When you have a whole house to renovate, it can be kind of tough to decide which rooms to do first. I mean, it’s a pretty big to-do list but you eventually have to start somewhere, right? I basically tried to do our bedroom and front living room first so that we would have a finished space to sleep and hang out in. Good idea. I eventually started to realize though that while we had a good hangout area for guests, they were also most likely getting to see our guest bathroom while they were visiting, which was by far my least favorite room in the house. Once I had that realization, I decided that the bathroom should be next on the list for a makeover — for sure!
You can probably see why the bathroom felt a bit depressing in the “before” stage. Brown walls, yellowed cabinets, stock mirror and light fixture… you get the idea. I just wanted it to feel brighter and have more personality. To be honest, I REALLY wanted to change the tile floor (it goes all the way into the shower/tub area), but it just wasn’t in the budget. I know it may look like a perfectly fine neutral tile to some people, but I really hate brown/tan, so it drives me kind of crazy! I just keep telling myself that it’s at least better than a really bright color that I hated, right??
I gave the existing cabinets a fresh coat of bright white paint (just untinted high-gloss white) and switched out the cheap looking silver handles with these beautiful simple brass pulls from Schoolhouse Electric. The bright white feels so much cleaner with the pretty brass accents, and it creates a nice contrast with the existing black stone countertop.
It was really hard to find a long bathmat runner that was the right length for the room, but this black and white runner fits perfectly and adds a little more pattern to the space as well.
I always like to keep cotton pads out for nail polish removing, but it’s nice to have some cute canisters (from Target) where you can hide those types of bathroom items. A gold soap dispenser doesn’t hurt either!
The original bathroom light had a single light centered over the mirror. That’s not really my favorite placement to begin with, and I couldn’t find a light that I liked for that configuration either, so I thought it would be worth it to move the setup around a bit. I had the existing light box removed and covered over and two more added so the lights would be on either side of the mirror. That giant mirror was glued to the wall (pretty common so they won’t fall), and so I had to have it broken off the wall and the wall patched before I could paint anything. Even though it cost a few hundred dollars to do, I am so much happier with how it looks now. It was definitely worth it!
I knew if we were removing the old mirror, I would obviously need another one. I chose this simple round mirror to replace it and I really love it! It’s simple and clean and the black rubber edge helps balance out the black countertop too. I wanted the new lights to be sleek with a touch of gold, and after hours searching online, I thought I’d give these sconces a try. I like that they fit the gold and white trend but have a different shape from what I’ve been seeing lately — YAY! To compliment the brass pulls and lights, I found an inexpensive gold faucet. I was a little worried because I know other people that have had terrible plumbing problems with cheap faucets, but ours seems great so far!
For a touch of color (and to break up the wall print a bit) I hung this vintage-looking art print. Of course being the matching nerd that I am, it makes me so happy that the blush in the sunset just happens to match the towels perfectly. GIVE ME ALL THE MATCHING!
I am still obsessed with these DIY lucite towel holders from a few weeks back. They were probably the easiest DIY I’ve done in the whole house yet one of my faves. Don’t you love when that happens??
OK, so you are probably wondering, “YEAH, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PATTERN ON THE WALLS??” Well, first, thank you for asking, and second, they are a DIY that I’ll be sharing with you soon! It’s obviously one of my favorite things about the room, and the cost to do it was almost nothing (maybe that’s also why it’s a favorite). I’m so excited to finally have a bright and happy space for guests to use and the transformation still makes me smile every time I see inside when I walk down the hall. I definitely have some work to do in our master bathroom. I can tell it’s totally feeling jealous now! xo. Laura
Credits // Author: Laura Gummerman. Photography: Laura Gummerman and Elsie Larson. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
Ok, so I know this is a late comment, but when re-painting cabinets like this, did you have to sand them in place and then paint? Or did you just paint over what was there? I have a cabinet I want to repaint but the material is wood but a bit glossy.
Such a wonderful makeover! I love it.
And I totally get your feelings about beige/tan tiles. I had them in my bathroom, too. I used up the tile paint from my kitchen-reno in the bathroom – and it worked on the floor, too! So far, it held up to the daily wear.
It should be up in the next day or two! 🙂 -Jacki
when will the eye pattern post be up? I’m dying to try it!
<3 <3 <3 <3
Wow! The difference is outstanding! I love how all the colours are complemetning each other. The desing looks so ‘fresh’ and girly at the same time, love it!
Have a lovely day
Okay I don’t know what’s up with everyone else but I am OBSESSED with the eyes on the wall!!! I’ve been checking back every day to see when the DIY post goes up so I can do it in my own home.. I’m tempted to try it myself this weekend but I know I should wait for the directions and do it the right way 🙂
Very cute! I love that is a little quirky, and still pretty. 🙂
So did I. But I love the rest. Painting the hinges made them disappear. I didn’t notice them till I read a comment someone else wrote. Great job on your bath.
I love it! The eyes on the walls are so cute!! The rug is amazing also:)
xo dré
www.flightoffeather.com
ooooo I love the finished look, the gold detailing is amazing!
Tenz
www.shesabouthatlife.com
xxx
You are right of course, thank you for the reminder. I do love everything else about the room though. 🙂
Yep, it is a personal taste thing. I find pure white to be clean and fresh and makes colors pop, it’s tan and browns that make me feel boring and sterile 🙂
Laura
I believe it was from Lowes 🙂
Laura
Love it 😀 your house has so much personality. It’s beautiful.
This room is lovely! I happen to like those eye details. It’s quirky but makes the space all the more interesting.
http://annescribblesanddoodles.blogspot.com
I think the eyes on the wall look really cool and kind of Aztec. It never even occurred to me that they could be seen as ‘creepy’!
I thought the eyes were spiders too.
Guh! So beautiful! It’s amazing how white paint can really brighten up a space and I am just in love with the round mirror!
Oh my gosh, I love it!!!