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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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February 22, 2011

Taking my guest bathroom out of the 1990’s

If you were a follower of Gourmet Meals for Less, than you’ll know this is a Post from the Past.

However, Vanessa and I felt it was worth sharing again here.  I remodeled my bathroom this past summer and I am still so in love with it.  It was my first major undertaking and I am proud to say I did it all by myself…okay so Lee picked the toilet up for me (I needed some brute strength) and Will “the tool-man” Taylor, my oh so awesome neighbor, came over and put an outlet box in my wall for my new vanity light.  Other than that it was all me…and I am proud of myself!  Is that wrong to be so proud?  Well if it is I’ll ask forgiveness next week cause this week I’m going to be proud.
Now you can never fully appreciate a remodel without before pictures.  I want to apologize before you view the pictures about the poor lighting.  This is a windowless bathroom at the end of a long dark upstairs hallway with no natural light.  So the lighting is a little iffy..but I think you will still be able to see what a dramatic change this is.


You will notice the lovely circa 1990’s oak builder’s grade vanity which corresponds so beautifully with the mauve and white linoleum flooring.


Also we have some classic oak accessories such as the handtowel ring and the oak towel bar.  The previous owner did such a great job matching the oak accessories with the lovely  oak trim that runs throughout my home.  Which I love dearly…not.  


If you think the bathroom in this current state leaves a lot to be desired you should have seen it when we moved in.  Imagaine this but…decorated in Sponge Bob. I always have regretted not taking pictures of it in all it’s Sponge Bob glory….or maybe I knew it was better not to, to save me from the nightmare memories of removing Sponge Bob and Patrick wallpaper.

Now onto the “after pictures” which are always so much more fun.  Here is my bathroom now!


Only a before and after can do it complete justice!



Before I started any projects I applied a new coat of paint to the walls after pulling up the baseboards.  This allowed me to go all the way to the floor, I didn’t worry about drips because the old flooring was still on and I painted the ceilings the same color to add height to the room.  Easy peasy paint job…(total $17.00)

So this is an up-close of the biggest change to the bathroom.  My Faux Board and Batten treatment.  


I still stand in there and can’t believe I did this all by myself.  It is very empowering as a woman to realize that I can operate tools with no help.  Because we are not a very “handy dandy” household I was limited on what I had available to me.  So after doing a lot of research online I settled on copying Sarah and Thrifty Decor Chick.  She had done a board and batten treatment in her son’s room and made it looks so easy!  I encourage you to check out her site she is incredible!  I want to be her when I grow up…or at least I want my house to be her house when it grows up…grin.  She gives very detailed instructions on her board and batten post.  So I won’t recount every detail, but I will say this.  You will definitely need to purchase one of these:


If you don’t have access to a power miter-saw.  It definitely would be easier with a power miter-saw… Christmas gift anyone?  But these are so cheap.  I think I spent $11 on the box and saw at Home Depot.  Get yourself one, they are just so cool and handy.

I had removed the baseboards to install the tile, so after sanding, priming, and painting them I put them back with some(confession here Liquid Nails and a few well placed finishing nails..that I hand nailed..again no power tools here people).  Then I just taped off about where I wanted the top rail to be.  Primed and painted the walls below with semi-gloss paint ($8.00 for a quart), cut each wood strip to the right height (by hand) and primed and painted one coat on the wood strips.




I went with a 12″ spacing because 1-that is true board and batten spacing and 2-it looked right for my wall sizes.  After attaching the wood strips to the wall again with some Liquid Nails and a few well placed finishing nails.  I added a strip of the lattice around the top of the boards.  I really wanted a little faux ledge.   I felt it made it look more like true board and batten.  So I headed back to Home Depot to look for something that would mimic a ledge.  I found this shoe molding for a little over $2.00 for 8 feet.  It is the foaming kind but works great when your walls aren’t exactly plumb…which believe me these walls were not.  I like it because it will mold to the wall.  This is where my mitering skills were put to the test because…




See those two little columns between the two rooms?  Well I had to miter the ledge around all of those little corners at the top.  I’m so glad I got the foam molding for this part because it was a test of brain power to figure out how to cut inside miter corners versus outside miter corners and because the foam molding is so cheap and easy to cut it wasn’t too painful when I made a mistake…but I finally did it!  Now before you apply your final 3-4 coats of semi gloss white paint.  You will want to caulk all edges of your wood with paintable white caulk…Caulk will be your friend on this project…trust me.

I also installed new title flooring.



