We bought our house 15 years ago when everyone was in love with dark reds, deep golds, browns and jewel tones. And, yes, I was on that dark color train, too. I’m sorry to say that I still have a room in my home that is stuck in that era. It’s a little embarrassing.
I have wanted to change it for ages but so many other things have stolen my attention so it just kept getting pushed to the way side.
Well, friends, I recently found that the bi-annual One Room Challenge hosted by Calling it Home starts today.
It is just the kick in the pants I need to get this bathroom updated and looking fresh and farmhouse-y — more like the rest of my house! I will have just six weeks to get my room done from start to finish.
First, let me show it to you in all of its red glory:
The walls are painted “Georgian Brick”, the cabinets are stained oak and, yes, that is green/gray/blue tile on the counter and on the perimeter of the bathroom floor.
I have disliked the tile since the day we toured the house before we bought it. I knew it would have to go someday but, I’m sorry to say, that it will be staying for this mini-makeover.
Hopefully, in the next year or two we will be putting in a new counter top and replacing the tile in here, but it is not on my husband’s budget radar this year so I’m stuck with it for a little longer.
As a result, this makeover will be an inexpensive face lift working around the features I don’t really love.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure if I should join the challenge because I’m not doing an “extreme” makeover. But, then I realized that this exactly the type of makeover most of us do in our homes all the time. After all, how many of us have the budgets to gut our bathrooms? Can’t we get inspired by seeing someone update a room working with what they already have? I certainly think so!
So, with that, let me show you what I’d like to do:
This plan may change a little as I go along, but for now, I’m pretty excited about it.
The walls are going to be painted Light French Gray (Behr).
I’m thinking I’ll keep the lower cabinets stained (I went back and forth on this and it is kind of radical these days, I know!) — I will just spruce them up a little using gel stain.
Here’s what inspired me to try keeping the cabinet stained:
via Dash and Albert
I adore how this rug looks with the stained cabinet! So rustic and yummy, I think!
I am, however, thinking of painting the upper cabinet over the toilet either Sandy Hook Gray (the darker gray color on the mood board above) or a creamy white (similar to my trim — which needs to be freshened up). I am a little undecided about this, so it’s subject to change.
Because this is a pool bath (you’ll notice a door to the outside) that we use all the time in the summer going in and out to the pool — I want to add a long row of hooks for towels and swim suits. I currently have 3 hooks and it’s just not enough.
I will add cabinet hardware and some simple accessories to give it a farmhous/rustic feel.
I’m hoping these simple changes will help minimize my dislike for my green tile counters and will give this room a fresh, clean feel! I’m excited about this bathroom update!
Be sure to check out all of the other participants in the One Room Challenge — it’s so much fun to follow along! All participants will be posting weekly updates every Thursday.
I love that you are making do with some things and changing others. It is hard to justify spending a lot of money gutting a bathroom. Painting over red walls is not so hard to justify!
I had to laugh when I saw your bathroom wall color because I too have a Georgian brick powder room!! Hard to believe, but true. I remember testing tons of colors to find just the right red. Apparently, my husband remembers that too because he has put the brakes on a redo for now. With 2 kids in college, there’s no budget for it. So, I found a pretty rug from Pier 1 with pale blue and our red in in, added some blue accents, new artwork, and suddenly the Georgian brick is not so bad. For now at least! Can’t wait to see how your room redo turns out. You have a beautiful home.
I’m fixing up a bathroom for ORC too! Excited and nervous! I’m looking forward watching you transform your bathroom!
Nothing like a girl with a plan! It all sounds fabulous! BTW the rug certainly does look gorgeous against the stained cabinets.
Looks like a great plan. I think it will look just great with your redo!
I remember those colors well. Looks like a fresh plan, good luck.