Monday, March 23, 2009

I'm On A Mission!

So our upstairs bathroom is really bad. I mean really, really bad. I can't believe we have lived with it for almost two years now but there were other rooms that climbed in front on the priority list. My dream bathroom looks like this:



Photo: Country Home


Love the subway tile!



Oh this floor would be a dream come true!

Photo: Home Depot.com



Now my budget looks a little something like this:



I'm on a mission to make our bathroom more livable.....without changing any major fixtures. A real, as close to $0 as I can get, budget makeover. Let me give you the "Before" tour. I've had this shower curtain for 3 homes now, I think it is done for.





This is the view from the hallway door....




So tell me, which is your favorite part of this room? Is it the nasty towel holders?





This gorgeous medicine cabinet?








The pink sink maybe?





Or how about the pink floor to match the sink?




I know! You love the faux marble shower walls!




And definitely this crazy window!





I think my favorite part is the vanity that is falling apart piece by piece.




So that is the full tour of our bathroom. Not only is it the one my husband and I use, but when company comes they often go upstairs to use it. The kids have their own bathroom but still shower in here so it gets the most use. I plan on keeping all the horrid fixtures, ugly medicine cabinet and all. Think I can do it?? Don't feel bad for being doubtful, I'm pretty skeptical at this point too. Give me a few weeks and I'll see what I can come up with!

I can't wait to catch up with all of you this week. We've been busy this past week but things are calming down now so I can spend time quality time Blogging. If you have any suggestions or inspiration for my sorry excuse for a bathroom, feel free to share! I can use all the help I can get with it. :)

39 comments:

Wendy said...

Actually, I don't think your bathroom is bad at all. I love the shower curtain.

I had the same towel bars and cabinet. I took down the bar and hung hooks for towels. I also took down the cabinet(it wasn't deep enough to hold towels) and put up open shelving.

I think just paint on the wall and a few new accessories you could have a great bathroom.

If you have time go check out my blog. I did a bathroom makeover on a budget of $400.

Wendy

Traci @ The Bakery said...

OMG...paint, paint and paint will make the world of difference. Paint the mirror creamy white and sand it a bit for wear....do the same for the vanity....change the hardware. Take the door off the thing over the toilet and add cute curtains w/ pizzaz. I can't wait to see what you do...the rest of your stuff is AMAZING.... Oh, and on the big mirror...have you seen where you can etch glass? I can see some etching going on w/ the mirror....ok, going back to look at my own house....maybe I'll post some pics and see what YOU would do to mine...yeah...I like that idea!!!

Wendy said...

forgot to post a link to my bathroom.

http://wendysfavoritethings.blogspot.com/search/label/boys%27%20bathroom

also, we have the same vanity. I ended up painting mine black and new hardware. Completely changed the look for around $30.00

Vanessa {Bloom Right Here!} said...

Oh, if only we all had the budget for that dream bathroom. It is gorgeous! I can't wait to see what you do with yours. I'm sure it will turn out great. Keep us posted.

aprilfoolwed said...

I had to laugh at your post! that bathroom must really be a thorn in your side! LOL

I agree - repair and paint the vanity white/cream. Not sure how you'll get around a pink sink and pink floor without actually changing them. Maybe the flooring fairy will visit?

My sister had her tub dyed from a nasty harvest gold to white, and it was a few hundred dollars (but no construction or demolition involved!). it looked really good when it was done!

Our old house had some funky "privacy" glass on the door - just like your window! We used to joke that we were going to add "Underwood Investigators" to the door because it looked like a detective's office from a movie!

Can't wait to see what you do with this room!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh, I can hardly wait to see what you do with the bathroom. It is funny how a lot of builder basics look really tired after a few years. You've done great things with the rest of the house, so I know this will be gorgeous. Thanks for stopping by my Met. Mon post and our gracious comments. I really do appreciate it. Hugs,Marty

artis1111 said...

Have you thought of bead board. It is lovely in a bath. It also might be cheaper. Kathy

Karla said...

Ah - another pink sink! We have something in common! I actually recently posted about trying to overcome the oh-so-lovely pink in our bathroom:

http://itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome.blogspot.com/2009/03/work-with-what-youve-got.html

We had a lot of nastiness going on in that bathroom. I took down everything I could that wasn't absolutely necessary. I bet in your bathroom you could come pretty darn close to that first inspiration photo that you posted by painting everything!

Can't wait to see what it turns out like!

~Karla @ It's The Little Things...

Angie said...

That first picture is GORGEOUS! I agree - that would probably be my dream too! Good luck redoing yours!

Helen said...

For not too much money ... paint, paint and more paint. On the walls and everything wood. A new shower curtain and lots of fluffy white towels. A few clear glass containers holding soaps, cotton balls, etc. New hardware for cabinets too .... you have a little gem in the rough right now.

Unknown said...

Now, that's my kind of makeover. I'm sure with your creative mind, you'll come up with something fabulous.

Stacey said...

I agree with everyone that paint is the way to go. I bet you can find some neato vintage things to add in there that would go well with the rest of your home. After seeing what you did to that porch room I have no doubt that you can do this project!

Cottage Lifestyle said...

Based on what I have seen you do...I know you can do it.

Renee

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

I remember the first pic of the bathroom, I loved that too! My bathroom is also in need of a makeover, I just never seem to get to it! I was looking through some of your posts and I love what you did with the stencils on your door, what a great idea!
Hugs~Kelly

Julie said...

okay paint paint paint how about some brown with the pink I like the combo cream pink and brown maybe a cute printed sheet for a new shower curtain. I love the first pic also and I would be afraid to post pic of our bathroom its bad also:)
Have a great week can't wait to see what you do with it
julie

Rue said...

