Amazing Bathroom Makeover!

A bathroom makeover is something I have wanted to do for a long time as a room makeover.  However, when you think bathroom makeovers - you tend to think that it can involve major construction, a big mess and lots of time spent getting to the end result you want.  


So I started exploring ways to make a makeover of a bathroom less invasive or less stressful.  


Once I found the makeover location that deserved a new look - I started researching what was out there product-wise that could get the job done. This would be especially key in the case of this bathroom that is in a city location.  

This dated bathroom - was probably very much in style in the 1970s but certainly has seen better days as we look at it here in 2012. The space is not a very big one - but the darker "rust-colored" tiles and bad lighting make it seem even smaller.  

Mirrors can be good in a space, but too many mirrors can overwhelm a room. Visually there was too much going on in this bathroom!




My first thought for the design direction for this makeover was to make it a classic-looking bathroom that would be more along the lines of what would have been found in this 1930s building. Not a period style bathroom - but something that carries the essence of one.

As you start to look at the room with less in it - you start to see the badly worn tub, the decay around the small window, the bright rust-color of the tiles on all the walls (and the floor!), the vanity cabinet that is falling apart and the cracked sink cabinet below. This is a great example of a room needing change - but one that stayed this way for many years. 

However, the change will uplift this space and the lives of the people living here in a big way.  Once the change happens in your own space - you will ask yourself "WHAT WAS I WAITING FOR?"  It will be hard to imagine what your life in that space was like before.

I could imagine white subway tiles, a smooth white ceiling, great lighting, simple floor tile and new white bath fixtures too...All classic in style, clean and something that would give the illusion of more space...

You can see here how the vanity cabinet needs to go!  However, this is a great example of how many people live.  They think "I'll fix it tomorrow" and suddenly tomorrow is a couple of years later. Sound familiar?  With a home - there is always something to be done, but I also know that by making the changes and updates, you will start to love your home again.

The shower rod was literally falling off the ceiling and the dated shower head didn't provide a much-needed "rain shower" effect...

I love this picture because I literally could not stand up in this bathroom to shoot my before images because mirrors were at every turn. My vantage point gives you a good sense of what we started with overall...

Time for a change.

So in my quest to find an easy way to make the change happen - I found a solution that I had heard about - but had not experienced yet.  I had seen ads for Bath Fitter - a company that prides itself on the one-day bathroom makeover.  They literally can transform your bathroom - completely - in one day.  Knowing that I wanted to make this as stress-free for the homeowner living in an urban environment - I knew this could offer up a great solution for her and many others like her - even those in a house.

The process started by checking out their website and then setting up an appointment for a consultant to come meet with me, measure the space and show me options for this makeover.  


I approached that meeting - like a homeowner would - looking at sample options that were given to me - from acrylic wall finishes and detailing for showers and tubs, bath and shower fixture options, glass door options and tub fittings that actually can cover your old bathtub!  The idea being that there is no demolition needed to remove the old tub - the new tub would be made to go right over it.  This intrigued me.  It certainly is a creative solution for those homeowners wanting to make the change happen fast.

A few weeks later, I sent the homeowner away for the day and the Bath Fitter team arrived.  The first thing I saw in the hallway was the new, acrylic tub on stand-by!  

Soon the amazing installers (that were very funny and personable too) came through with large rolls of acrylic.  When they unraveled them - I got to see the faux white subway tile look that I had chosen. It was a bit of movie magic - the look of the classic tile but in large sheets that would cover up those old walls.  So simple and easy - which is what this project called for!
  

There was some prep work needed.  The mirrors were removed from the walls, the rust-colored tiles were prepped and the surfaces were readied with a special adhesive tape and glue.

To make the black bathroom window get a new look - I painted the black metal frame with spray paint that adheres to metal. Plus, I frosted the glass with a spray frost (also sold in the spray paint section of your local hardware store).  It adds a layer of privacy to this room - but also it all simply cleans up the window area...

I loved how these guys were in a rhythm with their process. I could tell that they knew how to do it well - but also sensed they enjoyed what they were doing.   

The old sink corner.  That dated light fixture was about to be removed.  The former vanity cabinet was removed.  The wall was covered up as I planned on bringing in a surface-mounted vanity cabinet...

With the nearby living room as the staging area for the new pieces, the team brought in the first layer of the transformation - the smooth acrylic sheets that would create the new white ceiling.  Wow, just doing that bounced light into the room.

Next, the sheets of the wall covering started to come in - section by section - giving the room the subway tile look this room deserved...

Here you see the half and half - the new white walls and the former walls about to be hidden away...

