The Farmhouse Kid’s Bathroom – Bringing You Up To Speed On The (At The Time) Painful Process

168 thoughts on “The Farmhouse Kid’s Bathroom – Bringing You Up To Speed On The (At The Time) Painful Process”

1. K don’t be mad…but I think that tile is definitely pulling off white/yellow! Then with the green tile and the very white tub and door, the warmer tones are really coming through. As I’ve learned, there are 27k shades of white. It’s insane actually. Faucet is smokin’ and I love love the retrofitted vanity. We currently have Sparkle Fun toothpaste on our kids’ counter (quartz) so I feel your pain.

   This your house is coming along and I love seeing the progress!

   1. Yeah, I actually like the contrast between the white paint and the creamy tiles.

      1. Agree — the tile looks like a beautiful cream, set off nicely by the white paint and plumbing fixtures. Your toilet, tub, counter/backsplash all look to be very cool whites. Keeping the paint cooler makes this look deliberate and puts focus on the tile. If you paint to match the tile, I think the white fixtures will stick out like a sore thumb. Maybe it looks different in real life, but based on what I’m seeing in your photos, I would NOT repaint, especially not to match the tiles. It looks great.

         are you considering brass window hardware??

         1. Yes, this is what I was thinking! I would definitely keep at least the trim the same white. I think part of the problem is that there is this huge block of bright white at the ceiling that makes the room feel off-balance. Once you put in art work (if you are), this may balance things out. Or just paint the walls a slightly creamier white.

            1. Emilie, I was thinking the same thing about leaving that large piece of upper trim the cool white color. With so many cool whites (countertop, toilet, bathtub) lower in the room, there needs to be something in the same tone higher up to tie things the room and make the mixed whites feel deliberate.

         2. i agree that the paint and tile look good together. maybe different in person, but i am not at all offended by the colors. i think you should try styling it out before you go ahead and repaint. go full emily on the bathroom and i betcha you will like it way more than you do now. some accidents are happy mistakes!

         3. Same! I think the trim color and the tiny bits of wall tie in the color of the tub, the toilet, and the marble on the sink. They are definitely going to stick out too much if you put a warmer white up there.

   2. Agree with this! I think it needs cool white at least on the trim or the very white fixtures will look weird. I really like the creamy white tile.

   3. I agree I think the white/creamier white tile can work really well together- at first I agreed with what Emily was saying, but when I saw the warmth that the vintage mirrors brought in, I think it balanced it all out really well. (Btw i like the round one in there I think). And adding a couple more things like that could achieve that even balance even more.
      Also when the bathroom door is open into the bathroom, it shows that the door is painted the same bright white that seems to match the bathroom walls- so I think keeping it for that reason could be good, too.

   4. It’s not just the paint – the toilet, countertop/backsplash, bathtub are all a much cooler white than the wall tile. Maybe there’s a paint color that can bring it all together, maybe something slightly warm. Benjamin Moore simply white? I’d almost be tempted to retire the wall with something cooler.

   5. Same — at least as it appears on my monitor, the white and cream look both deliberate and lovely. If the wall is painted to match the tile will the tub and toilet then stand out as cooler in tone? I think the cream of the tile lands between the wood & brass as a warm link to the whites in the room. I’m sure it will look nice painted as well but certainly doesn’t look like a “mistake.”

      1. I agree! The tile and paint look great together, as is!

         1. I like it too, and would definitely keep trim as is. Would green be nice on upper wall and maybe ceiling too? Something like the green tile but mid tone? Again, I think it all looks amazing as is!

2. ABSOLUTE PINKY SWEAR!!! Oh this is so exciting!!!!! And the more we can get of it, the better – I am certainly not complaining and will definitely be excited every time you post whatever you want abou the farm <3 proccess posts like these are so cool to see and its so comforting to know that other people also sometimes make small seeming mistakes that still bother you a huge lot. I don’t actually think its too bad – it is reveersibly after all and definitely a lesson learned – but I get why it would feel extremely annoying and “dumb”. I so look forward to seeing more progress and regrets posts and also to at some point see the reveal on this sweet bathromm 😉

3. Ahhh I think it’s a really tricky one! Because the toilet, bath and sink all read to me as pure white but the tile is so much creamier. How do you find a shade to complement both? I would almost be tempted to go for a totally contrasting paint colour because it hurts my brain imagining what white would work! But it’s such a beautiful room, and I’m absolutely not an expert… and luckily you are! So I have faith you’ll be happy with the finished room. The green tile and that vanity and marble backing are so pretty.

   1. I agree about the white paint to match. That’s a nightmare assignment to
      match the creaminess of the tile and the pure white of the toilet and tub. Another reason I think the paint makes the tile look yellowish is the brass/gold/yellow coloring of the light, switches, faucet, even vanity dresser is the same gold/brass- yellow tone. I would choose a complimentary green that works with the floor tile and scrap trying whites. I fear another white will just have the same effect because of all the yellow/brass/gold tones still in the room! It’s a beautiful bath though.

      1. I think once it’s styled it won’t look yellow. I agree that the pretty brass has a part in that. My bathroom is similar color scheme: creamy tiles, bright white tub/ sink/toilet, deep green beadboard… once the rest of the stuff is in the room it will be lovely

4. It’s already SO beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

5. Thanks for sharing the progress! Even with the minor tweaks you have planned, it already looks great and I can’t wait to see the finished room.

6. I love it and thank you so much for prioritizing process posts!!!! As someone going through my own reno right now, it’s just the content I need.

   Curious if you would consider wall paper above the tile that ties the green into the walls? Something sweet and farmhouse-y.

   1. LOVE this idea! The bathroom is beautiful but I feel like it’s screaming out for something, and I wasn’t sure what but you called it!

   2. Love the wallpaper idea! But would it actually work in a PNW bathroom? That’s an awfully moist environment.

      1. Yeah, a painted ticking stripe with green would be cute!

         1. So agree!

            1. Actually , I wouldn’t spend the money to repaint unless you choose a color. For me too much white altogether. However with your decorating tweaks coming , spending the money to repaint in a white will not do anything but cost you $$ for nothing! IMHO. Beautiful room whatever!

   3. I came here to say the same!

      It needs a fabulous wallpaper that carries onto the ceiling, which will solve the white-on-white paint issue and give the room a lot more personality.

