February 24, 2014

a look at the loo - bathroom reveal

The loo? Yes, I obviously have Downton on the brain (does anyone else think that season went rather quickly?) So as promised I am supplying a good old before and after for your Monday viewing pleasure.

Updates to the bathroom were planned, executed and photographed. Let's take a look.


As I mentioned last week, a recharge for the bathroom that remained untouched for (gasp) almost seven years was long overdue. (Take a look at her major renovation here) Nothing drastic, just new paint, fixtures, shower curtain, towels and accessories. That's how I sell these changes to the hubs by the way - always use the phrase 'nothing drastic'.

To go back to the very beginning, here is what she looked like when we moved in.


And this is what she looked like until very recently.


And here she is in her pretty new outfit.


The space may be small but I'll milk it for all the pictures I can. So here we go.


The most visually appealing, best smelling soap a bathroom could have, courtesy of local favorite K. Hall Designs.


I couldn't find a towel bar that I liked for the right price and the right size, so I trolled the plumbing department at Home Depot and gathered up some lovely copper to make my own towel bar. Tutorial to follow.


The first of many prints I hope to own from Janet Hill Studio.




I got these wonderful white and gold fish hooks a long while back but never found any place to properly 'hook' them. So instead I took out the standard issue knob on the freshly painted medicine cabinet and replaced it with Elton the glamour fish.


Last summer I talked about my obsession with finding a unique shower curtain. Well I never did find one that suited, so I followed the lead of the great Tobi Fairley and had one made.

Thank heavens I have a wonderful aunt who can sew like the wind. She did a beautiful job and because of the custom work I was able to have her make it just the right length so I could take the curtain rod all the way to the ceiling. It is amazing what it has done for the room. The space feels bigger, brighter and well...taller. Imagine that.


On the opposite wall I made the wise decision to ditch the towel bar in favor of hooks. Let's be real, more than one person uses this bathroom so one towel bar wasn't cutting it. Yes we have a hook on the back of the door as well, but this is just so functional, and far more fun.


Benjamin Moore Gray Owl on the walls has done a brilliant job of brightening up the space, bringing out the gray in the marble floor and most importantly - makes the space feel clean and crisp even if the maid doesn't get around to cleaning it for a few days. Of course, not having a maid might have something to do with that.







And there she is in all her clean splendor. The changes weren't major but it has done a tremendous job of making it feel like we have a new room in the house. And she'll hold my spirits up until spring arrives. The moral of the story is small changes = big impact. Every time.

Have you made any small changes lately? Know anyone who will come to clean my bathroom? Is it wrong that I want to hug my shower curtain?

And be sure to come back tomorrow for a grand giveaway!

Linking to The Best of The Nest

63 comments:

  1. Love it! So clever with your towel bar creation - quite possibly the coolest towel bar ever! Well done!

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  2. I agree with Jenny. Awesome towel bar and I'm still obsessed with the shower curtain.

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  3. Love your clever towel bar! I am about to tackle our master ... nothing "drastic" but just a lot of love! This is incredibly inspiring, thank you!! xo

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  4. Love the fish hook on the medicine cabinets! Great work! It looks awesome.

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  5. So many sweet details you don't even think about the space being on the small side. Your styling in this bath is an inspiration for all of us (um, me) who just shrugs when I look at our non-spa like bathrooms. I love stripes and the pattern play on the shower curtain is wonderful.

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  6. amazing re-fresh! Love those fish!

    Cheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG

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  7. Awww it looks ace! I LOVE the curtain, it adds so much zing to the space. And I love the little blingy fish handle... and that DIY towel rod is all sorts of genius! Agree, little changes make a big difference - I just had a little bit of a refresh in the master bedroom and I keep wanting to 'visit' the room just to see it (tell me I'm not the only saddo who does this!) ;) Beautiful work as always my dear! xxx

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  8. WOW! the curtain just pops- so fun! love all the accessories- beautiful as always!

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  9. The room came out great! Especially love the art work & copper towel bar.


