Using Bathroom Tiles to Transform a Builder’s Grade Master Bath
In this post: This bathroom remodel details how we transformed our builder’s grade master bath using elegant but affordable bathroom tiles.⇒
Would you renovate this bath?
When we bought our house 3 years ago, the bathroom was only 6 or 7 years old. The home had been a recent new construction and the sole previous owners had kept it in great shape.
But much of the home utilized typical builder’s grade materials and in particular, this tile was something I really preferred not to live with. Still, given its age, I felt hubby and I needed to discuss and agree upon this before we purchased the home.
So when we bought the house, it was already decided that we would renovate the kitchen and master bath.
(If you missed the kitchen renovation you can see that HERE.)
Fast forward three years and I’m finally getting my dream white bath!
Like most people, we had to work within a budget and so we decided not to make any changes to the layout of the room. I was lucky we had a sizable space to work with, but that also meant we needed a lot of tile.
And I also knew the design of this bath was contingent on the beauty of the bathroom tiles!
I have wanted a white marble bath for a really long time. But I knew hubby would kill me when he learned of the price. So I had to get creative in making my selections.
I certainly didn’t want to pick something that was so much of a compromise that I really didn’t love it. What would be the point of doing the renovation in that case?
But I also couldn’t opt for something that was so pricey as to put off the entire project for another who-knows-how-many years.
I was delighted to find this gorgeous porcelain tile that does an exquisite job of mimicking marble. It comes in large blocks that emphasize the veining and I truly love it.
I was doubly excited when I found out that Home Depot would be my sponsor, but I had already picked my tile and would opt for it again even without being compensated for it.
The transformation in the room is truly remarkable. While I had covered the brown paint as soon as we moved in, the new tile still makes an extraordinary difference.
Next I addressed the floor tile, and here I decided to go with real marble. The small hexagon pieces provide a lovely contrast against the vast expanse of the oversized wall tiles.
If you’re a true fan of stone as I am, you’d really appreciate the variety of shades in the mosaic of the flooring, which to me is what gives it its real beauty.
In addition, it helps pull together the varied white tones in the room, as I was working with a tub that I was not replacing that’s really a bit too creamy for the direction I was going in.
I’m also not sure about the wall color, my favorite greige that changes in different lights. Sometimes it looks perfect and other times not so much. I’ll wait until the room is complete before deciding if it will stay.
I’ll talk more about the vanity in the final reveal post, once the plumbing fixtures are in and the room is fully styled, but the warm gold trim foreshadows what’s to come.
The blend of warm and cool tones in the tile parallels the mix of gold trim with this palette. I love the inset of hexagon tile in the cubby we had made for the shower.
We also chose a marble piece to have a small corner seat added.
The light that floods in through the large windows can now be appreciated in the context of a beautiful white space. Be on the lookout in the next few weeks for the final reveal, when all the styling details are added in. There’ll be plenty of goodies like the towel bar below but that’s for another time.
For today I’m just thrilled for the stunning backdrop these gorgeous bathroom tiles provide for the space!
Bathroom Tiles Source List
To get the look of the direction we’re headed, click on the items below for direct links to the products.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
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I love your update! It’s exactly what I’d want if I could redo my bath. Unfortunately, I’m stuck with your “before” for awhile ( my Tuscan phase). Great job! Can’t wait to see it styled!
Wow, Lory! Just wow! The bathroom looks phenomenal! I had been impatiently waiting for your update on the bathroom remodel, knowing that it would be great, but this room surpasses my expectations. Your wall tile is fantastic. I think porcelain was an excellent choice. As lovely as marble is, it’s so porous that the constant sealing begins to get old very fast, especially in the shower that needs to be constantly wiped down to avoid mildew. I am so loving how the mirrors over the sink stand out now. Beautiful! I love everything about this bathroom and I’m going to be pinning away these ideas for my next bathroom. I can’t wait for the final reveal!
Lory, your bathroom remodel is stunning! I love how you placed the sconces above the mirrors. I was planning to do one between our mirrors, but above each one would give off better lighting–great idea! I’ve been looking at the marble-look porcelain and it really does look like marble, and easier upkeep on those shower walls. Know you’re loving your beautiful new room! On a side note: no matter how many times I’ve resubscribed to your blog, I’m not receiving your postings, so I go online to get to you now. I’ve really missed seeing your posts in my email. Hopefully, it will go through this time. Hugs!
I picked that same tile at Home Depot! I can’t wait for our lower level to be completed. It will be a great place for entertaining. You have taught me so much….. my house has touches of you and everywhere.
Thank you! That is so nice to hear… 🙂
Your bathroom remake is beautiful. I love the porcelain tile and it really does look like marble but will be much easier to keep. I think what is bothering you about your wall color is that it is a warm gray with too much yellow tone in it ant what you need is a cool more white tone gray. Whatever you do, it is always beautiful!
Thanks, Ruth! I’m actually fine with the wall color now that the room is done. I didn’t opt for a cool gray because I didn’t want that cold feeling in the room and there are so many mixes of whites and greys that the wall color blends nicely now. Here is a more recent post of the completed room: https://designthusiasm.com/summer-refresh-bathroom-decor/
The truth is, I really wish the wall tile was true marble like the floor, but… price. 😉 If I do re-paint, I might go white or alabaster, but I prefer not to go cool grey. I still have both cream and white fixtures, plus gold trim and the mixed greys in the floor, so I think cool grey paint would make those mixed-matches stand out more.