So I get the question often enough: “I hear what your saying about pink bathrooms. But much as I try, I just can’t love mine. And, I’m not really into retro. What can I do to tone it down?” Fair enough. Here are some thoughts…
How to minimize all the pink in your pink bathro0m? Note — These tips apply to bathrooms with pink walls and either pink or white fixtures.*
- No brite white. Do not paint the walls bright white. This will just accentuate the pink. How about a light brown or a gray that harmonizes nicely with your particlar pink. The goal is: Balance…equilibrium…between the wall and the tile.
Two main colors: Pink and yellow, you kind of see them both first. Additional ccents: orange and red -- each adjacent fo yellow and pink on the color wheel. The green is what makes everything pop...and all color are unified on the rug.
- Yellow for perky-today. You can use the same technique using yellow paint for the walls. A year ago, Portland Amy sent this story from Real Simple magazine. I know a lot of folks love this bathroom. It doesn’t feel ‘retro,’ I think, because we are not accustomed to seeing pink and yellow together. Also, because it uses other, more contemporary floral references — especially in the shower curtain and rug.
This Shakira shower curtain is new at Target - you can see how putting this into a pink-tiled bathroom would give you numerous possibilities to use other strong accent colors to draw attention away from the pink tile. And it's not "retro" feeling, it's very "today."
- Two accent colors. Once you have your wall color, you want to choose two additional accent colors — A is your main accent color and B is your secondary accent color — and one that is super duper harmonious with your accent A. So in the end, you have 4 colors: (1) Pink, (2) Brown or Gray, (3) Accent A and (4) Accent B. You may also have white in your fixtures or floor – that’s great. Personally, I think that adding any more colors than this — and you risk getting too busy, unless you have a very careful hand. The idea here, for the most part: Elegance, quiet. I am guessing the pink is giving you a headache, so we are “toning it down.”
- …Jewel tones. Accent colors should have some force — jewel tones are good. Anything quieter than your pink will get lost. You want your accent color(s) to emerge — from the pink — and keep your eye dancing around the bathroom.
My bathroom. Design elements: Color, pattern, size, scale, texture. Patterns, for example: square (tile), atomic (wallpaper), floral (prints). Colors: rose beige, aqua, turquoise, brown, white. The same formula works in ANY bathroom.
- Artwork to scale. The first place that I would work to integrate an accent color would be in a good-sized piece of artwork. Look for a piece, or pieces, that use your two main colors (yes, including the pink) as well. Don’t be too dinky with your art — or, mass smaller things into one grouping. Continue adding art until you’re happy. Clutter isn’t good either, so take it slow, edit.
- Shower curtain. When in doubt, match your shower curtain to your paint color. A subtle weave might be good – to add texture and visual interest. If you are feeling more daring, use your shower curtain to bring more color into the room – being sure to include references to your tile and paint colors, as well.
Probably too retro for anyone who already does not like their pink bathroom -- but it illustrates some great ideas on how to play with color and pattern.
- Soft goods. Towels and rugs can match the wall color or be a few shades darker…And, I’d buy a second set in an accent color as well. This can be really pretty.
- Window treatments = pattern. Window treatments are a great place to add pattern — and fabric softens up the hard edges of tile. How about an inexpensive pleated shade for privacy and light control, and soft and decorative curtains on a pretty rod to frame the window.
- Bathroom jewelry. Ensure you have an eye-catching light fixture…and mirror…and the waste-basket is a great place to have fun, too.
Cindy's bathroom has great balance between what's going on with the tile and what's going on with the walls. I'd call it -- artsy/eclectic...When I was in it, I didn't think "pink," I thought "pretty." That's my pretty sister Jenni BTW.
- Alternative twist #1: Choose art, accessories, linens, and faucet handles that build out a theme that’s even bigger than the pink — like French, Country, Artsy/Eclectic or…? That way, when you walk in, you think “French,” rather than “Pink.”
