Shop the Look: Navy and Cream Coastal Farmhouse Bath

Welcome to my shop-the-look bath series! In case you missed the first one, which is full of bathroom design tips, check out the black and white modern farmhouse bath board here.

In this series, I’ve created a set of shop-the-look boards for bathroom designs so you can update your space with confidence!

These done-for-you designs are curated for you the same way they would be for a client – from concept to completion – using some of my tried-and-true favorite pieces to achieve some of the most-requested looks from current and recent projects.

First, I want to share a handful of pro remodeling tips you can apply to your own project, whether or not you use all of the items shown on the board.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclosure for more information.

Pro tip 1: Consult a contractor before getting started.

Particularly if you are updating an older bathroom, you may be surprised at what you uncover during the demo process. Often, there may be concealed water damage including dry rot that needs to be mitigated before you can start replacing materials.

Additionally, if you are updating wet areas such as shower and bath enclosures, it’s always a good idea to bring in a licensed contractor to make sure the plumbing, shower walls and shower pan are properly prepared for finish materials so you don’t have a problem later.

Pro tip 2: Order everything in advance.

Before anyone sets foot in the room with a hammer, make sure all materials are ordered and on site. The last thing you’ll want to happen after you open up walls and tear up flooring is to have to put the project on hold for a few weeks while you wait for materials to arrive.

There are currently product lead time issues throughout the industry, creating delays and backorders that can make scheduling a challenge. Add that to the high demand for remodels right now and you may find your contractor has a waiting list too. Once you’ve decided to move forward, get those orders placed and plan to store materials in the garage or in another secure and dry location until the project moves forward.

For this shop-the-look board, we used a 5 foot (60 inch) wide freestanding single-sink vanity cabinet, which works best in a bathroom that is 5 feet x 10 1/2 feet, or that has a wall to wall space for a vanity that is at least 66 inches wide.

1. 1. Round mirror w/ gold frame
   2. Sconces
   3. Vanity
   4. Robe hook
   5. Floor tile
   6. Shower wall tile
   7. Lavatory faucet
   8. Lavatory
   9. Shower glass partition w/ black grid
   10. Shower head and valve
   11. Skirted 1 piece toilet
   12. Teak bench

 

Pro tip 3: Don’t forget the walls.

Paint isn’t the only option in a bathroom. Baths can be a great place to use a textured or moody wallpaper! If you do choose a wallpaper, be sure the paper is washable and suitable for use in a bathroom.

Here are two examples of very different wallpapers. Even when all the other materials stay the same, the change in the wall color dramatically changes how the room feels.

Using a gold-beige grasscloth-look paper (source) instantly changes increases the “coastal” vibe in the room.

Using a navy grasscloth-style paper (source) adds drama and leans more traditional.

This is how we tailor a look and feel based on a single inspiration piece. In this case, we started with a floor tile as the foundation, and chose a navy vanity and brass fittings, and kept all the other fixed surfaces white to avoid pattern overload and to keep the room from feeling too visually heavy. When you layer in art and accessories, the room will come to life without being too busy.

Pro tip 4: Put all your jobsite documents in one place.

Once you have made all your design decisions and placed your orders, organize all of your decisions into a single binder. Keep track of your purchases, order contacts, contractor contacts, product tearsheets and brochures, and anything else you may need to refer to at any point in the project.

Bathrooms tend to have a large number of decision points – whether it’s a tile layout (with all the necessary trim pieces) to where (and how high) to hang your towel bar(s) and light fixtures. Create sketches and/or detail notes about these items in advance and keep them in your binder as well.

By creating your own reference binder, you’ll save time, avoid the headache and stress of last-minute decisions, and minimize the added costs that can arise from having to call a tradesperson back out to add or change something later on. For example, when you have an electrician onsite, you have your product information as well as notes on exactly where all the wiring needs to go the first time around. Similarly, when the tile installer is on site, you’ll have determined your grout spacing, and when they ask about the tile layout for the shower walls, shower pan and floor, you’ll already have a drawing ready to review.

Of course, you can always bring in a designer to guide you through those many decisions as well! If you’re considering a bath update, whether you need a single consultation, a conceptual design or a full specifications package, we offer design packages to give you the right amount of support to move forward with confidence. Curious about how to get started? It all starts with a call!

Crystal