HEY! I just bought that towel rack for my kitchen, because the island is pine and it went with it LOL

I think paint is your best option. Paint it all white and off-white (fixtures and all) and you will get close to the look of those two pictures. You can also get new hardware for pretty cheap, since you don't have too many to buy. They have vintage look-a-like glass knobs and pulls at Lowes. You can also pick up a really cheap but great looking white shower curtain there, but I like the one you have too.

That window is vintage 40s or 50s. My mom had one with that glass in her farmhouse and I begged her to keep it, but I'm odd LOL

I know the bathroom will be fanastic when you're done, because you are that talented :)

rue

Kathleen Grace said...

I agree with everyone else,paint was the first thing that came to my mind. You will be amazed at the difference. A rug on the floor, curtain over the window (or maybe a stained glass piece hung over it?) and it will look great!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

OK, you are cracking me up with the picture of the outhouse! I KNOW you can fix that bathroom up with few $$$ - and I can't wait to see what you do! Linda

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

I can't wait to see what you do!! I've had those towel racks before too :)! Based on your inspiration pics, I'd save all the main fixtures too. I'd paint the walls a pretty cafe au lait color that would not clash with the tones in your floor and counter, and maybe would make them look prettier. I'd paint the mirror surround, base of the sink cabinet, and above toilet cabinet an antiqued creamy white. Take out the sink cabinet doors, and make a toile fabric panel like your inspiration pic. Make plywood shelves to sit where your drawers are and use baskets on the new shelves. Use the same toile as a new shower curtain mistreatment. Paint the towel holders or buy some on clearance in a brushed nickel. Add some fluffy white towels and accessories with some "sparkle". These are just my ideas, sorry for getting so carried away! I know whatever you do will look beautiful! :)

Kari said...

I just know you'll do something fantastic, and I can't wait to see! I once had a bathroom similar except my vanity top and tub were GOLD sparkle. We moved before I got the chance to rip it out with a sledgehammer. I can't wait to see what develops. I think you can do it!

Anonymous said...

Yup, my bathroom looks pretty much the same. I walk around my home, happy as can be with pretty much everything else, and then I walk into ..........the bathroom from @#$%! Tell ya what, I'll let YOU go first, then I'll steal all of your thrifty ideas for MY bathroom! JK - I'm all about saving a buck where I can. If hubby is handy - even better! Good luck!
Kim

Silvia said...

love your dream bathroom,i'm sure you'll come up with something GREAT!!!...SILVIA.

Tootsie said...

I can hardly wait to see what you do!!!!
It is clean..and that is better than most people can say!!lol
good luck..I am sure you will find inspiration in blogland...

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

After looking at some of your other make-over projects, I know you will work your magic here too. I scrolled down to see the amazing job you did with the stenciled door...gorgeous!!!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Michelle...I see lots of others have suggested paint! I see on HGTV that they often use stick-on tile squares for the floor, but I haven't tried them. It seems that they are easy to install and not terribly expensive! I think your shower curtain is pretty already! I can't wait to see what you do...I know it will be beautiful!!...Debbie

Rebecca said...

That's so funny because I have had those towel racks before in our last home. lol I agree, paint, paint, paint!! With what you have accomplished already, I know you will work your magic around that pink sink and floor too! Can't wait to see what you do!!

Robin said...

I just found another blog where they did their family room just like you did! (I started mine this past weekend!) She also has a bathroom with a pink sink...go see her makeover...
http://itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome.blogspot.com/2009/03/work-with-what-youve-got.html
I vote to skirt the sink, even though it has a vanity...and take out the medicine cabinet and use several different size thrift store mirrors...all painted sort of like a mirror wall.....all the stuff in the medicine cabinet can then be stored under the skirt. Good Luck!

Melissa Miller said...

Easy peasy... I know you can do this because you are good at it!

It is amazing what paint can do for very little money.

Good Luck!
~Melissa :)

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

So many great options here! Everyone here has got your back, girl. Can't wait to see what you come up with. I do agree with Wendy about taking out the doors on the cabinet and adding the fabric like the inspiration photo!
~Misti

xinex said...

I am sure you can do it! Good luck! I can't wait to see the changes...Christine

Chloe's Couture said...

You totally inspired me to paint my door and stencil it so I know that you are going to do something so fantastic with your bath. I agree with most of the comments-I think the shower curtain is lovely!

Kathy said...

With some paint, fabric, sheer curtains, white towels and mirrors I bet you could get your bathroom to look like your inspiration photo, have fun, Kathy.

Darlene said...

I am having to laugh because we used to have that same towel bar. I can't wait to see the re-do on your bathroom. We desperately need to do a make-over on our spare bathroom....inspire me please!!♥

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Wonderful blog! Enjoyed my visit!!

Anonymous said...

Just some paint on the walls and wood pieces will do wonders. Your decorating style is already good. Kudos to you for reusing what you already have and not buying more "stuff". I look forward to seeing the end result. God bless. Barbara in AR

Anonymous said...

Definitely paint! My master bathroom is downstairs right off the kitchen and everyone uses it too. I plan on giving it a makeover in the fall once I am done with the porch/landscape, kitchen..ah the list goes on and on! I can't wait to see what you do with it. :)

Unknown said...

When I saw those pix, I thought of my bathroom as a young girl 15-20 years ago...the towel rack and all!

My first thought was PAINT and a repair or two (the mirror and the vanity drawer) can make a huge difference.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing the end results of your hard work and creativity. -Jules

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I don't think your bathroom is as bad as you think, and I like your shower curtain! It's pretty. I'll be interested to see what you do. Paint and fabric are one way to hide a multitude of sins. I've lived in old houses and know that for a fact. ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

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