      I’m also very curious to see how they add storage. As a shared bath for 2 kids, the lack of storage makes me anxious!

   4. I would style the different tones together. I personally liked how the paint color brought warmth out in the tile, basically balancing out the tones in the room.
      Use of paintings, curtains on either side of the tub area and other accessories will bring it together creatively. Maybe use of natural ( grass cloth shades ) will help balance.
      Even though I love how the vanity counter was cut to show off the curves in the dresser drawers, I am interested to know how vanity holds up w/ kids, since you did not create an overhang with stone to prevent water from dripping onto the wood.

7. I love the process posts! Please know it’s very validating for the rest of us to hear about mistakes/regrets and it’s also very helpful to hear about how you fix those things. The right white will make the tile NOT look yellow. And I think it’s ok to have a truer whiter white in the toilet and tub etc. I’m not sure you need to tie in with those – they tie in with each other and the cooler colors of the stone, so I think you can just focus on what wall color is right with the warm white tile. Also I love love love what you did with the green tile and never thought grass but even if it DOES read grass to some, it’s really creative/cool and looks especially cool against that great vanity. It’s already a beautiful room – can’t wait to see how awesome it will be after the tweaks and styling! Yay!

8. Emily, do you think a very light GRAY paint could work to cool down the warm tile tone? Would gray paint also tie in nicely with the gray veining in the countertop/backsplash?

   1. That is a great idea too. I think there is too much white with the tile and think something contrasty but complementary would be best.

   2. No no gray is so out, unless maybe a green-gray but wallpaper is the way to go , again IMO.

      1. Yep, all signs demonstrate that gray is out, all over the world.

      2. My god. Stop worrying about what’s “in” and “out.” Grey is still beautiful in the right space, but that is not here. People following trends instead of designing what’s best for their actual space is what I wish would go OUT!

   3. Or maybe beige

9. This was so fun, thank you Emily!
   It’s already gorgeous. Somehow both playful and sophisticated.
   I have very picky eyes about colour HOWEVER I’m confident that the cool white walls can work because:
   1. Other things are cool white as well (vanity top, toilet, tub) so it feels intentional.
   2. When you add art, plants, fabrics, and wood accents, the warmer tile will fit right in.
   All this to say, you could certainly repaint and it’d look great too, but due to the cost/headache involved, I wouldn’t! 🙂

   1. I agree with this. Just style the space and it will feel good. The tile will always ready cream because the toilet, tub and vanity top are not creamy at all. No amount of creamy white paint on the walls will change that the tile is in fact a warmer white than the fixtures. Stick with the true white walls and style the heck out of that space. Use more wood elements, use art that mixes whites and creams.

      1. This was my thought as well.

   2. Yes–I agree with Vera & Amanda!

      1. Or maybe the trim could stay the current white color even if the walls are painted a more creamy white.

10. First, I thought the green was intentionally designed as a nod to grass and super clever. Like, a playful touch for the kids’ bath that is still beautiful and will grow with them.
    Second, agreeing with everyone else saying to consider color above the tile. There are currently like four very different whites right now and the one that should be the star is pulling yellow. If anyone can do it, it’s EH, but finding a white that does everything it needs to sounds impossible…Actually, I wonder if a wallpaper with yellow in it would make the tile appear more white?

    1. Shoot can one of the powers that be please remove my last name? First comment, amateur mistake 🙂

    2. A fun wallpaper would make this bathroom a lot more playful and add depth!

    3. I had the same though about grass when the tile was first revealed and loved it. Maybe a wallpaper with birds/butterflies to tie in?

11. call me crazy, but i actually like the contrast between the whites of the tile and wall. it looks intentional. and i like that it makes the tile look like a creamy white. i like a creamy white tile as opposed to a cool white tile. also, the green tiles didn’t look like grass to me until you said it. they actually looked like mountains, so i thought maybe it was a nod to the mountains of the west coast. but now i totally see grass too.
    love what you did with the vanity. those wooden feet are so good!

    1. I was about to write the exact same comment (down to the “call me crazy” part). I really love the white/cream contrast! It’s the best of both worlds to me — the warmth of the cream easing into that crisper white up top. I love it and would 100% keep it on purpose.

       1. twins 🙂

    2. oh, and i think you should keep the white sconce shades. i feel like the clear ones would be too harsh on the eyes when in actual use at night.

    3. I agree. I think you should leave it alone and style it. I think it’s an interesting choice. Unless the photos are more flattering than real life?

       1. that’s true. we don’t know what it’s like IRL, but i think i would still like it. our kids bathroom has off white tiles and we painted the walls in there above the tile a white that’s whiter than the tiles and i like it. so i bet it’s nice IRL as well as these pictures.

    4. I also immediately thought “ooooh, mountains!” when I saw the green tile. I love it!

12. I don’t think it looks “yellow” just off white and I think it looks FINE. I think it would be too overwhelmingly white if it was all completely matching nd that is only if you are successful in finding a match. Then the paint on the wood will age and be affected by light at different times of the day /year, so you will never be happy. I would just leave as is and get over it. It really looks OK as is – just live with it and see if you can adjust.

13. I think it’s beautiful but I do have one question…will the kids be able to see themselves in either mirror? It seems very high.

    1. I agree! And how will they reach the faucet? They’re little still. The bathroom is beautiful and the shades of white and cream are totally fine, imo. While the vanity, faucet and backsplash are pretty, they are not practical for small children. I know they won’t be small forever, but…..

14. I was loving all of your ideas until you showed us the mirror choices. In my opinion, these mirrors do not blend with the rest of the room. I also really enjoyed the look of the bathroom in the before pictures. It is a darn shame you couldn’t keep the built-in medicine cabinet. It was a nod to some history. Honestly, I agree with you and think leaving the bathroom the same would have been okay too. Good Luck with it all. No matter what, It is gorgeous and will be in its finality too.

    1. Agreed – the mirrors are too dark for me. I like the idea of a playful, colorful, natural wall paper and a brass or maybe even frameless mirror. And a show stopping light fixture above the tub.

    2. I think the vintage mirrors are an attempt to bring something old into the space.
       Otherwise, there’s zero hint at it being an ‘original’ farmhouse building and it’ll just looklike a new build.

