This is the before of the Family Bathroom a year ago, before I decided to quit whining and make the best of it.
The makeover then included a whole heap of DIY…putting up a large shelf to hold towels and such, painting the tiles (they were much more pink than this pic shows) with tile paint (this stuff is magic nowadays, it's lasted a whole year, no probs), putting up a double set of large mirrors, adding a blind and window dressing, painting the cupboard and walls and adding a little shelf to conceal the taps I don't like so much…I still don't like it in there that much, but hey it's a tub and the driveway, roof and French Doors are on the way soon and much higher up the list…
So, anyway, recently, I'd seen this candle-chandy type thing in a lovely little shop nearby to me I sometimes stop by, a shop with a the most miserable, can't-smile-it'll-crack-my-face owner there ever was. Anyhow, hanging from the ceiling in that shop was a double layer chandy with lots of hanging votive holders …I was too scared to take a photo in her shop, but you get the picture.
I decided I would have a go myself with my $5 one from IKEA – bought from the clearance rack, and I know why it was on clearance – the candles that should go in this one are somewhat precarious, not quite conducive to relaxing in the bath as candle wax drips on your head.
So I got some of those little glass jars that I used before for a tablescape, added some craft wire and tied 'em on. My DIY version and $180 more affordable…and of course oh so much more relaxing to emerge from the tub sans burns…
edited to add: quite a few of you emailed & asked about the tile paint and what it's like:-
tile paint is White Knight, I used their cleaner too, but to be honest if I did it again, I'd just clean it with a regular cleaner, too expensive - the paint shop man told me that paint technology in this area i.e. melamine and tile painting has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years and for me it has worked beautifully and even up close and in the shower where it is used a lot - a year on and no problems yet…and it was easy to do
don't forget to surf on by tomorrow for the Beach Cottage Giveaway, worldwide of course!
see you then
blogged for Do It Yourself Day, thanks Kimba!
Do you tweet? I'm getting into it…hmm…retweet this here
Sarah,
Amazing. Honset to goodness, amazing. I just strive to be like you. That’s gorgeous! AND thrifty! LOVE IT and You girl!
Sooooo pretty, sigh, I love it!!!!
Mmmm…..it’s just scrumptious!!
What a beautiful place for a bubble bath… yummmm
I would have never thought of that in a million years, but it’s so, so pretty! Great idea!
one word…..FABULOUS!
Love this Sarah!
Rachel
Well done again – very clever
Lovely!!! Looks very relaxing.
This is wonderful! What a great job!!
Sharon
What a cute candle-ier!
Just too cut for words.
Inspiring do-over of a humble plain jane bath.
Too funny story on the makings of a $5 chandy, goes to show with a bit of imagination all kinds of things are possible.
Oh my! Dying over the light/candle fixture! And I always LOVE a B!!
Calm & simple is always a good idea, especially in a bathroom. Love the candlelier.
You never cease to inspire me when i stop by. Your before shot could be my bathroom. It’s the one part of the house I have just decided to ignore.
Would you mind providing tile paint details? I’d only heard bad reports. . . but yours looks great (does it up close too?).
Our recently completed beach shack bathroom is devine. It was so hard coming home to our crappy one after our last stay at the shack!
I remember your Ikea chandy and asking about the candles dripping… again you are so creative in putting the little glass votives to good use!
Yes I have my licence back!! woohoooo!! lol… ready to catch up? Not next week but the one after? xo
I have been thinking for a while of painting the black tiles in our very dated early 90′s bathroom. Might need a few coats I think. Unfortunately the loo, bath and sink are all a funny grey colour which will make sprucing the room up a little more of a challenge!
Lovely! All you need is a good book, a bottle of bubbles, and a locked door.
WOW! How chic is this room? LOVE IT!!
As usual – BEAUTIFULLY DONE – working with a white palette isn’t as easy as it looks I’ve discovered, you do it so well Sarah!
xo
So soothingly beautiful – a perfect place to bathe.. love your redo Sarah!!!
xo,
Kim
I LOVE IT! The candles in the jars is soooo neat and looks awesome! Beautifully done!
Thanks for Stoppin by my blog!!
The candle jars are so neat! What a great concept
I’ve always wondered about tile paint bu tdidn’t know anyone who had used it. Great result Sarah and I love your take on the candle hanger too.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Love the hanging lanterns!!
Beautifully done with what you have…I esp. like the curtains, the shelf above the faucets, the hooks….well, all of it!!
Fantabulous, Sarah!!
Beautiful! I love how the candles turned out!
Awesome, I love it.
It’s beautiful! I love the candle chandelier…what a great idea!
Simply BEAUTIFUL!!! You are such an inspiration!! I LOVE your talent and your home is beautiful, welcoming and wraps you in content
What a fabulous idea. It is perfect!
This is so lovely!
LuLu Kellogg
Coastal Sisters
This is so relaxing and pretty, thanks for the information on tile paint
I saw the cutest letter “B” while thrifting yesterday!! I had no use for a letter “B” but now I see my “B” athroom would have LOVED the letter “B”. Sighhhhh.
Your tile turned out well!
I made my own expensive looking Pottery Barn inspired typography basket~come see.
I love the candle chandy! That is awesome. I love all the white, it is so crisp and spa like. Great job:)
This is so beautiful and simple and lovely! I am really curious about the tile paint – does it really cover? Or do you need to have a similar color to the old tile? Do you paint just the tile and not the grout? You’ve given me hope!
Absolutely gorgeous!
Much better! I’ve used tile paint before – fantastic invention isn’t it. Shame out bathroom is beyond tile paint. I’m hoping to get it done before winter, but which winter is the question!
Oh love that clean fresh look – very cozy, it makes you wanna soak in the tub!
Sarah, it’s just lovely! You sure know how to seal these deals with inspiration and a little more nerve than I seem to have (spunky girl!) and good old-fashioned elbow grease!
Brenda
Sarah – I’m so glad I found your blog! I’ve been saving up glass jars for a while now, hoping to make hanging candle lanterns out of them, but wasn’t sure it would work. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh Sarah, I love what you’ve done in your bathroom. It’s just fabulous. That candle chandy is so unique! What a neat idea. I really like your “B” and the hooks under your window. What a sweet room it is.
Blessings,
Marie
I am glad that i found your weblog !
It is great !!!
Rini
Oh. My. Gosh. I could literally LIVE in that bathroom. It is absolutely beautiful! You did such a beautiful job with it! I absolutely adore all of the candles. Too pretty!!!
Love, love, love the beach cottage style!! so glad I found this site:)
Tile paint! Who knew?? Fantastic job.
I would love this for the front porch!! And you’re so right…how would one be able to enjoy it in its original form anywhere — bath or other — without fearing their hair would go ablaze?!
The bathroom looks great. I didn’t have any idea it good look this expensive. Great Job.