Bathroom Renovation Before & After
You know how bathroom renovations go…
You start with whatever is in place, you dream about what you wish was in place…
and then you go about designing that dream space.
This bathroom most definitely did NOT look like this when we started. Not.Even.Close.
You might not know but our house was old and abandoned with broken windows and lots of grossness (for lack of a better word). It had never been lived in full time- and was left for vandalism and yuck in the country for YEARS. As in like 60 years. Where who knows WHAT happened.
All we know is that when we bought the house- we were pretty alarmed at some of the grunge and damage in all the rooms which leads us to think it may have been a party house or squatter house even at some point during those 60+ years.
And this bathroom… well this bathroom was what you might refer to as a diamond in the rough.
REALLY ROUGH.
AS IN COAL.
THAT WAS QUESTIONABLE IF THERE WAS A DIAMOND JUST WAITING INSIDE.
THAT WAS QUESTIONABLE IF THERE WAS A DIAMOND JUST WAITING INSIDE.
Okay- honestly, a diamond in the rough is generous.
This bathroom was a
disaster.
disaster.
Remember how I said I see potential to a fault? This house is a perfect example.The Before- was incredibly hard to look past.
Short ceilings, old hodgepodge mismatched tile- including my favorite- ‘Giraffe Tile’ which was a golden yellow with brown spots on the floor, broken shower door, cracked sink, red subway tile on the walls- except for the brown that was on the other wall and then all that water damage and broken tiny window.
I actually liked the sink but it was cracked and unusable.
And the large built in cupboard was great- lots of character in the doors –
And the large built in cupboard was great- lots of character in the doors –
it really just needed major amounts of cleaning
(ahem BLEACH) and paint and primer.
(ahem BLEACH) and paint and primer.
We took that apart and re-used it in another room.
But you know what?
That is likely one of the reasons why so many passed on this amazing little old house- because I was the only looney toon who saw a diamond waiting in that very.thick.and
dark.coal.
And the bathroom along with the rest of this old vandalized neglected house….aside from the obvious disrepair it was in-
it just didn’t fit our idea of what a dream would look like. So we dreamed up a new look and waved an amazing magic wand…and this is what it looks like now.
And I have to tell you… that magic wand?
THE best investment we ever made.
THE best investment we ever made.
🙂
haha
haha
Okay- so obviously ‘the wand’
looked more like, blood, sweat, tears and A LOT of work. We removed the old and started with a little bit of reconfiguring to make the space work for how we live. And when it comes to tackling any kind of renovation or re-decorating project- I always start with what works and what I WANT the space to look like.
looked more like, blood, sweat, tears and A LOT of work. We removed the old and started with a little bit of reconfiguring to make the space work for how we live. And when it comes to tackling any kind of renovation or re-decorating project- I always start with what works and what I WANT the space to look like.
And with this project- we learned more than a few things.
#1. Work with what you have
Obviously, unless you are adding square footage or raising the roof, etc. the best thing and easiest thing to do is work with what you have.
For this bathroom, the plumbing didn’t move.
We kept the sink along the same wall as it was originally- where the cupboard was next to the original sink- we added a second set of pipes (my dad is a contractor extraordinaire) for the double sink. The shower is in the same spot, the tub is an addition but it piggybacked off the water heater plumbing and sits in the spot where the water heater used to be.
For this bathroom, the plumbing didn’t move.
We kept the sink along the same wall as it was originally- where the cupboard was next to the original sink- we added a second set of pipes (my dad is a contractor extraordinaire) for the double sink. The shower is in the same spot, the tub is an addition but it piggybacked off the water heater plumbing and sits in the spot where the water heater used to be.
That door way looking in is where the new wall for the bathroom is which allowed us to expand the space within the original footprint.
If you can work with existing- go for it.
#2. Keep your choices simple
Something I feel like I see again and again-
is a small space with a big amount of chaos and patterns.
It is like someone who puts on all their favorite outfits along with 3 hats and 4 scarves
at the SAME TIME.
I know it might be something that is fun to do once in awhile but on an everyday basis where you might want to slowly wake up or relax in the evening-
unless you love overload of pattern and color- keeping that simple backdrop is a good choice. So when designing a space like a bathroom- which is generally going to have a footprint of maybe a few hundred sq ft depending-I like to keep a cohesive and somewhat simple look.
If that is tile, wallpaper, whatever floats your boat- go for it!
