I’ve noticed a change in blogland since Pinterest came on the scene. It seems like the only time before pics and progress pics are shown is when there is a big, beautiful after reveal. Am I the only one that has noticed this? Everyone in blogland loves a good before and after, but I sometimes miss the progress posts in between. It was always the progress posts that I loved the most about blogland. TV shows and magazines have a way of making home improvement look so simple and easy, but blogs were always so great at showing the real side – of how much time it takes and all the bumps along the road.
All that being said I wanted to show you where we are on the kids bathroom makeover. I showed you the before pic of the bathroom last Friday.
This bathroom is basic but not bad at all. However the cabinet in this bathroom is just as old as the house (25 years old) and has been used by the kids of 4 different families. With drawer fronts that were stapled on it’s a wonder it has lasted this long. The previous owners gave it a little update by painting the maple colored vanity cabinet white. They had two girls, and had a pink and brown color scheme going on in here. I never loved the brown walls but decided to wait to repaint until I had a real plan. Ha! Over three years later and I’m just now putting a sort of plan into action. I still haven’t decided on a paint color. Bathrooms are so hard for me!
Anyhow, two weeks ago this old broken down cabinet was replaced.
I ended up going with a custom ordered vanity from Lowe’s. This is the Insignia brand. Since the vanity fits between 2 walls a stock cabinet was too small and the materials plus the work to make it fit would have cost almost as much as ordering a custom cabinet.
I didn’t install this myself. I let the Lowe’s installers do this for me. The install fee wasn’t much compared to the price of a custom vanity with a new solid surface countertop………..
new white sinks and two delta faucets. Oh, and we also replaced the creme colored toilet for a bright fresh white one. Add in the new cabinet hardware (also from Lowe’s)………..
and it’s like – yes, just throw an install fee on top of all of that – why not right? 😉 Honestly though, as much as I like to diy things, having a new bathroom vanity and toilet installed in a day while I played outside with my kids was worth every penny.
I still have plenty on my diy plate as I’m planning to paint the walls and ceiling, tile the wall from the vanity to the ceiling and make a roman shade for the window. You haven’t seen the shower stall yet but it’s cream colored fiber glass. I’m planning to reglaze it white and tile the area above. I’ve never reglazed a shower before and I’ve only ever done small tiling projects; so this could get interesting.
As you can see sort of see from the above photos, I also replaced the lighting. Again I went with Lowe’s and 1. No, I didn’t buy this all on the same trip. I looked around for bathroom lighting and just ended up finding what I liked at Lowe’s. and 2. Lowe’s has no idea who I am and did not perk me in any way. But, hey, if they’d like to – I’m just sayin’.
I had originally wanted a 4-light fixture but ended up loving this Allen + Roth 3-light fixture. I like the industrial feel it has. I’ve been really loving that line of lighting lately. I think once the walls get repainted (I’m thinking a light grey or blue) and that wall gets tiled the whole space will lighten up a lot.
First on my diy plate is to prep the wall for tiling. Who wants to come have a get-those-black-gobs-of-tar-glue-off-my-wall party?! It’ll be so fun………said no one ever!
I love that vanity ,counter and I need that light. I still show my before and progress shots , just yesterday when I was posting I questioned if I should since I don't have an after yet if I even should…so I completely agree with what you said.
I love it, great choice on the vanity and counter! Also loving that light, perfect.
OMG if you were my neighbor i would come help you tile your bathroom and you could help me with a kitchen backsplash! free labor and a good time for all involved!!!! and some wine to end it! 🙂 and LOVE the vanity choice- gorgeous. but that light- total wow!!! LOVE it!
Looking good so far! I was trying to figure out what shape the black things were on your new wallpaper…. Ha! I'm in a deep dark missing Game of Thrones for the next umpteen months depression. Are you?
Love the vanity! I have been putting off a tiling project and using the excuse, it's summer, now I want to focus outdoors…it will be waiting for me come fall…xo Kristin
Ha, I first thought those glue blobs were some sort of jellyfish decals you were doing for an ocean theme.
Love the vanity! It's going to look great!
Love the vanity! I hear you on the globby gook on the walls – what a pain! But at least you're tiling the wall at the end of the day, right? It's looking good already!
That vanity is SUCH a stunner! No shame in paying for someone else to install for you! 🙂 I've been really impressed with the Allen & Roth stuff I've seen at Lowes. They're really stepping up. That industrial light is gorgeous!
Kelly @ View Along the Way
Wow! The new vanity makes a HUGE difference. I love how you added the feet to the base, to give it a more furniture feel. Also loving the lights! Lowe's just got a great free add from you. They should really send you a gift card. 😉
Love the new vanity! SO glad you shared your "wip" project. I like seeing the developing rooms too.
Love the new vanity! And I totally get not installing it yourself! Sometimes you just want faster, less physically painful, results! 😉
I am shocked at how many bathrooms I am seeing with wood on the floors. I love the look, but have always been told by professional flooring installers to never put real wood flooring anywhere there is a possibility for some serious water/flood damage. I'm curious if this has ever been a problem for you, or for any of your readers. I enjoy seeing the "during" photos.
I so agree with the process between before an after being suh an asset with blogs that sems to be missing. I admit that I had not made the Pinterest connection. very astute and observing on your part. Hope others read this and take the hint.
Thanks for posting the in-process pics! Makes me feel better 🙂
I thought it was weird that the builder put wood floors in all of our bathrooms except the basement. We've never had an issue but f we ever do I would replace them with tile in a heartbeat.
Love the new cabinets. My BFF reglazed her tub. She is the queen of DIY. She said it was a horrible experience. It stinks horribly. And the overspray gets everywhere. But she got rid of a peach tub
I love the new custom vanity. So pretty!
Carmel, you are so right about the blogs showing big reveals and none of the progress along the way. I love this about you and your blog!!
LOVE the lines of the new vanity!! And that light & acrylic knobs? I need those in my life….*wheels are turning*
Oooooh, I LOVE the new light!!! What kind of counter is that? It's really pretty. I like the progress posts, too. I think it's fun to watch it all come together in "real time."
I LOVE that vanity!
I love your "along the way" posts. There are tons of before and after posts, and I always link the after in pinterest, but I love seeing the steps you took to get there. Please don't stop posting them. I am not great at DIY, since I am easily distracted, but your posts encourage me that if I just keep going a piece at a time, I'll get there.
Ooh love that vanity! I really like seeing your progress along the way. It's a good reminder that "Rome wasn't built in a day," as it often seems on blogs. Hope you're having a great week, Carmel!
I love that vanity ,counter and I need that light. I still show my before and progress shots , just yesterday when I was posting I questioned if I should since I don't have an after yet if I even should…so I completely agree with what you said.