We’re about to catch a plane back from Boston—thankfully the flight isn’t canceled despite the snowy weather—so this post is going up a little earlier than usual. Comments might take a bit to appear, but I wanted to share what we did to refresh our small hall bathroom. We’ve been debating wall color choices since we moved in: dark or light, bold or muted. After trying a deep blue in the adjacent guest room, we kept circling back to something softer with a hint of color.
The turning point was placing that bright fish painting on the whitewashed shelf. It immediately suggested a direction: walls that are toned-down but not neutral, with colorful accents that tie into the artwork. We wanted a moodier undertone this time—plum—so Sherry picked Benjamin Moore’s Elephant Gray from our paint deck. We used a satin finish that stands up well in bathrooms and only needed a quart to cover the space.
Like many rooms in our house, we painted the ceiling the same color as the walls. In small bathrooms that trick removes the jarring white plane and helps the space feel taller and more cohesive. The result is a seamless, airy feeling—subtle and slightly dramatic at once. (Yes, the close-up is a bit grainy because I zoomed in; and yes, my painting outfit was minimal. Let’s keep some mystery, shall we?)
When we stood back after painting, both of us said, “this kind of reminds us of Granny’s bathroom.” Her makeover had been a big inspiration, and while the colors are related, they’re not identical. Granny’s “Hint of Violet” read lighter and more purple, while our Elephant Gray carries a deeper, plummier warmth—less pastel, more mood. Still, the resemblance is a happy one: a classic, lived-in feel with a contemporary twist.
We love how the plum-gray backdrop highlights the bright oranges and blues from the fish painting. It creates a balanced contrast: the walls are restrained enough to feel sophisticated but warm enough to welcome bold fabrics and art. Sherry plans to make a roman shade from a lively fabric she’s been saving, which will bring even more color and pattern into the space.
On the opposite side of the room the paint pairs well with our metal accents: the iron horse-head towel hook and the oil-rubbed bronze light. Those darker metallics feel right at home against the softer, moody walls. The photos do point out one glaring to-do: framing the builder-basic mirror. That’s high on our list—right after the roman shade, unless the odds favor one of us getting it finished first.
The best part of this update is that we didn’t replace the tile. The existing tile was in good shape, and using what we already had saved time, money, and waste. A single quart of paint transformed the whole room—making it feel more polished, cohesive, and welcoming without a full renovation.
So, what are you painting right now? We’ve been saying “plum” a lot since we moved in, and honestly, I’m a guy who loves this plummy gray. It reads refined and cozy—just don’t call it plain purple. This shade brings depth and warmth to a small bathroom while leaving room for bolder accents, artwork, and textiles. If you’re upgrading a compact space, consider a moody, slightly plum-gray paint and carry color through accessories and a statement roman shade to complete the look.