green idea: save old bathroom tile

So you're tackling a reno on a bathroom that looks like it belongs in a highway rest stop. In the '60's. Before you swing the sledgehammer, stop and really take a look at all of the individual elements in the room. Can anything be saved? Take a close look at the floor tiles. They may be a garish colour and look horrible with the pink tub, but picture them in a new and modern room. Will they actually work? The answer is often, surprisingly, yes. Retro tiles in unusual patterns and colours are making a comeback, and look great with contemporary fixtures and a neutral colour scheme in the rest of the room.

Take a look at this bathroom reno featured in Country Living. Simple and cost-efficient.

And this one by Rachel at Just a Touch of Gray.  Love the blue floor in the renovated room.

Here are some other  great examples of refreshed bathrooms with vintage floors.

via Country Living

via Apartment Therapy

traditional bathroom design by san francisco architect Gast Architects

Slow down and think twice before demo day. Sustainable choices can be stylish!

diy: painted floors

Need to get rid of bad carpet or linoleum but can't afford new flooring? Paint your floors! It takes a little work, but will only cost you a can of paint. With durable options like Benjamin Moore deck paint, it will outlast even the heaviest traffic. If you are lucky enough to have plank flooring, you can achieve a great cottage feel. But even the normal plywood subfloor boards painted out can look amazing.

Check out instructions and pictures by First A Dream.

Another great post about a successful floor project that looks absolutely amazing is from Ashley Ann Photography.

Here are a few other examples via Pinterest.

Happy painting!