I had wallpaper in this bathroom for years- I loved it.
I paired it with simple white beaded board to keep it from feeling overwhelming.
Then you can add in your pops of colors, patterns and details and all your favorite outfits and hats – and then change them whenever you feel like it.
is a small space with a big amount of chaos and patterns.
It is like someone who puts on all their favorite outfits along with 3 hats and 4 scarves
at the SAME TIME.
I know it might be something that is fun to do once in awhile but on an everyday basis where you might want to slowly wake up or relax in the evening-
unless you love overload of pattern and color- keeping that simple backdrop is a good choice. So when designing a space like a bathroom- which is generally going to have a footprint of maybe a few hundred sq ft depending-I like to keep a cohesive and somewhat simple look.
If that is tile, wallpaper, whatever floats your boat- go for it!
I had wallpaper in this bathroom for years- I loved it.
I paired it with simple white beaded board to keep it from feeling overwhelming.
Then you can add in your pops of colors, patterns and details and all your favorite outfits and hats – and then change them whenever you feel like it.
#3. Splurge
Something that was a splurge for me- the vanity and the cast iron tub.
I firmly believe that if you cut high end choices in one area – you can splurge in others and have an overall decadent feeling bathroom.
Another splurge- all that marble. On the floor, on the walls, in the shower. (I might be obsessed)
The way that splurge worked into the budget is the next tip.
I firmly believe that if you cut high end choices in one area – you can splurge in others and have an overall decadent feeling bathroom.
Another splurge- all that marble. On the floor, on the walls, in the shower. (I might be obsessed)
The way that splurge worked into the budget is the next tip.
#4. DIY what you can
IF you area a diy kind of person- and really be honest with yourself there- then you can tackle things like doing the tile and save at ton.
BUT *Absolutely do Not tackle anything like wiring, plumbing or moving walls/construction without a qualified person helping you. *
BUT *Absolutely do Not tackle anything like wiring, plumbing or moving walls/construction without a qualified person helping you. *
HIRE all those jobs you are not qualified to do.
DIY can go very wrong- and anytime you are working with plumbing, construction and electrical situations- I have my go to phone a friend to come over and help.
Plus, if you do it wrong the first time- you will be paying twice as much to have it fixed.
Just hire the job out and get it done right the first time and put your mind at ease on if it was done correctly.
DIY can go very wrong- and anytime you are working with plumbing, construction and electrical situations- I have my go to phone a friend to come over and help.
Plus, if you do it wrong the first time- you will be paying twice as much to have it fixed.
Just hire the job out and get it done right the first time and put your mind at ease on if it was done correctly.
#5. Shop online for the best prices
Some of the BEST items for renovating are things I have found online.
All the faucets, sinks and even that cast iron tub- all sourced online. My local big box home improvement stores did not have them and the finish, style and sizes I was looking for were not easy to come by. A favorite source for vintage style is Signature Hardware – all of those things mentioned above were from them.
All the faucets, sinks and even that cast iron tub- all sourced online. My local big box home improvement stores did not have them and the finish, style and sizes I was looking for were not easy to come by. A favorite source for vintage style is Signature Hardware – all of those things mentioned above were from them.
#6. Shop Vintage
Shop vintage as well- some of the best items come from the thrift store or flea market- and the price can’t be beat. I included several vintage elements in the bathroom to give it that ‘old world’ feeling. The French armoire is a perfect example.
Sourced from Craigslist- I use it to store baskets full of everyday things that I don’t want out and about. The laundry basket under the sink is another- perfect for holding rolled towels and extra rolls of tp behind them.
Sourced from Craigslist- I use it to store baskets full of everyday things that I don’t want out and about. The laundry basket under the sink is another- perfect for holding rolled towels and extra rolls of tp behind them.
#7. Think about functionality- for YOU
It sounds simple- but I can’t tell you how many times I bump into a design that LOOKS incredible- but doesn’t work. A toilet in an awkward spot even though it adds more floor space or a bathtub in the center of the room even though you bump into it when trying to reach the sink.
Remember to think about how you live everyday in that space- and make it work for you.
Remember to think about how you live everyday in that space- and make it work for you.
