What's that saying about a silk bow on a sow?
I've always felt that way about my bathroom. It's not the worst bathroom in the world...but I sealed my fate the day we first looked at the house and I said to my husband, "Well...I hate the bathroom. That would have to be the first thing we change."
Gah!
The entire house has been renovated inside...except for the bathroom!
Here are the befores...
I've always felt that way about my bathroom. It's not the worst bathroom in the world...but I sealed my fate the day we first looked at the house and I said to my husband, "Well...I hate the bathroom. That would have to be the first thing we change."
Gah!
The entire house has been renovated inside...except for the bathroom!
Here are the befores...
Before: The DIY Bathroom Project
BEFORE: Shiplap wall here we come!
My goal has always been to gut it and create a vintage-inspired space with lots of timber and texture — one magical day!
There's a corner spa tub that takes up a TON of space and the the fixtures are all beige which clashes with the crisp white features I have throughout the house (take a look at how the door in the photo above just looks ick).
Over the weekend (on a whim of course) I decided to neutralise the red vanity and began painting it with Old World Clay & Chalk Paint in the colour Nest — a lovely modern neutral that pairs well with the slate floors. I figured I could get another 1-2 years if I toned the vanity down and made it a little more palatable with paint and knobs.
My plan was to paint the benchtop as well, but keep reading to find out how that all went out the window!
Here's how it began...
There's a corner spa tub that takes up a TON of space and the the fixtures are all beige which clashes with the crisp white features I have throughout the house (take a look at how the door in the photo above just looks ick).
Over the weekend (on a whim of course) I decided to neutralise the red vanity and began painting it with Old World Clay & Chalk Paint in the colour Nest — a lovely modern neutral that pairs well with the slate floors. I figured I could get another 1-2 years if I toned the vanity down and made it a little more palatable with paint and knobs.
My plan was to paint the benchtop as well, but keep reading to find out how that all went out the window!
Here's how it began...
Australia's own Old World Paint Company
Old World Clay & Chalk Paint has more than 50 base colours
I got the first "ugly" coat on in Old World Paint, watering it down a bit and using my trusty Cling On Brush and was quite happy with the result. The colour looks amazing with slate floors as well as most things, it's such a fantastic neutral!
But then...I was at Bunnings picking up supplies...
I blame hormones. Or maybe it was a full moon. Perhaps I was inspired by Carol who recently painted her vanity in Shutter White or a new friend and client who is revamping her bathroom with Walnut Bark and Bonsai (to see all the Old World Paint colours click here) or grab one of our Hand-painted Colour Charts.
What happened next is a bit of a blur....
I was heading toward check-out at Bunnings when a man walked by with a trolley full of fencing timber — you know the stuff — cheap, rough pine wiht lots of knots, cracks and texture.
In fact, its the very timber the husband and I used it to build a fence at the family shack.
But then...I was at Bunnings picking up supplies...
I blame hormones. Or maybe it was a full moon. Perhaps I was inspired by Carol who recently painted her vanity in Shutter White or a new friend and client who is revamping her bathroom with Walnut Bark and Bonsai (to see all the Old World Paint colours click here) or grab one of our Hand-painted Colour Charts.
What happened next is a bit of a blur....
I was heading toward check-out at Bunnings when a man walked by with a trolley full of fencing timber — you know the stuff — cheap, rough pine wiht lots of knots, cracks and texture.
In fact, its the very timber the husband and I used it to build a fence at the family shack.
Fencing timber used as intended on this DIY fence
A close up of the very rough, very affordable timber
I grabbed one of those giant trolleys and I made my way to where I knew the wood was stacked in the back of the store.
The boards are inexpensive. But it still adds up quickly. I can be freakishly accurate at estimating sizes and costings, I guestimated that I needed approximately 100 boards at $2.80 each.
I dug through the timber looking for the straighter pieces with minimal shred and no mildew.
Let me add little sidebar here: I prefer wood from salvage or lumber yards, typically it's exceptional quality, has a history, I like supporting local businesses and the customer service/knowledge base is top-notch. This stuff is not very good quality and it's been treated. In fact, I ended up with a headache after digging through the pile.
I got the timber home and smiled at the husband — the affection was not returned. He he.
Although, he did unload it and even stacked bricks on top. I like to believe he's secretly excited.
The boards are inexpensive. But it still adds up quickly. I can be freakishly accurate at estimating sizes and costings, I guestimated that I needed approximately 100 boards at $2.80 each.
I dug through the timber looking for the straighter pieces with minimal shred and no mildew.
Let me add little sidebar here: I prefer wood from salvage or lumber yards, typically it's exceptional quality, has a history, I like supporting local businesses and the customer service/knowledge base is top-notch. This stuff is not very good quality and it's been treated. In fact, I ended up with a headache after digging through the pile.
I got the timber home and smiled at the husband — the affection was not returned. He he.
Although, he did unload it and even stacked bricks on top. I like to believe he's secretly excited.
Weighting the timber down to encourage a straight line
While he set to this task, I stripped the bathroom of everything. As this is our only full bathroom, it's a sad state of affairs because this wasn't a planned event, everything was tossed into baskets.
It's an interesting circus act trying to get ready in the morning!
It's an interesting circus act trying to get ready in the morning!
DURING: Living with a reno mess!
My best advice so far? Aside from the obvious of — don't do a spontaneous bath renovation —my next bit of advice is to use this opportunity to do a thorough clean out and organisation of your toiletries.
I found makeup from the 90s, hairspray from a brand that hasn't existed for years and all the missing bobby pins in the entire world! When I put things back, I'm looking forward to a massive downsizing. I just don't want this much stuff! I think this is a much overlooked benefit to a renovation.
For now, stay tuned. I cannot imagine this will go quickly with no time and no budget. And oh...did I mention I have overseas guest coming in a week?
Since starting this venture, I've sanded all the boards and painted about 30 to date. I also found a vintage vanity on Gumtree that changed the game plan again and now the first-coat-ugly vanity is coming out.
I found makeup from the 90s, hairspray from a brand that hasn't existed for years and all the missing bobby pins in the entire world! When I put things back, I'm looking forward to a massive downsizing. I just don't want this much stuff! I think this is a much overlooked benefit to a renovation.
For now, stay tuned. I cannot imagine this will go quickly with no time and no budget. And oh...did I mention I have overseas guest coming in a week?
Since starting this venture, I've sanded all the boards and painted about 30 to date. I also found a vintage vanity on Gumtree that changed the game plan again and now the first-coat-ugly vanity is coming out.
I can feel how awesome this will be in the end in my bones!
Or maybe that's just the anxiety welling?!
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What's next? DEMO Day!! WooHOO!
Or maybe that's just the anxiety welling?!
Sign up for email updates for the next instalment or join our Shop Talk page on Facebook.
What's next? DEMO Day!! WooHOO!
It's all here...for the love...
Sada
Sada
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