Wednesday, February 18, 2009

10 Minutes To My Bathroom That I Love (Now)








(Before)



I live in a rental home at the beach. Which means two things: I can't change the paint colors and all of the rooms are very small. Especially my bathroom. This is the master bathroom. One small sink and a tiny counter space area. I think because of the size I haven't really tried to make it look nice.




(After)



After reading Nester's post with simple steps on how to make a bathroom more inviting and cozy I was instantly inspired to do something about my bathroom.




I decided to keep the overall color scheme light with white and off-white accents. The art is the only thing with strong color. This keeps the room feeling clean, neat and not so small.




I added a whale weather vane (isn't he adorable?!) and a glass container with shells and driftwood I already had. I added a lamp (as she suggested) for more cozy lighting. I would not have even considered a lamp until I read Nester's post. I guess I didn't think I would have room on my counter. I used a small buffet lamp. It fits perfectly in the corner where it is.





I had several ship paintings that I decided to display in the bathroom. I also like having lots of fluffy white towels for myself and guests.





I added a pretty silver tray to my counter to put my jars on and just used hemp twine to bundle a stack of washcloths together with a tiny starfish.







To keep the extra cord together and out of sight (as best as I could) I grabbed a piece of scrapbook ribbon with adhesive on the back and wrapped it around the cord. Looks kind of pretty.









I added a shelf I had in another room to the wall behind my toilet for a nice visual display. I added some candles, a vase and a topiary I had in the attic. I plan on adding small sea shells to the topiary later. It looks so much nicer than just the ship painting alone.





I will be honest and say it took a little longer than 10 minutes to get from the before to the after, but I am the type that works on a room in several steps. I like to walk by and see how it looks each time I add a few things. I will change something or think of something else I can add "here" or "there".

Thanks to
Nester and her endless inspiration and experience, I am now working on my guest bathroom downstairs.



Be Inspired! -Karol :0)

75 comments:

Rachel Lundy said...

It looks wonderful!!!

AnNicole@Our Suburban Cottage said...

I love the silver tray, the glass jars, and the lamp. It's amazing what a difference a few changes can make!

Lindsay @ Makely said...

Wow! What a difference with such easy changes. I'm loving the way the filtered lamp light looks in your room. I definitely need to add one to my bathroom. Great job!

Melissa said...

I *love* the white~very spa-like! Great job!!

emily freeman said...

This is fabulous! now I want to wash my hands in your sink! Great job, karol.

Chablis said...

Wow, that looks gorgeous!! I feel like I wanna come in and have a massage! Awesome Job :)

These Are The Days said...

I am inspired! Love all the white and the fish. I will have to use your shelf idea above my toilet...it's still a blank wall. Thanks. :)

Jenny said...

That looks awesome!

Megan @ Megity's Handmade said...

Can I please trade bathrooms with you?? Puh-lease!!!!

^..^Corgidogmama said...

Wow, what a transformation.
It's has warmed up and become more serviceable, and fits the your locale perfectly. You did a great job, here Karol! Now...want to come to Indiana, and see what you can do here, at my house?

tam said...

You did a beautiful job i really like what you did! I too am a renter for now and it is sooo hard when you cant paint! But you got it right girl! Hope you are having a wonderful week~Tam:D

Mom in High Heels said...

Beautiful! What a difference!

Precision Quality Laser said...

Oh my gosh...can I come over? I love your bathroom re-do! And the whale weathervane is awesome! Your bathroom reminds me of what I would imagine an upscale seaside hotel bathroom would look like. Great job!

Unknown said...

Can I have your bathroom? It is very me!

duchess said...

Wow. What a transformation. Great job.

The Nester said...

Standing Ovation here!

LOVE IT! You are lucky that your rental is painted. Sometimes I think I would take ANY color over NO color!

It looks so fresh and classy--the whale and the topiary and all those fluffy towels!!!

Unknown said...

Your bathroom looks great, I love the ship paintings!

Teresa said...

I love your makeover! I like that your tried up the cord- I wish cords on lamps were like computer cords- you could buy them in different sizes there could be plugged and and unplugged from the base.
You are one lucky girl- beautiful bath and you live by the beach- oh to dream :}

Jennifer said...

You did a fantastic job. I love the washclothes tied with twine and a starfish. Inspired!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

Just beautiful-If you don't mind a few feet of snow-come on up to Michigan-and do mine!!! Love it! You really did an amazing job. (Don't you just love the Nester?!)

Anonymous said...

Great makeover! I really like your whale!!

Stacey said...

Oh Karol, I love what you did. The touches of silver and the whale weathervane are perfect! It looks very beachy spa-like.

Dede Warren said...

Great job, you really did a nice job. Anyone walking in your bathroom, would love it! And...nice trick with the cord, I'm going to have to use that one, hope you don't mind.

Anonymous said...

So pretty. Love all those fluffy white towels.

Anonymous said...

Wow, your bathroom is simply beautiful! Love what you did!

CMB said...