#8. Embrace the quirks
Something I had to learn while living in this house- embrace the quirks. There are a lot of things I don’t love about certain rooms, layouts, etc. And some of them could be changed if I spent a ton of money and changed entire rooms-but I choose to embrace those quirks and recognize they are part of the character and age of this home- and that not everything has to be changed. That shower? I would have loved to have enlarged it and made it double the size it was- but that would have required moving the toilet and redoing plumbing. And that quirky slanted ceiling above it wouldn’t be nearly the same if it was in a different spot.
#9. Layer what you love
Cozy towels, shades of white, marble on marble, crisp and clean finishes, rich elegant finishes, classic old world style or more modern touches- whatever your dream bathroom looks like- it doesn’t have to be expensive, new or renovated to be Love – layer those elements.
From brass hardware to wallpaper or marble subway tile to beaded board and
sightly over the top chandeliers- I am a big believer in the thought that if a room makes you happy when you walk in- that it is perfect.
So think about what you love and enjoy the process of creating a space that you love.
From brass hardware to wallpaper or marble subway tile to beaded board and
sightly over the top chandeliers- I am a big believer in the thought that if a room makes you happy when you walk in- that it is perfect.
So think about what you love and enjoy the process of creating a space that you love.
I hope that helps a bit with how this renovation came about.
And something fun- see those sconces?
They are from Lamps Plus (here)
And something fun- see those sconces?
They are from Lamps Plus (here)
And some of these photos are from my book- if you don’t have it yet-
you can find it on sale HERE
And find my new book Inspired Gatherings HERE
Giveaway is CLOSED.
Disclosure:I partnered with Angie’s List to update this bathroom- but all designs and opinions are my own.
Sad that one has to be on instagram to enter…
I do FB, but I had to draw the line somewhere…
Love the progression and ideas…makes me want to redo things…Love marble…but honestly, I'm not neat and tidy…
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Ahh I hear you on the marble- which goes back to the tip that is about making sure it is functional for you and your lifestyle. 🙂 Sorry about the Instagram only entry- that is the place that Lamps Plus decided on. I do appreciate you stopping by and leaving me a note!
Simply gorgeous!
Simply gorgeous! We had an old farmhouse (just shy of 100 years old) that we closed escrow on in September 2007 only to lose it in a wildfire in October 2007! I was looking forward to making that farmhouse our own, so it was devastating. On the bright side, we have a brand new (at the time; it's now 10 years old) house with all the modern conveniences and did none of the work ourselves (we didn't DIY a new build). It's beautiful, of course, but it will never have the charm of an old farmhouse or a house like yours. So, I love visiting your site and seeing all your marvelous changes!
What color did you paint your mirror? Mine are very similar and I’ve been looking at colors. I also have a Carrara marble bathroom ????
love it ! what is on your floor and where did you find it, do you like it?
wish I could see the floor plan ( where is the humble commode) we are planning to redo our bathroom
Our houses appear to be about the same vintage. Both the original bathrooms in my home were in a pitiful state upon purchasing the house…as in masking tape holding wall tiles in place. Postage-size footprints. Water damage. Dinky windows. Sigh. Your remodel is lovely! I need to update my bathrooms again and love the inspiration I get with your pictures and stories!
You really are amazing! You have a gift for seeing things that I would most likely pass up. I guess that’s why you have the blog-and me, not so much ��
I LOVE everything you do. My perfect taste in décor! I am not on Instagram, but have Facebook and email. Sorry, I am old. LOL
I am BUYING your book ASAP.
I am searching to make my bedroom Country French style. Would a canopy bed work well? I am a widow and like the feminine touches.
Barbara
Really great advice.
PS: If we don’t have Instagram then we cannot enter the giveaway??
🙁
I love what you did to that bathroom. I have to say that it is my dream bathroom!
Always love seeing the before and afters…just so inspirational!!!
Same here, no Instagram but I do love all your tips and your book.
Trish
Same here, no Instagram but I do love all your tips and your book.
Trish
Absolutely gorgeous
Beautiful bathroom. Love your tips.
Oh my goodness talk about awesome and oh so lovely
I remember well your hubby talking to me about the progress. I remember when you first looked at it. That was ages ago!
I completely agree about using the space you have
and making it nice for your family style! Beautiful bathroom!
Courtney, you always have the perfect mirrors. I love what you did with the bathroom, it is good you could look past the grunge.
These tips are so helpful … and insightful! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Courtney, as an old home lover, I really loved this post. It was wonderful to hear more about your home's story and see the before photos. Wow! You guys have accomplished so much with this home. It's such an inspiration. I LOVED your tips too.
