My DIY Bathroom Renovation Part 3 — Creating Weathered Barn Walls & the New-Old Vanity

Darn Gumtree and its siren call...

I was perfectly happy repainting my existing vanity with all its useful drawers and storage.

Until I spotted this beauty:

The Gumtree vanity I thought I was getting

If you've been following along with our impromptu reno you know that none of it was planned, budgeted for, or is very well organised. This is not recommended! It's only because the manfolk and I have renovated a bit, we mostly know what to expect. (Which in renovation is always the unexpected!)

In case you missed it, here are Part 1 and Part 2 of how this Spontaneous DIY Bathroom Renovation got started.

When I contacted the seller of said vanity he said he'd "done some work."

Sadly I discovered on pickup this meant he stripped it, removed the back and the door was in pieces. It also had a warped top and water damage. The lesson here is to always ask questions or inspect.

​Truthfully...I still would've bought it!

The Gumtree vanity I actually got!

​I started with Old World Clay and Chalk Paint in the colour Bonsai.

It is a wonderfully neutral colour and it looks amazing layered. 

A great all-rounder paint brush, the Cling On R18

Once painted in Bonsai and mostly dry I used both a MMSMP Wax Puck and Fusion's Beeswax Distressing Block before the next layer of paint.

What's the difference between the two? They're pretty much the same. The puck fits in the palm nicely, but the block gets into corners and edges easily.  If you have tiny hands, the block may be more comfortable. 

Fusion Beeswax Distressing Block

Miss Mustard Seed's Wax Puck

This is what a wax-pucked surface should look like, rub it on leaving a residue of wax behind that will resist your next layer of paint. Soft wax like Old World Polishing Wax and Miss Mustard Seed's Beeswax also work well as resists between paint layers.

Old World Chalk Paint finish with wax resist

One coat Old World Paint in Bonsai and Beeswax Block and Wax Puck resists

Old World Paint in Duck Egg was the next layer of colour.

​It complements the tones in Bonsai and is strong enough to still pop when the final colour is painted.

To see all 50+ colours of Old World Paint, check out our online colour chart or order an Old World Hand-painted Colour Chart online for $12.

Old World in Duck Egg over Bonsai

I was tempted to leave it at this, but I have a penchant for vintage industrial. A little rock-n-roll with my old vanity.

So this happened:

Tuxedo Black in Old World Clay & Chalk Paint for the final dramatic layer

Don't panic! I know it looks a wee bit terrible, but this is when the magic happens!

Wet-distressing with a damp cloth to pull off layers of paint and create a lovely, vintage, aged look with yummy layers of colour.

By the way, this is also when I decided to decoupage the inside with Old World Aqua Sealer to hide a ridiculous stain of some sort that just wouldn't give up (this is my go-to when I don't want to resort to stain blockers).

It's important to know, there is no precise or exact result in distressing. There's no tried-and-true method or formula you must follow. It sounds a bit hippy-dippy, but follow your heart. It becomes easier with time and practice to recognise what you like.

Bringing the layers to life with wet-distressing of Old World Paint

Once I reached the point I wanted, I used the damp-cloth method and wiped on Old World Aqua Sealer.

After a couple hours, I wiped on second coat then repeated  with a third.

​When using the wipe-on method, the layers are thinner, so I prefer to do more than when using a brush. You get no brush marks and it leaves a gorgeous satin sheen.

Perfectly distressed and sealed with Old World Aqua Sealer

Did I show you how tweaked the top was? And in revisiting the photos, I'm pretty sure it's not the same top?!

It was warped with water damage and the amount of work to straighten it, well, I simply wasn't game to try. 

Having a new piece cut cost a smidge over $100. I also thought it would be dreamy to find an above top basin and I got a bit lucky!

My local Bunnings is relocating and guess what — they were having a clearance sale on displays! From $149 to $69!! SCORE!!! 

Mine, Mine, MINE! Closeout basin on sale!

At this point I wanted to check it out in situ to make sure I was happy.....I am indeed.

And for the first time since I created this MESS I feel like it might just come together after all.

Vanity nearly finished finally something to check off the list!

While overseas, the plumber-nephews ran into some issues. Sadly, the slate floors I wanted  desperately to keep did not survive.

I was bummed out until I saw this gorgeousness... 

Creating a paint finish to blend with the faux timber tile

One of these is tile, the other is the timber painted to match the tile! Can you tell which is which? Hint...There's a bit more grain on the boards. I'm quite pleased with the match up!  ​
​
The pine fence palings were washed with Old World Paint in the colour Nest. Then Shutter White was roughly dry-brushed on.

About halfway through I changed to Industrial White which is a little softer and helps create the weathered wood or driftwood feel. 

Work in Progress: First coat painted in Old World colour Nest

See the tile? It's the short one and there's one more...where's Waldo?!

Inspired by the timber tile, each board was hit with a sander to expose the original timber and make the look even more rustic and weathered.

Then,  the  first coat of Old World Aqua Sealer went on with a roller.  Two more coats to come and another major project checked off the list!

Applying first coat of Old World Aqua Sealer with a roller

The next step is a big one...where we should've started.

The slate floors are coming out and we're tiling the shower and floor.  

Sad to see the slate go, but I can't be THAT sad with these beauties to choose from....however will I decide?!!!

Even though my lack of planning cost us precious time and money, I'm feeling like it won't be long now. These were my final picks for floor tiles...stay tuned....

It's all here...for the love...
Sada