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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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March 22, 2011

Beadboard in the Bathroom!

My sweetheart and I had a date the other day.

Well, I’m not sure it would technically be considered a “date“.
There we were, in close quarters, sharing laughs and really connecting.
But, there was also a toilet tank involved.
And, lots of glue.
And beadboard.
And paint.
But, the kids weren’t there!
So that counts, right?
We have come a long way in our ability to tackle projects together and at this stage we are finding it actually does give us a chance to re-connect.
Who knew beadboard could be so bonding?
Our date began with a dream…
A dream to add some character to the rascal’s bathroom.
When we moved in almost 3 years ago, it looked like this.
Look at that sweet baby girl! That was my favorite little pink quilted coat with the hood with the bunny ears and the tiny pink shoes and her little chubby cheeks were so kissable and smooshable (that is an actual word…I looked it up in the mommy dictionary) and she was just the happiest baby and….sigh…so sorry, I got lost in time there for a minute!
ANYWAY
We took down the wallpaper (worst wallpaper removal EVER) and painted and replaced broken lights and replaced broken faucets and changed out the knobs and framed out the mirrors.
And now, their bathroom looks more like this!

And here is what we did on our “Date“.
We added Beadboard Baby!
Oh, and a chair-rail too.

Is it wrong to love something so much that is basically a fancy piece of plywood?
Because if this is wrong, honey, I don’t want to be right!
Now, I have to tell you. Our date involved a little bit more work on the part of my husband. But, that is how it’s supposed to be on a date right?
The guy opens the door, picks up the tab, gives you his coat when you shiver, takes apart the toilet to get the beadboard to fit onto the wall behind it.
That is the chivalrous thing to do after all!

I’ll tell you what, though. After almost 15 years together, watching your husband realize that the beadboard won’t fit behind the toilet and then have to take the tank off the toilet and squeeze that beadboard behind it and then take it back out again because it didn’t quite fit into the space, and then sand it down some more and then squeeze it back in there and then glue it to the wall and then put the toilet back together, 
Well…. 
Let’s just say that what you find sexy now in this stage of marriage is WAY different from what was sexy when you were newlyweds! 
Flowers and chocolate don’t hold a candle to watching your guy go through all of that just so you can have your kid’s bathroom look pretty.

Too much information?
Let’s move on then!
Here are a few more details from around the room.
This darling red stool was a great find at a second-hand store.
The rag rug was $3 at Chez Tar-Jay!
Oh no! There are those little faces again!
And there goes my heart again…

Framing their handprints was a fun way to add some personalization to their space.

And here is another look at the space.
Oh, hello there!
It took me awhile to find a day when I wasn’t wearing sweats to take a straight on picture in the mirror.

Now, I have to tell you that so far, I have only found one negative about having the white beadboard in this space.

I never quite realized the full benefits of having the wall painted yellow behind the toilet that is used by a boy!
Thanks so much for stopping by the Fence today,
Linking to these parties:
Saturday Spotlight
Feathered Nest Friday
Friday’s Unfolded
Open House Party
Whassup Wednesday
Swing into Spring
DIY Showoff
Metamorphosis Monday
Tuesday Treasures

40 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas

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Comments

  1. Rachel says

    March 21, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Yes, I can relate to the “yellow”. I found out recently that it was a good thing that our shower curtain is yellow. It is a tiny bathroom with the bath tub RIGHT next to toilet…but still….

    Love the bead board! 🙂 Looks very pretty

    Reply
  2. kara@elements-interiors.net says

    March 21, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    LOL! HELLER in da mirror..you! That sounds like a DATE night we would have…SO SAD 😉 It turned out BEAUTIFUL!!!

    xoxokara

    Reply
  3. Natalie says

    March 21, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Totally gorgeous!!! The beadboard and you in the mirror!! And, yes, my man finishing a project is definitely sexy, however us working on it together usually has the opposite effect!! LOL! I love the framed handprints too!

    Reply
  4. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    March 21, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    I love the beadboard Vanessa! Love the framed little handprints too! LOL! Many of our date nights have been spent at Home Depot and Lowe’s!

    Reply
  5. Melissa Miller says

    March 21, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Aw sweet! It is perfect Vanessa. The bead board looks crisp and really defines the space. Gorgeous! Love the touches of red like the lamp and the frame.