Not on Instagram.. But just wanted to say Your bathroom brought me to years!! Every square inch of it was perfection. To relax in the tub must take you back in time.CeeCee Mccaffery
What can I say ..To take a bath in that tub can only be a trip back in time. A job well done. Done with love .CeeCee Mc
Simply stunning! I love that you work with what you have.
Gorgeous!
Followed the steps. What an amazing giveaway. Thanks for the chance! This would be amazing to help with the remodel of our 70's home..
Your bath is stunning. I've been a pinning fool on this post! ;D Your vanity is my favorite element, although I love all the marble goodness….
We just demo'd our 100+ year old house bathroom. I've lived with the giraffe-colored tile that had no grout for 15 years! I'm enjoying looking at the studs, currently, dreaming up how I want the space to be. This post was perfect timing!
Courtney,
Your bathroom is absolutely beautiful. There is so much that I really like about it….the mirror, the armoire, the vanity, but especially the lamps. I assumed you must have found them in antique shop rather than at Lamps Plus. You have done an incredible job.
Kathy
Courtney,
Where did you find your beautiful vanity?
The vanity is custom made- with a sideboard from Eloquence that we turned into a sink vanity. 🙂
no instagram – sorry lamps plus! love the pictures of coziness! candlelight is so healing and relaxing. i don't know why i haven't used it much – i'm a widow and i guess there is no point in making a romantic space. until now that is. bedroom and bath are going to get the once over!
I just discovered you… wowza! Impeccable style. I’m redoing our master and our guest bath so I’m a little obsessed right now. Picking up a vintage dresser tomorrow to strip for a vanity, wish me luck. Curious: where did you buy your wall tile? (and is it the same place as the floor tile?)
Brava!
I absolutely love your bath makeover, especially the vanity and sinks, and the mirror is beautiful. I love what you’ve done with it. Was it gold before your makeover?
Classy! I sit here drooling with all you've envisioned months before and then made them all come true. I love decorating but it takes a lot of money. Now if I had the money you would be my designer. 🙂 I have a nice little country home and dream big at times. I would love to just sit in a corner of your house and take everything in…sooooo gorgeous. The sink, mirror set-up is outstanding!! TUB…oH my gosh! You are amazing! I'm new to your blog, so I'll be drooling for awhile. So much to view.
Your bathroom is beautiful. I'm wondering if you can share where your wooden stool is from. I've been searching for one for ages.
Thank you!
Patty
Too late! I've already bought your book……months ago, lol. Love this bathroom. I have old black metal sconces that I just might paint.
I love how you've combined simplicity with elegance in the bathroom! Love the sconces vs. overhead lights. I would not have thought to do that. Once again you've nailed the French Country feeling.
Always love the before and after photos! The vanity is perfect and so unique. I loved how you used brass drains which adds to the beauty of the underside of the sink. We have a 1910 home we restored and used Signature Hardware for all our bathrooms too! Thanks for sharing…just lovely.
I am in awe! I love that bathroom, it looks so romantic with the organic shapes and definitely, it screams "French"! I really like the sinks and vanity. You just inspired me for my bathroom renovation. This style wasn’t on my moodboard yet, but it definitely will be now! I've been playing around with this tool https://mykukun.com/bathroom-remodel-cost to estimate the cost of my bathroom renovation, I think is pretty helpful to know how much it would cost to renovate. Seems very accurate so just wanted to share. You did a great job there! An amazing renovation! 🙂
Great tips! Will definitely save this for future reference, thank you so much for sharing this! 🙂
Are the stool, sink/ buffet table, and armoir painted? lime wash or pickling Over raw wood? Help! I must recreate that finish.
THank you!
Just as found- I didn’t do anything to them. I would suggest a lime finish to try to recreate- the stool and sink table are raw wood with no stain – the armoire has a white wash look but it is just as I found it.
Hello. I so love that large open weave basket underneath your bathroom sink. Loved it the firstbtime insaw it, about a year or more ago. Do you remember where you remember where you bought it or at what store? Probably not, but seEing it again now i had to ask. It is a lovely picture ofva lovely bathroom. Wish mine looked like that. Have cleaning and tosSing to do now, big time tossing. Hope can get some done. Too many things sitting around , making me more upset than the horror That occurred in the capitol building. You get upseT and depressed and frozen. Get nothinG done. Just so comforting to see neat and Clean.
