Guest Bath: Before and After

by Rhoda on January 1, 2013

in Decorating Details,House Renovation,Projects and How-To

Happy New Year!

There will be posts all over blogland about New Year’s resolutions and setting goals and all of that productive stuff, but I didn’t feel like talking about that today, so how about a fun Before and After?   We can get organized and make resolutions later.  Actually I’m not much of a resolutions girl.

Now that Christmas is over,  I can finally get around to showing all my rooms since we jumped right into the Holidays just as I was getting finished up.  My roommate, Rhonda, uses this bathroom and I got it looking good for her.  She loves it and I’m really proud of how it came out, especially since I didn’t gut it, but worked with what I had.  I will probably give it a new vanity one day, but for now, I’m totally happy with it.

Here’s a reminder of where this bathroom started.  Pretty blah and uninspiring and it definitely needed a little repair and painting.

The After looks pretty darn good, I think.  It’s amazing what paint, adding beadboard and molding, rugs, painting the countertoppainting the vanity, new lighting, and spray painting the hardware on the vanity will do.  None of these things were super expensive, but all together made for a pretty dramatic change in here.

Guest bath shower curtain

The shower curtain plays off the vanity which is painted Annie Sloan Duck Egg blue.  I did the Rustoleum countertop transformation kit which you can find in the link above.  The shower curtain , called Birds of a Feather, was ordered online through Walmart and it came via Wayfair (not sure how that works, but that is what my order says).  Wayfair has tons of products and this curtain was around $25.  I love how it adds some fun to the room.

Rug from Ballards

The rug came from Ballards Outlet and this is still in their catalog.  Loved the blue with writing on it, so I grabbed it while I was at the outlet.

tub rug

This little bathmat came from TJ Maxx and ties in nicely with the other rug and shower curtain.

framed mirror

There’s a good shot of the mirror frame from MirrorMate, which also adds a nice finished look in here.  And you can get a good look at the beadboard wallpaper and molding above.  I did add one more hook to the mix, total of 3.

mirror close

Close up of the frame.

Hooks and beadboard

Good shot of the hooks and beadboard with the shell art above.

Forgot to include a link to the beadboard wallpaper, which I carry in my online shop, from Graham Brown. I love working with this paper and have showed several projects over the years on my blog and how easy it is to work with.

beadboard and artwork

This shell art was in my master bath in my old house, so I’m reusing here.

shelf

And there was room for a wall shelf here on the end wall.  This piece was also in my old masterbath and I’m reusing it.  I sprayed it with Satin Nickel Rustoleum spray paint since I had painted it gold in my old bath.

bathroom shelf

Already had the lamp and beach print too, so all in all this was a very cost effective bathroom makeover.  This shot is most accurate for paint color.  It is hard to get good pics in a windowless bathroom.  It is Khaki and not gold.

Hope this gave you all some ideas on how you can take a plain Jane bathroom that is horribly dated and ugly and at least bring it up to date without completely starting over and gutting the space.  I was fortunate to already have this neutral tile on the floors too, so that did help a lot.  Much better than linoleum, so I’m grateful to have it.  I could definitely work with it.

Do you have an old bathroom that needs some help?  Think about painting the vanity, adding new hardware (although I kept mine and painted it), rugs, shower curtain and adding that beadboard wallpaper in mine really added a lot of architectural detail to an otherwise plain space.

All those little things add up to making a stylish space!


{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Mary January 1, 2013 at 7:33 am

I love the duck egg blue vanity. Everything looks great and look forward to your 2013 posts. You’re an inspiration!

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2 Gina January 1, 2013 at 8:27 am

That looks fantastic!

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3 Carrie January 1, 2013 at 8:40 am

What a transformation! The duck egg blue vanity is so pretty and I love the shower curtain.

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4 Moni ~ Zu Haus at Home January 1, 2013 at 8:42 am

Great transformation ! Thanks for sharing great ideas!

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5 Shirley@Housepitality Designs January 1, 2013 at 8:49 am

Rhoda…the bathroom is beautiful…I love how you can make a room look like a million bucks on a budget!…Rhonda must love her bathroom!….I hear you loud and clear on the resolutions and projects…I sat down and did my project wish list last year…I think I only accomplished 2 of them!!…so this year..I shall not do that…so I won’t feel that sense of “non-accomplishment”…however, my year was filled of many, many other wonderful “non-project” accomplishments and treasured moments and events!..Happy New Year Rhoda!

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6 Rhoda January 1, 2013 at 3:52 pm

Thank you so much, Shirley!

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7 Julie January 1, 2013 at 9:11 am

love it Rhoda- I am so much more motivated with my own home since I began reading your blog awhile back…
thanks :)

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8 Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads January 1, 2013 at 9:13 am

Rhoda, you really worked your magic on this bath! You are a true inspiration of how you can update on a budget. My only resolution is to eat healthier (and less!) and exercise more! Whew! That’s enough for me! Happy New Year!