15. it’s a sweet bathroom. The white paint on the walls looks good and it balances the tub color and the stone. So it doesn’t seem to be the lightest white in the room

    1. Forgot to add that I’d prefer a bigger mirror myself. Your kids are short so wouldn’t it be a little too hard to see themselves with a small mirror hung so high? I did notice that lots of designers hang tiny mirrors. And it’s counterintuitive to me. I can’t understand it.. I will admit that I prefer bigger mirrors. I also like how a bigger mirror compliments the smaller things cluttering the bathroom.

       1. I had the same thought about the mirrors. The bigger one seems to make more sense.

16. Wallpaper is the key! Several different whites are in the space, and I think a fantastic paper would pull them all together. Maybe the peaks of a mountain scape mural peeking over the top (see what I did there?;)), or go with something more traditional with cream, white, and gray tones. “Grass” tile, pine cabinet—I say run with the vibe and never look back!

    1. The wallpaper from Birdie’s first bedroom would be perfect here!

       1. Bellewood from Rebel Walls https://rebelwalls.com/bellewood. Here’s a link to the nursery reveal: https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/a-baby-girls-blush-and-green-nursery

17. Okay can I just say I love it the way it is. The tile does read creamier but I kind of love it. I love how the brighter white ties in with the Tub, and the Marble, and if you keep the white glass shades. To me it feels very intentional, and layered and special. Obviously change it if you hate, but I feel like if you paint the upper the exact shade as the tile it will feel flatter, and less interesting. To me painting the walls the exact colour of the tile feels more mountain house, but the contrast here reads more modern farmhouse but in a new way.

18. We bought our house with a bathroom like this—warmer walls (BM Swiss Coffee) and cool trim (BM decorator’s white). Plus marble accents and a white tub/the same toilet you have. The cool trim makes the walls look quite yellow and I often debate repainting. Some thoughts… I think your marble and white tub look great, and perhaps the marble even ties the tile and the tub together by being lighter and a bit cooler. I’d match the paint to the tile, as closely as possible. If you want white curtains, match them to the new trim color. Or, paint the trim and walls green to match the tile! I think that would be dramatic and extremely fun to look at. Maybe you can mock up that option to see what it would look like?

19. I love the tile, the vanity, and the unlacquered brass should age beautifully! Here is the “but”, though. I’m thinking function for two soon to be tweens. Going to need way more storage! Not just towels and basics, but hair ties, makeup, deodorant, lotions, sunblock, blowdryers, curling irons, etc. Plus a bigger mirror when they are elbowing each other to get ready in the morning. One obvious solution would be to mmove the clawfoot tub (as the rare time they may want a bath as tweens they can use yours downstairs) and make an awesome large 3 sided vanity area in that nook, maybe even with seating, and a second sink. Could use something vintage there too. That would be amazing! Otherwise one of the kids will inevitably “move into” the guest bath with all their stuff. That might be fine as they get shy about sharing a bath as they get older?
    I think you are maybe designing the bath for the kids frozen in time as they are now, small, sweet smelling, and with no grooming needs. That is going to change in the blink of an eye!
    The clawfoot tub could move to the other house on the property, or do something fun with it in the garden. Who doesn’t want to take a bath outside? 🙂

    1. Storage is needed somewhere but it doesn’t have to be in the bathroom.
       I share a bathroom with my husband and three sons. It has a 24” vanity so we only keep the absolute essentials in there. Hair, makeup, and most other things happen in the bedroom!

    2. I agree with all of this. My first thought when seeing the bathroom was, “what about all their stuff?” Is the only storage in this room the two vanity drawers? To share between two soon-to-be teenagers? The clawfoot tub might look nice in photos and fit the vibe of the house, but I have to wonder how practical it really is, especially when there’s no real storage in this bathroom. This setup might work today, but I’m concerned you’ll be unhappy with it in about 3+ years.
       I echo the other comments about the white paint…I think you should consider either a color (blush?) or a fun bold wallpaper instead.

20. Cuuute! Looking forward to the reveal =)
    I agree with some other commenters that at least in the pictures, the white isn’t so bad. Could definitely be distracted from with some styling. But if you hate it, it’s just paint. Good luck picking the next color! Sounds like a tricky one.

21. I wanted to post more generally too on the pressure you are feeling on the farmhouse project, and appreciate how open you are about sharing it!! It seems that there is a “perfect storm” brewing between delayed supply lines (COVID impact) and the shooting deadlines for commitments you’ve made to national magazines etc. for photo shoots on the house.–It is forcing you to rush, and one can sense that you are in an impossible position, thus your frustration. One can feel that the pressure is sucking some joy out of the process. Here is a revolutionary idea, and something important for us to consider as women: JUST SAY YOU AREN”T READY FOR THE UPCOMING SHOOTS. CANCEL THEM. BAIL. —think about it, there is no reason for you to rush this other than that you made commitments in advance that are, as it turns out, impossible to fulfill.
    My advice would be to “control,alt,delete” on this. Just bail. Think about it–You can post other awesome content on the blog–Caitlin and Jess are treasures, so are Mallory, Lea, Malcolm, Ajai, Orlando, and so many others in whom you have seen their wonderful talent! Let them be in the spotlight with lots of posts.
    Meanwhile, go travel with Brian and the kids–go to the UK, Europe, and areas where farmhouses are hundreds of years old! Get reinspired by the originals! Let your spirit run free, and come back completely reinspired.
    You could even spin off a sub-blog detailing your adventures on the road and some of the design highlights that you spot on the way.
    All of your loyal readers just want the best for you! I for one, would love to see a rebellious redirect–go for it!

    1. Could be wrong here but I’d venture to guess a not insignificant amount of the blog’s forecasted income is dependent on those commitments. Likewise, there are probably agreements in place with vendors (photographers, etc.) that could really hurt other small business owners.

22. Emily! Stop beating yourself up about paint color. It’s totally a pain but also totally minor. And something that everyone can relate to doing. If nothing else, it’s great Celebs They’re Just Like Us content. 😉

23. 🤙 Pinky Promise!!!

    Emily, your candour is inspiring.
    It’s so sweet and luverly now, it will be even better.

    I think the dresser is the highlight and look forward to seeing some other old touches and features added, to remind us that it’s an old farmhouse, not a new build to look old.

