Change is good

Oops I did it again. I changed my mind. Big surprise!

Remember that lovely white/metallic wallpaper that we had settled on for the bathroom?

Well, I hate to tell you this, but it's been flushed.

We actually decided quite awhile ago that it just wasn't the look we were going for and down it went. Neither of us could figure out exactly what we didn't like about it, but we just knew it didn't feel right. If I had to say why, I'd probably say it is too contemporary for us. I hate that word - contemporary. It makes me think of hotel decor. Or the art they sell at TJMaxx and Homegoods that's usually oversized, too often 3D and always a great price. To me it looks like it belongs on the wall of a chain hotel. That was harsh. Sorry - especially if you own this type of contemporary art. I have seen it worked nicely into decor, but not often. Usually it goes all too well with contemporary pillows and a graphic contemporary rug just like in a hotel lobby, a doctor's office or a model home. Ewe! Model home decor is scary. Like in a plastic people live here kind of way. Anyway, from the very beginning I had a gut feeling. So not only did I order the white/metallic sample, I also ordered this one.

The runner -up. Hicks Hexagon.

As soon as I taped it to the wall next to the metallic sample, it was a shoo in. I researched prices, measured and remeasured the room and got ready to order, but there it was again. The gut feeling. Why? We both loved this wallpaper. And we had already decided this was one instance in which we weren't going to worry about what the next homeowners would think. We knew know that they'll love it, in that "I'd never choose it for myself, but I really like it." kind of way. For me I kept coming back to the floor. Was it just going to be too busy with tile like this?
Ben was convinced no and eventually I came around, but really just felt in my heart of hearts that this colorway of Hicks Hexagon was made to go with gray carrara marble. And there was no way to work it in. For a brief second I considered returning the black and white mini hex tile and hunting down some good priced carrara, but that black and white just works so well with the rest of the house. It was an internal battle that haunted me for weeks. How could I make both us and the house happy? So back to the drawing board I went and that meant another search for inspiration photos. Here's what I was drawn to.

Subway tile, carrara, deep color, great contrast....

but we already had the wainscoting & were going for a more traditional base.

Moving on......

Classic, bead board, neutral with a punch.......

Loved it, but maybe not in a bathroom.

And then it appeared.......

Bright white, deep color, fun accents......

Traditional with a punch (& surely will look great with the tile)!

Thank you Lonny Magazine, you always give just the right amount of Bohemian that I'm striving for! Even better, that shade of dark teal/turquoise is one of my favorites. The exact color in the photo is Benjamin Moore Calypso Blue, but we're also sampling Naples Blue which is just a bit bolder.

Now on the the accessories. We'll keep it simple with a white shower curtain and towels and stay true to the era with chrome fixtures. We're planning to refinish the clawfoot tub with a black exterior and I'm mulling over the idea of silver leafing the feet. The gallery art in the inspiration image could be a great way for us to work in some random art that we already own and don't really have any other place to display. And maybe I'll throw in that punch of red with the frames.......

Flashback

Ahhhh, yes. Finally I can rest.....for a moment.

But just you wait one minute. I'm not done yet. We're you wondering how we could ever abandon ship on that amazing wallpaper? It took weeks, but now we've also settled on a design idea for our master bath. It looks a little something like this.......

Hip hip horray!
Hicks Hexagon is here to stay!

It won't be exactly like the photo, but we are thinking a mix a carrara marble, white subways, the same Hicks Hexagon from our 1st floor bathroom that almost was, and maybe a deep navy/charcoal paint. I'm so excited I could almost pee.........and one day I will in not one but two pretty bathrooms! Now, here's to hoping all goes as planned!