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9 Claire Williams January 1, 2013 at 9:15 am

Thank you for that, Rhoda. My bathroom currently looks exactly like your “before” – all white and no character. Because I live in a character cottage I’d love to put in a rolltop bath and a Victorian washstand, but this is a rental property and so no such extravagant changes can be made. So I’ll be looking out for little decorative items, some pictures, a nice shelf and that will be about it!

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10 Annette H January 1, 2013 at 9:39 am

It looks fantastic! Love the colors, fresh and light yet warm. I hope you don’t mind if I steal your shelf over the electrics idea, I have a bathroom wall that’s similar and I just love that! Wishing you all the best-Annette

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11 Rhoda January 1, 2013 at 3:53 pm

HI, Annette, of course you can borrow any ideas for your own, that’s why I do this stuff!

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12 Edith P. January 1, 2013 at 9:43 am

What a happy looking bathroom. Great job. Once again you’ve made lemon aid out of a lemon!

The previous owners would just flip out if they could see what you and your dad have done to this house.

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13 Nancy January 1, 2013 at 9:53 am

Hi Rhoda!! I need to be doing lesson plans and instead I am looking at your beautiful guest bathroom! This is wonderful! Is this the counter top you painted?? <3 <3 Love it…as I always do with your remakes!! It's going to be a good year…Happy New Year!! ~Nancy from OHIO

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14 Rhoda January 1, 2013 at 3:54 pm

Yep,Nancy that is the Rusteoleum countertop product I used, link above.

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15 Gee January 1, 2013 at 10:02 am

Happy New Year to you and yours.
Luv the blue and chocolate combination. So fresh and beautiful.
Cheers, Gee

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16 Lynn January 1, 2013 at 10:19 am

Looks great! Do you have plans for the area above the toilet? Since you don’t need that towel rack maybe a pretty picture would work.

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17 Rhoda January 2, 2013 at 9:03 am

Hi, Lynn, I’ll probably leave the towel rack for now, it might come in handy sometimes.

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18 Pinky January 1, 2013 at 10:27 am

Happy new year, Rhoda! The bathroom looks like a million $$$$!!!! Beautiful transformation. I bet that is pictures of your Mom and Dad that I spy outside the door? They sure have been with you every step of the way. Wishing you ALL the BEST in 2013. I am not a resolutions girl either cause I feel too bad when I break them:) XO, Pinky

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19 Karen January 1, 2013 at 10:38 am

Rhoda,
As always, your designer savvy worked its magic! How beautiful it is! May I ask what color you used on the walls? I am looking for a color that is neutral and no too good. Thanks much! Happy New Year!

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20 MK January 1, 2013 at 10:48 am

This is the kind of makeover I love–one that doesn’t require a contractor or a big budget! You give me ideas for my mom’s countertops–she has been updating her bathrooms on a budget by removing wallpaper, painting cabinets, etc. Never thought of using the Countertop Transformations—how long ago did you do it and does it seem to be holding up well? Also, did you use any kind of clearcoat over the ASPC to protect the cabinets? So happy for you in your new home.

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21 Rhoda January 2, 2013 at 9:01 am

Hi, MK, I did that probably back in August and yes, it’s holding up fine. Once that top coat cures well, it’s very hard and durable. No, I didn’t use any topcoat over the Annie Sloan either. I could do that, but haven’t take the time.

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22 Karen January 1, 2013 at 11:03 am

Wow. It looks great!
Karen

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23 Robin January 1, 2013 at 12:08 pm

How do you determine the height of your beadboard wallpaper?

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24 Rhoda January 1, 2013 at 3:05 pm

Robin, really I just eyeball it for the most part, It’s about 2/3 up the wall and my ceilings are 8′ high in all my rooms. I did it high in the dining room and in my bathroom vanity area too, just gives it more presence and importance, I think rather than regular chair rail height.

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25 Robin January 4, 2013 at 10:26 am

I love it! Thanks for the reply.

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26 Barbara (WA) January 1, 2013 at 12:17 pm

Love the reusing of items, all your tips on painting, and the end result in this lovely space. You are very talented!

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27 Charlotte January 1, 2013 at 12:23 pm

Thanks for sharing your pictures of your bathroom. My husband and I are starting a bath remodel project this week and will certainly use some of your ideas. Happy New Year to you.

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28 Marie in Va January 1, 2013 at 12:26 pm

The bathroom looks great! What a transformation! I love how you have reused so much that you already had.

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29 Marie in Va January 1, 2013 at 12:28 pm

The bathroom looks great! What a transformation! I love how you have reused so much that you already had.
Happy New Year!
May your 2013 be happy, healthy and hopeful :)

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30 Dawn January 1, 2013 at 12:54 pm

Love it!! So pretty and functional. I am sure Rhonda is loving it. The whole house has turned out so pretty and I know you will continue to inspire me with even more projects to beautify. Thanks for sharing!