    Warmly, ~Melissa 🙂

    Reply
  6. Pam @ Our Adventures in Home Improvement says

    March 21, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    That is funny! I agree that what we looked for in our husbands many years ago sure has changed. 🙂

    The beadboard looks GREAT! I love the topiary in there too. And the handprints!

    I really laughed about a boy in a white bathroom. Yep…. 🙂

    Have a great day.
    Pam

    Reply
  7. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    March 21, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    You work well as a team Vanessa. I think you ought to plan more dates like this. Looks great!

    Reply
  8. Becca says

    March 21, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    LOL … had to laugh about the yellow walls! Gotta love our boys! YAY … you got your beadboard !! YOUR BATHROOM LOOKS FABULOUS! (Yes, I’m screaming!) What a difference, Vanessa! I love it. You must be thrilled. Kudos to you and your date for transforming this space for your kiddos! I love the framed handprints, and the colors in the rug and shower curtain are so fun! Great, great job, friend! A perfect “10” !! Hugs, Becca

    Reply
  9. Kristin says

    March 21, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Vanessa,
    I love, love, love beadboard!
    I have it on some of my cabinets, in the backs of my open shelves and the ceiling of my front porch and back deck.
    You all are so romantic too!
    Great job!
    Love, Kristin

    Reply
  10. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    March 21, 2011 at 11:57 PM

    LOVE IT!!! How it adds so much POP to the room…sounds like a FUN date night!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  11. NanaDiana says

    March 22, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    Vanessa- It looks great…perfect! You are so blessed to have a hubby that is handy. Mine? Not so much! The sad thing is that I can only imagine bonding time in the bathroom…well…at least putting up beadboard.

    hmmmm…I suppose you COULD paint the beadboard yellow? Nah…maybe not!! xxoo Diana

    Reply
  12. Debbie says

    March 22, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    I love the bead board. Believe it or not, I don’t have a lick of it in this house, and I love the stuff.

    I would have my husband install it, but I hate to have the poor guy spend his lousy few days home around the toilet.

    But, I DO get that a honey doing a honey do just for you is very sexy. Don’t gross out, but it’s still sexy at 49.

    Really…

    And I loved your sidetrips down Mommy Lane.

    Reply
  13. Courtenay@Signal Hill Interiors says

    March 22, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    Love it. Love this post! I have a dream of installing beadboard into my bathroom one day. And I love your $3 rug! Jealous!

    Reply
  14. JodieMo says

    March 22, 2011 at 1:33 AM

    I love beadboard. We installed some in our first house and I have been in love with it ever since. I love the colors too. So bright and cheerful. Perfect for a kids bathroom.

    Reply
  15. Jodie says

    March 22, 2011 at 1:34 AM

    Love this transformation! Everything is perfect! I especially like the framed hand prints, so sweet!

    Warm Wishes,
    Jodie

    Reply
  16. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    March 22, 2011 at 2:41 AM

    Vanessa, I love beadboard and that looks great. Cute bathroom.

    Reply
  17. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    March 22, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    I know what you mean! What is it about beadboard? I like your definitions though, it really is glorified plywood! LOL! But itsn’t it pretty!!! Great date! Great job!

    Reply
  18. Tina says

    March 22, 2011 at 4:15 AM

    Wow! It looks beautiful! I love beadboard!
    I completely understand the yellow walls! Boys will be boys!

    Reply
  19. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    March 21, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Hahaha!! You totally crack me up Vanessa!!! LOVE this post and LOVE the bead board!! It does look amazing in your bathroom!!! Oh, and uh, yeah…I agree… after a *few* years of marriage – the man getting a project done IS sexy!!! lol!! Hugs, Courtney

    Reply
  20. The Uncluttered Lifestyle says

    March 22, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    This was such a cute post. Great job on the beadboard. Oh and it takes awhile for the “aim” to get perfect. Invest in Clorox Wipes… trust me I have a 19 year old.

