Morning.
Here's the Powder Room as it is now. You've probably gathered that this hasn't been my most fave project in the cottage. You'd be right. And it's taken me 3 months to even get this far.
I confess, it was the challenge that lured me, to make this over with what really is nothing in terms of budget and see what I could come up. I think there really is no dispute that it is an improvement and now it feels more like a room than what before was a tangle of plumbing and 80's design mistakes. They are of course still there, just a little less prominent.
Here is the before and I have to mention here that before this 'before' shot it was a lot worse, as you can only imagine, when we bought the cottage…filthy with an attractive veil of off-yellow paint on the walls and a blind that had ahem seen better days…
Yes I know it is not lime green, or 70's orange but it wasn't too pretty…
and as it is now
So the walls are painted with Dulux White on White, the tiles we cleaned and painted with tile paint. Attached the shelf above the cistern for a place to display a few bits and bobs and provide a bit of interest…
If you remember, I had all sorts of grand ideas for the window dressing but then went for just a simple rod and an old vintage tea cloth, with the most delightful texture just pinned up with those curtain clips…it filters the light beautifully and blows in the wind which I believe is a much better result than the more formal blind affair I had originally envisaged…and to be honest, very much more me.
The basket I painted with a white wash and stenciled on an 'S' and the float on the other side makes it look a little less jaded in there.
I wanted a wall of mirrors but once I started planning this I thought it would be too much, this is a very very small space and so when I found the round pie crust mirror at the same garage sale that I picked up the Glory Box from I thought it was just big enough to work alone and just detailed enough to add that vintage touch…
Either side of the sink we put up a set of three hooks for towels and I've hung a couple of my jam jar lanterns off there…and on the other side I painted an old cupboard with Dulux Whisper White, it brought back lots of memories (you can read that here).
I don't need to bore you again with the sink and skirt issue, there were some wonderful ideas and thanks to those of you who also took the time to email me with ideas, and photos and inspiration, I so appreciate that.
But really what I got most from all this, my whining on this blog about the skirt and my disillusionment with the whole thing, was two things.
First of all, suck it up sweetie, it's a pretty ok extra bathroom.
Second, the power of budget and white paint.
mirror : garage sale cupboard : already owned
glass vase : Vinnies coral : Freedom shelf : IKEA
curtain : thrifted vintage teacloth curtain pole : IKEA
curtain clips : IKEA towels : Bed Bath & Table
fishing float : Freedom candles : Freedom hooks : IKEA
basket : IKEA & whitewashed
blogged for the 43rd Met Monday, thanks Susan
love how soft light and airy it looks! That mirror is great!
I think it turned out really, really nice. Good job, Sarah! Hugs, Cindy S.
I love the white on white, so precious….
xoxo,
Cathleen
Oh wow, Sarah!!! This is a beautiful room! So crisp and cool feeling! Love it!
So lovely. I adore the scalloped edges of the mirror and the little jar with the sea shells and the tea light. Perfect!
You always have the best ideas! Love the shelf over the commode. Can’t believe I’ve never thought of that!! Also love the canning jar with shells and candle. That’s is so so sweet!
You’ve done a fantastic job Sarah! I just redid my guest bath too and anything different than what I had before is much better. So kudos to your much improved powder room!
-marie
Tasteful and light…love it. I know it was a bigger job than some would think…because of the limited space for the person doing it (specially painting) and being able to turn around , etc. The curtain is everything it ought to be. Go have a drink.
oh my goodness. how beautiful! dare i even say the room looks “romantic”? is it weird to call a bathroom romantic? :)
It looks awesome! I would LOVE to have a bathroom like that :)
Wow…you did a beautiful job there! So clean and crisp!! I can smell the beach calling my name!!
Mama Holli
That looks wonderful !
Love Rini
you are very talented. It looks lovely.
My favorite is the mirror, wonderful!
I love it! The cabinet especially is stunning, I wish I could manage that look of having just a few really great things on display instead of loads of clutter. And the window dressing is perfect.
Mel xxx
I love the idea of the glass jar hanging from the towel hook and how you added a simple teal light candle on top of shells. So beautiful and whimsical!!
I adore tea lights in bathrooms…..use them or not, doesn’t matter :) and the pie crust mirror, the best find in that room for me!
Love what you have done here, Sarah. I’m in the process of smartening up my poky toilet as well. You have inspired me. I was wondering what is involved in white-washing a basket. Do you use watered down paint? Or do you paint, allow to dry and then sand??? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!L