Honey, does this paint make me look blotchy?

March 13, 2008 1:47 PM

VanityFilter: What color(s?) should I paint my two-part bathroom?

The hall bath in my house is a two-parter: first, single sink and longish vanity (6' or so) with white laminate countertop flecked with light sagey-green, through a door are the tub-shower combo and throne. Plumbing fixtures are chrome and will stay. Doorknobs, tp holder, switchplates, and light fixtures are brass and will probably go. Floor is off-white tile in second part, beige linoleum in first (which will probably be replaced).

Bathroom when we moved in was navy, forest green, and burgundy plaid wallpaper above chairrail molding and burgundy paint below in first section, burgundy paint only in second section, with dark wallpaper border all around. We've removed the wallpaper and molding, leaving us with a burgundy and pepto-pink bathroom. The bathroom has one small window above the throne which faces a shady yard, and gets little natural or ambient light.

I don't want to paint the room white or any dark shade. I was leaning toward a light green to coordinate with the countertop, but my face tends to get pinkish-reddish areas from time to time, which I use green concealer to tone down, and I don't want the wall color reflected in the mirror to make those more difficult to discern and cover (or conversely, to blow them out of proportion). Would the green be likely to have that effect? I could also be persuaded to an orange, pale yellow, taupe/tan, or blue hue, but want to avoid pinks, reds, and purples altogether.

Specific examples/links would be great, but general feedback is also appreciated.

What do you think, hive mind?

posted by notashroom to home & garden (4 comments total)

light green is a great idea... growing up my mom insisted on having cool minty tones in the bathroom.
posted by sunshinesky at 3:00 PM on March 13

My bathroom is a warm, golden butterscotch color and I have sage-colored accessories. I am in the process of converting the fixtures from brass to oil-rubbed bronze. I think that the gold and the green work really well together.
posted by Ostara at 4:35 PM on March 13

Our downstairs bathroom has light blue with medium blue swirls on the bottom half and white on the top have with a white molding in between. By putting a more neutral tone on the top half you might reduce any potential problem with the reflecting color. However, I think what will make more of a difference is what the lighting is like that you do your make-up under.
posted by silkygreenbelly at 8:43 PM on March 13

I had a darkish golden yellow bathroom that really lifted my spirits on dark winter mornings - it felt like sunshine.
posted by bystander at 3:40 AM on March 14