Bathroom Makeover Day 10: The Wall Color. Is It Navy Blue? Forest Green? Dark Teal? Yes.
I got my bathroom walls painted! And just as I predicted, I absolutely LOVE the really dark wall color next to the bright, clean white of the faux wood plank wall treatment. And also as predicted, the dark color doesn’t make my bathroom look smaller or cave-like at all because of all the white.
But the wall color that I chose (a dark greenish teal color called Mystic Forest by Behr) is one of the most interesting paint colors I’ve ever seen. From some angles, it looks really dark green, almost a forest green. Then from other angles, it looks unmistakeably teal. And then at other times, it looks navy blue. It just so happens that I love all of those colors, so I love it! But enough rambling. Here it is…
What do you think about that sharp contrast? I love it! (Of course, please ignore the tub. It will eventually be painted a bright white.)
As far as I can tell on my monitor (and from standing in the room, where it looks like a different color from each angle), this next picture is the closest thing to the real wall color…
As you can see, I finally got the trim (top trim and baseboard) finished up on the faux wood wall treatment on the main wall. However, I ran into a bit of a problem on the vanity wall.
You might notice that I purchased a new light, but do you notice how low it is? I hadn’t realized it before with the old 1980s fixture, but with this one, it’s really noticeable. But I’m not about to go to the trouble of raising the box and patching a hole in the wall, so I’m going to live with it as is.
The problem is that the clearance between the wall and the glass shades on the light is 1.25 inches. And with the light being so low, that means that the frame on whatever mirror I end up using needs to be able to slide between the glass shades and the wall so that people over 5′ 3″ tall can still use the mirror. (I totally pulled that number out of the air, by the way.) 🙂
Now there’s always the option of cutting out a wood spacer to mount the light on and give a little more room. But even with that, the trim at the top of the faux wood plank wall treatment sticks out 1.25 inches.
So my solution is that I’m going to find or make the mirror first, get it mounted on the wall exactly where I want it, and then put the trim right up to (but not behind) the mirror on each side, so the mirror will be flat on the wall.
So I need to find the perfect mirror, or at least the perfect frame. Fast.
But can we just look at my walls again? While most of you loved my solution for removing the wallpaper from my bathroom (without actually removing the wallpaper), I did have a couple of naysayers. 😉 But I honestly don’t think that anyone (well, besides all of you) would ever guess that there’s wallpaper lurking behind that luxuriously dark paint color.
And because I know that all of you were on the edge of your seat, I’ll answer the question that I know you have been wanting to ask…
No, I didn’t texture the walls. 🙂
I used a roller with a 3/8″ nap to apply the oil-based primer first, and then I used the same roller (well…the same kind of roller, but a new roller) to roll on two coats of the paint color. So the walls do have the tiniest bit of texture, but not like they’ve actually been textured.
Now on to finding the perfect frame for my mirror. I’m hoping I already have one in storage that will work, and then I’m going to try my hand at cutting the old mirror down to fit into the frame. Have any of you ever tried cutting a mirror? I’m hoping it works!
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Gorgeous! And I love the accidental texture! Or was that intentional? LOL
Really liking the look! That bold color looks really nice against the white. Even in your photos I can see subtle color differences from different angles. I guess you’ll never get tired of a color if it looks different at different times and angles!
Anyway, it’s really shaping up nicely. And I agree, don’t think anyone would guess about the wallpaper. The photos at least show no signs.
Have you thought about using a mirror all the way to the ceiling and just cutting a hole for the lighting wires to go thru? Just a thought. It looks fabulous! I love that color.
Love, love, love the wall color! Looks so good with your yellow vanity and your white wall treatment.
You can take the mirror to a glass shop and have them cut it for you. I did that with one of mine and it was under $10 to get it done. I love the new color on the walls. What a fun shade!
The problem I see coming up for the mirror is it will be sitting on 2 thicknesses. Not a problem though! Glue a piece of masonite the size of the piece of mirror that is above the wood. It could just be pieces of masonite framed to the size too with the center open. Then the sides are covered by trim. Voila!
Great color!