    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

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  10. I love all the little details and now I really want to have shower curtain made!!

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  11. I love the things you added! I think monogram handtowels are a must! I love it all :) xo Kristin

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  12. It all looks so amazing! Well done girl!

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  13. Such a huge change - love it! Your shower curtain is awesome - love how you changed the direction of the stripe at the top. And looking forward to that towel bar tutorial - super cool!

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  14. Your "loo" looks divine (and yes, Downton went WAY too fast - wth?)! It's hard to pick a favorite part - it's all so good, but if pressed I might have to say Elton the fish finishes the space off perfectly. It's the small things. Love it!!

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  15. That is darn cute! I love it, especially the hooks.

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  16. Man, oh man, I love it all! The idea of having a custom shower curtain made is genius. No more being limited by the existing choices out there. Can you share where the wall hooks for your towels came from? It's so good and would look good in several spots in the house.

    Love it all, E!

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  17. Very cute transformation! Great how you changed the tile to all white, the framed mirror, monogrammed towels, the pictures and the fresh tulips too!

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  18. Great job! Love all the details...and the brass towel bar rocks!

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  19. e ... first time caller ...

    LOVE YOU LOVE YOUR SHOW!!!!

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  20. I want to hug your shower curtain too! Love all the color - so happy and springy! Nice job!
    -Shelley

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  21. Congratulations on a job well done! Love the bathroom tile and how clean and sleek it all is. Elton the fish is adorable. I'm painting my guest room today. I loved Downton last night, and so sorry to see it over...gonna rewatch it a million times. xo Nancy

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  22. Great idea for a towel bar!
    I have always hung the shower curtain from the ceiling when I could. It makes a world of difference!!

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  23. Lovely color combination! I have a Janet Hill painting (shoes) in my bedroom. Her work is so gorgeous.

    I really like the towel bar and the towel hook rack as well - will you share where you got the rack?

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  24. I totally agree with you about the small changes = big impact. WOW that shower curtain really jazzes up the place!!! I love what you had already done to the bathroom with the tile in the shower. Now hurry back with the deets on the towel bar. That is truly fab!!!!!

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  25. I love how the makeover is made up of a bunch of small tweaks. This looks great! I think my favorite part is the new shower curtain.

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  26. Enjoyed the tour of your beautiful bathroom Elizabeth, lobe all the little details especially the koi handle!!! I love Janet hill studio too, one of my faves in etsy.:-)

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  27. Fabulous transformation, Elizabeth! I love the bright and cheery green striped shower curtain. I also love the fish, it's so adorable! You did a great job.

    By the way, I am also a huge fan of Janet Hill as well. Here is a post I did a while then: http://www.mixandchic.com/2011/04/gorgeous-artwork-alert-by-janet-hill.html

    Thanks for your kind words and support on my previous post!

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  28. Yes! I can't even handle how cute it is. I love Elton, but my fav is the shower curtain. I'd like one in Black and White....

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  29. Wow! I love every bit of it!! Can't wait for the tutorial--the towel bar is amazing! The colors are perfect!

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  30. E - this looks fantastic!!!! i especially love that you put that curtain all the way up to the ceiling - look at the impact, and that copper towel bar!

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  31. ahhh - there is so much to love about your refreshed loo! And I'm willing to give it to you, you're bathroom (when you moved in) is worse that our pink one.

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  32. The bathroom looks so great! I love it all especially the fish pull & he monogramed towels!

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  33. I recently discovered Janet Hill. Love her work. And your bathroom looks great! I am thinking of redoing mine as well. I think the last time I posted on here was about my shower curtain as well- http://thegovernorsdaughter.blogspot.com/2011/03/shower-curtain-redo.html
    Keep up the good work. I really enjoy reading homegrown blogs. There is something more real about it.

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  34. Elizabeth this is so bright and cheery! I just love it. That fish is especially adorable and that DIY towel bar is genius, especially when paired with monogrammed hand towels. You worked every inch! Looks fab.

