Bathroom Beauty

Bathrooms are one of the most exciting rooms in a home! Ok… maybe not all bathrooms… but they can be! And usually without too much cost or effort.

In fact, I remember a little 17-year-old version of me, moving out on my own for the first time, in a big, crazy world, braved in a city literally on the opposite side of the country; my 2 bedroom “penthouse” apartment (or more aptly put, it sat on the top floor). It was my second expressive attempt at design (more on my first when I write about the birth of my love for textiles), with a budget of about $2 less than I needed to do anything, it seemed.

I had spent the weekend hunting local garage sales, begging strangers to deliver wares I’d found, feeling very grown up in my world. That first day, as each piece was dragged up the rickety elevator, down the smoke-dinged hallway, past the smelly garbage chute, I was so grateful to God for the opportunity to make my mark on the world; opportunities I’d never imagined I would have. It was a brand new day.

I digress… the intent behind that proffered memory is a little glimpse into my first bathroom. The standard, filthy, cheap apartment bathroom and a shoe string budget. I’ll never forget it… the only new items I’d purchased included everything one would need for a well-appointed (albeit basic) bathroom… in sage green. I’d proudly brought home a boxed set of plastic cups and toothbrush holders, shower curtain and bathmat, and I was just so happy to find accessories to add to this little ensemble for next to nothing, included a heavy linen-textured complimenting bedspread that I fashioned by hand into a side-draped curtain over the thin plastic one.

And in an afternoon, my love of bathrooms was born! Since that day, whenever I move (and it’s been more than I care to regale you with), the bathroom has been the first room to be appointed. While the rest of the home can sit with unpacked boxes (even for only a little while), the bathroom is unpacked and orderly so that when I say goodnight to myself after a long day’s work, I can do so in style, and in peace amongst the chaos.

Unveiling modern beauty in old bones

A little over a year ago, I was asked to consult on a small bathroom renovation… one sink or two, sort of thing. Isn’t this often how bathroom renos start… and the next thing you know… we managed to strip our way down to the studs! Literally!

You may notice a few things specifically about this bathroom that would pose as challenges unique under the surface of a 60 year old home, including water damage to the floor, a creaking sound that just would not go away, an awkwardly-placed toilet, and copper piping that we discovered was actually outside of the drywall (in case you’re not sure, it should be inside the wall).

A big job, but everything starts with a budget (yes, this is the MOST important part of the job! See my tips on creating a budget and sticking to it here), and something simple for inspiration. In our case, I happened upon a lady who was selling a variety of art pieces from her home and I picked up two square rose-gold hued prints for about $20. These sat in my garage forever with no where to live… until this project. When I headed to Calgary to get started, I put those (along with others in the back of my SUV, and they became the root of everything that was to follow.

As you can see in the images above, as the contractors were bringing my vision to life with the bones, I gathered décor gems to compliment these photos. In the end, even the accent wall colour was born from these pieces of art. It is a wonderful homage to the beautiful woman who sold them to me (another story for another day).

Tips for a successful bathroom renovation

Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering a bathroom renovation. Some things reflect function, others beauty, but always we try to remain practical for value. While a bathroom or kitchen renovation can be a major asset to you, it can also be a major money pit and can actually negatively affect the value of your home if not done well.

Is this a primary bathroom? Secondary? If it is the only, or main, bathroom in your home, like this renovation project, ensure that the function and beauty supersedes a lack of master ensuite.
How large is your vanity space? In this home, with no master ensuite, it was important to include dual sinks. This compensates for space lost elsewhere.
Can you incorporate main floor laundry, if you don’t have it already? Older homes generally have laundry in the basement. Adding main floor laundry is very appealing to younger families or seniors who move into older neighbourhoods.