    Reply
  21. Ann says

    March 22, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    Love the bead board… it made the space more charming. Nice job you did there ♥

    Reply
  22. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    March 22, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    That’s so funny about what you find sexy now being different from when you were newlyweds. Funny cos it’s true!!!! I love that!! ‘You cleaned up the cat sick? Oh, honey, come here…..’ 🙂

    Sarahx

    Reply
  23. michelle says

    March 22, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    You are sooo cute!!! I love your date night and so understand what you are saying by what you find sexy now!! I thought my hubby was WAY sexy this weekend installing our floors!!! 🙂 (oh my gosh Sarah’s comment just made me laugh too! You girls are too funny!! ) I LOVE how your bathroom turned out, the bead board looks great and all the details are so perfect!!
    I think that that is the perfect date night!!! 🙂

    Reply
  24. Martina says

    March 22, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    Vanessa your to funny!! Now you know I LOVE beadboard! Their bathroom looks FABULOUS!! Love how you trimmed out the mirror and that tile backslash is so cute! LOVE IT!! Martina

    PS- I guess I’m on a date right now with the hubby he’s helping paint the dining room(LOL)!!

    Reply
  25. Traci says

    March 22, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    Vanessa, it all looks fantastic!!! I love that shower curtain too.

    Reply
  26. LowCountryLiving says

    March 22, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    I love it! DIY dates are the best. Dave and I used to go on “magazine dates” when we were working on our last house and before we had our baby. We would just go to Barnes and Noble, sit in the magazine section, and flip through to get home ideas. We figured it was time together and a free date! it’s a blessing to have a husband who enjoys those times.

    Reply
  27. vikki says

    March 22, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    I loved your comment about the yellow and the boy. I raised five boys and I so relate!! Looks great though, maybe you can train him to sit down. No?

    Reply
  28. Ashley says

    March 22, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    The beadboard looks great! I love the framed little handprints. I agree that a man with power tools fixing up your house is definitely sexy!

    Reply
  29. Whatitsallabout... says

    March 22, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    The bead board looks FABULOUS!!! Great job!

    Reply
  30. Kelly says

    March 23, 2011 at 3:32 AM

    Wow, dinner and a movie can’t compete with that!

    Kelly

    Reply
  31. jkjkjkb says

    March 22, 2011 at 9:53 PM

    LOVE LOVE LOVE your bathroom!! The beadboard totally makes it & my favorite part is your fun tile!! Too cute!! Kim

    Reply
  32. Val says

    March 23, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    So when are you coming to SoCal??? Wanna do my bathroom??? I will cook for you!!! Cmon. It’s a win, win.

    Reply
  33. The DIY Show Off says

    March 24, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    Great job, Vanessa! I love beadboard! It looks awesome and I love the personal touches too. Hand prints are so precious. lol! We’re another with hardware store date night and together time = DIY. haha. I love that we can work together as a team though.

    Happy Spring! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful before/after! 😉

    Roeshel

    Reply
  34. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    March 24, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    Hi Vanessa, You crack me up! Reading your blog is like having a conversation with a dear friend. You have made quite a few changes to the bath room but the beadboard is my favorite! Love it. Thanks for sharing this at my party and I appreciate all your support.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  35. saltbox treasures says

    March 24, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    Your bathroom turned out great! I love beadboard in the bathroom.
    Thanks for leaving your kind comment on my post. You have a great inspirational blog.
    ~ Julie

    Reply
  36. Rene says

    March 24, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    You have done a great job in this room! I love the beadboard, but also love all of the special touches.

    Reply
  37. Judy says

    March 24, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    Your bead board looks amazing. I love all the finishing touches…but I think the hand prints are so special. Thanks for sharing at my Swing into Spring party. I always look forward to your linkups.

    Reply
  38. alison says

    March 25, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    sexy is as sexy does (in the bathroom) wait…that didn’t sound right…well, hopefully you know what i mean…love the beadboard…when we were first married we lived in an old house that’s only charm was the bead board bathroom (that was painted all brown when we arrived) we painted the board white and the walls yellow and it was very sweet…love how your turned out…well done! thanks for linking up again my friday friend.

    blessings,

    alison

    Reply
  39. kara@elements-interiors.net says

    March 26, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    Thank you SO MUCH for linking up to WHASSUP WEDNESDAY!!!

    Hope to see you next Wednesday!

    xoxokara

    Reply
  40. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    March 25, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    Hey there girlfriend- just stopping back to say thanks for sharing this at FNF! 🙂 Hugs, Courtney

    Reply

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