- Alternative twist #2: Pick up some Rachel Ashwell books at the library — and consider the Shabby Chic look. Put up crystal chandelier light fixtures, add chippy shelving set with pastel colored vases shiny crystal, and add fluffy white towels, some embroidered hand towels and a luxurious linen shower curtain, etc.. If I went for this look, I think I’d paint the walls a very light slight dove gray. Anna over at Door Sixteen used Benjamin Moore Lacey Pearl (matte) on her walls and say “it’s like the world’s palest neutral gray.” That might work well.
*If you have pink walls and fixtures of yet-another pastel color: Embrace your pink bathroom. Get wallpaper that includes both colors. The retro decorating gods have sent you this jewel for a reason.
Related posts:
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- 5 tips to decorate a yellow bathroom Pink bathrooms? Of course! But they are just symbolic...
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the pink/brown/gray combination in your bathroom, Pam. The formal flower prints look surprisingly just right against the atomic wallpaper. Very classy look. What I love about Cindy’s bathroom is the concentration of pink on the floor instead of the walls.
Toning down is a great idea for any color tiles. For me, my yellow hall bath was getting on my nerves. I love the color and initially added yellow rugs and yellow towels, but over the years, this began to be ‘too much.’ I finally had enough of it, and went for a different look. The fixtures, base cabinets and countertop are all white. We took down the original wallpaper which was white with little yellow tulips and green leaves, and put up a woodsy look wallpaper, creamy beige sponge look sprigged with little dark green spruce trees with dark brown trunks. It made a huge difference. Next we added print hand towels (dish towels really) with bears, trees, canoes and paddles, that pick up the creamy, brown and green colors. That looked great so we picked up two matching rugs, a toilet base rug and a toilet seat cover in cream with green pine sprigs and brown pine cones on them. We painted the cabinets cream color with round nickel knobs. Piece de resistance was two new light fixtures over the mirror, cut tin outlines of trees and bears, with the trees painted green and the rest mottled brown and rust. The shades are opal glass. I put a copper bowl full of pine cones on the counter. Now the yellow is not dominant but goes well with the woodland theme, a little ray of sunshine in the clearing. We have the MCM glass shower doors in there. I can try to send a picture, but it is dark and rainy today so we’ll have to wait til it clears up a bit.
Hi Elaine – yes, what you’ve described having done to your bathroom is right in line with what this post is about. “Now the yellow is not dominant but goes well with…” Well done, and I would love to see a photo.
Oh your bathroom looks beautiful Pam! Love the Turners.
Now the vintage illustration of the pink aqua and black bathroom is just perfect for me! ;O)
My wall tiles are actually “fawn beige.” Beige with just a teensy little pink warmth. Dirt cheap at Home Depot 5 years ago. I could not find pink tiles at the time — although I searched. I did not know about B&W. If I had – one of the three bathrooms for sure would have been Mamie pink. I have to post more pictures sometime…The renovation of the three bathrooms in my house is what got me started with this whole retro renovation thing. Trying to find resources in 2002 was SO HARD. It led me to post everything I found on a blog for others to share, and then it grew and grew and grew.
And thanks for noticing the Turners, Erin. The photo is actually a little sun-washed…the strength of the paper and tile actually work well with the brown art. Even though I consider the Turners to be more 40s, I love how all the colors and design work well together. I choose stuff from the whole broad period…Oh, I so love it all.
I stained the existing grout, which was in good condition, a deep brick red/brown to “cut” some of the pink. It was tedious work, requiring removal of all grout sealer and multiple applications of stain. I used concrete stain which required purchase of a gallon can, much more than needed, but the results were great! I used stain made for use on grout in another bathroom, but it was more work and I wasn’t as happy with the results. If the grout isn’t in good shape, or if you’re so motivated, it can be removed and replaced with another color grout.
Jim
Where do I get the paint to paint flowers in my bathroom sink like that beautiful floral sink in the pink bathroom??? What kind of paint do I use that won’t wear off, being in the sink.