Brace yourself people.
This is not a pretty sight.
I bet you wish you had the job of making over a WC like this?
On a budget.
So I’ve had a few ideas for this and shopped the house for supplies, it is amazing how under the bed in the spare room I have my own personal little stock of shelving and hooks *wink.
I’ve changed my mind quite a lot, first of all I was going for the full-on beachy thing but decided I would, actually, prefer burlap (in the form of those old coffee sacks I found) and some ticking so, for now, that’s on the agenda.
It’s funny how you live with things for so long isn’t it? The other day, a few weeks ago, I went in here to clean and just stopped and thought duh! why on earth have I not done makeover on this room?
I mean could you get anything more crying out for a bit of DIY?
Even though it is so not pleasing to the eye at the moment, hello, it’s almost asking for a facelift – plain walls to work with, tiled floor is ok, window easily concealed, at least the toilet is white, sink well that’s not so good but even that can be covered up.
So anyway, as before on this blog, I need input – yeah yeah I know you come here to get that from me but c’mon I think I’m in credit in that department ;-)
So I want you, to help me with some ideas on how to
- conceal the plumbing
- dress the window
- add some storage (on tight budget)
- draw the eye up from the floor and away from the toilet to the rear
So, watch the video to see where I’m up to so far, it’s getting there…
What do you think so far, I’ve already begun to think I might revert back to beachy?
blogged for Kimba’s DIY party
I like the idea of galvanized buckets…or canvas bags from the hooks. I could see the burlap grain sack with writing on it as a skirt for the sink…however I also think an actual sail with a number attached would make a cool window treatment.
You’ll do it up properly…as you always do! Loved hearing your adorable accent!
WEll Linda beat me to it.. but I agree a skirt on the skink would be great and hide some of the plumbing. Haven’t got my thinking cap on tonight.. too late in the week but KNOW you will cast a spell on it and it will be coming up roses!! he he
The mirrors sounds good….. maybe with black frames like Ikea hooks. Who won the giveaway ?
You have a great space to work with. Hiding the plumbing is going to do a lot for the room, and making that window look larger will definitely be a good idea. Everything you do is lovely and I know it is going to be wonderful. Jackie
thanks for the headsup Bev
the winner is
Sarah from
http://mamacanon.blogspot.com/ – congrats to Sarah, I left you a message, please email me your addy so I can get your parcel, with other goodies of course ;-) out to you
I’ll be posting tomorrow about your win, can’t access typepad from here at the moment *smile
happy days
Sarah
abeachcottage
Sarah, another bath makeover, oh girl, I’m sure it will be beautiful when you’re done. How about a burlap skirt for the sink? That would be fab.
Oh, and I didn’t paint that trash can, it came with the monogram, I was just repairing it, so I don’t know what to tell you about putting one on a piece. I would think you could trace with a font off the computer, just make it big and trace around it.
i was going to say an oval mirror and I like the idea of a collection of mirrors.
I was going to suggest a roman shade for the window made of the burlap stenciled fabric.
I think the shelf on the small wall might be as you put it “to in your face” as the space looks very small to me.
one idea to conceal the plumbing under the sink, how about a grouping of old window shutters hinged together that encircle the sink? you might be able to do something clever like hang something useful from the slats.
I like the hooks on the wall and can see them with tied bunches of lavender or towels or bags/baskets disguising any necessities such as your toothbrush.
I can’t wait to see how it finishes up!
trust yourself, you haven’t failed the house or your readers yet!
You have the cutest accent! Lots of great ideas you’ve got there. I can’t wait to see what you decide on.
Hello, Mrs. BeachCottage, how are you today?
Could recessed shelving be installed into the walls? Would Mr. BC be up for that? Perhaps a small white or shelf running completely around the top of the room, close to ceiling height, for a few small accessories & extra towels… an ivy? Not very wide, and the same color as the wall. That would help draw the eye up & away from the toilet.
I like your idea of a collection of mirrors (esp vintage)… a great space expanding idea. Not sure I’d want to look at myself “sitting there”… place them strategically ;-)
We fashioned molding above our pedestals, creating a teeny shelf just wide enough to hold rings, a candle, a little vase. Even tho I have room for a wall cabinet & a small armoire, I can’t imagine how we’d get along without that little strip of wood!
Burlap in the bathroom… hmmm, I think I’d opt for something softer. A little whitewashed wicker somewhere. A piece of driftwood. A big white shell.
