Monday, June 15, 2009

Lettered Cottage - Guest Bathroom BEFORE

Alright, here it is. Be prepared to shudder in your seat. We haven't done anything to this room since we bought the place a year and a half ago.

To the right, when you walk through the door, is a huge vanity. It's 36" high, which makes it hard for our niece and nephews to reach the faucet without pulling up a chair.

The cabinets are all installed backwards, so the doors all open the wrong way. The floor is covered in peel-and-stick tiles. The counter top is a light beige Formica, with tiny neutral-colored flecks.


There is a flush-mount style light fixture above the sink, and there aren't any baseboards in the room.


To the left, when you walk into the room, is the toilet and tub...

The tile around the tub is a light blue-gray color and it's held in place by unsealed cream-colored grout...



Above the toilet and tub, is a large expanse of wall, and on the ceiling is an oddly positioned florescent light...



So as you can see, we have quite a bit of work to do in here.
Good thing we love a challenge, right?

Layla :-)

52 comments:

Erin Southwell said...

I must be coming along in my studies and all I have learned from you, because your "quick fix" ideas were things that popped into my mind when I saw the first photos! :) All of your ideas and long-term plans sound amazing. I think you should add a paint job to the "quick fix" list though so you can get rid of the purple paint :) since it isn't very man-friendly.

Molly said...

Its gonna be Beautiful!

Decor To Adore said...

I am currently redoing my own guest bath and it seems that our paths are aligned in terms of style.

I am looking forward to seeing what you do with the space.

duchess said...

What a fun project - it really makes you get creative.
I have to admit - almost anything would be an improvement.
Happy shopping!

The Third Place said...

Layla...this is purely an investigative question. How did the house receive a CO if the grout wasn't sealed? Did the home inspector pick this up? How did YOU know it wasn't sealed?

These things and more will make sure that I know what I'm doing when the time comes.

You kitchen is the best before/after on the web. Have you finished the corbels yet?

Best,

-EM

Tales of Whimsy said...

It's the purple that's been keeping him away ;-)

I just know you're going to make it gorgeous!

Unknown said...

I can't wait to see your finished room. I bet it will look gorgeous!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I can't wait to see the transformation. You are so creative. I would never have thought of your ideas, but they sound fabulous. Hugs, Marty

Aura said...

It's actually a really good space to work with, I love the vanity area, you can do a lot with it. Good luck! I love starting new projects, no matter how big or small.

Unknown said...

Seeing as I am right in the middle of a beadboard on the ceiling project I would definitely recommend having two sets of hands! You will make it beautiful as always : )

Meghann said...

Oh my goodness - it looks like someone who designed prison bathrooms did that one. I know your fixes will be fantastic as always. I can't wait to see the transformation :)

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

Wowza! That room is somethin' else. You know what, though, I bet your kitchen was the same way when you started and look at it now! I have no doubt this room will end up being amazing.

XO~ AnNicole

P.S. I think you're smart to take your time and do it right. You'll be so happy you did.

stephanie h said...

Oh, I have to say it's not quite as bad a I had pictured. BUT, this is coming from someone who lives in a rental with mauve tiles, hunter green and mauve wallpaper, brass fixtures (shower doors etc) and even a hunter green toilet and sink.

Can you say BLECH? LOL

But, I am currently redoing it as much as I can as we speak! It's amazing how even little changes can make such a HUGE difference!

I can not wait to see what you do with it! :)

PS~Erin said...

I cannot wait to see your transformation!

Unknown said...

I'm anxious to see what you do to it; I'm sure it'll turn out great!

Nancy

mindy said...

awesome, I can't wait for the results!!

Julia said...

I love your quick fix ideas, but I would have to at least paint it/prime it......to get the real overall effect.

Don't you have some old neutral paint left over from other jobs that you could mix and put on the walls. It wouldn't be a waste of much time but would make a bigger bang when he sees it!

I am proud of you for being able to hold off on this room this long. ha. You are more patient than I would have been..

Pine Tree Home said...

Love your home. Attention to detail is fantastic. An idea for your bath...beadboard lower half of wall and either the plaster or another treatment above. I saw a bath with a slight sand rough texture above the beadboard and it was a perfect touch to making the room not look so basic.

Nancy Hood said...

oh.my.gosh! this is NOT in your house! ha ha this is so not you, Layla, and I cannot WAIT to see what you and Kevin come up with. This will be a dramatic before and after! But then, your kitchen was as well :)

Blue Creek Home said...

I think the decision to slow down and do it right is a smart one. No need to waste a dime on spiffying it up! Everything you described sounds yummy!! I especially like the tin around the bathtub. The vanity will look gorgeous with an old finish/sans doors.
Rhonda

Sheri Howard said...

I do have bead board on the walls 3/4 the way up the walls, and on the ceiling in my guest bathroom...I LOVE IT! Your project will be beautiful when it is finished!!