This cost me approximately $50 at Lowe’s.  I decided to use a brick pattern for interest and I love the larger tiles with the thick “grout” line.  It looks very “real” and feel’s cool to the touch just like real tile…but for much cheaper.  Boy this was a test of my measuring and cutting skills!  I am so glad that I chose to take off the baseboards and it made it much easier to butt the tile right up to the wall.  It will give you a little wiggle room on your cuts because you know the baseboards will cover up any rough edges. 

Also you want to remove your toilet.  Now don’t gag when you take that baby off because let’s face it toilets are just gross…especially ones that have been sitting there for 12 years.  We went ahead and put a new fresh wax ring one.  And now it’s sitting pretty on my new flooring.   

I then tackled the ugly oak knob-less vanity.


I repainted the vanity using Black Raisin by Valspar.  I purchased one quart and still had plenty left over.  I installed new brushed nickel knobs that I found at Lowes for $2.12 each.  


My one other big project in this room besides the board and batten, new flooring and painting the vanity was making the frame for my mirror.  


I thought about removing the builder grade vanity mirror and buying a new one, but a large mirror for this space would have been pretty pricey.  So for $16.00 worth of molding (I got real wood molding for this project) I was able to frame out the existing mirror.  First I cut all of my moldings to size and then mitered the corners…boy this was a job because the molding is real wood and very thick.  My arms got quite a workout with all of this sawing.

I then painted the front and back of the wood (you always want to paint the back or else it will reflect the unfinished backside of the molding into your mirror and everyone will see it…it’s just the nature of mirrors.  After all the molding pieces were dry I started with the bottom piece and worked my way around to the top.  I used a thin coat of Liquid Nails making sure not to get any near the mirror edge..again you will see it in the mirror if you do this.  I held the pieces in place with painters tape for about an hour for each piece.  Lay your top piece last so it can rest on the side pieces to help hold it in place…and there you have it a custom frame for your mirror for $16!

I replaced one of the most hidous oak vanity lights you have ever seen.  I would like to say I’m sorry for not having a before picture of it..but I’m not.  It was that ugly.


My most awesome neighbor came over to cut a hole in the sheetrock and install a new outlet box because, supposedly hideous ugly Hollywood style vanity lights don’t need light boxes, which totally surprised me when I removed it and found a big wire poking though a hole.  Thank you Will for rescuing me from that hideous light and helping me to avoid calling an electrician.  You helped me keep my bathroom remodel frugal and on top of that you are the best neighbor ever. 

Here are some different accessories I purchased at TJ Maxx and Home Goods (our two favorite stores here At The Picket Fence!)


Some vintage signs..the one reminded me of the girl at the beach.  The pictures in the frame are from our various beach vacations.

This Seaside wooden sign was inspiration for the color scheme of the bathroom.  And I found towels in the right colors at Homegoods.  


I picked up this adorable towel basket at TJ Maxx on clearance.  It couldn’t match more perfectly!


I found this adorable chippy tray on clearance at Kroger of all places!  Pays to always keep your eye out for decorating items.  I placed color coordinating washcloths in a little basket for guests and to provide some color.


The mirror was re-purposed.  It was actually sitting in a box to be taken to Goodwill.  It had originally been gold.  I painted it with some leftover white paint from the board and batten treatment and then went over that with some of the espresso brown paint from the vanity and mirror frame.  I worked it into all of the nooks and crannys to give it a old vintage look.  Not too bad for free! 


And see that cute shower curtain puddled on the floor? Yes that is a canvas drop-cloth. I attached it to a shower curtain but still have a real shower coordinating shower curtain behind it with a plastic liner.  So the drop cloth curtain is just for looks, but it adds a nice canvas beachy feel to the bathroom.




Thank you for visiting my remodeled bathroom with me.  I have estimated the total cost of my remodel to be under $250.00.  This includes paint, flooring, board and batten, light fixtures, towel and toilet paper accessories and all decor.  It was a lot of work but it was rewarding and fun.  I just love my new bathroom. 

I find myself wandering in there to just look at it.  It feels so calming and vintage cottage “beachy” which is what I was wanting.  I am now inspired to continue on with other areas of the house, so I will be posting my remodels as I complete them.  I’m thinking traditional wainscoting and crown molding is up next for my dining room and entryway downstairs or more board and batten for my mudroom…we shall see.  In the meantime I will be enjoying my new guest bathroom.

Thanks for meeting me At the Picket Fence!