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31 kelly thompson January 1, 2013 at 1:11 pm

great makeover!

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32 sj January 1, 2013 at 1:46 pm

Love the blue and white.

I think painting works really well when one has a good cabinet with a finish that needs updating. It’s a personal preference, but that cottage style cabinet looks better painted
than stained.

I have the same blue towels. I use them for throws in my daughter’s room.

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33 Bonnie @ the pin junkie January 1, 2013 at 2:23 pm

Looks great! I love the color combination of brown and blue. Wishing you a wonderful new year!

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34 Patty January 1, 2013 at 2:39 pm

What a beautiful transformation! Great Job Rhoda! Looks like a magazine photoshoot! Happy New Year!

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35 Kathy :) January 1, 2013 at 3:18 pm

Looks great Rhoda, Happy New Year to you and your family, my kids were home for Christmas, we had such a nice time, snow held off until they left :)

All the best in 2013
Kathy :)

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36 Mary Lou January 1, 2013 at 3:48 pm

Love your site have a Happy New Year

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37 Judy Clark January 1, 2013 at 4:35 pm

Rhoda, your guest bath turned out so pretty!! Nice job!

Happy New Year.

Judy

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38 Marilyn January 1, 2013 at 4:41 pm

Have I missed the winner of the mirror mate giveaway ? Tks

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39 Rhoda January 2, 2013 at 8:49 am
40 Jeannette January 1, 2013 at 4:56 pm

Great transformation.

Happy New Year

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41 Martina January 1, 2013 at 5:14 pm

LOVE IT!!

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42 Jeanne January 1, 2013 at 5:47 pm

I love it! Great transformation and it looks like the costs were quite low all in all. I have a question about the beadboard wallpaper. Would it work on textured “knockdown” walls?

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43 Rhoda January 2, 2013 at 8:48 am

Hi, Jeanne, I have never had knockdown walls before so I’m not sure that it would work over them. It might show the bumps underneath a little, just not sure.

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44 Jeanne January 2, 2013 at 2:53 pm

Thanks Rhoda, I’m thinking the same thing. I’m beginning to hate these knockdown walls because things like wallpaper ans stencils don’t seem to work well on it.

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45 SheilaG @ Plum Doodles January 1, 2013 at 6:29 pm

The bathroom looks great, Rhoda! I just finished one of the countertop kits in my sister’s bathroom, had to leave before they reinstalled the sinks, though, so I’ll be posting about it after I get back up there to take pics. Happy New Year, and let’s get together again soon! :)

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46 Rhoda January 1, 2013 at 6:40 pm

Great, Sheila, glad you tried it out too, I’m sure it looks nice and yes, we will definitely have to get together soon.

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47 Lisa Mende Design January 1, 2013 at 8:55 pm

Wow! Your bath looks awesome! Rhoda, make sure you enter my giveaway for a free ticket to design camp in Atlanta with Lori Dennis and Kelli Ellis in January!!!!

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48 Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way January 1, 2013 at 9:10 pm

What a great transformation! I love the look of the vanity…a great color! Have a great week!
Leslie

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49 Annette January 1, 2013 at 11:14 pm

Rhoda,
I love the updates in the bathroom. You did a great job with the beadbord wallpaper and trim. The colors in the shower curtain look so fresh!
Annette

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50 Alice January 2, 2013 at 1:44 am

Rhoda, This bathroom doesn’t look anything like the old bathroom….I love everything about this makeover…Just beautiful!!! Love your blog….

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51 Sue January 2, 2013 at 7:46 pm

Just found you on Pinterest and I am drooling :) My bathroom is on the “updating” list this year and I am going to use so many of your wonderful ideas. Can’t wait to sit down this evening and peruse your blog!

Sue

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52 Anne January 5, 2013 at 5:41 pm

What a beautiful transformation! It looks like a spa!
xx
Anne

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53 Recreate and Decorate January 6, 2013 at 7:41 pm

Looks great! I love the wallpaper!

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54 Melissa January 18, 2013 at 2:08 pm

Wow, great job!!!! That looks fantastic!!!!

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55 Michelle February 6, 2013 at 8:45 am

I love how you updated your bathroom and was wondering where you purchased the towel hooks?

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56 susan February 9, 2013 at 4:35 pm

It is a lovely bathroom. Can you tell me the wall paint
color?

Also, love the rest of your rooms in both homes!

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57 Courtney June 6, 2013 at 4:09 pm

I second the question above-what is the wall color? I love this bathroom so much…I have been wanting to repaint mine for a while but haven’t found the right color. This one might just be perfect!

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58 Rhoda June 6, 2013 at 10:16 pm

Hi! The wall color in here is Windsor Greige by Sherwin Williams. It’s a nice khaki color.

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