Update: The Basement Bathroom Final Selections/Construction progress

Ah - the basement!  A semi-blank canvas…1/2 had been finished, and will remain as a family room.  As noted in earlier posts, the un-finished space is being converted into a bedroom/laundry room/bathroom…with lots of adjacent storage in the form of a WIC, side closet, and ideally (if there is any budget remaining post-plumbing fun) under-stair storage.

The vibe for the basement bath is "old fashioned/black and white".  This will allow for budget-friendly porcelain (vs. natural stone), but also a bit of mono-chromatic fun.

The vanity:  A need for personal and guest storage (adjacent walk in closet) and desire for a good-sized shower yields a small bathroom: the vanity will be a single - but a generous 38 inches across should take care of the needs of weekend guests.  Custom vanities were proving expensive  (and in the price range I was considering - lacking furniture-esque touches), especially when the cost of fabricated counter-tops and a sink were factored.  Pre-made in-budget over-the-counter wood vanities made me a bit nervous and/or were lacking - I wasn't looking to cut corners on materials that might not last beyond a few years, but also wanted a vintage look.  To the rescue - Restoration Hardware's January bath sale - where I landed on a black "Pharmacy" vanity that provides drawer storage, a tiered cabinet, a Carrera marble counter/backsplash, sexy legs that will allow the tile to show, and built-in sink ($1750):

The hardware:  The uber-capable Bianca and I had previously sorted beautiful hardware for the taps (polished nickel) - but after revisiting the budget, she (wisely) suggested these, from Newport - same great look and finish as the more expensive option I had selected, but at half the price.  The shower-head is still the standard Speakman, and the shower will feature a handheld also in this Newport line:

Further capitalizing upon the RH sale - the polished nickel/glass towel bars will be from the appropriately titled "Vintage" collection (circa $80).  Given the limited space, I went with double bars:

Medicine Cabinet:  To expand the storage for guests, a roomy medicine cabinet has been ordered in polished nickel to coordinate with the vanity/other hardware.  This will be inset ($399 Restoration Hardware):

Tile:  What will really provide the vintage feel will be the tile - to be finalized Thursday.  The shower will be covered in basic subway tile (if budget allows - a larger tile on the bottom 1/2, and a smaller subway tile on the upper 1/2, separated by a simple black bar.  The floor of the bathroom and shower stall will be a small porcelain in black and white - design is a work in progress, but I'm taking these photos from Houzz  and Kholer as inspiration - not much of a change from the original thoughts on the layout for this bathroom in an earlier post.

Lighting:  The lighting will be industrial-minimalist.  The following sconces have been ordered from Barn Light Electric (about $180 on sale):

Towels:  The towels will pick up on the color of whatever linen is on the bed in the adjoining bedroom (likely a yellow).

Walls:   If the budget allows, the walls will be in the subway tile at least 1/2 up - with a black bar.  Else, the room will likely be painted a pale grey.  

Today's update:   The rough plumbing has been laid, the cast iron piping has replaced the Victorian clay:

Planning: A Navy and White Guest Room

The second story of the Bungalow houses two bedrooms - the master, and a decent-sized guest room.  Without a doubt, the "best" guest quarters are going to be in the walk-out basement (quiet, private entrance, private bath, walk in closet, adjacent family room).  So I want the upstairs guest room to feel special in it's own right.

I have been dying to try a navy/white (non-nautical) room - and since the furniture, linen and artwork for this room are already in the portfolio - a new color (to me) is a way to make it all fresh.

Floor:  The room will share the darker-hued hardwood floors of the entire first-second floor.  Rug TBD - I have a dark brown PB wool in storage, but we'll see.

Windows:  The woodwork/new doors will all be white.  On the windows, I'll be adding the same white plantation shutters as the front windows on the ground floor (so to maintain a similar look across all front-facing windows from the street):

Walls:  Finally - an opportunity for Navy - which should really make the white accents "pop".  I'm looking for something with a grey undertone, sort of like this from Restoration Hardware.

Linen:   For the coverlet, duvet, sheets and shams I'll pull from the current linen closet - lots of whites and white with blue accent - I especially like those I have from John Robshaw - uber comfy:

Bed:  The queen sized bed is a beautiful dark-wood from Sommorset; with a matching dresser:

The pic is of this bed, in my master bedroom in the London mews

End Tables:  The end tables will be those I've used before in the guest room - Restoration Hardware glass/polished nickel tables originally sold for the bath.

On the Wall:  There will be a lot of white in the room, including four of these white 3d numbers from Zgallerie that I had in prior homes - cheap, but impactful against the navy…

On the angled roof-wall:  I'll be hanging several of my great-grandmother's quilts from a simple white iron rod.  They are not only practical on cool nights, but hold rich colors, texture, and history:

Side Chair:  Every guest room should have a spot where folks can sit and put their shoes on.  I'll be taking a "spruced up" chair I've had for the last 10 years…a simple Pottery Barn schoolhouse chair w/arms.  In London, I had it lacquered in white, so it looks like new - sort of like this, from J. Adler:

I may reupholster the seat in a bold Navy/White:

kravat

Lamps:  TBD - either white, or a bright color.  There will be a lot of Navy/White in the room - so you might see a bright yellow or red lamp to add some zing.   I'm loving these from a local vintage shop - but may hedge my bets with a white (already owned):