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  35. The shower curtain certainly makes the space! But there are so many lovely details. And that towel bar??? I may be using that tutorial of yours on our master update soon! Great work, Elizabeth!

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  36. SO you!! Those stripes are the perfect dose of classic, but the color gives it pizazz! I couldn't love your glam fish more, and the towel bar, so clever! You got a lot of bang out of that little update!

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  37. Elizabeth!! I love it! What a transformation. The glamour fish is the best part...and the shower curtain. Well, I do love your towels as well. Everything really. Congrats!!

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  38. Love! I love that shower curtain, like seriously I'm in love with it! It's fantastic :)

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  39. Wowzers! I am head-over-heels in love with your shower curtain! Love the hooks for the towels as well. So many pretty touches you've put into the space.

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  40. I want to wear that shower curtain! Fun and fresh, Elizabeth!

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  41. I need to get into watching Downtown Abbey! Everyone keeps telling me I'm missing out. I love what you have done with your bathroom. I want to hug your shower curtain, too!! Great job. Love small changes with big impact!

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  42. I Just love a reveal and especially coming from you. Love the shower curtain and of the other design elements you pulled together for a small space she packs a BIG punch! love it!

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  43. small details....huge difference! love the custom shower curtain idea...makes the bathroom look much more elegant. and the bright colors look fantastic against the gray. such a happy little spot now.

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  44. Wow! It is amazing what just a few things added to a space can do. You have inspired me to do a little refresh to my bathroom.

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  45. Great job!! So funny…am considering Gray Owl for my kitchen walls. I love seeing how paint looks in different spaces. Love the subway tile in your shower, your shower curtain, and cute little monogrammed towels!!

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  46. Oh my gosh, I love this bathroom!! The paint color is wonderful and you are right that the long shower curtain makes the whole room seem taller. But hands down, I adore that copper towel bar and can't wait to hear more about it! Well done!

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  47. Beyond cute. Seriously sweet and preppy! That shower curtain is amazing, does your aunt want to make me one, too? ; )

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  48. My o my that's a great bathroom remodel! I LOVE the floors and the subway tiles. But I think my favorite part might be that copper towel rack. Copper and I have a scandalous love affair going on right now. ( ssshhh don't tell anyone). Everything looks amazing girl. But of course would we expect anything less!

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  49. Way to go mama! It looks fantastic! And, nice work on the towel bar!!

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  50. I LOVE this!!! Great color mix!

    XO,
    Krista
    www.goodwillglam.com

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  51. Gorgeous! It's amazing how small changes can make such a big difference! The shower curtain and the monogram towels are so classic. I love the idea of hooks over a towel bar- genius!

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  52. Great update!! Love the shower curtain - the stripes are awesome!! Visiting from "The Best of the Nest" party

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  53. I love everything about you bathroom. I have been stalking Janet Hill Studio for a while now but wasn't sure where to display her art. I love it in the bathroom! I think I am going to have to start using your "nothing drastic" phrase on my husband. I am running out of tricks to get him excited about helping me with my projects.

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  54. How did I miss this? Shut Up!! This is amazing, and I am dying over your details. Please tell me where you got those fish hooks. I need them, now.

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  55. You know I love this! Thanks for linking up to Best of the Nest!

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  56. WOW, just wow! Love this. Love that subway tile, the little touches, the colors...Is it weird that I love the top of your toilet. I like how it's flat with a lip instead of curved! Great job!

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  57. Beautiful bathroom - I lust over the Barr Co soaps also! Just had a look at Janet Hill Studio - what beautiful work. I am ordering one today - just need to decide which! Added bonus - she is in Canada like me - woo hoo - no duty and extra shipping - that never happens :-)

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  58. What a fun bathroom! The shower curtain TOTALLY steals the show - just plain awesome. Can't wait to see your tutorial on the copper towel hook. And the accordion hooks are way cool. Definitely want to ditch the towel rod for those in the kid's baths!

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  59. I love everything about this room! Such a great mix of colors!

    XO,
    Krista

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