Bathrooms--Before and After

I love a good "Before and After" and these bathrooms from Better Homes and Gardens are super.
Lately I've been showing 1960s Brick Ranches to a client and we've seen some of these bathrooms and they hurt our eyes--it's nice to see the possibilities.
Now, one disclaimer--BHG claims these are "weekend" projects. Two days?  That might be a little ambitious for me.

Done-in-a-Weekend Bathroom Refreshes

The smallest room in the house shouldn't fall short on style. Take your bathroom from outdated to up-to-date in just two days with these makeover ideas.

Before: Overtiled Bathroom

The hundreds of nondescript tiles on the floor and halfway up the walls in this bath were a drawback until their sandy color inspired a fresh, beachy scheme. A few simple updates and well-chosen accessories will transform this bathroom in just two days.

  
(nice use of the coat rack when there's no place to put a towel bar)

After: Beachy Bathroom Oasis

The first step in the bathroom's transformation was painting the walls a watery blue. Next, serenefabric choices, such as the cream-color cotton window shade and striped shower curtains, tie together the colors of the tiles and walls. A wooden coatrack adds storage by providing a handy spot to hang towels and robes. These elements work together to highlight the original claw-foot bathtub.

 
(yuck, yuck, yuck--at least this one's clean)

Before: Dark and Dated Vanity

The oak vanity provides lots of storage opportunities, but the wood darkens thebathroom. Old Hollywood-style strip light fixtures, a tile countertop, and a flat mirror date the bathroom.

 

After: Bright White Vanity

Updated to coordinate with the tub and toilet, the old oak vanity now looks more like a sophisticateddresser thanks to a few coats of white paint. A new countertop, sink, faucet, and hardware add to the makeover. Above the vanity are a pair of brushed nickel sconces and a medicine cabinet. On the wall, beach scenes bring together all the colors in the bathroom.

 

After: Vanity with Flair

The oak vanity was given a new look with white paint, new hardware, bun feet, and decorativecabinet doors. The original center doors were replaced with a set made from mesh cane webbing -- the kind typically used for chair seats -- inserted into premade door frames and backed byplywood. Simply adding two knobs to the previously bare center cabinet panel reinforces thefurniture look.

 

After: Modern Fixtures

There can never be too much storage in abathroom. A 4-inch-deep medicine cabinet replaced the flat mirror. With a brushed nickel frame and mirrored inside, the medicine cabinet adds a touch of glamour as well as storage to the bathroom. A sleek and simple high-arc faucet with lever handles adds a modern touch.

 After: Versatile Accents

A wooden stool with a woven top serves many functions in this bathroom. It adds texture and plays off the room's beach-theme. It also offers a spot to place towels for easy access from thebathtub and a place to sit. In a small space, it's important to choose versatile pieces.

Before: Vintage Style

The homeowners wanted to give this 1929bathroom a modern update without losing its vintage charm. New vintage-inspired fixtures, lighter walls, and bright accents will give this bathroom the quick update it needs.

After: Pink and Green Style

The pedestal sink, floor and wall tile, and bathtub were all keepers in this 1929 bathroom. The homeowners incorporated modern function with a wall-mount shower and a new faucet reminiscent of the original with cross-handle fixtures. New tile installed behind the faucet nearly matches the old pieces, and pink-and-white wallpaper complements the tones of the existing mosaic floor. Changing the window blinds to shutters and replacing an old light fixture and wall mirror with a new pair in satin nickel add impact with minimal effort. A petite green Windsor chair and a colorful bath mat and towels complete the look.

 

After: Pattern Control

Floor-to-ceiling toile might have been too much in this compact space, but covering just half the walls provides a pleasing counterpoint to the white tile wainscoting. There are no worries about swelling and peeling wallpaper in a bathroom that doesn't get steamy from showers.

 

Before: Green

Dated green tile and a mini print wallpaper make this 7x7 1/2-foot bathroom feel closed in. A boxy vanity and wall-mount cabinet above the toilet don't help the cramped space. Updated walls and streamlined fixtures will give this bathroom a modern update.

 

After: Charming Country Bathroom

This bathroom gets a fresh farmhouse look from, a new pedestal sink, open storage shelves, sunny yellow accents, and solid-surfacing panels that resemble beaded-board wainscoting. The new pedestal sink with a wide rim opens up floor space, while a vintage-style recessed medicine cabinet provides storage.

 After: Clever Fabric Uses

Multiple shower curtains hung on a curved rod protect the wall and window behind the bathtub and shower area. White subway tile picks up in the shower stall where the beaded board look-alike ends. Repurposed fabric softens the space. The shower curtains are actually window panels outfitted with grommets. The cafe curtains were fashioned using tea towels, a curtain rod, and clip rings. With no room for a traditional towel bar, a double hook with glass finials stands in next to the shower.

After: Colorful HuesA home center chandelier, originally in an aged silver finish, received several coats of yellow paint. Sky blue paint covers the ceiling, an unexpected touch, and complements the bath's sunny accents.

(Raise your hand if you know what these "pots" were really used for.)

After: Savvy StorageMetal pots and bowls hold toiletries. These cleverstorage solutions add country charm to thebathroom.

So, what do you think of the "before and afters?"  

I picked up a few good ideas and a lot of encouragement.

Later,

Patti