Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      Kick-start your day by making habits out of these mood-boosting tips. Read More
    • Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      It's one of your favorite fruits, but does it belong on the counter or in the refrigerator? Read More
    • This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    Show your love of country by displaying these varieties on America's birthday.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    Make gathering with loved ones a priority.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We asked the experts to weigh in on this popular home design concept.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    Confused about when to do what to your favorite flowering shrubs? We have you covered.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Pillows

    How to Wash Pillows

    They're an essential element of a comfortable bed, so keep yours fresh and in their best shape ever with these expert-approved tips.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Get the traditional rules for who pays for the wedding details.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    Our easy melt-and-pour method saves the last bit of this home essential.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    This buzzy ingredient is a star player in many new-age hair care products.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Home
  3. Home Design & Decor
  4. This Bathroom Makeover Will Make You Fall in Love with Gray

This Bathroom Makeover Will Make You Fall in Love with Gray

October 20, 2015
Skip gallery slides
Pin
before-after-barbara-penge-1-1015.jpg
Barbara Penge and her husband transformed their outdated 1970s-style bathroom into a sleek, modern, and spacious oasis centered around today's trendiest neutral: gray. Click through the gallery to see the renovation process, broken down step by step!
Start Slideshow

1 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The '70s Style

before-after-barbara-penge-1-1015.jpg

Dreary. Dark. Outdated. Those are three words you could have used to describe homeowner Barbara Penge and her husband's original bathroom. It was a typical 1970s-style room, complete with brown ceramic tile, fussy wallpaper, and a green sink, tub, and toilet. "It was clearly time for a change," Barbara says.

1 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Cramped Vanity

before-after-barbara-penge-2-1015.jpg
Learn More About Home Tours of Beautiful Bathrooms

The first action item on the list: the tiling. The ceramic brown tile made the bathroom feel dark and cramped, even with minimal clutter to begin with. It wasn't exactly a good motivator for freshening up in the morning!

2 of 11

3 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Green Toilet

before-after-barbara-penge-3-1015.jpg
Learn More About Bathroom Organizers

The toilet -- in spearmint green -- was positioned facing the mirror. See the difference in the beige floor tile, the dark ceramic tile on the walls, and the wallpaper above? The look was very busy and broke up the room, making it feel even smaller.

3 of 11

Advertisement

4 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Old Entrance

before-after-barbara-penge-4-1015.jpg

"Since my husband and I are both retired, we are the main people using this space," Barbara says. "However, we entertain a lot, and I cook for all the holidays. My husband comes from a big family so naturally we have houseguests quite often, and I wanted a bathroom that didn't scream 1970s." Hence, the renovation!

4 of 11

5 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Several Shades of Gray

before-after-barbara-penge-8-1015.jpg

And now, for the reveal! What a difference. The couple chose one of today's trendiest neutrals -- gray, in subtle shades. The tub was replaced with a modern four-way shower stall, complete with a bench, body sprays, and a handheld showerhead. On the outside, the curtains were stripped down and replaced with sleek glass doors. "We encountered some issues with the plumbing, too, as the complicated and very modern four-way shower body took days to figure out and install," Barbara says. "But Kohler customer service was instrumental in assisting us with that problem."

5 of 11

6 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Marveling over Marble

before-after-barbara-penge-10-1015.jpg
Learn More About Our Favorite Bathrooms

After many, many visits to tile shops, the couple decided upon white Carrera marble, despite its cost and maintenance. For them, "It was love at first sight."

"We learned a lot about marble during this renovation," Barbara continues. "The price range varies so much and you really do get what you pay for. Marble also requires much maintenance. It's a by-product of limestone and is an absorbent material by nature so it stains very easily if spilled liquids are left unattended. Although I did seal the bathroom floor and the entire shower, I still squeegee the shower door and the shower walls after use. I have it down to a 3 1/2 minute exercise!"

6 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Complementary not Clashing

before-after-barbara-penge-13-1015.jpg

Four months and $25,000 later, the room was redesigned to feel more expanded. And instead of clashing, the marble and painted walls complement each other.

7 of 11

8 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Color Scheme

before-after-barbara-penge-7-1015.jpg

As you can see, the color scheme of the entire room was carefully thought out. Especially in a smaller space, every detail makes a big impact. Here, you will notice that the door was painted in a neutral gray to match the painted walls and marble. Even the striped towels neatly hanging on a wall-mounted rod mimic the angular lines in the overall design of the space.

8 of 11

9 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The New Toilet

before-after-barbara-penge-9-1015.jpg
Learn More About Smart Space-Saving Bathroom Storage Ideas

Previously, the toilet was the first thing you saw when you walked through the door. The couple wanted to move the toilet behind the shower wall (where the vanity once was). "In order to achieve this, the sewer and drain lines had to be redirected through a tiny crawl space in the basement," Barbara says. "It took quite a few days to reconfigure this and left us with a huge hole in the basement ceiling. This, of course, was eventually patched up."

9 of 11

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Trading Spaces

before-after-barbara-penge-6-1015.jpg
Learn More About the Cure for Storage-Challenged Bathrooms

And they moved the toilet to the opposite side of the room behind the shower wall and put a bigger vanity where the toilet originally stood. "We decided against a double vanity since we are both retired and there is no need to battle at the sink in the mornings. We chose a Bertch vanity with a wide, deep sink since my husband is a notorious splasher."

10 of 11

11 of 11

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Technologically Savvy

before-after-barbara-penge-12-1015.jpg

After choosing a mirrored medicine cabinet by Kohler, Barbara found a Stereo-Stik audio add-on that attaches to the side of the cabinet. The old transistor radio was a thing of the past. The couple plans on renovating their master bathroom next (with a few months off as a break, that is).

11 of 11

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 11 The '70s Style
    2 of 11 The Cramped Vanity
    3 of 11 The Green Toilet
    4 of 11 The Old Entrance
    5 of 11 Several Shades of Gray
    6 of 11 Marveling over Marble
    7 of 11 Complementary not Clashing
    8 of 11 The Color Scheme
    9 of 11 The New Toilet
    10 of 11 Trading Spaces
    11 of 11 Technologically Savvy

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    This Bathroom Makeover Will Make You Fall in Love with Gray
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.