I’m guessing you’ll be done with this in no time :-)
And yay for the other Sarah, your lucky winner!
Love that little sink! My first thought would be to find a little old piece, like a bombe chest, and put the sink in that. Since I live in a tiny bungalow, with a small budget, I always turn to bold color to play up the space rather than try to disguise it. It’s cheap and easily changeable. Sorry, injecting my own taste here! Anyway, I would definately stripe the walls – I like that monochromatic effect where you achieve the stripe look with gloss poly.
We are all getting so bold! I made a video for today too! I wish I could make mine look as professional as yours though! The bathroom looks great! You are quite talented!!
m ^..^
I actually think this bathroom is kind of cute and it has tons of potential, Sarah. Before I even read the other comments, three things came to my mind as I watched the video: the need for at least 1 big mirror over the sink, a skirt around the sink to hide the plumbing, and a fabric window treatment to draw your eye up from the toilet. Once those three things are done, I think the room will have a whole different feel and it will be easier to decide what other touches it needs.
Based on what you have done with the rest of your lovely beach cottage, I know this will end up looking fabulous too. :)
I am just picturing a soft, beachy painted canvas on that wall to the right of the toilet, and a skirt of some type of fabric, maybe the burlap around your sink to conceal the plumbing and add storage. and I adore the idea of the collection of mirrors to open that space and bounce the light around. Love those low hanging hooks you’ve put on the wall. Enjoyed brainstorming with you. I always love my visits to the beach cottage.
T
Hello Sarah!!
I actually love your little WC!
I love the idea of a collection of mirrors over the sink. When you started talking about a shelf up there, I was thinking about mirrors. I was so happy when you came on my page. LOL
I really like the idea of a higher fake window treatment on that window, I think you’re smart to keep the treatments up so lots of light can still come in through that window.
What about some sort of skirt around the bottom of your sink make from the ticking? That would hide the plumbing well.
I am so excited that I won your giveaway!! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to get your package. Your blog inspires me so much.
Sarah
Hello!
I know it’s not your usual style but I thought maybe on the plain wall on the right you could put a series of simply framed photographs – you take great ones of the beach so maybe you could bring that in, or some black&white ones perhaps.
Definitely go for the mirrors over the basin and a skirt around the pipework would look great.
I don’t think the toilet and basin are that bad at all, but because they’ve been all you focus on for so long you’ve probably grown to hate them!!!
On the peg rail in my bathroom I have a hanging mini tote bag that I made which is great for hiding things away and also some hanging bleached/aged wood type fish.
Can’t wait to see it all done! I do love reading about makeovers that haven’t cost the earth :)
Mel x
Have you thought of using old orange crates or wooden boxes like that under the sink. I don’t know if one would be big enough so perhaps you could stack a couple. You would need to cut out access for the pipes and of course paint them in your secret white. In my experience, hanging a skirt around the sink without any way of anchoring it towards the front would leave you with having to pull it up all the time. Very annoying. You would need to construct a sturdy frame to hang it from. Love to see the finished product. The mirrors are sure to change the whole room all on their own. Cherrie
Sarah-I can’t wait to see everything. It is so funny when I first looked at the video, the value wasn’t on and I looked at that window and thought-I would do a cool old burlap sack with printing on it for the curtain.
Want $80 worth of items and only spend $20 out of pocket? Read all about how you can do it too It’s Just a COUPON – How much can you really save?
and it’s the last day for entering the give-a-way–and it’s Photography art-Check it out!!
Cheri
Its So Very Cheri
hi sarah. love the new video thing you are doing! and your ideas are spot on for what will make the lav lovely. i agree with all the skirt suggestions for the sink. it will give storage, too. i would use white tape or ribbon on the silver pipe of the toilet to camoflague it. i think the slender wood “shelf” (chair rail cap?) around room or just on the sink wall will add lots of charm and functional space (think of the shells you can put up!) and since the window glass is opaque you can use a very lightweight fabric that could flutter in the breeze (if you open that window). the material isn’t for privacy so it can be sheer and you could ‘enlarge the window’ with the pelmet idea above the actual top of the sash. or the burlap is good too. the texture would be nice. i use paint tarps (cheap for lots of yardage) for my “drapes”. with grossgrain ribbon they look perfect! anyway, with the hooks, maybe something that color or a pewtery/taupe could be the color for whatever accent you use ? cannot wait to see what YOU decide to do. your backyard getaway area is PERFECT. and thanks, especially, for sharing your moods. we all have them! jkj
I love the idea of hanging the burlap sacks from the hooks for storage! And…I actually think the sink is quite adorable. Once that plumbing is covered up it will be just perfect! I think a tall long mirror over the sink will look great and open the room up. Plus that gives you something else to look for at Vinnies! :-)
The sacks are a great idea! Everything’s looking good!