The problem I see coming up for the mirror is it will be sitting on 2 thicknesses. Not a problem though! Glue a piece of masonite the size of the piece of mirror that is above the wood. It could just be pieces of masonite framed to the size too with the center open. Then the sides are covered by trim. Voila! BTW, the color is good in Feng Shui!
The color is a good one in Feng Shui. The only problem I see is the 2 thicknesses the mirror will sit on. Glue a piece or pieces of Masonite to the wall above the wood and problem solved! Trim the sides and done!
How about just turning the fixture over and have the lights go up instead of down?
Easy fix and free!
It’s beautiful…not that I ever doubted you..I love the idea of the mirror going all the way up and the light looking like its mounted to the mirror. Also love that you have a ceiling fan in there.
Beautiful bold and shiny color! it can be good combination with a dull bronze of the mirror frame…(but I can see you have chosen brushed silver accessories). One more thing: what about white molding on top of the wall? thank’s for sharing. Love it
I love the color you chose. It looks terrific next to that bright white. Love it! Sorry. I’ve got no good ideas for your mirror but it sounds like many others do.
I am really enjoying following your journey of a bathroom remodel, especially since my husband and I are nearing the completion of remodeling two small children’s bathrooms. Regarding your light fixture problem, the same thing happened to me…and I ended up getting different globes that don’t bell out so much so I could easily fit my mirror behind the globes, BTW, I am not pleased with the look. I wish I still had the box and receipt so I could return the whole light fixture because now I’ve noticed not all fixtures hang down the same. One other thing, I think a big round frameless mirror would look super in your space!
A round, frameless mirror was exactly what I was thinking! It would just do the job. It doesn’t need to be in a frame, and would seem more open if it wasn’t. Have your old one cut at a glass/mirror shop, pretty cheap. I love this remodel, it is turning out just perfect! I look forward every day to opening my email and finding a new day from Kristi.
What a beautiful, deep rich color! And very brave. I really need to do something with my bathroom, but I want to start from scratch and I don’t have the moulah for that.
It looks soooo good Kristi! I love the color!!
I love the way your colors transition so nicely throughout your condo. The blue is gorgeous and stunning with the sparkling white. I’m loving your can-do spirit. I’ve friends who live in old houses with the old plaster and slat walls that have painted their paper and it looks great. Yours….even better. But…I was wondering…isn’t a 3/8 nap roller standard to use?
I love the color, Kristi! The contrast is great! Love it. 🙂
Love the contrast and color!
I was also going to suggest flipping the light fixture over and have the globes point up, although it looks like there possibly isn’t enough clearance. Love the color!
See! You’re way better than I with plaster. 😉 Beautiful!
I adore the color, and the white and the whole bathroom. You are doing a fabulous job – can’t wait to keep watching you decorate!
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Look all the things you are doing!!! Love the bathroom. I love the fact you are not afraid of color, as I am. 🙂
Love it… Love the contrast. My family room is a slate (bluish grey) with white trim and waincoat…. Love it too.
It’s really taking shape. I’m liking it. Great color choice!
I have had good luck cutting glass/mirrors by putting a fluffy blanket under the mirror,making the cut with a glass cutter,and then pushing the mirror down firmly on both sides of the cut . Of course cut one side at a time. It should gently “break” for you at the cut.
That is beautiful!
You are awesome. Your bathroom is looking better all of the time. You have inspired me to try and do some remodeling in my living room.
Since navy, indigo and teals are my favorites, that color is a winner. Try flipping the light fixture upside down as others suggested and if that doesn’t work, check Lowes and HD for replacement glass globes for $8-10. I flipped mine in one house for same reason (medicine cabinet in the way). In another I hated the color and shape, but found a gorgeous contemporary (no flair or ruffled edges) one at Lowes with a frosting that resembled rice paper. You might be able to solve it that way and it would look great with your walls.
I’m on the edge of my seat! (Love the color.) Can’t wait to see the finished product!
The color is gorgeous, Kristi! If you are able to cut down the mirror, please give us some pointers. I’ve tried cutting glass with no luck at all. Very frustrating.
Love the color. When I read it was navy blue I thought it would be to bold, but it really works very nice with the white. It is looking really nice! What a difference!
