We were stuck inside for a few rainy days, so we made progress by painting our recently de-carpeted bathroom and closet. Below is a look at the finished space, complete with a stenciled floor and Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter on the walls.
We started by painting the cream trim white using Benjamin Moore Simply White in semi-gloss to match the rest of the house.
That trim work took more time than a single before-and-after photo suggests. We applied one coat of primer and two coats of paint, all with brushes. I primed first, then once that dried, both of us cut in and painted the trim around the numerous doorways and baseboards. Once we started cutting in the walls, the trim work suddenly felt like the easy part—this room has a lot of angles.
For a sense of the room’s layout, here’s a panoramic shot I took with my iPhone.
Painting walls is usually the enjoyable part for us, but this small project taught us a familiar lesson: don’t assume anything will be quick and easy. Though the area is only about 80 square feet, it took several two-hour sessions over a couple of days instead of the one or two hours we expected. Still, it’s done, and it looks great.
We chose Revere Pewter. It’s a popular light-to-mid-toned greige that shows up often in inspiration feeds. The color acts differently depending on the light—taupey in some conditions and more gray in others—which we like because it pairs well with the deep faded blue-gray (Black Pepper) in our bedroom.
When we first moved in we considered other options like Pismo Dunes and Gray Owl, but the Revere Pewter swatch felt like the best middle ground: a little less brown than Pismo Dunes and slightly richer than Gray Owl. It reads like a darker, less brown version of Edgecomb Gray, which we also love in other parts of the house.
The rolling portion of the job was straightforward compared to the edging. We also painted the ceiling the same color as the walls. In small rooms that approach helps make the space feel less boxed in, provided the color isn’t too dark.
After the paint was dry, I swapped out the old cream light switches and outlets for clean white ones. One shot is darker because I had the power off; it shows how the wall color changes dramatically with different lighting.
With the lights on, Revere Pewter creates a nice backdrop that highlights the mirror and the freshly painted trim.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison showing where we started (after removing the carpet) and where we are now.
Now that the walls are painted, we’re ready to move on to the floor, which is the feature we’re most eager to update. Because the sunroom’s tile work is still on hold due to weather, this bathroom floor will likely get finished first.
We also reconsidered earlier plans for the vanity. Initially we thought about staining it a dark blue, but worried that might clash with the yellow-toned sinktop. Instead, we’re leaning toward a more subdued vanity finish combined with a two-toned stenciled floor. That way the floor becomes the focal point and the vanity remains neutral, with art and accessories providing additional color and balance.
We’re about halfway finished and have checked off the following tasks:
- carpet removal
- mirror painting and rehanging
- painting the trim
- painting the walls
- replacing outlets and light switches
Remaining items include the vanity, the stenciled floor, and re-installing the light above the sink. It’s always surprising how much a few days of work, some paint, and a few small updates can change a room. We hope to share final photos in a few weeks. Sherry is also thinking about adding more shelves and cubbies to the walk-in closet while we’re at it—one project often leads to another.
Our Favorite Paint Colors
If you’re struggling to choose a paint color, here are detailed posts about some of our go-to shades:
- The 12 Best White Paint Colors
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin-Williams Pure White
- Sherwin-Williams Extra White