Heather

This post is linked up to:

Roomspiration



Friday’s Unfolded
Tuesday Treasures
Wow Us Wednesday
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphosis Monday 
The DIY Showoff
The Lettered Cottage: How To Tuesdays

DIY by Design: Winter Blue Wednesdays 
Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursday 
Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff Thursday



36 Comments Filed Under: Bathrooms, Board and Batten, Decorating, Good Ideas, Posts from the Past

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Comments

  1. Debbie says

    February 22, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    OK, I tried to come here earlier, but it said this post no longer existed. When I came to the site instead of directly to this post, there it was!

    Why am I ALWAYS having trouble…?

    It was worth the effort because I love this bathroom! I am going to copy down that Valspar color you used for the vanity because I really like the look.

    And I love the puddled canvas curtain. That looks great.

    Reply
  2. Cristie says

    February 22, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    I love paint, what a difference it can make at very little cost. The re-do looks great!

    Reply
  3. The DIY Show Off says

    February 22, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    Wow! Beautiful transformation! There’s hope for our remaining bathrooms yet! lol Although I think our ‘before’ isn’t quite as lovely as yours, Heather! I love the faux board and batten – definitely a project I have on my to-do list. Thanks so much for sharing in the DIY Project Parade! 🙂

    Have a great week, ladies!

    Roeshel

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    February 22, 2011 at 1:55 AM

    this is a great update – like seriously great.

    Reply
  5. sheri says

    February 22, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    ok – that was me, sheri, up there – i am having computer difficulties tonight 🙂

    Reply
  6. Nellie's Cozy place says

    February 22, 2011 at 3:20 AM

    What a great job, love the white
    wainscoting, simply beautiful.
    Look warm and wonderful!
    blessings, Nellie

    Reply
  7. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    February 22, 2011 at 4:20 AM

    Heather, I missed this post the first time, so tonight… I AM IMPRESSED! Great job! I’m glad you shared it again.

    Reply
  8. Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage says

    February 22, 2011 at 4:43 AM

    Love that gorgeous board and batton!! Great job!

    Reply
  9. Green Door Girl says

    February 22, 2011 at 5:36 AM

    I am so glad you reposted this as I didn’t get to see it on your other blog (as I only read Vanessa’s blog *blush*) this is AWESOME – you did amazing – seriously I am very impressed and I just love the updated look! Congrats on a job well done!

    Reply
  10. Katie says

    February 22, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    Love, love, LOVE this!!! SO glad I found this post because I’ve been wanting to do molding like that in our baby room, and hubby isn’t as convinced. I keep telling him he’s over-complicating it in his head — now I have proof that it can be done! 🙂

    Reply
  11. 1 Buddha's Mom says

    February 22, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    Bee-you-tiful! What is the flooring product you used? I love it and think it would be great in my space:)

    Reply
  12. michelle says

    February 22, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    So beautiful Heather and yes it is so ok to be proud of yourself! You did an amazing job!!! The cutting of the angles of the board and batton are not easy, you are a pro!!! Love love love it!!!

    Reply
  13. Jena @ Involving Color says

    February 22, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Your bathroom looks great! The previous owners of our house also loved their oak accessories…every towel bar, outlet cover, and switchplate in our house was oak! I was so glad to get rid of it! Just came across your blog and I’m a new follower.

    Reply
  14. Becca says

    February 22, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    What a fabulous transformation!! This is absolutely incredible … and very inspiring! I may have to try this myself. Thanks for sharing! So bright, fun and fresh now! Love it. *Becca*

    Reply
  15. Dar @ live by the sun luv by the moon says

    February 23, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    Coming to you via Savvy Southern Style. Wow! I’m impressed. Great job.

    Reply
  16. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    February 23, 2011 at 2:18 AM

    Super job. You can now go into construction! Thanks for joining WUW this week.

    Reply
  17. At The Picket Fence says

    February 23, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    1 Buddha’s Mom-I purchased the flooring at Lowe’s. I have some of it left, I will find it and see who the manufacturer is and the name of the pattern and get back to you. Glad you like it!

    Heather@ At The Picket Fence

    Reply
  18. Wendy says

    February 23, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    What a great before and after post! I love it, you did an amazing job and it looks beautiful 🙂

    Reply
  19. Marie C. says

    February 23, 2011 at 2:32 AM

    WOW, that looks *incredible*!!