Love the contrast between the woodwork and the paint color. Gorgeous!
When you paint the tub please share how you did this.
Okay so I totally agree that you can’t tell that you had wallpaper on your walls but I have wallpaper borders in my house that I just feel like I HAVE to take down. And what stinks is that in two of the rooms the wallpaper border has been painted over. Wah!
I had this same mirror issue in a small bathroom we built in a walk-in attic space. I ended up using a pivoting mirror I saw in the Pottery Barn catalog. http://www.potterybarn.com/products/hayden-pivot-mirror/?pkey=e%7Cbathroom%2Bmirror%7C92%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C2&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-
However, I did not buy the Pottery Barn version. I found one just like it online for much less. Can’t remember where, though.
Christie, that looks BEAUTIFUL! I love the color, so so much. That bathroom is going to look super fantastic.
I love that color. That wall looks so smooth and you’d never guess that old wallpaper is still under there. Everything is coming together so nicely in this bathroom! I’m curious about your mirrors next and cutting them. I’ve never done it but looking forward to seeing how you do that.
Just found your site this morning and immediately subscribed! The changes you have made in your condo are amazing! Your home is beautiful and I have “pinned” a bunch. I am a fan from now on.
Oh my goodness Kristi, it looks amazing!
You have such vision. Way to go. I keep tuning in everyday to see what is going to happen to your bathroom next!
Hi ….love love this color…I too look forward to what is next. You go girl!
I love the colour of your walls! I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with a mirror, and seeing it all come together.
Debbie 🙂
Love the multifaceted color choice – great job explaining and capturing the color variety in your photos! I also really like the white faux wood plank wall treatment, too! It turned out great!
I love the color. I love any color that changes when you look at it in from a different angle. I too look forward to seeing your name in my list of e-mails. You are crazy cool!
I love the sharp contrast, it’s one of my favorite looks! Your bathrooms is shaping up nicely!
Cutting the moulding around the mirror frame? That’s just exactly what we did in our new bathroom build and I love it! I think you will, too! And love the color by the way!
Gorgeous color!! I love it!! and I remember watching an episode with Nate that said dark colors {including ceiling} actually can make a bathroom feel taller and bigger. Loving your white bottoms- can’t wait to see what you do with the mirror!!
Your paint job looks amazing! I really do like that color. As far as the mirror goes, we actually have a frameless oval mirror in our bathroom. It’s attached to the wall with a bar on the back instead of clips so it looks like it’s just floating on the wall. Something like that might work well for fitting underneath the light fixture.
Love this colour and the fact it changes shade with lighting just makes it all the more attractive.
Your bathroom is looking amazing, I love everything you’ve done. But my favorite part? The fact that you have a ceiling fan in your bathroom! We have ceiling fans in every room in the house (well, except the bathrooms) because it’s just to dang hot without them.
Your know your from Texas when…..you have ceiling fans in your bathrooms, lol.
Love it! Really coming together!
love he color, it really makes that white crisp and clean. And the color compliments the vanity too, with a soft pop of color. Great choice!
I’m a naysayer on not removing wallpaper, only because someone did he same thing in my rental house and I inadvertently tore a HUGE piece off by accident. It resulted in needing to re-mud the wall. Oops. I now know the kitchen and my master bedroom are in he same state. If we end up buying this house, I’m going to have a nightmare of a time removing all the wallpaper buried underneath he horrific texturing.
My husband and I built a frame from plans on Anna White’s site. It was supposed to be a picture frame, lol, but we resized it to hold a mirror! I think we spent about $6.
I love navy blue for my wall paint coz it will creates the best foundation for a rustic dining room.
At first I thought this is a boring choice of color but with proper lighting and shiny effect I think I must try this for my next project and besides this is a good choice as I heard on Feng shui masters.
Love the colour! We did a similar dark teal (Benjy Moore Aegean Teal) with high white board and batten in our Ensuite. I feel joy every day when I look at it! The crisp white with the strong beautiful colour really is a sight to behold – love your choice!
Krista
LOVE that color! I have been slowly planning a remodel of my half bath, but I am not even sure where to start (it needs a complete overhaul). Anyway, I love the contrast of the white against the wall color — looks great!