Bathroom Renovation: Ideas

I hate our bathroom. It's both a style and health hazard. Moldy grout just won't get white no matter how much scrubbing, the paint on the ceiling chips because there's no fan ventilation, and the faux wood linoleum bubbles up around the edges. Ugh. It's the one room in the house that has needed a total renovation, so of course we've put it off the longest. Even though we'll be doing it ourselves, and doing it in the most economical way possible, it's still a big spend for us. Additionally we've only just put in a half bath in the basement, so going a week or so without a usable bathroom wasn't feasible. But now there's no more excuses! The bathroom is getting a makeover this summer and here are a few of my design inspirations.

Things I definitely want:

• Black and White honeycomb floor tiles
• White Subway tiles in the bath
• Dark grout 
• Marine blue walls
• A plant stand in the window

Wainscoting may be a cheaper option to tile

Dark grout makes the tiles pop

Dark wood shelving and vanities and contrast against the white

A warm marine blue as an accent

Plants keep it fresh

I like the style of the classic black and white tiled bathroom. It's clean looking and will have a better resale value than getting too personal or trendy. We also get great natural light from a south facing window. I'd like to be able to keep a few plants in there for a element of green, and the plants love it too. I think I'm leaning toward nautical accents. Not beachy nautical but Jules Verne nautical. Inspired by this gifted octopus hook, below, from Anthropologie. (From our friend Lucy, who has a food-porn-worthy blog). I also love this little "Dauntless Seafarer", from Etsy. "Stormy waters, and narwhals? Pshhht".

We hope to get started in the next month before the weather gets all summery and hot and the prospect of indoor renovation becomes too daunting. I'll keep you posted on the progress!