I used Clark+Kensington’s Oyster Pearl — Paint and Primer in One, Satin Enamel — for my guest bathroom makeover
Hi friends! I just finished my first painting project of the year: a quick guest bathroom refresh. It didn’t take long, but it made a big visual difference.
When we moved into this house almost two years ago, every interior surface — literally every room and even the garage — was painted the same builder’s beige. I don’t dislike beige in general, but this particular tone leaned too orange for my taste, so I set out to repaint most of the rooms. Over the past 23 months I’ve painted almost the entire house; until this week the two guest bedrooms and the second bathroom remained untouched. I finally tackled that bathroom and gave it a fresh, updated look.
I picked up a gallon of Clark+Kensington Paint and Primer in One in the color Oyster Pearl at Ace Hardware. I chose the Satin Enamel sheen because the previous flat paint showed every scuff and I wanted a finish that cleans up more easily while still offering a soft, low-sheen look. The paint applied smoothly and covered the old beige well. I always do two coats for the best, most even finish, and this time was no exception — two coats gave the walls full, consistent coverage.
My shower curtain served as the palette inspiration: it already has a soft, neutral background with pops of color, so I decided to keep the walls neutral and let accessories add the brightness. I’m planning to bring in yellow, pink, and a touch of red for accents, so Oyster Pearl felt like a perfect, versatile gray base for that plan.
A quick note about the color shift: at first the new paint looked surprisingly blue on the wall. That’s a common experience when painting over warm beiges — cool grays can read bluer until the old color is fully covered. I kept going until the second coat dried and the finish settled. The result is a soft gray with subtle blue undertones, which I actually love because it adds depth and a slightly unexpected coolness to the space. The blue isn’t overpowering in person, but gives the gray character that photos on a screen don’t always capture.
Overall I’m really happy with how Oyster Pearl pairs with my shower curtain and the small decor pieces I’m testing. A little yellow vase and a few colorful accents are enough to liven the room against the cool neutral walls. I also have some vintage prints from my great-grandmother’s collection that I plan to frame and hang — those heirloom pieces will add warmth and personality while tying the color palette together.
This little makeover proves how much a fresh coat of paint can transform a space. With the Satin Enamel sheen and the Paint and Primer in One formula, the project was efficient and the finish looks crisp. I’ll share the final styling soon once the prints are framed and the finishing touches are in place. Another room is officially coming together, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the change.
