I often use pink, yellow and green as staples in my designs, but for this project I introduced a new favorite: plum. Deep plum, eggplant and wine tones brought a rich, moody feeling to this bathroom while pairing unexpectedly well with softer pinks I love.
A small touch of red added the perfect pop — surprising and joyful against the deep purple backdrop.
Before & After
The original bathroom had a soffit along the ceiling, an awkward light above the toilet, and a mirror that didn’t align with the vanity. To stay within budget we kept the existing layout but updated nearly every finish and fixture.
We removed the soffit, relocated wiring, and transformed an antique dresser into the vanity you see now. The transformation opened the space and gave it character while keeping plumbing and layout intact.
The original shower had both a door and a worn curtain. We refreshed it with new tile and hardware for a cohesive, moody look.
Brass Exposed Shower System
Choosing the Color Scheme
The eggplant zellige tile set the tone for the whole room. Its color variation and deep, moody finish felt like the perfect foundation for a plum-forward space, different from the brighter tiles I’ve used before.
Eggplant Zellige Tile | Rattan Soap Dispenser
I planned a mostly monochromatic paint scheme, but waited to decide on accents until I found the right inspiration. At a flea market I discovered a floral painting with shades of pink, red, burgundy and mauve that felt like the missing piece.
I pulled the painting’s muted pinks into the roman shade and reused leftover pink zellige tile for the floor. To add contrast and a playful note, I chose a shower curtain with a bold red stripe — a risk that paid off.
Our Antique Dresser Vanity Conversion
I’d long admired dressers converted into vanities and found an antique wood and marble buffet with beautiful details and an existing marble top. The piece made the perfect base for a custom vanity.
Our contractor removed the marble top to cut a hole for a compact sink. I selected a low-profile vintage brass faucet to clear the built-in marble shelf; the team restored its function despite age, and the patina complements the antique piece.
To make room for plumbing, drawer fronts were removed from their boxes and reattached as faux fronts. The result keeps the original look while accommodating modern function.
Incorporating Secondhand and Vintage Finds
Almost every decor item in this bathroom is vintage or secondhand. Those pieces bring texture, history and warmth to the dark, moody palette.
Crystal pendants sourced at a flea market were rewired and repurposed as pendant-style sconces. They flank an antique mirror with floral etching, reinforcing the room’s floral motif. Even the towel ring is a vintage find.
For budget, texture and spatial reasons we used a shower curtain instead of glass. To keep it intentional and elegant, I converted a flea market duvet into a cloth shower curtain with a washable liner and added an antique French swan-neck tie back for charm.
Shower curtains can feel considered and refined with the right materials and accessories. In this small bathroom, the deep colors and layered textures create a cozy, dramatic effect that feels intentional rather than cramped.
This compact bathroom demonstrates that small spaces are ideal places to embrace deep, moody palettes — the result can be intimate and striking.
Photos by Jeff Mindell, Design by Kelly Mindell
Purple Bathroom Source List
Paint Color: Wine Stain by Dunn Edwards*
Eggplant Zellige Tile: Villa Lagoon Tile
Vintage Rose Zellige Tile: Cle Tile
Brass Exposed Shower System Rain Head Shower: Homary
Antique Buffet: Heirloom Vintage Shoppe
Toilet: Home Depot
All other decor items in this space are antique, vintage or secondhand.
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