    I saw your post at DIY by Design & now I’m following your blog. 🙂

    https://educatorssoliloquy.blogspot.com

    Reply
  20. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    February 23, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    Hi Heather- What a fantastic job you did!! Your bathroom looks beautiful and *high five* for doing it yourself! I love projects and love the feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing it and doing it yourself! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Jodie says

    February 23, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    This is a fantastic transformation! I love it all, especially the wainscoting!

    Jodie

    Reply
  22. Tammy@Beatrice Banks says

    February 23, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    So fabulous! Love it!

    Reply
  23. Judy says

    February 23, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    I’m so glad you linked up your bathroom to the party. I love what you’ve done.

    Reply
  24. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    February 25, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    Heather, You should be very proud of yourself. The transformation is amazing. Great job!
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  25. Erin says

    February 25, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    What a beautiful transformation!!

    And you SHOULD be proud! That’s a huge project for one person. 🙂

    Reply
  26. alison says

    February 27, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    you did a gorgeous job my friend…love the board and batten and the black color of the the wood vanity and trim…impressive! thanks for sharing it on fridays unfolded!

    blessings,

    alison
    stuff and nonsense

    Reply
  27. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    February 28, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Hi Girls~ Just stopping back by to say thank you so much for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday~ love being Friday buddies with you too! 🙂

    Reply
  28. The Uncluttered Lifestyle says

    March 2, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    Thanks for posting this. You inspire me to tackle my bathroom.

    Reply
  29. Mrs. Turkey Bird says

    April 1, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    You did a great job!!!

    All you need now are some books for that bathroom! 🙂 https://turkeylists.blogspot.com/2011/04/books-for-bathroom.html
    Enjoy!

    Reply
  30. Tonya says

    April 8, 2011 at 2:56 AM

    Love the board & batten!! Gorgeous!! And you did it all by yourself?!? You go girl!! That’s awesome!! Getting ready to attempt the B&B in my laundry room & can only hope it looks a great as yours!! Fabulous transformation! It looks great!

    Reply
  31. CountryBelle says

    September 16, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    Love it! I really want to try board and batten in my master bath. Soooo afraid of screwing it up 😉

    Reply
  32. SJ @ Homemaker On A Dime says

    September 19, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    Absolutely lovely! Really appreciate you linking up this great bath post at the Roomspiration blog party.

    Reply
  33. Samantha says

    February 7, 2012 at 1:08 AM

    I have a question about your mirror! I have wanted to “frame” my ugly bathroom mirror too, but there are these little plastic things screwed in around the edges about 6 of them. This would prevent my molding from laying flat against the mirror. Does this matter? Did your mirror have them? Pretty sure I can’t remove them-I’d be afraid of the mirror crashing down.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 8, 2012 at 2:19 AM

      Hi Samantha, my mirror does have clips but they are flat metal ones. What I would do is look for the type of molding that had ridges in the back, it may provide some room to lay flat over the brackets. What you could do is frame out the mirror and where there is a little gap from it laying over the brackets, you could use a small piece of quarter round trim to fill in that little gap and paint it all the same color. I would not remove the brackets. Even though your mirror is most likely glued onto the wall, the brackets do help support it as well. Let me know if you have anymore questions. :)~Heather

      Reply
  34. over the door towel rack says

    May 1, 2012 at 7:47 AM

    this is a great update – like seriously great.

    Reply
  35. Kevin Carney says

    June 21, 2014 at 11:10 AM

    For $250 this is an amazing upgrade. You definitely should be proud.

    Reply

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This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
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Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

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Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

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What’s the weather like where you are?
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Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
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Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the pa When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the payoff of your investment in your children, it is truly one of the greatest gifts. We had that experience twice this week with our 18 year old son and were overwhelmed by this opportunity we had to watch as he handled two very different situations (one personal and one professional) with grace, maturity, integrity and courage. Those of you mamas of little ones, don't ever minimize the job you are doing in raising this next generation. 

Every story read at bedtime
Every correction made to strengthen character
Every outdoor exploration
Every nose wiped
Every bandaid applied
Every time you say no when the world says yes
Every night of helping with homework
Every difficult conversation
Every prayer uttered

The final pieces of the puzzle of his childhood are falling into place and the picture revealed is one that is more wonderful than we could have imagined. And we know that it is only by God's grace on us as we sought His wisdom and guidance that we have come to this point. We have been FAR from perfect parents, but one of my most sincere prayers for the past 18 years was that the Lord would stand in the gaps that were surely to be revealed by our imperfections. And He has answered those prayers again and again. He's taken my humble petitions and most sincere intentions and knocked our socks off with the young man we are so privileged to call our son. And we can’t wait to watch as his future unfolds!
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