A Modern Bathroom Update with Bianco Drift and Greige

When it comes to buying a home, I like to put my own stamp on things, and from the minute we bought this one, the bathroom was on the TOP of the chopping block (really though, what WASN’T on the chopping block).

However, because bathrooms can be total pork chops on the budget, I had to bide my time until we were ready to do it right. And even then, I was hesitant to get the ball rolling until Moen sent me an email and said ‘Heyyyy girl, you doing any renovating?  We’d love to supply you with some products!’ SAY NO MORE! The ball was OFFICIALLY rolling.

Now that doesn’t mean that I wanted to blow the bank – I still wanted it to be budget-friendly, so I decided on the following:

• I would keep the vanity. Because it was built in between two walls, I couldn’t just go to a big box store and get a pre-fab unit that I could drop in – it HAD to be a custom size. So, I decided to get it painted and freshened up with new hardware
• I would keep the footprint as everything was pretty functional where it was, other than the dead-space behind the door, but I figured out something for that too
• I would keep the tub. Our home was only 10 years old and because that shower rarely gets used, the fibreglass tub was in awesome shape
• I would use and abuse subway tile. This would keep the majority of my tile sq footage in line with my budget

You ready Betty?

Let’s start in the hallway…like most hallways, it was visually stimulating and an architectural wonder…

Well, it might still be a basic hallway, but NOW it has some personality via a wicked accent wall and is a great lead-up to the main bathroom!

I chose Benjamin Moore Gray for the accent wall, alongside Sherwin Williams Creamy on the main walls. Notice we also did new flooring (sue-prize, sue-prize). The original carpet was showing it’s age, so it was time for an update! (and no, the madness never ends)

NOW, on to the good stuff – WINE.  Just joking…the loo!

The Main Bathroom Area

Before, the maple vanity and dark surfaces made this bathroom feel heavy and moody (like me once a month) and didn’t make ANY sense with the shockingly white 4×4 tile in the shower.

And after…go GREIGE or go home! Maybe I’ll do both seeing as I now LOVE our bathroom…

I chose Benjamin Moore Classic Gray for the walls as I wanted a soft, subtle look that didn’t compete with any of the tilework or countertop. And notice it’s the SAME VANITY, just updated with a fresh coat of paint and hardware!

Read more: Bathroom Update Ideas: High-End Style for Low-End Prices

The Light Fixture, Countertop and Vanity

The old light fixture always made me think of those metal fish that you see on the back of cars that say ‘JESUS’ in the middle. Once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it. And y’all know how religious I am…

I chose Caesarstone Bianco Drift which is a quartz countertop with warm gray, greige, white and brown tones. It was supplied and installed by Super Dave at Colonial Countertops. Seriously, he’s super.

And just LOOK at the shower reflected in the mirror!

From the beginning, I knew I wanted to make the wall behind the vanity into a feature of some sort. I tossed in between subway tile, wallpaper, a wine rack or jazzy accent tile. I went with the subway tile because it was affordable and apparently wine racks in bathrooms are taboo (pshawww).

To save some money, I had Delea of Details Painting spray the maple vanity in Benjamin Moore Metropolis. Her work was SEAMless and it saved me a whack load of money!

The flooring is a gorgeous 12×24 porcelain tile from City Tile. It has a subtle texture and a mix of white, greige and beige tones. I also used it instead of traditional baseboard.

The Faucet

I knew that I wanted a two-handle widespread faucet, rather than a lever-style, so I chose the Glyde Collection from Moen. Because the vanity is six feet long, I felt like this style better suited the length and I liked the graceful lines of it. From there, I coordinated the light fixture to have the same finish and the same smooth, slightly curved lines.

Read more: 4 Subway Tile Ideas for your Kitchen and Backsplash

The Tub and Shower Area

The tub and shower…why would I EVER want to change it? The funny thing is, 4×4 white tile is coming back in style, however, I ain’t hoppin’ on THAT bandwagon. I either wanted a large 12×24 tile or some type of subway tile.

And the winner was subway tile! After exhausting all of the possibilities (you have NO idea how much I agonize over my own home – there is no wine bottle large enough to settle me) I landed on this awesome 4×10 tile from Lowe’s. MAAAAD love. It’s greige, soft and subtle as I wanted the bathroom to feel fresh and clean, but not ‘stark’.

And seriously, the hexagon accent tile just about did me in, I started drooling on site and almost biffed it. I had looked HIGH and low for just the right accent tile and THIS was it!

I found it at Cornerstone Tile in Nanaimo. I got Super Dave (yes, there are two Super Dave’s in my world) to order it for me and five days later it was in. The warm greige tones were a nice break from the traditional white/gray/black marble that I usually work with in my consulting.

I decided to make a 10″ high wall-to-wall niche for a simple look with some function. I didn’t want it to POP, but I did want it to be a classy statement.

Notice how the subway tile continues right to the end where it meets the alcove seamlessly.

I also chose the Glyde Collection for the tub/shower, for a coordinated look. I’m not really into the huge rainheads and like the simple, low-key look of the Glyde unit.

The Awkward Nook Behind the Door

As for the awkward area behind the door/shower area, I got this linen tower on clearance at Lowes and it filled up the space perfectly. Along with my Glyde robe/towel hooks, this area is now functional and pretty darned purdy!

And look at how soft and subtle Classic Gray looks. I darkened it by 25%, just to give it a weeee willy wink more depth and it still offers just the right gentle touch for this space.

And who gets MAD props on this project? Brett Edwards, that’s who! Brett of BE Tile did an awesome job from start to finish. He humoured me (as most people do) when I couldn’t make up my mind and went above and beyond to make sure that everything turned out JUST how I was hoping. The only negative was that he didn’t bring his baby Maxwell over enough so I could get my baby fix!

Want to know if painted maple cabinets will last?

Our Maple Painted Cabinets – 2 Years Later

And you should just SEE how our bathroom remodel jibes with the rest of our home. If you haven’t already, check out these blog posts…

• Kitchen: ‘Our Kitchen Makeover – No More Maple’
• Family Room:  ‘Our Family Room Makeover’
• Dining Room:  ‘Our Modern Farmhouse Dining Room Makeover’

And just WAIT until you see our entryway remodel – it’s a GAME CHANGER for our home!!!

Want some personalized ideas for your own home?  Check out my Online Color Consulting!

READ MORE

The 12 Best Whole Home Gray and Greige Paint Colours

Paint Colour Review: Benjamin Moore Collingwood

A Small Bathroom: From Boring to Beautiful on a Budget!

Originally written in 2017, awesomely updated in 2020