It is vintage- I found it at Las Vegas Market several years ago. I would try places like Etsy or ebay and see if you can find something similar. Hope that helps!
Where is the vanity table from?
From Eloquence- we customized it into a vanity.
Wow what an am TRANSFORMATION! Thise before pics were a luttle scary.
They really are! haha.
Ive been following your Blog for a few years. Looking at it just makes my Day, even repeats. Last fall we moved into a 70’s ranch. Ovee the years we have redone a few homes from 1904 bungalow to a log jome. We did most of the worK our selves and loved it. Now we are old and limited on what we are able to do, especially the husband. Having to have contractors in to do things we are remInded how much we did ourselves and how mich we were woRth. I’m still painting and tiling and a bit more. Of course the “design head” is still working. Looking at blogs etc still fills the soul. THanks for all your ideas, beautiful photos and well written blogs.
Just Fou and joined your dite. I love what i am seeing. Like your fo, i too love the fab makeo you did, es what you started with. All i can say is wow, i want that look to.
Happy 2021!
I just posted. Almost everything i posted I guess, “was lost in posting.” Sorry about tHat . Bottomline, i am in love with your fabulous transformation. You nailed it! Just found and joined your gorgeous site.
Happy 2021!
the bathroom floor tiles seem unique and wondered if there is a link to find similar? Do you seal them every 6 mos? the feel of the entire room is very welcoming…
They are from a specialty tile shop- we are actually going to have to replace these unfortunately but have not had to re-seal them- they stay fairly clean.
I love the whole renovation of your bathroom. I especially love the floor tile. Where did you get it?
The floor tile was from Arizona Tile
How do you maintain your Marble? I have it in my kitchen and the countertops have sOme ETCHING on them. Also, Did you have a rodent PROBLEM and how did you get rid of them?
Hi! I use a sealer- but the marble will get some etching even so- it is the nature of marble. And no- we haven’t had any rodent problems here so not sure what to advise to get rid of them. We did have a bat in the house before (twice!) which was not fun- but not rats or mice.
I have your books that I have read cover to cover, I follow your blog , your Instagram posts, and have many MAGAZINES with your HOME featured in them. Pretty sure you could call me a fan. My question is have you ever had a full picture of the outside of your house published? I’ve seen the outbuildings but never a good view of the main house. Have I just missed It? I’ve seen pictures with just a corner of it showing here and there. But never the the whole house. love your bathroom . We redid our hall bath using an antique China cabinet (small -one door) for linens, a small sideboard for the vanity, and a claw foot tub with a CHANDELIER over it. Love it!
We have not shared the entire outside view- just pieces of the outside view of the house and guest cottage. Without getting into too many details- we were advised to not share too much personal information or photos of the outside view for safety reasons so have shared just a few outside views. Your bath sounds beautiful- it is so fun to update and create spaces that are perfect for you isn’t it?
WOw! What an amazing transfoRmation! This is the ultimate French Country Cottage DReam Bathroom. A sight for sore eyes. ABSolutely breath taking and sO ROmantic! I lobe the marble tile you used On floor and walls. Can you please share where ut can be purchased and the style and color of marble. Would greatly appreciate it. Also is the mirror an antique from elequence.cOm if so which one is it. If not whete can it be PurchaseD? Thank you so much for your help!
Hi there, thank you! The marble on the wall is from Lowe’s- you can also find similar to the floor tile there or at Home Depot as well. The mirror is from Restoration Hardware- it is in the baby and child section. I hope that helps!
Sad to say, but that makes perfect sense. Thank you!
I love everything I’ve seen, so beautiful! Do you think Rose gold/copper faucets would look good in this batHroom ? Can i mix the rose with brass/gold?
And do you think the brick floor would work here?
I also wanted to ask you what coLor white paint do you suggest for walls and trim? Thank you for sharing these photos, i just love it all.
I like Farrow and Ball colors- and simple crisp white. We used Benjamin Moore Simply White in the house
I thought about doing the brick floor in here actually! I didn’t like the color tones of the marble with the brick that we had- but maybe a different shade would work. With so much marble on the walls all around – I would lean towards something in a more ‘quiet’ color. With the rose gold- I think if you love rose- gold it could work. What I would do is set the rose gold faucet next to the marble and choose something that has a warmer/whiter undertone and pattern. The one we have in here is gray but has some blue that comes through depending on lighting. So just something to consider.
Stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!