Hellooooo before and after!
The hall bathroom – a small space with lots of opportunities for easy fixes – was another of the first projects I tackled when we moved into our new place, just because I already knew what to do (and also knew that it would be low-cost, high-impact).
Here’s a bigger shot of the before. It’s old – guessing 1980s? – and has seemingly never been remodeled. There was no lighting save for the overhead, and the tub was a major problem. Mama likes baths. Mama was not getting into that bath on pain of death.
After sanding the floors to lighten them up as much as possible (more on that later), the first step was Epoxy-ing the yellowed tub and shower surround.
You can read about my adventures in epoxy-ing here, but suffice it to say that if you don’t have the cash to spend on a whole new bathtub or surround, this is the easiest, most cost-effective option…and it totally works, bringing dingy surfaces to bright, shining life. One caveat: While the process is relatively simple (basically just clean and paint), this stuff is very, very headache-inducing, so please make sure you do it in a well-ventilated area, or at the very least add fans and wear a good mask.
Eventually the plan is to put in a new vanity (this one, I think – what think you??) and repaint the smudgy cabinetry – and we definitely need a new faucet and showerhead – but in the meantime, here’s what I did:
- Replaced the vanity light with this lovely $56 (!!) milk glass piece (I’ve used it in a couple of houses now and highly recommend; it looks super luxe)
- Moved the curtain rod as high as it could go and put in this extra-long curtain (with an extra-long liner)
- Replaced all the knobs with these wood-and-brass cuties
- Hung a vintage mirror that I found in my parents’ New York City garbage room in 2011 (really)
- Accessorized with a couple of rehabbed Goodwill finds (side table and brass vase), plus an adorable polymer clay wall hanging from Creatiive Natiive, some rushes my friend Chelsea and I cut from the side of the road and hung to dry, and one of my beloved Gray Malin pieces.
Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions?! (Especially for that vanity top, in case I can’t afford a new one for a bit).
It’s ramshackle, I know, but hey: That’s my vibe 🙂
