Let’s call it Architectural Calm

Color Drenching a Tiny Bathroom in Our Geodesic Dome

I don’t know what you do when the forecast calls for a winter storm promising 12-18 inches of snow. Some people prep their shovels. Me? I start a home renovation project.

With the roads about to disappear, I made a quick run to Home Depot to make sure I had everything I needed-because if I’m going to be snowed in, I might as well come out the other side with a new bathroom.

I’ve been loving the color‑drenching trend, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to fully commit-especially in such a small space. One of the quirks of dome living is fitting two full bathrooms on the second floor. We have them (a major win!), but both are cozy, and storage is…let’s call it creative. My goal was to keep the design clean and modern, embrace color drenching, and sneak in additional storage without making the room feel crowded.

This bathroom, like much of the dome, started out in that classic builder‑off‑white-safe, clean, and completely uninspiring. I was ready for depth, so I leaned into a rich Behr Ocean Abyss (MQ6‑01), a color that feels moody, grounded, and calm all at once. Once I committed to that level of saturation, balance became the priority. I wanted to build shelving like we used in the kitchen, but I walked by these Overbuilt Organic Ash shelves in Home Depot, and thought they would be perfect! So, I added two light wood toned open shelves to soften the intensity, bringing in warmth, natural texture, and practical storage without interrupting the openness of the space. The contrast between the deep color and the light wood keeps the room feeling intentional, layered, and proves even the smallest spaces can feel designed.

I’ve painted a lot of rooms, but this was easily the hardest paint job I’ve ever tackled. Dome angles plus a tiny bathroom is not for the faint of heart. Every slope, curve, and corner makes you earn it-but the payoff was worth it.

I originally had a round black mirror that I loved, but I ended up swapping it with Ikea’s Stockholm Mirror in the oak color from another bathroom. Honestly, both mirrors look better in their new homes. That simple change kicked off a bigger shift: I decided to update all the metal finishes from black to brushed gold. The gold instantly warmed the space and made everything feel softer and more layered.

I always assumed I’d replace the vanity top with a black granite someday-but renovation decisions have a way of surprising you. I’ve decided I’ll  go with a white granite top, with brushed gold faucet. The white keeps the room bright and clean. The gold keeps it rich instead of cold. And together, with the skylight, sloped walls, and full color drench, the whole bathroom feels intentional and architectural-not quirky.

As a realtor, I’ll be the first to say that this isn’t necessarily the design I’d recommend for a home about to hit the market. When selling, I usually guide clients toward lighter, more neutral finishes that appeals to most buyers. But this bathroom isn’t a listing-it’s my home. It’s where I start and end my days, and it deserves to reflect how I want to feel living here. Design choices don’t always have to be about resale value; sometimes they’re about comfort, calm, and creating a space that truly works for your life. And when the time ever comes to sell? Paint is one of the easiest things to change. Until then, I’ll happily live in my version of Architectural Calm. This bathroom isn’t quite finished yet. Still need to purchase and install that vanity top and the shower curtain is holding things together for now, but the plan is to replace it with a glass door so the light, angles, and color can really shine. That’s one project I’ll happily leave to the professionals-because even avid DIYers have their limits.

🖤 What I Used

• Behr  “Ocean Abyss (MQ6‑01)” paint
• High‑quality roller + angled brush
• Round Mirror: Ikea Stockholm Mirror in the oak color
• Shelves and Brackets: Home Depot
• Vanity top
• Vanity hardware
• Faucet
• Over toilet Cabinet: Ikea
• Storage boxes: Ikea
• Vanity organizers: Amazon
• Ladder