Jane
I love hooks and how you are taking your bathroom. The shelf behind the toilet is perfect!
happy videoing,
LuLu
That is a tiny room! The first things that came to my mind are-
The sink: Find an old chippy piece of furniture to put under the sink. Cut the back off to make it shallow, and make it look as if the sink is sitting on it.
If you don’t find a suitable piece of furniture, get a hold of some old chippy wood (old fence posts? old barn wood? old shutters?) and build a simple enclosure with a door.
Curtains: I love your idea! Hang it high so it tricks the eye. I think maybe a pelmet is too formal, though?
Walls: One big mirror above the sink and small b&W beach scenes on the other wall.
I can’t wait to see what you do!
I think you should do beachy but incorporate the burlap and ticking. I don’t have many ideas for you right now other than some paint on the walls and lots of shelving. Perhaps some old wood that looks “beached” would go nicely in there. Have fun and I can’t wait to see the reveal!
-Desiree
Hi, this is my first time commenting! I’m pretty new to the blog world and I just love your blog!!
I think the bathroom is adorable!! A skirt of burlap would look great. I’d also make two panels of the burlap and hang them at the ceiling and to the walls. I would use the ticking as a false roman type blind and I would use the ticking as a stripe along the bottoms of the burlap skirt and panels, maybe even up to the top of them on both sides. I love the shelf of the toilet!! I think a big oval mirror right over the sink would look great and several other small mirrors is a great idea! Maybe a half basket on one of the hooks by the toilet for magazines and some cone shaped ikea flower holders wired to hang on a few of the hooks so put single buds, maybe that could be the hooks that are close to the doors. Also a really shallow little shelf right over the sink for a small vase and a few votives. On the big empty wall you could make a large cabinet that is very shallow so that it doesn’t stick way out, most things you want to store in the bathroom are small anyway. If not that then maybe a collage wall of pictures, including close ups of seashells, surfboards, sand, sea and the kiddos! Sorry I’ve gone on, but your ideas really inspire me!!!
Sedona
Hi Sarah, I try to read your blog as often as I can – haven’t left a comment in ages but now that you are doing the videos I just had to let you know how much I am enjoying them. Love listening to you explain what ideas you are toying with. I love what you are planning for the window. Have a happy day Sarah and can’t wait to see how the room turns out.
Vicki
Hey Sarah! Love the shelf above the toilet and the hooks. :) How about making a skirt for the sink to hide the plumbing? It’s super easy. Just some fabric and velcro will do the trick. :) Love your mirror collage idea for above the sink.
Smiles,
Rachel
It’s going to be the best dressed toilet in Sydney, lol! As always, it will come up looking great! My thoughts for the skirt around the sink were perhaps something lighter than the burlap as it’s a little room and the burlap might close it in a bit too much? Just a thought… have fun! Oh, and thinking possibly next Tuesday? Let me know if it suits xo
oh, forgot… perhaps at IKEA?
I’d put a fabric sink skirt around the sink. I made three of these for my sinks and used velcro with adhesive backing to hold it in place. They’ve held up for nineteen years and are still holding!
The toilet is quaint. I like it and wouldn’t ever change it! The wall of mirrors is a good idea. It’ll make the room look larger and brighter. Black frames would look good.
Shutters would look good on the window. At first I liked your idea about raising the curtain high on the wall behind the toilet but now think that it might make the room look even narrower. I don’t know.
You could paint the room a toned-down turquoise. The white fixtures with the black hooks and frames would be a nice contrast with maybe a black and white checkerboard rug on the floor.
Sarah, I see great potential for that tiny powder room…I think you can have alot of fun with it. Putting an oval mirror above the tiny sink is a must! Beachy shutters or bamboo-style blinds would look good over the window, but I also can see a soft draping of curtain on a curtain rod high up to give a romantic feeling…with the window open a bit and a plant on that shelve above the toilet/below the window with a white candle. Have fun!!! Whatever you do I know will look great! You have such an eye for decorating. I will look forward to seeing the finished project. xo Fairmaiden
I think a ticking sink skirt would be really cute. Or, a tiny little beadboard cabinet vanity thing. I know those are expensive but we bought one that was a floor model once for only $20!! So you can find deals, you just have to be willing to paint it or whatever if it’s not exactly what you want.