Now the fun part - the tub transformation.  As the team prepped the old tub - everything was readied for the new tub that was standing by to be lowered into place into its new home...

The moment of bath fitting truth...

When I saw the final tub in place - it almost looked like the tub was deeper and larger than the original tub.  A good thing.  I chose a straight edge for the tub edge closest to the door (instead of the curved edge that had been there originally).  My reason was to give the tub a more substantial feel, plus it's a perfect place to put things on (candles, towels, bath soaps). 

The tub walls were completely covered with the subway tile look - but for the other wall (the former mirror wall) - I chose to do subway tile for the bottom and smooth surface (also made from acrylic) that looked like a soft, gray marble for the upper walls. 

The final layer goes into place - no more rust color!  You can see in this image - how the upper walls reflect the room and the light.  That's a good thing in this space!

With the main look of the bathroom changed - it was now time to bring in some other elements to make the makeover really come to life...

As the shower is a big focal point in this bathroom - I wanted to find a shower rod that made a statement.  I couldn't use a glass shower enclosure in this bathroom because of the window that would have been in the way.  So I decided to find a classic, chrome shower rod in an oval shape that could float above the bathtub.  I found exactly what I was looking for with the products at Signature Hardware.  

Next, I visited my local Lowes for some easy to use options for flooring.  I found these soft gray faux marble peel and stick tiles by Armstrong that fit the design style of the space. Again, it was about keeping it easy.  This is a great example of how you can do this at home.  Peel and Stick tiles offer up a budget-friendly solution to any makeover room.  You may want ceramic tile later on - but you don't have to spend all your money at once - but it can still look great in the meantime.   

I came across this light fixture that worked into my budget - but what I liked about it is that it had a chrome finish which fit into a period, classic feel I was going for in this space.  I also chose it because the spots would allow light to be "spotted" on certain areas in the bathroom.  The other simple light for over the sink also had a class style I liked - but also add a modern accent too.

The new faucets, rain shower and water controls were from Moen - which came through Bath Fitter and are also sold at Lowes.

I chose not to do a sink cabinet with storage under it. So I found a white Kohler pedestal sink to match the new Kohler toilet. I wanted the sink vanity to be part of creating the illusion of more space.  By not eating up the floor space around the sink - we were able to show off more floor surface and the edge of the tub too...So you see more open space as you enter into the small room...

Just a visual reminder of that before space...You can see how the sink cabinet takes up space visually.  If the sink and toilet had been good to repurpose - we would have but they were not.  However, in your own home - you may not need to replace these.  

The fun part of the makeover for me is seeing the final details coming in...Here the installers put in the Moen rain shower but also an adjustable bar for the hand-held shower too (something that the homeowner didn't have before).  Also, note the corner storage also an option from Bath Fitter...No more having to pile bath products on the edge of the tub.

With the impressive shower rod from Signature Hardware going up - the chrome accenting throughout the room becomes visible...You can also see the warm, directed halogen spots that bring the room to life...

By doing a shower rod and rings - I chose to do an eco-friendly shower curtain/liner combo that was frosted but light enough to not overpower the room...

Storage at your fingertips...Plus, a great example of how faucets and detailing like a hand-held shower can make your bathroom take on a spa-like feel...A simple way to treat yourself and upgrade your current bathroom.

Once the change is done - you can't even remember the old shower head.  A great visual that change is good for you.

The chrome accents work in this room.  Brushed nickel would have been the wrong look for this space.  That classic 1930s building would have had chrome originally - so that is why I chose it.

On the former mirror wall - you can see the tile and trim detail - also the shaft of spotted light washing over the wall but it also is the only wall to display something on.  I decided to find a chrome-edged mirror to hang here.  Something to look at yourself in but also reflect the light too...
  

Light goes a long way in any room redesign!

The wall-mounted vanity mirror provides great storage.  I also gave them added storage inside a linen closet door for extras nearby.  You can see the chrome mirror on the opposite wall...

The layer of luxury to this new classic bathroom is treating yourself to towels with style... I found these amazing organic towels from Garnet Hill.  I gave the homeowner two options to change up from time to time...a great gray tone (see video) but also the classic white as well.  A simple way to change the look when you want just from the towels but also another way to treat yourself with something beautiful and spa-like. 

I was very eager to shoot the after shots - that I shot the sink before the final faucet was in place.  You get the idea!  

You see how simply changing your towels and details - you can get a new look.  

Here you get a glimpse of the new floor.  It gives the room the classic style that reminds me of an old-fashioned NYC hotel - but also has a modern edge too...

The new space!  

Now make sure to check out my behind-the-scenes video of this makeover...Coming out later today...






All designed to help and inspire you to bring your own bathroom to the next level!