I’m sharing two primary bathrooms today that were in need of some last layers.
Both are in person clients, although one job is my home in central Texas that I have shared before.
White Marble Bathroom Needing Some Softness
When I went to visit recently, she said she felt like it needed some decorating and I agreed.
In particular, this vanity elevation had changed some during construction. It did not get crown moulding or the paneled look I had first drawn for the job.
I’d originally selected an orb light, but we ended up with a more simple pendant as per the homeowner’s preference.
The vanity looks nice, but it is a little plain.
During construction - Primary Bath, seated vanity area
We only need a small amount of something here on that wall behind the lit mirror, but we didn’t have enough tile left over. We did, however, have some wallpaper left from the laundry room (I hope to share that room in the future) that would work perfectly. It’s a navy background with a floral, feminine pattern.
It happens that she has a navy diamond patterned carpet in her closet off this bathroom, so that works.
She did not have a vanity chair yet, so this one in a blue fabric would work well there.
We needed a rug to soften the all white marble bathroom and then maybe a little stool/garden seat in the large shower stall to bring some blue in there.
This way the color would be carried through the whole space. She could always do slate blue towels too.
Here’s how it all combines.
White marble bathroom to get last layers with navy blue decor. Carla Aston, Designer
I can’t wait to go back out and see these last items done!
Beige Tile Bathroom Needing Some Contrast and a Few Updates
Next up is another bathroom I finished up this summer. When I came on this job, the bathroom had already been partially remodeled with new tile, new counters and a new tub. However, it needed a some last layers to warm it up and make it feel complete.
Beige tile bathroom that needed some decorating and last layers.
Tuscan look lighting and mirrors had to go.
This new leaf fixture was nice, but a tad too small.
Something is needed over this tub to add interest.
This homeowner wanted a more up to date look and to replace the heavy Tuscan style sconces and mirrors.
The pendant was new, but I felt like it was a bit small for this space.
She also wanted a chair, rug and some kind of art over the tub.
She really didn’t want to replace the cabinet pulls, so the bronze would stay, which I thought was fine. The room needed a little contrast.
I started with the lighting and mirrors. We can’t ignore the fact that this whole home is pretty traditional, so I was only going to put more transitional pieces into this space.
I kept the dark wood element (as I did want some contrast in here, not an all beige bathroom) with two of the mirrors and then found a round shape for the seated vanity. I like the curves on the dark wood, they have a very transitional look and the inlaid wood round mirror combines a beige and gray much like the tile does in the room.
I used gilded iron sconces at the seated vanity and then warm matte brass vanity lights at the sinks for lighter looks in these fixtures. The brass relates to the bathroom’s new faucets.
I found this slightly larger and simpler looking orb fixture for the center pendant. I love the cooler tone antique finish. Can you tell I believe in mixing metal finishes? :-)
I did like that bronze leaf fixture though, and we were able to reuse it in the bedroom.
BEFORE - The homeowner had heavy draperies previously on this custom curved rod.
We did new, simple sheers here but the space really needed a little detail. The scale of this leaf fixture was perfect for this nook. I was so glad we could reuse it.
AFTER - We reused the rod and did some sheers in the bedroom. The bronze leaf pendant just fit this nook perfectly and added the little bit of detail needed. Designer: Carla Aston
For the furnishings in the bathroom, I loved this big piece of art that combined the gray and beige so well. The homeowner wanted something contemporary, so this piece just fit the bill.
The rattan chair and the drum table have a casual feel and a clean lined look. The rug leans more trad but it helps to relate to the bedroom and the house. The colors of that rug worked so well with this space.
Adding in last layers to a primary bath. Designer: Carla Aston
Here’s how this one turned out.
Add last layers like furnishings and art to a large bathroom. Designer: Carla Aston
The lighting, mirrors and furnishings give this bathroom a more complete look. Designer: Carla Aston
This heirloom vanity stool was reused in the bathroom. The wood element adds contrast and relates to the bedroom decor. Designer: Carla Aston
I love that with a little decorating, these bathrooms look more comfortable and luxurious.
Are you ready to add some last layers to yours? :-)
My Bathroom Design Guide will help you get all those design elements right BEFORE you start decorating. If you are planning a bathroom remodel anytime soon, you can get your copy right here!
This blogpost was thoughtfully written by me, Carla Aston, and not by AI, ghostwriters, or guest posters.