I'm finally able to post a few photos of my budget bathroom makeover. It's a small bathroom on our lower level. Because it's so small, it's hard to get photos. But I tried to take a few. This is the back wall (photo taken to reflect off the sink mirror). I have a simple peg rack that I painted white. It's behind the door, so it hides the towels, and there's just enough room so that the door doesn't hit the peg rack when it's opened.
I painted the walls light blue. The walls were originally off white, so it's a big change to see a color on the walls. (primer is left over from painting my parents bathroom. ceiling paint is left over, too. blue paint is Ace Royal at $25.99. There will be enough to paint the upstairs bath in the same color)I still need to take this old medicine cabinet off and spray paint it. The bottom is worn/rusty, but a coat of spray paint will fix it.
The new brushed nickel light fixture. Same wattage as the old hollywood light bar, but it's brighter. It was a whopping $29.87.
A new toilet seat with brushed nickel hinges for $17.88. We've previously purchased the cheap ones for $5-10, but they didn't last and looked horrible. I'm hoping the next level up will last a little longer. I already had the brushed nickel handles for the cabinets. I just needed paint. I did use a pricey Benjamin Moore for Metal and Wood for $25 a quart. I wanted something substantial since this room has a lot of moisture. (yes, it does have a new fan, but we have one teen who uses this room and hogs all the hot water!)
While painting the ceiling, I had to take down the vent cover. The old one was rusty. I could have spray painted it white, but on the back side, it had some stick on foam that had disintegrated and made it really gross. So, for $ 5.89, I got a new one. This over the toilet cabinet was a freebie from a neighbor who re-did their bathroom. A coat of white paint brightened it up and coordinates with the vanity. I even painted the dark brown baseboards white. I found the trick of caulking the gap between the baseboard and the wall to make a seamless "canvas" to paint. (do I even dare think about painting all the woodwork in the house white?)
I still need to get a new white countertop and faucet. I'll also have to look for a new kleenex box holder. My son, Matt, wants to install some new pure white electrical switches/wallplates. After we get the new counter/faucet, I plan in framing the mirror with some white trim. I'll also need a small something for the wall to decorate. It can't be a framed print (too much moisture), or anything that sticks too far out into the room. Maybe some type of wooden painting/sign?
So, for a little over $100 so far (and a lot of time), it looks like a new room. The biggest expense will be a new counter and faucet ~ the faucet being the most expensive item to purchase. Now to think about getting started on the upstairs bathroom....
Earlier this week, I caught another squirrel and relocated it. This was the one who was really determined to chew through the screens on our deck and build a nest. I haven't seen any more trying to get in, so I"m hoping that's all we have to catch.
It's suppose to warm up here in the Chicago area this weekend ~ I can't wait!
~*~ Laura ~*~
Just a couple quick photos for now. Today was the Memorial Day parade. Matt is in the marching band, so of course I had to go and get some photos. My husband and youngest were marching in the parade, too, for Boy Scouts.
The over the toilet cabinet that I currently have upstairs will be replaced. The current one looks good in the photo, but the sides are all a lightweight plastic. The plastic yellowed with age, so I painted it a few years ago. The inside is yellow, and I'm afraid some might start cracking and falling apart pretty soon.
I still need to finish the rug I'm working on. I really am liking this second one more than the first one. I think it's the way I'm hooking the background. I'm trying to do more "rows" to fill in, since the rug is small. I think it just makes it look a bit neater. I'm hoping I'm motivated to get it done this weekend,as I don't have many plans.
Thanks, Grandpa! My kids are thrilled to get a new set of wheels. Ok, not brand new, but new to us. We still have 2 minivans, and 2 official drivers. But, next week my 3 older kids are eligible to get their driving permits. In another year, we could then have 5 drivers. Two adults, and 3 teen drivers. Just the thought of auto insurance makes me cry. (yep, I got an estimate - gulp) It's different driving a car. I've driven a minivan for the last 16 years. But, I'm going to see if this gets better gas mileage around town, especially considering gas prices this week. Maybe the next vehicle should be a motorcycle, golf cart, or ???? =)
The Easter baskets are filled and ready for tomorrow. My teens think they are too old (ok, 2 older boys think they are too old) for Easter baskets. My daughter doesn't think she's too old, and will take any candy. My 10 year old has a huge list of everything he wants in his basket (hope he isn't disappointed). My kids decided that the fake grass that I use to put in the bottom of the baskets was too messy, and didn't want it this year. So, just plain buckets so they can get to the candy ~ and quickly! I have a feeling that it will be their breakfast before church tomorrow morning.
I painted the walls light blue. The walls were originally off white, so it's a big change to see a color on the walls. (primer is left over from painting my parents bathroom. ceiling paint is left over, too. blue paint is Ace Royal at $25.99. There will be enough to paint the upstairs bath in the same color)I still need to take this old medicine cabinet off and spray paint it. The bottom is worn/rusty, but a coat of spray paint will fix it.
The new brushed nickel light fixture. Same wattage as the old hollywood light bar, but it's brighter. It was a whopping $29.87.
A new toilet seat with brushed nickel hinges for $17.88. We've previously purchased the cheap ones for $5-10, but they didn't last and looked horrible. I'm hoping the next level up will last a little longer. I already had the brushed nickel handles for the cabinets. I just needed paint. I did use a pricey Benjamin Moore for Metal and Wood for $25 a quart. I wanted something substantial since this room has a lot of moisture. (yes, it does have a new fan, but we have one teen who uses this room and hogs all the hot water!)
While painting the ceiling, I had to take down the vent cover. The old one was rusty. I could have spray painted it white, but on the back side, it had some stick on foam that had disintegrated and made it really gross. So, for $ 5.89, I got a new one. This over the toilet cabinet was a freebie from a neighbor who re-did their bathroom. A coat of white paint brightened it up and coordinates with the vanity. I even painted the dark brown baseboards white. I found the trick of caulking the gap between the baseboard and the wall to make a seamless "canvas" to paint. (do I even dare think about painting all the woodwork in the house white?)
Earlier this week, I caught another squirrel and relocated it. This was the one who was really determined to chew through the screens on our deck and build a nest. I haven't seen any more trying to get in, so I"m hoping that's all we have to catch.
One week just isn't long enough ~ I need a break from Spring Break! Today was grocery shopping (we still have to eat), and shopping for home stuff. I found this light fixture in a brushed nickel for our lower level bathroom. It's a tiny bath room, and not a lot of space between the mirror and the ceiling. We removed a 3 light hollywood bar light, and put in this updated one. It's the same amount of wattage and same number of bulbs as the old one, but it's brighter. I think because the lights are pointed in a downward direction. Now to paint the room. (can you see the stenciling that was there previously?) Not much wall space to paint, it's just going around the cabinets that will take some time. I also installed some new toilet seats and a new floor vent on the upstairs bathroom. I did take a break to watch American Idol. :-)
On Tuesday, this was Rachel before.
This is after. She now has braces (on the top, then add the bottoms later). She chose pink and purple bands. She's thrilled to start the process of straightening her teeth and correcting her bite. I can't wait to see what the end result will be!
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