Caro said...

Oh how I understand you!!!
We're gonna makeover our kitchen starting this week, and while I think i've settled on what I want, I've seen SO much great stuff on blogs and such, I kept going back and forth on what I wanted to do!!

Good luck!

Lynn Kellan said...

I kinda like those purple walls!! :)
Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Melissa Miller said...

Sounds like great ideas! I can't wait to see the results. ;)

Tresa said...

Shudder in my seat, did I! :)

SoBella Creations said...

The family we bought our house from put Kitchen height cabinets in the master bath. It is so odd. I guess they were either very tall or there was a sale on kitchen cabinets.

I can't wait to see what you do with the bathroom.

Magic Brush said...

Since I own a faux finishing company... I can't wait to see what you do. Let me know if I can give you an tips on products/techniques. I'm sure you'll do fine.... I'm just sayin'....

Kathi said...

Oh I can't wait to see what you do. Your ideas sound great. Kathi

Amy Platon said...

Maybe you have a can of some paint color left for a temp redo?

Laurel said...

Orange, Green and Purple oh my! The people who lived there before you really must have liked BRIGHT colors. I guess it is better than having a Yellow with Blue trim Tweety Bird 2nd bathroom, like I had when we bought our house. I didn't have the patience that you have and I painted it right away! Your a better woman than I, Layla. Can't wait to see the reveal I am sure it is going to be gorgeous!

sara@augustfields said...

eek...i'm especially loving the light fixture :) Layla..your ideas sound faboulous, and i'm totally with you about waiting it out and doing it the right way. The "in the mean time" choices sound great!

Kathy said...

When we redid the bathroom in our shop/garage we couldn't find real barn siding, so we opted for rough cedar. We covered the cabinet base in the rough cedar and replaced the cabinet doors and drawer fronts with it. Then we just drilled holes where the handles should be, ran a piece of rope through the holes and secured them on the inside with a simple knot and a little glue to hold the knot secure. It gave the cabinets a really masculine, sort of lodge look. Yours would really look great done in old barn wood or other type of weathered wood with some sort of beach related rope for the handles! I can't wait to see what you do!

Roeshel said...

It's going to be gorgeous. I am so impatient with projects too. I have my 'vision' of the potential and I want to see results over night. ::sigh:: Good luck!

The Photographer's Wife said...

AYE! That is bad! Especially the color. I can't wait to see the masterpiece it will become!

mary said...

I have no doubt about how fabulous it will be. But I can't wait to see.

Anonymous said...

Well, it's certainly ugly now, but we all know you'll fix everything up wonderfully.

Can I make a suggestion, though? Add a shower head to the bath. I suppose it'll take some plumbing and certainly more time & money, but as a guest I'd much rather have the convenience of showering than having to draw a bath.

Can't wait to see the finished project!

Cindy said...

Wow, can't wait to see it with even the little changes.

Abbie said...

Can't wait to see YOUR version - both quick and long-term projects - and I can't help but wonder if someone was trying to do something specific with that purple ... not that I can picture it.

Farmgirl Paints said...

So much potential. Can't wait to see the after's. I'm sure it will be awesome:)

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

You are just a fountain of creativity. I would love to take a tour of your brain...as I'm sure others would. If you could organize that tour, you could make some real money. I can't wait to see what you come up with in the bathroom because I know it will be both charming and functional.

Cathy said...

I know whatever you do it will be beautiful! If you need any help you know where to find me ;o)

{{Big Hugs}}

Cathy

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great project has been hatched.

Colleen said...

Wow, you were really serious when you warned us it was bad. BUT, I know you can turn it into a bathroom we will all envy! Can't wait to see the results.

Coty said...

If anyone can take this room from drab to fab...it's YOU!
I can't wait to see it; oh, how you inspire me!

Sarah said...

Let me know if you want some help this week!

Julia said...

I can't wait to see what you will do with this bathroom! I know you'll dig up some divine antique light fixture to use over that sink. Good Luck!

Prairie Girl Studio said...

this is tres cool ... can't wait to see the transformation ... sitting on the edge of my seat!
prairiegirl

Dana and Daisy said...

I hate to say it but that is even worse than my bathroom! Can't wait to see what you do to transform the space! I know it will be beautiful! I'm thinking you will lose the fluorescent light. ha ha!

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Can't wait to see the work in progress. It will be awesome, I'm sure. You have such wonderful ideas. Love & blessings from NC!

susan said...

Dear Layla,
I've been stalking your blog for awhile now but have never left a comment. I think your ideas and house are great. You're one talented gal! You've got your work cut out for you with this 'purple dinosaur'! I can't wait to see what you do with it! Thanks for all of the inspiration! -Susan from Good Haven House

susan said...

I should have said lurking not stalking!

Anonymous said...

i am dying to see what you come up with! -Dd