Our Master Bath & Subway Tile

Sooooo.. remember when I wrote this post about my bathroom & vintage shaving mirror a little while back?  Well, my husband & I have both had the bathroom on our minds.  Here's a picture of our current linoleum & formica clad bathroom  complete with green fiberglass shower stall....


It's currently separated into two spaces- one for the shower & toilet and one for the vanity/ sink area.  We're looking to combine the spaces into one larger room, which is something we've been planning since we moved in.  I also want to move the toilet so it's not the first thing we see when we walk in.


I'm really excited about the possibility of fixing this baby up!!  We are planning on enlarging the shower so that it takes up the entire back wall of the bathroom (over where the toilet currently is now) and doing a walkaround glass shower enclosure.  (Meaning the glass will be fixed in place with no door, just a wide opening.)  I've been on the search for the perfect 2x6 creamy white subway tile for the shower walls & I think I've found it by Subway Ceramics.  It's really important to me that the subway tile is matte and as flat as possible for a more seamless vintage-modern look.  Subway Ceramics specializes in vintage reproduction tile that is almost perfectly flat and allows for pencil thin grout lines.  (And lots of other tiles too)

{image via sacramentostreet.com...  I'm not sure who makes this subway tile but just wanted to give you an idea of what I'm thinking...  We also have a small window that will be in our shower and I loooove the one above.}

I also want to use darker grout between the tiles... Similar to this kitchen below but with slightly thinner groutlines:

{image via littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com}

I Love the tile in this kitchen by Tom Scheerer:


...It looks as if it's not as dark as an actual black.  I think it's a bit softer & this is what I'm looking for..  We live in a 70s contemporary so I like the retro vibe of the 2x6 subways. 


Anyway, I'll keep you posted on it!   Fingers crossed!!


xoxo, Lauren

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

24 comments:

Lazarox said...

very nice .. very beautiful .. I like ....
this very good color, simplicity and elegance are transmitted perfectly ..
the truth that you have a beautiful home .... it shows that you do much to it ...
regards from juegos de vestir

Unknown said...

I LOVE the look of white subways with dark grout lines. That will look fantastic! Can't wait to see photos of your project.

Renee@
CasaStephensInteriors.blogspot.com

Jacci said...

Yes! :) We're in a very similar situation with our current bath... only yours looks MUCH better than ours. And we're planning on a very similar remodel - hopefully this coming winter. We're planning to arrange our subway tile in a herringbone pattern with gray grout. I think it just ups the interest even more.

I love your blog, Lauren. You never fail to inspire.

EDYTA & CO. INTERIOR DESIGN said...

So fun! Can't wait to see it :)

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

We used a grey grout with our subway in our shower....kinda wish it was darker...won't say it is not a lot of upkeep.

Like Me Some said...

This will look amazing! Love subway tile and can't wait to see it!!

Acquired Objects said...

What a fabulous look for your shower! I never thought of using a darker grout line and love it I mean why hide the tiles make them pop! I can't wait to see what you finally do since we're looking at ideas for our master bath.

XX
Debra~

Kasey McKay said...

gorgeous - i'm pinning that first bathroom photo with the glass doors on hinges, for my own bathroom reno! the good thing about the dark grout is you never have to scrub it with bleach, like you would with white grout - so i'm all about that!

Marianne said...

I feel the same way about subway tiles, matte, smooth and the perfect shade of creamy white. When I was remodeling my kitchen I used a matte subway tile with a light gray grout. I get so many compliments on it and to me it's always classic and timeless. Can't wait to see how your bathroom turns out!

Brooke said...

I love the ideas for your bathroom! White subway tile is so perfect because it never goes out of style and you'll never get tired of it- I'm such a fan!
www.inside-outdesign.blogspot.com

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

Lauren- What a beautiful look for your bathroom. The thin, dark grout lines on classic white tiles will always be in style. And I assume, unlike white, those grout lines will never look stained or dirty! Please tell us how it works out...

My favorite subway tile is handmade here in New York State, up near the Adirondack Mountains: http://www.lesperancetileworks.com/c24/Field-Tile-c29.html

Really amazing work at L'Esperance Tile Works! (Linda and her team also makes a lot of intricate reproduction tile, as well.)

Loretta

Cailan said...

Lovely inspiration - can't wait to see what you come up with.

Unknown said...

Adore the look of subway tiles with dark grout - can't wait to see your bathroom transformation!

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

Wish I could have talked my husband into gray grout but he went ahead with white for the showers - which is terribly impractical. We are doing gray grout on my sub tile backsplash and wall!
www.chattafabulous.blogspot.com

Ness Lockyer said...

I will be keeping a check on how you are going Lauren. We are about to start our bathroom reno and will be using Subway tiles as well. Sounds great what you have planned.
Good luck
Ness xx
Marley & Lockyer

Paula said...

LOVE Metro tiles - they are so chic and crisp. look forward to seeing the end result!

Barbie said...

I'm planning on doing a kitchen backsplash and thinking down the road of a bath reno. Can't wait to see your reno AND your styling. One thing that's on my mind is maintenance. Tile can be high maintenance. As a busy mom and a business owner, how do you care for yours?

LindsB said...

love the dark grout and the matte tile- its going to be such a pretty space. Now get on it already so we can see more :)

Amber B (Simple Dwellings) said...

We are also switching out our dtated tiles for subway in our master bath. I have had the dilemma of either choosing dark grout or white. I also agree that it looks better pencil thin. I'm so worried they will tile it in thick and it will look even more dated than it is now! I love the vision for your space. I will have to check out this tile source too! Thanks!

Unknown said...

Hey Lauren, I just read the article in BHG April 2012 about your DC Showhouse room last spring. Congrats! I thought I knew the room so well, but you were holding back! (Which I now understand due to your post about magazines preferences for unpublished photos.) Beautiful as always, and love the new look for the bath as well.
xo, Lisa

mrsben said...

Love your idea using the darker colour with pencil thin grout lines. Otherwise, personally and honestly not so much but definitely to 'to each their own'.
Your bathroom is going to be a gem! (Thank you as well for the tile link.) -Brenda-

Anonymous said...

GREAT PICS:) I really like your blog and will happily follow.
I wish you a lovely weekend:)

LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(Sweden)

Kathy said...

White tiles can give off the illusion of a more expansive space. Good choice, Lauren. It will certainly have a more regal look to it with that finish. If you were following the trend in the 70s when you had that house, then your house probably has linoleum flooring. Most houses in the 70s had linoleum flooring.

Kathy Carbone

Anonymous said...

I'm retiling my fireplace this week in subway tile with dark grout... just trying to find the right color! Like you I want it dark, but not quite black. Thanks for the inspiration pictures, it reminded me of my initial plan!

Jenna