Bathroom Redo

It is so nice to see the house coming together... slowly, but ever so surely. Jeff promised me that the first project he would do after hunting season would be to install the baseboards throughout the rest of the house. I have yet to see progress on that promise. BUT, I have yet to nag. So yay for me.

Until then, I have been quite content on the major improvements being done in the main bathroom (and laundry room and fireplace, but we'll save those for another post). Ever since the bathroom was gutted last summer, it has sat indisposed, making it a hassle for overnight guests... and the ability to take a shower without a toddler by my feet.  This summer, my mother-in-law (have I mentioned she is completely awesome?!) got her work-on in there, and we were able to open it up for use at Boone's birthday party (does it count even if you had to wash your hands in the bathtub?).


I apologize for the weird lighting... couldn't get it right. boo. The walls are actually white- Swiss Coffee by Behr, I believe. The beadboard paneling and linen closet was stained, painted, and then sanded to antique it up a bit. I didn't want it solid white, knowing that this will be the boys' terrain. We added 2-3 coats of poly on top of that to make sure that no water could get through and do some damage (again, boys terrain!).

The linoleum was ripped up, and tile placed. The texture is a grey/dark grey/black/brown combo. Love it. Pretty darn versatile, which is nice. We (and when I say we, I mean Ruth... with the occasional help of Jeff) took out part of the sheet rock that jutted out near the tub (on the right), and covered it with boards to make it look like a beam to "ground" the look of the room.

Ok, so the vanity. I knew what I wanted in my head. After looking around for old buffets and dressers, and not having any luck, we decided to have my m-i-l to make it. MAKE IT. FROM SCRATCH. Yah- she is THAT good. It is fabulous. She drew up the plans on the back of an envelope, we tweaked it here and there, and she went to work. The drawers are even outfitted with rollers. The whole thing has at least 3 coats of poly/marine varnish on top, for good protection. The top of the vanity has two planks going east/west, and the lower "deck" has the planks going north/south. The cast-iron sink was a castoff from my sister-in-law during their remodel this last year. The mirror was a $5 Salvation Army find, and the molding details on it were added on.

Who doesn't love square-headed nails?

The legs were salvaged beams from my in-laws pump house. I love the worn, rough appearance...

I love the old-fashioned hot/cold plates on the faucet handles (or are they knobs?)...

The double-ringed details on the faucet match the hooks- fun to pull it all together...

Six hooks... for six boys towels...

The old, galvanized bucket came out of my grandma's basement (it belong to my grandpa!)

Easy access to the TP- a must have for young kids.

What it still needs:

• toilet paper holder- Ruth is making one that will mimic the frame of the mirror 
• window framing- we're waiting until we replace the window 
• light fixture covers- haven't found ones I like yet 
• shower curtain- ideas that are swirling are linen, burlap, ruffles, hand stamping/painting... but who knows what will be the final product 
• organization for the linen closet  
• new towels/linens and decorating- this always takes me awhile to get it how I want (I envy the people who can just make a decision and GO)

 Onto the never-ending next project!