We repainted the half bath using Kilz II primer and Behr Ultra Interior Eggshell. The goal was simple: brighten and refresh the space without changing its bones. The result looks good — the color plays beautifully with the brass fixtures and marble floor — but this one was a reminder that not all paints are created equal.
Painting the Half Bath
This was one of those quick projects that ended up being more of a pain than anticipated. The half bath’s original deep red walls looked dramatic, but they also swallowed the light and warmth, and leaned a little too hard into the historic palette. We respect the history, but we also live here. With the marble floor, crystal chandelier, and the ornate Sherle Wagner sink, I thought the space deserved something softer.
I started by priming everything with Kilz II, which covered well enough in two coats. There are better primers, but not for the price. Once the red was gone, the whole space felt bigger, lighter - almost relieved. For the topcoat, I went with Behr Ultra in an eggshell finish, thinking it would balance sheen and durability. I’ve used Behr Ultra plenty of times in the past and never had issues. It is what it is - I know there are higher quality paints on the market - but it has historically been a tried-and-true product. But this time, the paint just didn’t hold up to the standard I’ve come to expect.
Field Notes
Process
The application was straightforward: two coats of primer, two coats of color. But the Behr paint fought me the entire way. It covered fine, but it didn’t paint well — too viscous, too draggy, with an odd tendency to clump and run at the same time. Even with a clean roller and slow, even passes, it refused to lay flat.
After using ECOS Paints elsewhere in the house, the difference was striking. ECOS goes on smooth, levels beautifully, and feels almost self-correcting compared to the heavy, gummy consistency of Ultra. It’s not cheap, but at this point, I’d rather spend more and enjoy the process than save a few dollars and deal with a finish that doesn’t fit the house.
If I had to do this room again, I’d also skip eggshell entirely (regardless of brand) and go with a matte or flat finish. In a small space like this, gloss just exaggerates imperfections, and while I used to think flat was off-limits in bathrooms, I’ve been reading that there are a number of matte formulas that hold up well and are scrubbable even in high-humidity areas.
This project reminded me that tools and materials don’t just shape the outcome — they shape your experience of the work. Behr Ultra did its job, but it didn’t make the process enjoyable. After using higher-quality paint elsewhere, I’ve learned that ease of use and finish quality are worth paying for.
The lesson: don’t cheap out on the thing you’ll spend the most time interacting with. Paint isn’t just a color — it’s a medium, and good paint makes the work feel like craft instead of labor.
Result
Frustrations aside, the final look is hard to argue with. The pale blush tone (Behr’s Crystalline Falls, slightly warmed by the brass fixtures) softens the marble and adds warmth to the daylight that filters through the blinds. The white wainscoting and trim keep the color grounded, and the chandelier suddenly feels like it belongs to the room rather than competing with it.
It’s a small space, but the transformation was immediate and significant. You see this bath right as you enter the house, and it’s the only bath on the main level, so it has a real impact on the tone of the entire home. The light, playful pink sets a far more appropriate mood compared to the dark, formal red that preceded it.
Now the next project here is figuring out how to properly maintain the vintage Sherle Wagner faucet. The gold finish is stunning but delicate, and is starting to turn green. I’m still researching the right way to clean and protect it without ruining it, but that’ll be a story for another entry.
Verdict
