm makeup mirror in that wasted space between the sink and toilet:

http://www.homedepot.c...

Install a decorative mirror above the toilet to make the space seem bigger.
Add a shelf or ledge below the mirror to hold plants/incense/potpourri and cutsie stuff.  

http://www.simplymirro...
http://www.simplymirro...

Add a wall sconce next to the decorative mirror if space permits.

Finally, replace the sink cabinet with a pedestal sink to make the room more airy.  
Make landlord pay part of it.
Photo of Jessica P.

Elite '08

43

55

05/11/2008 Jessica P. says:

Get one of those stand up artsy flourescent lights that aren't harsh like normal flourescents to put into that slit of unuseable space! And actually, painting the wall behind the sink a dark, dark brown would be cool. Then get a nice fancy mirror with a curly gold metal rim, like this: http://www.ikea.com/us... but with gold frame instead of brown/black. Obviously paint over the two patches of random color on your wall and decluttering your wickam baskets always makes a place feel not so small.

That way, instead of trying to make your hopelessly tiny bathroom look bright (and sterile), it can look as if it was MEANT to be dim and moody, sorta like a nice restaurant bathroom.
Photo of V e s t i g e ..

0

21

05/11/2008 V e s t i g e .. says:

An aqua forest will be cool to have above your tank too.

http://www.adana-usa.c...

I disagree with Jessica on the dark moody scheme.  It works for a trendy restaurant restroom, but not a bathroom.  It's too depressing to step out of the shower into a dark room.
Photo of Big J.

81

30

05/11/2008 Big J. says:

Stop passing out on the floor of it is a start..............
Photo of A. C.

0

2

07/06/2008 A. C. says:

I'd definitely get rid of those basket thingies in favor of a minimal wall mounted shelving system.  As far as the color scheme goes, stay away from the robin's egg blue/chocolate brown combo.  It's extremely trendy right now, but a few years from now everyone is going to wake up and go "what the hell was I smoking when I did this?", just like the puky avocado/burnt orange/brown schemes of the 70's.  Everyone should just admit it-- pastel blue and dark brown CLASH.  They look ugly together, period.  No amount of throw pillows, wall stripes, or  HGTV designers telling you "it pops" should convince you otherwise... But I digress:
I'd avoid darker paint.  It's a small bathroom and that could make it look smaller. I'd go neutral like a very light tan or ecru (boring, but lightens it up).  Get rid of the vinyl shower curtain in favor of a nice fabric one that can be tied to the side (and keep it tied when you're not using it, that way when you walk in your line of sight won't stop directly at the shower curtain.
Photo of Amy Z.

Elite '08

98

247

07/06/2008 Amy "SassyPants" Z. says:

Yeah Poe, what's going on with your bathroom, or toilette?
Photo of Lance G.

76

31

07/06/2008 Lance "Lancehole" G. says:

Refer to Cliff B's post above.
Photo of Mick F.

Elite '08

361

303

07/06/2008 Mick F. says:

I redid Poe's bathroom in an awesome array of "brown" motifs......

Page Top ↑

reply

flag Flag Conversation as Inappropriate