Shutterstock

When I first purchased my weekend house in Upstate New York, I knew that the bathroom would need to be remodeled.

There were many things that I liked about the room, including the old-fashioned soaking tub, the dormered ceiling (although it makes standing up after bathing impossible), and the simple, square hinged, nine-pane glass window.

What I didn’t like about the room was the dated paneling and mosaic tile floor.

My initial thought was to remove both—to tear off the paneling, skim coat the walls with fresh plaster, and replace the tiles with a more contemporary floor covering.

I opted for a much easier—and less expensive—solution… a can of Ralph Lauren Paint.

I know that you’ve heard it before, but paint really is capable of transforming the look and feel of a room. By choosing a warm gray color from the floor tiles, I was able to give the bath a totally new look.

One that was bright, fresh, and light. The paint even made the mosaic pattern seem less dated, making the browns and tans playful pops of color.

Here’s the room today (right). I believe I made the right choice, what do you think?

For more on bath remodeling, consider:

Bathroom Decorating Ideas
Planning Guide: Bathroom Remodeling
Quick Tip: “Budget-Smart” Bathroom Remodeling