Just a brief powder room peek.
Our experiment with metallic (copper-colored) paint didn’t work. The space is so small with a lot of trim, and apparently the treatment works better when you can make long strokes with the special roller instead of trying to work with a brush in small nooks and crannies. We were afraid it wouldn’t cover, so we never did the second metallic coat. Plus the color was just too dark and felt oppressive. So that was 2 base coats and 1 top coat of metallic paint (at $18 a QUART!) down the drain.
We have a small paint store in our basement, so I went shopping and found a simple “Heavy Cream” (from the kitchen ceiling) that works fine on the walls and ceiling. Matches the floor tile pretty well. We still have a couple bells & whistles planned for the walls, but at least this is a better base to work with than the copper.
Yes, paint is relatively cheap (except at $18 a quart) — but the labor is a killer. By the time I’m done putting the final coat on, I will have painted those little walls 7 times. Won’t be the first time we’ve painted and repainted and repainted. The kitchen had 3 different wall colors — plus we started out by painting all the woodwork white before we changed it all to cream. (Did I mention I hate painting woodwork worst of all? My next house will have stained trim — just like every house I’ve owned prior to this one.) We also tried 3 colors in the bathroom before landing on the current one as the lesser evil — not something we ever really liked, and lately we’ve started talking about repainting it. It’s been, what, 3 whole years? You know you’re in trouble when you have to start doing things over before you’re even close to getting everything done once.
On an unrelated note, we bought a cute (inexpensive) bistro set for our new patio area out back a couple weeks ago (20% off at Big Lots) and assembled it today while waiting for the paint to dry. Of course, the patio is still covered in snow. But since we’ve been battling chronic fatigue syndrome (the powder room strain) for months now, a raging bout of spring fever is a welcome change of pace.
Color is my day-long obsession, joy, and torment.
~ Claude Monet
Writing by Ear 
chappy said,
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 11:28 am
the cream color looks good. it is neutral enough and will allow you to “step back” and make a final decision later. it is a continual process to get things perfect, we seem to constantly repaint rooms until everything comes together as it should…..
jewels said,
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Ooh, I’ve been wanting to try the metallic paint in my dining room. Would you try it again? I hear you about the painting…but when you find the color that works isn’t it glorious!
WritingbyEar said,
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 11:10 pm
chappy — you are an expert painter, that’s for sure! Jewels — we loved the colors of the metallic paint and had a hard time choosing. I think we would have been fine had we chosen something lighter in that room. I would definitely try it again elsewhere (in a normal room with bigger walls). We love the granite paint in the kitchen and have gotten many compliments on it.
Dex said,
Friday, August 6, 2010 at 1:32 am
Hi! I came across this site while researching the Elfe sink and your bathroom looks great! I’m in the midst of a similar project- in Eastern PA- and I’m trying to find a drain that fits that sink. Any suggestions? Am I looking for a grid drain? If so, a drain with or without an overflow?
Also, I think the way to go with the trap could have been a “bottle trap” which seem to work great with those close-to-the-wall sinks. That’s what I’m planning. I also had a very tough time picking a faucet to fit this sink nicely. The second one is on it’s way (hopefully it will arrive before the plumber gets here on Tuesday 🙂
Anyway- you guys did a tremendous job- kudos. It’s really tough to get it right with these tiny spaces. Any info on the required drain would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
WritingbyEar said,
Friday, August 6, 2010 at 8:33 am
Yes, Dex, it was a bottle trap we bought online and even then you need to be very careful on the dimensions. Could not get a regular trap to work with the drain roughed in according to the sink instructions. I think the only way a standard trap would work is the drain outlet in the wall would have to be off center from the sink drain to allow the trap to fold back on itself since it will be so tight to the wall. I believe this is the trap we used (not positive). http://www.moderndanish.com/Modern-Bathroom-Kitchen-Products/Drain-Traps/Modern-Bottle-Trap-Brass-Round-Siphon-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze
Yes you need a grid drain since the sink has no overflow and a pop-up drain will not even fit. We bought our grid drain online since we were looking for oil rubbed bronze but other finishes were available locally, particularly at Lowes.
Also, did you see my post with the finished product?
https://writingbyear.com/2010/05/19/can-you-dance-for-joy-in-36-x-43/