24. That smaller mirror was so perfect in your former powder room, but not sure it works here: https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/powder-room-reveal. What about Rejuvenation’s Eldridge mirror in white oak hung horizontally? https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/collections/eldridge-rounded-rectangle-mirror/products/61c11351611bbde4734ad376.

25. It has potential but it needs some quirk and fun. You have enough white! You should repaint in a fun medium green with matching trim and then add a patterned curtain over part of the bath nook. Like a lot of fabric heavy drape sitch

26. wow! the close-up shots of the tile are AMAZING. Your design dilemma is super relatable – we have off-white tile in our bathroom and recently re-painted the bathroom yellow which now brings out the ‘brown’ in the off-white tile. I’m considering re-painting our bathroom blue-gray or white – but also, maybe I just wait until we have all the elements in the room (new vanity…new mirror…new towel bar, etc.) and decide if I still hate the yellow? (it’s easier to re-paint while the room is empty…but maybe I’ll change my mind on the yellow? color is JOY, right?)

27. I see you have a lot of comments in favor of the white paint as it is. I feel the same way. I like how it matches other whites in the room. It actually looks intentional to me. I’m astonished that you would be so ashamed of the room because of that white. I’m concerned that if you repaint to match the tile, it will make other whites in the room look out of place. Look at the balance between the white paint and the white tub, for instance.

28. I vote keep the trim painted white as is and paint the upper walls a very light buttery yellow. I think the yellow would pair nicely with the green tile and be a very cool colour pairing. Love the idea of adding in a window treatment – perhaps a country floral integrating the butter yellow.

29. You replaced an original claw foot tub…with another claw foot tub? And you donated the original tub to an architectural salvage shop just so Rejuvenation (which began, in part, as an architectural salvage shop) could have an entire room (but not the vanity) with their product? This feels incredibly wasteful, and I would imagine most people don’t have an extra $2,615 to buy something they already own (even if it would not have given you perfect symmetry in the nook). I would’ve really liked to see you work with more of what was already in that bathroom.

    I love the look of the vanity and how you repurposed a piece you already had. I’m also curious how the drawers function and if they slide easily in an occasionally humid environment.

    Will the kids be able to see themselves in the mirror, which has to be hung higher because of the marble backsplash? Perhaps a little, fold-flat step stool could live under the vanity until they get taller.

    I like the cooler white paint, which ties in to the cooler white marble, toilet, and tub. I think it’s ok to accept that the white tile is not the white you expected. I also echo others who say that wallpaper would be a very fun remedy instead of repainting.

    1. I agree with all your observations except the one about the tub. It’s not wasteful because as Emily pointed out someone else got the original tub. Of course most of us in the real world would not pay to replace one clawfoot tub with another, nor is Emily implying that we should. This isn’t a real world situation and no money was wasted.

       1. Do you believe that “it’s not wasteful” because Emily got the tub for free from Rejuvenation? That doesn’t mean there wasn’t waste, especially because there is no guarantee how long the original tub will sit at the salvage shop (Have you ever been to an architectural salvage shop? There are clawfoot tubs EV-ER-Y-WHERE.), never mind the unnecessary manufacturing, shipping, and labor (which Emily did pay for) of the new tub.

          Maybe the original tub was in bad shape. Maybe she just wanted a new one. That’s her prerogative, but let’s not pretend this was a situation free from excess (especially when Emily has written SO MUCH about sustainability and making environmentally-friendly choices).

    2. I was going to say the same thing about the tub. It would have been nice to work with the original tub. Really disappointed that you bought a new one. I love the vanity and would love to see how the drawers were retrofitted, and it the kids can even see themselves in those tiny mirrors! The tile is beautiful!!

30. This bathroom is GORGEOUS. Tweak the paint if you want, but it’s gorgeous. The tile is amazing, and there’s such a wonderful combination of simple and special. LOVE.

31. Hi,

    What an amazing project! It looks fabulous and has a wonderful sense of calm. If you are looking for a bathroom door, why not visit Online Door Store, they have a wide selection of doors and door accessories.
    https://onlinedoorstore.co.uk/

32. Your posts are always a fun read! It looks beautiful! Fresh and clean. The dresser vanity and two tone whites make the room sweet in my view. In the photos and video the tile comes across as a pretty soft cream. It’s subjective, there’s no wrong or rightness about it- like you said, a mindset. Nothing to tear your hair out over, it’s art, no one is going to die over the choices made here. There’s something freeing and light about saying “Oh, well” and moving on. Spend the money on an infrared sauna instead.

33. Can you tell us the glaze/colors used on the tiles? The green is maybe the Parchment glaze in P210 (https://prattandlarson.com/product/p210/) or the Craftsman glaze in C60 (https://prattandlarson.com/product/c60/) or in C360 (https://prattandlarson.com/product/c360/)? I can’t even begin to guess the wall/picket tile glaze/color. Maybe the Parchment glaze in PUWM (https://prattandlarson.com/product/puwm/)?

34. This is a lovely space. I am looking forward to seeing how you style it: as it’s a kid’s bathroom it would be great to add some whimsical details. I wonder if styling it will draw attention away from the difference in the whites? I echo others on the idea that kids do love a bigger mirror: mine shove for space and ours is quite large. Excited to see the final reveal.

35. It all looks great so far! Like others said, I would style it with art, the mirror, the curtain, etc before repainting. I think the white / cream contrast might work really well!

36. Hurrah for process posts! Yay! Thank you! It looks great and I see how it’ll look even better.
    Makes me want a shower.

37. Happy new year! This bathroom has been my favorite reveal so far- I think cream and white can work really well together and I particularly love it here with the brass. Years ago I remember a Houzz article about mixing white and cream and there were so many gorgeous examples. Repaint if you want but know that it’s warm and lovely as is. And the creamy tiles don’t read yellow to me. They’re rich; almost a pale buttery seashell with a hint of peach…. I also prefer the white light shades but only because I find nearly all “clear” glass shades to be too harsh on my eyes.

    1. Your comment just made me realize that I have a cream, white, and evergreen color scheme in my Maine cottage living room (where I am sitting as I type). I LOVE the crisp white trim against the buttery cream wall color. I used evergreen on the porch floor that is adjacent to the living room with a few pale blue accents scattered around the room. The buttery cream and white are an easy neutral background to showcase the evergreen and pale blue. These colors are much appreciated in the dead of winter here – they remind me of the pine/evergreen trees and blue sky of warmer days.