Love everything you did...what a great transformation!

Dana said...

Your bathroom looks great! My bath is very similar in color scheme, so I got some great ideas.

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

Now I say that looks better than a model home! I am in love with the whale weathervane, he's cool! I will surely be back to visit more after I hit all of these awesome 10 minute posts.
~Misti

Kaye said...

You did a elegant job! I love it! It looks so serene and calm. Every bathroom needs that! Beautiful!

Free Art Printables said...

Love the beachy theme!

Nora said...

It looks amazing. The lamp really does make a huge difference. So much more inviting!

Amanda said...

This looks BEAUTIFUL! You did an amazing job! I love every inch of it!!!!

queenbee said...

Looks wonderful. I like how you even beautified your cords.

trish said...

I love everything you have done in your bathroom! Your shelf is my very favorite though. :o)
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Amanda said...

Beautiful! I think my favorite thing is the washcloths tied with hemp - so cute! And the whale is adorable! Great job Karol!

Janelle said...

This is a tremendous makeover!(I am so coveting that whale weathervane!) You've really made it feel like a beach retreat, great job!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I think your transformation is simply stunning. I love all the coastal touches and the white. It just looks wonderful. Hugs, Marty

Christina said...

It looks just lovely and calming. The lamp just gives it the perfect glow.

mytinyrobotheart said...

pretty.... i wish my white towels would stay white! rachel

Holly said...

I love it! Totally beachy and so pretty! Like a spa, really!

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

You did a beautiful job - I really need to find and use a few trays around the house.

Anonymous said...

You did an awesome job! So inspiring... Way to go!

Gretchen said...

GORGEOUS!!!
It makes your countertop look bigger!

Love love love the light, bright colorscheme!

Lazy Mom Leslie said...

Looks great! Very relaxing.

SoBella Creations said...

Your transformation looks wonderful!

Anonymous said...

We live near the water and have a small bathroom, too. Your bathroom was an inspiration to me! I really, really love it!
Great job!
-Kim

Anonymous said...

Wow! Looks professional relaxing, and welcoming : )
You certainly have what it takes.
Dee

Peggy said...

LOVE the before & after shot! Watch out, making the guest bathroom too inviting . . . they might not want to leave! :o) Great job Karol!

To The Moon and Back said...

I love it! Your shelf is my favorite.

Trudi said...

Your bathroom looks great, I love it!

Deidra said...

Oh! I think I'd like to live in a rental house by the beach! Your bathroom is a beautiful retreat! That scrapbook-ribbon-lamp-chord-tie is a brilliant idea!

Sherri said...

Love the extra touches - the tie on the towel, the little silver tray and all of it! The ribbon to 'hide' the cord is an AWESOME idea.

Robin @ The Rendered Nest said...

Beautiful accessories...they made such a difference! Great job!

Brandy said...

So pretty! I especially love the tray with the glass jars!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

That is a wonderful transformation! The light makes such a difference! I love all of the white accessories. And the beachy things are so fitting!

Yay!

Jen

Cottagecheap said...

I love it. The hard thing about this for me, I now am thinking Ooooooh blue that would be a good color.

Carol Kennon said...

Wow...definitely a beautiful difference. So refreshing.

Jodi said...

wow - I am SO impressed! great job!!

honeysuckle said...

I think you did an amazing job for such a small space. It looks homey, beachy and welcoming! Good job!

Carrie @carrieloves said...

Amazing! I love the white and silver and glass accessories. So tranquil!

Vintagesquirrel said...

Hey Karol,
This is an amazing transformation. I love all your beachy touches.
Michelle

Anonymous said...

Lovely job, Karol ... fluffy white towels are my favorite, too, along with ocean-y seashell accents.

Victoria :o)

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

I love what you've done to your bathroom!

shabby southern girl said...

Your bathroom is beautiful! Fantastic job! It looks so calming.

Kasey said...

It looks so great! Will you come decorate my bathroom next? Seriously, good job!!

sadie said...

very nice! A job well done, but I wouldn't expect anything less from you :O) xx

Anonymous said...

The bathroom is beautiful and so is your blog!

God's Pittbull said...

Simply devine! And the Whale vane is to die for!! I live just around the corner of a lake and historic town in The Netherlands: Hoorn...and love to walk the town, harbour and lake...I'm truly blessed!

Anonymous said...

love all the details and I even love the colors. The pale colors and white are really calming and fit in with the beach surroundings well!

Anonymous said...

thanks for sharing the before & after pics. You did an amazing job -

Anonymous said...

So so pretty I'm loving blue and white good job.

Annikke said...

Stopping by from Tip Junkie. Love the bathroom. I love the lamp!

homespun1 said...

this is truly lovely! The white against the soft glow of the lamp and the soft hue of the picture on the wall give a restful feeling to your bathroom.

The Fab Miss B said...

It turned out just beautifully! Little touches sure make a big difference!

Nicole A. said...

This is incredible!! It looks so much larger after you added your goodies! Awesome Job!

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