At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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.

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Comments

  1. 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

  3. 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

  9. 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. 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

  12. 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. 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. 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

  17. 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

  20. 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

  26. 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. 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

  30. 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

  33. 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

    • 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

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