38. Looks like it’s coming along nicely, once you change the paint! Will the kids be tall enough to see themselves in the mirror? It seems very high and small, with the wide frame.

39. Can you share the names of the white colors you’re considering for repainting?

40. I think it’s a great start! I’m going to have that same issue i think when i get my new vanity about creams and whites. It definitely makes the tile look cream, but i agree with the other posters that since there are other whites in the space it would be best not to try to match them all and do an entirely different color – i’d personally go for a blush, or even ochre. top choice would be a wallpaper that would pick up the greens, but that is a lot of work and can be tricky in a bathroom. Looking forward to seeing how you finish it out!

    1. +1 for ochre

41. Also love the full shower door nook instead of a half glass door. It’s too cold for the north.

42. similar to others before me – I actually find the contrast of white paint and creamy tile nice… have a question about the shower – I see a lot of high end renos with no hand held shower – is this considered a desired look? how does one take a shower without wetting their hair?

    1. We have hand held nozzles in our showers but never use them – I just stand slightly forward if I don’t want to wash my hair. The overhead rain head showers def seem like they need an extra option for this reason though!

    2. Shower cap, anyone? 💦

43. Love the look, but all those hard surfaces are going to bounce sound like crazy … not ideal for a bathroom in my experience.

44. I actually LOVE the slightly creamy yellow of the tile. It really makes it not look too monotone. Also, it gets hard to read you continuously cutting yourself down. Be nice to yourself – I’m starting to cringe and avoid these posts when I’ve learned you’ll be calling your decisions stupid. The world could use more of that.

45. Finish styling the room before you repaint. Right now the cooler white of the walls ties in with the marble, tub, toilet, and shades on the lights. I think if you repeated both the pure white and the creamy white of the tile in your decor the layering of the whites will look intentional. If you repaint the walls to match the tile you’ll suddenly have the problem that the white fixtures will stand out, the tile will still look cream in contrast to that stark white, and it will still look like you tried to have everything match and missed the mark. Lean into the layered white and cream tones.

46. Emily-I know you are planning on repainting, but have you considered leaving the trim bright white and adding a cool wallpaper (like a bright floral that incorporates the green and cream of the tile)? I love wallpaper in a bathroom, and it could really give a fun pop of color in here. I think you have some wallpaper sponsors, too, so it might give you another opportunity to showcase that product.

47. Ok fwiw!!! I actually love the white you chose with those tiles — I think it makes them look creamy and delicious, still light and bright, simple and classic but with some visual interest. That was my first thought when I saw the first photo before I even saw that you regret the paint color!

48. Pretty bathroom, but could be anywhere. Doesn’t look ‘farmhouse’ to me. Also, need room for a stepstool for kids and why would you put candles in a kids bathroom? The problem with the white paint? Whatever. such a 1st world problem.

49. Thank you for sharing, I love seeing the process! My first thought: one of the keys to a beautiful room is repetition and right now, the green is not repeated anywhere. Even if you would bring it in with textiles and plants, I’d say it’s not enough to balance the floor. So I would suggest to solve the problem with the whites by painting the semigloss trim and the inside of the door in a green that is maybe around 30-40% of the floor colour and then continue the tonal theme and paint the ceiling and the upper part of the walls 10-20% lighter than the trim. Or just go for one shade of green and let the difference between satin and semigloss create the tonal thing.

    I also agree with another commenter about the lack of storage. Only space I see available is above the toilet. A vintage wall cabinet matching the dresser would be lovely, but a new, pretty cabinet, painted in that same semigloss colour, could be a good alternative.

    1. I do like the idea of a ‘call back’ to the green color on the wall, if it were most other colors. But a green tint on your face when looking in the mirror in the bathroom or putting on makeup there? Yuck. I had a sage green sofa and light green walls when my kids were little and we were taking a lot of pictures and everything/one has a weird cast to it.

50. The re-purposing of that awesome vintage dresser into the vanity is great, and so is the countertop/backsplash combo. Gorgeous! As far as that particular sink faucet, I mean this not as a criticism but rather a discussion point for others thinking about doing their bathrooms- this gooseneck with the far reach looks like it’ll be hard to wash your face in the sink. It sticks out pretty far into the sink, looking like it blocks access to most of the bowl. IMO, this faucet would be perfect for a powder room instead.

    1. I was thinking the same thing about the faucet! Looks like it willbe hard for the kids to wash their face in that sink, as well as to reach the kobs until they are older and taller!

51. Here’s what I learned about the “all at once” vs “over time” renovation> We just moved into a new build, in May where all the choices needed to be made ahead of time. While all the time I kept thinking how lucky we were to be able to do this, it was grueling imagining how the colors would look and how we would live in the spaces. As soon as we moved in, I compiled a long list of things that didn’t turn out as I hoped and wanted to correct. Well, life got in the way, as it does, and now I’m glad we didn’t rush to make those changes as living in the space has given me a new perspective. My advice, don’t waste time and money on new paint colors just yet. Let your kids experience and live in the space first to get a true sense of what you need. Add towels and accessories and look at the colors at sunrise, mid-day, evening under natural and artificial lighting before you spend the money to repaint. You might decide it is fine as it once you style it, or you might even decide on another colorway altogether. You won’t be letting us down. We’ll just follow along on the process and learn with you along the way.

52. I think the problem with the whites is best highlighted in the photo with the door, but that’s showing the exterior of the door anyways – wouldn’t you keep that the same white as the rest of the house? I think the whites will be pulled together better once you have mirror, towels, window treatment, art etc.

    1. FYI: I’m 99.99% sure that the hallway side of the upstairs doors are painted Sherwin Williams Upward SW6239. https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6239

53. Whoa girl, you are hard on yourself! The bright white paint looks like it is tying in on purpose to the bright white tub/toilet, cool marble, and light shades, while the cream picket tile speaks to the warm tones of the vanity and brass. So it looks on purpose and works. But I understand you don’t like it/didn’t intend for that look. Small flubs in the midst of 1 million decisions you can just give yourself some grace about! It’s just paint, I think most of us have gotten a paint color wrong and decided to redo so console yourself that it’s super relatable even if you are supposed to be an infallible professional (bahahaha! perfection is an illusion)

54. I really enjoy the process posts. Never fear. We all need more as-it-really-happens reality on the internet anyway.

    I also think it is gorgeous with the white contrast/creamy tile, but you are living with it and see it all IRL.

