A BATHROOM REFRESH GONE WRONG (KIND OF)

Aug 26

The main goal when renovating should always be to design and build a space that will suit your needs and feel like a reflection of you (as well as your partner or family) for years to come. The amount of time, money, as well as physical and mental energy should not be lost on mistakes that can be prevented in the planning stages before anything begins, right?

Unfortunately, this mentality is easier said than done sometimes. No renovation or interior refresh goes unscathed to some extent. Sadly for us, our small powder room in the main living space encountered an issue with paint and caulk viability. No matter how hard I tried to rectify the problem, it kept reemerging. The brand of paint and caulk did not get along, leading to a bright lime-green bleed through everywhere caulk was used. It would start showing up again and again every couple of weeks after I tried repainting.

After 2 years of trying various primers, I finally decided I was done trying to figure it out and would prefer to repaint (using a new brand of paint that I knew was compatible with the caulk used in the room). For me, re-painting meant an opportunity to try something new that felt more connected with the rest of the rooms in our home, but also felt like a better reflection of my personal aesthetic.

All photos of the space from the beginning to the end are provided for reference. While both renditions of this space have my heart, I can decidedly say I am so relieved to be finished with this bathroom, and very happy with the results.

I’ve listed the initial paint and caulk used, as well as the final paint selection. Please note, I do not hold the initial paint brand accountable for the problem. I have nothing against Farrow & Ball. This was a DIY project, and if I were to do this again, I would have initially asked the paint supplier in my area what caulk brands were recommended for this paint).

CAULK:

AFM SafeCoat, Caulking Compound

(highly recommend for chemical sensitivities, or those seeking a more non-toxic, low VOC caulk option).

GREEN PAINT:

Farrow & Ball Treron [No. 292]

PLUM PAINT:

Deepest Mauve [SW 0005]

Color Collections:

Historic Interior Color Wall, Victorian (1830s-1910s)