If you had a chance to check in yesterday, you got a sneak peek at all of the projects going on here to modernize an old Spanish bath that hasn’t seen many updates for quite a bit of time (I’m guessing that the previous owners did a bit of updating in the realm of handicap bars, mirrors and lowering the built in vanity in the 80s, but other than that the architecture, original basketweave flooring and old fixtures are pure 1930s).
Here’s a reminder of what the bathroom looked like just before we moved in:
I love the older features of the room and we’ve done our best to maintain the integrity of the original architecture throughout the house. The arch over the tub is one of my favorites.
Our updates included bringing down that giant old mirror and replacing with two smaller vanity-style versions, patching and painting the lathe & plaster walls, updating the window shade, making our own fabric shower curtain and adding a few new accessories.
And here’s the recently updated space:
The photo’s at a bit of an odd angle as the counter tops really don’t jut out to the right. What do you think?
The shower curtain is my favorite part of the project! Just a bit of a modern pattern will update any space. We used an inexpensive Ikea white rod and while I bought a liner to keep the fabric from getting wet, this bathtub shower space doesn’t serve as the primary shower (there’s a built in shower nook hiding behind that door handle in the above pictures) so I’m not worried about it getting too wet.
If you do have plans to make your own curtain, Ikea sells a simple clear liner for around $2 that could easily be sewn to the back of your fabric (as the reverse side) or hung on in the inside of the shower.
A few new accessories… including:
*garage sale candles (nothing says ‘relaxing’ like a bubble bath and plenty of twinkling lights)
*apothecary jars from Michaels (40% off coupons can go a long way… did you know you can print them any time online, including their ‘20% off an entire purchase’ coupons?)
*baskets from the Container Store
*a neat plate on sale from Pier 1 (picked it up ages ago)
*vases from West Elm’s 20%-off-all-vases sale
*shells from ebay (used for a wedding shower from a couple of years ago when I bought them by the dozen – beautiful!)
*my favorite soap container from Home Goods
*bamboo shade from Lowes
*espresso picture framed (Aaron Brothers) mirrors (Lowes)
*shower curtain and rod from Ikea
The entire Before & After project (since I shopped my house and kept purchases to a minimum) came in at just under $100.
We’re hoping to overhaul this bathroom in the fall, so hardware, light fixtures, coil heater (does anyone else have one of those?) and annoying handicap bars had to stay. But I’m enjoying all of the updates!
Hey, Your bathroom looks really good. I am a home stager and I have a bathroom much like yours to stage, so thank you for your inspiration. :-)
One question – it looks like you’ve stained/painted the tiles? is that the case?
Hi Brigitte, I think the discrepancy in color you’re referring to is just lighting from taking the photos at two different times of the day. Sorry, no staining or painting here :), though that sounds like a great trick.
Can you share where to you got he mirrors? I have similar tile and will need the mirror to stick out from the wall so they lay flat against the tile.
Hi Angie! I bought the mirrors at Home Depot and framed them in Aaron Brothers frames. Hope that helps!
Can you also share how you hung them so they stick out like that?
Hi Angie, do you mean why the frames come off of the wall just a bit? When we were hanging the frames we had to stack them on top of the backsplash tile as well, so the frames actually lean back just a bit against the wall and on to the hanging hardware. I hope that helps :)!
That shower curtain, I agree, really makes it shine. Love the blue too.
Good job! Very impressive
A very great transformation,I always visit your site because I learn lots of ideas and manage to create my own style to have a good interior approach.You share something to inspire us to organize well our house and make it more beautiful and modern.
It really does look great – you got huge bang for your buck here.
I love this! What a difference small changes can make. It’s lovely.
-FringeGirl
Thanks everyone for your kind words! I’m so glad you like the updates… and thrilled I was able to motivate a few new projects out there from this one :).
Thanks for your comments!
Morgan
I’m so happy to see this reno. I have blue tiles in my bathroom and have been procrastinating updating the room. You have inspired me to get cracking.
First, it looks AMAZING. Second, I want to kick myself right in the ass for not knowing about the Michael’s coupons!
There’s nothing quite like a new bathroom.
I love it. It gives me some hope for my bathroom.
This looks fantastic! I love how you worked with the colors you already had and it looks so modern and updated! Way to go!
This looks great! Nicely done!
Fantastic Job!!
This is great! I had no idea Ikea sold fabric! I love the stripe :) Great job!