55. Can you repaint the room yourself? You used to always say on this blog that painting a room is not a big deal and not to be intimidated to do it 🙂

    1. I think the story goes – when you become affluent, you do less yourself.

       1. Ahem, she did just say how insanely busy she has been… but hey let’s chuck another ball into the juggling of running a business, etc etc

56. Hmm, something definitely feels off, but I think it’s the trim, not the wall color. A natural wood trim would help warm up the room and tie in with the vanity. It would also help break up all the different white tones (tile, paint, and tub/toilet/vanity top.

57. Really nice update to the style — still traditional but in a modernized way. Love the picket tile and especially the green “baseboard” that flows into the floor tile. The full vanity/backsplash is lovely.

58. It’s still in process, still being styled! l I love that she’s showing us–& wants to show us more of–the process & not just the reveals!

59. I really like the white paint with the creamy tile & think you should leave it! It looks good with the toilet and bathtub, which might look too cool without the paint? I think you should leave it, style it and then repaint in a year if it still bothers you. Beautiful room!

60. I agree with others about keeping the trim the cooler white to match the fixtures. If you add some pretty landscape paintings that have golden tones (think Hudson River School gleaming bright light) it will make the creamy tile look deliberate and not trying to match the cool trim/paint (which should be accessories that complement the tile, not something that should blend in with it- let the tile be its own color!). Maybe even grab another golden tone from a painting for the upper wall- make it part of the brass/creamy tile family, and then the pure/cool white family can be the trim and fixtures. Accessorize with green natural things and then it’s just a 3-color scheme.

61. I’m loving everyone saying that they like the contrast! White is SO hard (which is crazy bc you’d never think so until you actually work with it). As I was scrolling the pics I thought “I actually love this, but I bet I’m crazy and the only one bc EH seems to hate it….” Only to be surprised by all the comments in total agreement with my love. We just redid my parents bathroom and there was an accidental mix of whites bc of an ordering issue and contractors installing some tile before being given a go-ahead. We decided to make it look intentional by adding a wallpaper and accessories and towels, etc to mix the creams and whites and it looks stellar and was such a happy accident in the end 😃. I had wondered if a neat print for the kids bath with whites and a green would look good since it’s just a splash on the top 1/4 of the walls anyway?! Something quirky to go with the “grass” she mentioned at the end… anyway, with the whiter marble and tub and toilet… I kinda think the whites not all being the same tone add dimension and give it a “done over time, not all at once” feeling and I LOVE it 👏🏻

    1. In total agreement with my love for it*

62. I am going to say you need to paint ALL that trim (window too) and all that wall and ceiling in a light green not too olive and don’t overthink it! Just from googling SW coastal plain or easy green. It will make that beautiful creamy tile pop and make the room sing. I feel like it would give it a very Heidi Caillier look … in the best way!

63. Yeah, you’re right, the paint makes the tile look bad or the tile makes the paint look bad, but either way, they’re not friends. Love everything else you have going on, but I just have a question which is HOW THE FECK is that a 3-4 day paint job for a tiny lil strip and one piece of trim in a mid-sized bathroom???
    Pinky swear to come back for the full reveal, of course. FUN!

    1. Not to be critical but I also am surprised at the amount of time someone has quoted on a reaping. As someone who used to be a professional interior painter I agree the that this repaint should not take 3-4 days. The only thing that would make it a 2 day project is the dry time.

       1. Not “reaping” but “repaint”

       2. I agree with MJ and Leslie, the white paint needs changing but the painting estimate seems like overkill.

    2. I was surprised at that 3-4 day estimate too. I just had professionals repaint areas of my house and the bathroom took a few hours max. That said, I had already removed all the light fixtures and hardware, but that takes a couple hours, not a few days!

64. While I love the direction of the bathroom (the before reminds me too much of the not renovated bathroom in my house), I wonder if you are missing an opportunities to bring more life into this space. Instead of a while paint and trim, why not replicate the green from the floor for the upper wall and ceiling? Green would be stunning or maybe even throw a curve ball and go with a light blue (haint blue similar to southern porches) to mimic the outdoors (grass on the floor and sky on the ceiling). The trim could be painted to match the tile.

65. I agree with so many here that the paint color is not bad. I would finish styling and live with it a bit. As you reconsider you could also think about a green or a wallpaper that many have suggested as options. I do think there needs to be a bigger mirror for the kids and something more playful than the vintage ones shown. I’m also concerned about the amount of storage as the kids get older. The vanity is beautiful but how easily are the drawers going to really slide. Also, not enough towel hooks or holders for 2 growing kids. Overall it is really beautiful – love all the tile choices especially the pickets coming up from the floor. And you are so not stupid!

66. I agree with all the commenters who don’t mind the white trim and walls. It works with the cooler white in your toilet, tub, and counters. The cream tile is gorgeous, and it just needs to be repeated somewhere in the bathroom. You could repaint the trim and/or walls a creamier color–but it could be challenging to find the right match. It may be easier and more fun to find a shower curtain and/or window treatments or other decor that incorporates cream or better yet, cream and white. I also think a patterned wallpaper would look fab if you can get a water/steam resistant type.

    If it is any consolation, your struggles and regrets make you relatable to the rest of us. I renovated my kitchen and and ordered my cabinets–a very true white similar to BM super white–more than a year before they were installed due to endless delays. Once they were in, I lamented that I had not picked a softer white, as I really wanted Taj Mahal countertops, which are a greige color with some gold and white veining. I solved my “problem” by painting my trim super white and my walls BM classic gray–which complements the green gray of my counters. I picked Thassos marble for my backsplash and the plain white of the marble goes very well with my cabinets and the counters.

    I know you’ll find the perfect solution to your dilemma!