For the window I would do white, something a little sheer because you don’t want to block out the nice light coming in there. I have these really cute glass jars with metal lids that I filled with shells and sea glass and beach stones that would be cute in there. I love the look oftowels rolled up in baskets on the floor of a bathroom.
I’m sure you’ll come up with something great! I love everything else in your house!
wow you’ve got a lot of ideas here in the comment section. I like the idea of a ticking skirt and galvanized buckets. Unless you want to “hide” what’s in the buckets and then I’d go for some kind of a drawstring bag.
I know you’ll do something wonderful . . .I really like what you did in your family bathroom!!
To hid the plumbing; perhaps a very tall basket (hamper?) that you cut the back out of it and put the remaining 3 sides around the plumbing, painted white of course. The texture might help the slick room. And fuzzy white rugs of course, with lots of oversized white towels. I would keep it simple, since it is so small. Burlap on the window covering, as the only color other than white, will draw your eye there. I’m afraid burlap under the sink would make you look down rather than up. A skirt might take up too much visible space, do you think? I can’t wait to see!
You do such lovely things with your home, Sarah, this little room will shine in no time, I have no doubts!
I had a similar vision to “I’m Julia” and “jane”. I picture a narrow-ish ledge/shelf, up high, and encircling the room. I would support the shelf with brackets that match the style of the shelf brackets you already have over the toilet. With the ledge/shelf on top of a peg rail all the way around (and yes, I’d paint it white!), you could display sweet beachy things on the ledge and fabric bags or straw totes or flat-backed tin wall pockets with both bath necessities and pretties. Over the toilet, I’m not sure about a pelmet and shades if the shelf runs all the way around the room. It could be beautiful – I’m just having a hard time visualizing it. What could work alternatively is to use a spring- tension rod between two of the sweet shelf brackets (the brackets positioned to the outside and just above the window) and have siimple, soft, flowing white curtains there or even just a faux-Roman shade, tied up with ribbon or twill tape. For the width of shelf that runs over the window, I would not use pegs on the rail, just leave the rail plain, because of the tension rod. Does this make sense? Anyway, just my two cents. Your rooms always work. But thank you for letting us salivate over possibilities!
Definitely I would skirt the basin in something light-feeling. I can picture the ticking stripes there. Burlap might be rough on bare legs standing at the basin. And I’m all for the idea to camouflage the pipe between the toilet and tank with white tape, paint or something. It will visually fade away more then.
I can picture your burlap in there in the form of a few twine-wrapped glass jars or carafes, displayed on the ledge. These look wonderful with fresh flowers in them as well! If you find some interesting jars or carafes while you’re treasure hunting, this is a fun and simple project that would fit right in. And your glass jar candle lanterns with the simple wire hangers would look lovely on the peg rail.
Oh, you have me salivating… Have fun with your project! I can’t wait to see what you create!
Blessings,
Michelle
That idea for a basket cut out around the sink is genius! My pedestal sink is shaped so that it won’t allow for the skirt attached to velcro, I’ll now be on the lookout for a large basket!
Here are my thoughts. The window seems to be frosted, so I don’t know that you need to actually cover it. I’m thinking strands (like the old hippie bead curtains)of seashells hanging vertically, every inch or so? And yes, shelving on the big walls would be in your face. How about some shelves over the window? I’d do something with that sink like fabric or muslin, gathered and velcroed. And how about some nice vintage picnic baskets to use for storage? They would look pretty too and hide things like toilet paper and towels.
Brenda
Hi Sarah. I would go with the other comments – a skirt to hide the plumbing (and the products and toilet paper could go under there too). A roman blind – your beige and white stripe or just plain white, a distressed white framed mirror over the sink, a soft beachy print on the other wall. No burlap!
How fun to hear your voice!
I thought Krista had a great idea about using a chippy piece of furniture to enclose around under the sink. Also I like the idea of using one large mirror above the sink. Just thought I’d throw in my two cents, but whatever you choose to do, I know it will turn out cute. :)
Lovely to see your fantastic ideas as they come to life. Was just wondering … did your powder room ever evolve to be as beautiful as the rest of the house?? I need some visual inspiration for mine!