Don’t Tell Me You Don’t Read in the Bathroom: Mineral Bathroom with Hanover Avenue

This year, I’ve collaborated with Hanover Avenue (previously Anne Tollett Home) to create A True Reader’s Library and a White Knight Bedroom, both stocked with books chosen by yours truly. We’re back for round three…this time focusing on the master bathroom!  

Anne, in all of her brilliance, created a gorgeous “blank canvas” master bathroom entirely out of materials from Lowe’s Home Improvement. Over the next two weeks, we’ll share three different ways to accessorize this blank canvas courtesy of fine artist and paint consultant Shannon Kaye…with books to go along with each theme.

Ahhh, the master bathroom! Expected to just radiate elegance, this space tends to be one of the most expensive rooms in the house. When you invest in the master bathroom, make your renovations timeless yet versatile – so the first time is the last time! We accomplished that goal in this space, but with a little secret: this entire bathroom is from Lowe’s Home Improvement! While everything in this room looks and feels expensive, it’s not! – Anne Tollett (Hanover Avenue)

Visit Hanover Avenue to see the blank canvas bathroom, including Buying and Design Guides.

On to the first of three ways we’re jazzing up that blank canvas…

The Mineral Bathroom

Hanover Avenue Mineral Springs Bathroom
Visit Hanover Avenue for more pictures of this gorgeous bathroom and buying and design guides.

Bathrooms with classic materials and finishes lend themselves beautifully to creating the look and feel of a hotel resort or elegant spa. And for me, spas are about luxury and mood. The materials need to be fine, everything needs to be organized for easy access and the feeling needs to be soothing and relaxed. – Shannon Kaye

The Books

Obviously, a well-stocked bathroom must include at least a few books because…don’t even try to tell me you don’t read in the bathroom!

Shannon’s vision for the Mineral bathroom made me think of gorgeous writing that flows easily in an almost soothing way. While the plots of both of these books keep you on your toes, the writing lulls you into a peaceful rhythm. And, it didn’t hurt that the books’ covers have relatively neutral color palettes, blending seamlessly with the serene design.

Circling the Sun, Our Endless Numbered Days


Circling the Sun
 by Paula McClain (my review)

A fictional account of the life of real-life horsewoman, aviator, and general trailblazer Beryl Markham. Set against the majestic landscape of early-twentieth-century Africa, McLain’s powerful tale reveals the extraordinary adventures of a woman before her time, the exhilaration of freedom and its cost, and the tenacity of the human spirit.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller (my review)
A gorgeously written story that starts out quietly before taking a suspenseful turn. When eight year old Peggy Hillcoat is taken to live in a remote cabin in the woods by her survivalist father, she discovers the reason he told her they had to leave London is a lie and sets about to discover the truth. 
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon

Check back on Tuesday, October 20 for the next installment in the master bathroom series: Captain’s Quarters.

Get Weekly Email Updates!

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

17 Comments

  1. Carmen wrote:

    Love the book choices and the master bathroom looks gorgeous!

    Posted 10.14.15 Reply
  2. This is beautiful, Sarah! I love the book choices; I could pick out Circling the Sun from the view of the bathtub and thought it looked perfect. I have yet to read Our Endless Numbered Days; a copy for the bathroom, perhaps? 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this; great job on this with Anne, as usual. I love these!

    Posted 10.14.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      Thanks so much! Isn’t it gorgeous? I’m always amazed at what she comes up with…and we have two more variations next week, with different books! I really think you’d like Our Endless Numbered Days…was pretty awesome!

      Posted 10.14.15 Reply
  3. Collabs with you are THE BEST! When I see how your brain works through books, it blows my mind!! Even down to the covers, girl! You are my favorite! xoxo

    Posted 10.14.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      Love it! The bathroom looks gorgeous and I love that side table thing (I’m sure it has a more accurate name, but you know how I am with that stuff- ha!) that Our Endless Numbered Days is on!

      Posted 10.14.15 Reply
  4. MaryBeth wrote:

    Great selections – so fun that you get to work on these projects!

    Posted 10.14.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      Why, thank you! Thanks for stopping by!

      Posted 10.14.15 Reply
  5. Okay, I AM a bathroom reader. If I’m reading and the “urge” takes me to the bathroom, my book travels with me. No putting it down. Bath time = book time; no question. Shower time = audiobook time on the speakers. Of course, everyone reads in the bathroom, and that virtual bathroom is gorgeous!

    Posted 10.14.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      YES – good for you for admitting it! As soon as my kids stop busting in on me in the bathroom, it will become book time for me as well! Apparently, my brother read The Hunger Games entirely on the toilet…says his roommates!

      Posted 10.14.15 Reply
  6. Becca wrote:

    I missed this entire thing this summer, clearly. I had to go back and read the previous arrangements you collaborated on. Everything is just beautiful, Sarah. How did you get involved in a project like this? If you said, I must have missed it. I think Anne picked the perfect partner in you!

    Posted 10.14.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      Awh – you’re so sweet! Thank you! Anne is actually a friend of mine from high school. She’d been an interior decorator for years and, in February, started her own business designing “virtual rooms” with the tools for people to recreate them in their own homes. Her site is the bomb…her technology is out of this world. I send her the cover art for the books I pick and her tech guy literally makes scale 3D versions using the actual measurements of the hardcover version of the book to go in the rooms. I’m always amazed at what they do.

      Posted 10.14.15 Reply
  7. I don’t read in the bathroom, but if mine looked like that one, I’d change my ways for sure!

    Posted 10.14.15 Reply
  8. Heck yeah I read in the bathroom, and I’d be getting super pruny in that one! 🙂 Beautiful!

    Posted 10.19.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      Haha – I know, right?! Could use a nice long soak in that tub with a book on the reading rack right about now!

      Posted 10.19.15 Reply
  9. Catherine wrote:

    I’ve looked at all three in the series and this one is my favorite- both the design and the books! I love both of those novels.

    As for that bathroom it is a dream- especially that huge shower. With that amount of space I would read in there.

    Posted 10.21.15 Reply
    • admin wrote:

      This one was Anne’s favorite too! And I do love the huge shower 🙂

      Posted 10.22.15 Reply

Get Weekly Email Updates!

Join our mailing list to receive all new blog posts in one weekly email. Plus, news of special updates and offers!

You have Successfully Subscribed!