67. I’m so glad to see another farmhouse post! I can’t remember which previous room reveal or process post it was, but I commented about the white paint being too cool for the other colors in the room, so this didn’t surprise me. Undertones in whites are always tricky, especially the brighter/purer whites with very little pigment in them, like you have here. But Emily you’re not alone is having a hard time distinguishing and choosing because we all see color differently, it’s actually a lesser known thing that our individual color perceptions vary widely along a spectrum (there’s no “normal” actually). Here’s one article you might find enlightening: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-superhuman-mind/202006/why-we-dont-see-the-same-colors

    I do agree with Emily that the white walls are too blue and a more neutral/slightly warmer hue would improve the overall effect. I like another commenter’s suggestion of considering a wallpaper for the upper portion of the walls or painting the trim a color instead of white.

    Either way on the walls, I’m in favor of a curtain in the bathtub nook, soft texture and warmth would make this space sing: maybe a natural sheer linen or subtle ticking stripe fabric?

    The smaller mirror works well with the clear lights over the sink, and I like the scale of the lights to balance out the solid dresser vanity below.

    I’d leave the windows uncovered as the light will be necessary and the same for above the shower door, the ventilation is needed.

    The green herringbone tile is so pretty with the brass fittings and some plants would add some nice green life too. Thanks for sharing your process!

    1. By “smaller” I meant the more vertical mirror which goes better with the lines of the vanity and backsplash and tucks into the whole sink-wall design. And maybe a second longer/lower mirror somewhere else in the room (on the back of the door?) would be more functional for the kids?

68. To me, the vanity as is today takes away from the overall design. The old wood with the unvarnished finish makes it look like a piece from a charity shop. The bulky shape and the clumsy wooden knobs don’t work the beautiful sink, modern tiles and shiny brass fixtures. Perhaps painting it dark green or black would blend it better into the design, bringing into focus other more deserving materials and finishes. Why not build a beautiful and practical piece like you are installing in your bathroom?

    1. Alex, maybe ‘vintage’ just isn’t your thing?
       It’s definitely Emily’s thing.
       It’s my thing, too.😊

       1. Lol the snarky part of me wanted to ask her if she’s new here. Thanks for making the same point, nicely. The vanity definitely stays!!!! I would change the sink and fixtures before I’d mess with the vanity itself.

69. The tile is stunning! I especially love the floor and how the green forms a baseboard! Thanks for sharing the “issues” with us :).

70. The tile looks beautiful with the wall paint. The wall paint white matches the vanity marble and the sink/toilet fixtures. The tile goes with the green floor. It looks intentional and harmonious and really peaceful. You honestly should take a breath and wait a minute to do anything. You might see it the way so many other posters see it. Love the round mirror…it’s larger for the kids and reflects the round knobs on the vanity. Do NOT like the arch mirror…goes with nothing and is too small. Just my .02 cents.

71. If it’s helpful to anyone out there I had the same problem of white tile looking yellow due to whiter paint in my old house’s bathrooms. Additionally, they were rooms with very little natural light. I ended up going with Summer Gray from Valspar and was really really happy with it.
    The rest of my house was Super White by Benjamin Moore of Pure White by Sherwin Williams. Both are very bright whites, which I am into, but didn’t work at all in my bathrooms.

72. Love the bathroom. Also I like the mirror with the rounded top and tortoiseshell frame and the clear glass shades. Would you consider painting the ceiling or wallpapering it in a yellow tone ?

73. I think you need a towel rod or hook directly to the left of the sink. Kids will be washing hands and face at the sink and will need a towel right there! Also, maybe need to rethink the mirror so that you can have one that is low enough for the kids to actually see themselves . I love the idea of the wall mounted faucet, however in this case perhaps a regular surface mount would work better because then you could lower the marble backsplash so that you could have a mirror functional for the people who will be using the sink.

74. You do seem to be struggling. I think there are fairly simple ways to pull the bathroom together. But between your regrets and choices in the living room, tv room and now this bathroom, maybe it’s time to bring in an interior designer to work with you.

75. I was going to say the tile read a slight slight peach to me, in a pleasant way, but your eyes in person can see better than we can thru our screens, and your instincts are good.
    Then I read all the posts just straight up telling you what to do.
    Wth. You know if it’s the wrong color. And as if aren’t aware how tall your kids are and haven’t planned for a stool or whatever. Many children never have their own bathroom or even their own separate drawer. How is this a problem? I was one. You are from a big family. You know all you need to know.
    “Needing” a big mirror or large amount of storage or more than one bathroom for two people….*that* would be a first world problem. Painting a small room is negligible compared to those things.
    I don’t know why I’m telling you what you know. Lol. But you are appreciated and respected bc of your choices, including choices to change other choices. I appreciate and respect your path to keeping a down-to-earth life. Giving your children a farm and the obviously significant quality family time is so telling of who you are.

76. I came here to comment again after doing so this morning. I see that Becky has left the chat. 😂

    I think other people commented this already – but what about not doing white paint on the walls? Maybe keeping the Extra White for the door/trim, and then doing a totally different color than white for the walls? Whites are just so tricky to match. It would be cool to do a variation of green or even a neutral blue. Whites compete with each other so easily. This way, the white/cream tile will really shine, and then the trim will match the tub well.

    I tend to gravitate towards white wall paint as well, and have Extra White on my Dining Room walls, but the rest of the downstairs is a creamy white. Extra White, because it has no tint in it, is just super hard to coordinate. I’m really feeling a blue or green wall paint! 🤗

77. just rip it all out and start over again . . .

    JUST KIDDING!

    it seems a few folks would have you do just that. BUT i like the room! the backsplash is just lovely. and kids remarkably get taller. i suspect there are stools and kid-friendly mirrors about the house.

    paint or don’t paint or wallpaper! it’s all about the process anyway. and therein lies the joy in this project–seeing what is possible and making changes over time.

    it’s all coming along beautifully.

    and represents so much care from so many.

78. How does your family do with bare bulbs? Clear shades or shades without filters to block bare bulbs are so harsh on the eyes.

79. How about keeping the white trim but adding a soft creamy sage green on the upper walls and ceiling? And I love the curtains idea you shared on Instagram. Thanks for sharing your process!

80. I think it looks ok right now, if not a bit washed out. To counter the white on white, why not do a mural with all organic shapes to balance all the geometric lines? Wallpaper might be too risky for a humid bathroom, but you could have a local artist use all kind of shades of green for leaves, vines, etc. or have the kids sketch squiggly lines and do the ceiling as well. It is a kids bathroom after all, and if you get tired of it in a few years, it’s just a matter of repainting.

