Black and White Bathroom
Happy New Year and welcome to 2018.
I admit that when I saw water pouring from the light fixture in my bathroom ceiling, re-decorating was not the first thought that sprang to mind. Having one leak is unlucky, having two is just careless! So, when the kitchen light decided to join in, I was anything but happy. But, here’s the thing… I’ve learned to count my blessings, not once, but many times. And after the shock had settled and the damage had been assessed, an ah ha moment finally dawned. Redecorating!
I rent my apartment, so thinking about paint choices might have been out of my control. When the contractors arrived, appointed by the rental company, not only did they do an excellent job, but they asked what colors I wanted the bathroom painted. And since the floor was ruined, I asked if they could also change out the boring linoleum to a large black and white chequer-board square pattern. From there, I tentatively suggested going for a black and white theme, with one wall painted black in both the bathroom and the kitchen. Amazingly, they agreed.
I have always loved the black and white monochromatic look. After all, it's incredibly versatile, never goes out of fashion and is perfect for recreating a gorgeous Art Deco feel, which is very ‘in’ at the moment. I would love to have been able to change the room completely, and bring in a black Crittall shower screen door, but sadly, that, and my subway tiles were rejected. I am, however, delighted with the results. The black wall, far from making the room look small, gives it a feeling of coziness and depth instead.
Below are a few gorgeous, black and white bathroom themes to whet your appetite:
If you would like to recreate the style, here are a few things I would suggest:
Find the right black. Like whites, there are numerous black tones to choose from.
Subway tiles look great, but if like me you are stuck with original tiles, make sure they sparkle and the grout is renewed.
If you are going this route, the patterns in linoleum and tile seem infinite. Take your time because this is going to last a long time.
Plants. Green breaks up the black and white and the fresh color seems to pop against the monochrome. The right plants not only thrive in a steamy atmosphere, but actually help against mold and mildew.
Window dressings can be as simple as Venetian blinds, or something more fancy and may be a way to introduce a color, if you would like one
Finally, if the thought scares you, you could always try a shade of grey!