81. Ok, but I love your mistake! I don’t think it’s reading yellow, just offwhite/cream. And I love bright white and cream together, I think it looks super classy. I’m sure you’ll still change it, because personal preference matters much more than my opinion, but I just wanted to let you know that SOMEONE out there didn’t think it was a disaster and you shouldn’t kick yourself too hard!

82. I know everyone’s going to be mad at me but the whole house is so bland and boring.
    It has no soul to it and feels empty and unimaginative. I’m so sorry. I love love love the old reveals and have been inspired so much.
    Perhaps it’s me. Yes, it’s probably me projecting.

    1. I feel like limitations can really spark creativity. When you have a virtually endless realm of possibilities, it’s easier to end up with something that feels too perfect and a little impersonal. Maybe that’s what you’re reacting to, but I don’t think you’re wrong.

83. Have you tried changing the lightbulbs out to see how that affects the color? I’m wondering if they are daylight or warm light. We painted a room that looked perfect during the day but read completely differently when the lights were needed. We changed out the bulbs before repainting and were shocked at how differently the color read.

84. My totally bananas and impractical suggestion is to forget about paint and just tile to the ceiling. The trim under the light in the vanity location is stopping my eye in that spot. Would love to better understand the overall tile height/trim decision, will re-read the post to make sure I didn’t miss it in case it was purely practical. But that’s what I’d do. No idea the cost difference between tiling to the ceiling vs. repainting everything!

    1. Also, now that I’ve stared at all of the pictures again, I totally agree with the other commenters re: leaving it as is and styling it. I don’t mind the range of whites and think it looks somewhat intentional given the white vanity stone and tub, etc.

85. Love it! Can’t wait to see it all styled out. Of course I will come back for that 🙂

86. I was unsure after reading the post, then reading all the comments about not changing the paint color as it ties in the white toilet, sink, etc. Then today I finished Jess’s kitchen post…. Em, that Devol ‘neutral’ leaned yellow kitchen has white paint with an off white trim. Whatever you decide will turn out amazing. Add another check for a reader who loves the mid-way, design, maybe changing my mind, this is real life posts. Thanks

87. Even if you repaint the walls and trim, the tile will still look yellow because of the cool marble vanity top and the white tub and toilet. I’d consider keeping the trim as is and painting the walls and ceiling a color.

88. The tile is the wrong color to read “grass” but it does look adorably plant like coming up the walls like that. I think it’s charming.

    I also strongly agree that you leave the trim the cooler white to help integrate the white fixtures (tub, toilet etc) into the color scheme.

    Something I learned recently is that everyone sees color a little differently, some of us more than others. For example we discovered when picking paint colors that my husband sees green tones more and blues less than I (and most people) do.

89. It’s looking lovely but I agree the paint is the wrong undertone. Do you know of Maria Killam? She’s a colour expert and has a great ebook called “white, it’s complicated” and it really is! I think a consult from her would do you the world of good. Perhaps she could help in your living room too. I really respect how quick you are to admit your, not mistakes, but areas where you think you can improve, and also to call on other experts when necessary. I think Maria could really save the day here!

90. Returning to say that I love this creamy white tile. The white wall does balance it well. Perhaps when you add accessories and art it will all come together. This is probably my favorite room in terms of color at this point. Other rooms read a bit too cold and harsh in photos. This room reads bright and sunny. I wonder if an undertone could change how you feel about other rooms and living in Portland. I wouldn’t repaint at this point , but I’d try to add more warmth in accessories.
    I can see myself overanalyzing this if this was my house. Well I’m overanalyzing this at my house, and because of this my walls are empty, and I’m missing a few storage pieces. I’ve watched vlog brothers’ recent video about taking it down a notch. I decided to practice this myself and just buy what’s needed. Maybe we all need to take it down a notch, it’s not surgery or rocket science. Mistakes are okay, they are part of this type of work. As reader, I still enjoy coming here. Happy New Year.

91. I hesitate to post this because my solution is expensive and wasteful, while yours is simple and practical, but I don’t think the problem is the trim colour. I think the problem is the cream tile. Your beautiful vanity and marble backsplash are lost against it, and it’s never going to be the wrong undertone for your sink/bath/toilet. I can’t stop imagining what it would look like if the cream tile were a lighter shade of the green floor tile.
    For now, I would change the trim colour and bring in some textiles that tie together the cream, white and green. But long-term, I’d think about changing the cream tile.

    1. Now that I think about and have read some other comments, I take back my suggestion to rip it out. It may have looked better green but working with what you’ve got is less wasteful. I like the idea of painting the trim green and the upper walls and ceiling a lighter green. It is pretty now but needs a bit of something to keep from reading too bland.

92. I find it very off putting that you keep mentioning “we didn’t bother to do X as it’s just the kids’ room” – the flooring upstairs, reframing for a medicine cabinet, etc. This renovation has clearly been incredibly pricy and should be your dream home at the end of the day! To choose storage for the kids’ bathroom as a place you simply can’t spend a few hundred more dollars seems like the wrong priority to me.

93. I’m surprised no one has mentioned this. If the whites in this bathroom truly bothers you, please contact Maria Killam (True Color Expert). She is brilliant and a renowned expert in undertones of colors, especially white. Google her. She will have the best solution for you…and her advice is always perfect.

    1. Love Maria!

94. Love this progress and I’m excited to see how the new paint bring things together! I’m curious to know how large you make your shower nooks? I’ve been following your blog for years, and am finally doing a reno of my own, and realize I have no idea about dimensions.

95. In the words of Taylor Swift, “you need to calm down!” You have two colours of white in the room anyway. The bath, the loo and basin and even the marble are much cooler than the tile colour and they don’t look wrong. If you hadn’t gone on the ‘it’s the wrong white’ warpath, it would have looked intentional because bathroom white ware is always the biggest, most shiny component in a bathroom and how you balance that is entirely personal. And when it comes to additional fit out (hooks, curtains, peg rail etc) these are always added after the event because they’re not plumbing or tiling components. So chill, it looks great and you can be very proud of yourself for having got to the end of a long refurbishment. Whoop!

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