Sunday, April 19, 2009

Updating a Bathroom

Shortly after building our house in 2001, the use of wallpaper in new construction, at least in Birmingham, became passé. Unfortunately, I had wallpaper in every bathroom; however, I had bought most of it at a wallpaper outlet, so it didn’t cost a fortune.

I lived with it for about five years before I decided that wallpaper wasn’t making a comeback any time soon and I needed to get rid of what was in my two second floor bathrooms. The master bathroom and powder room papers were okay. In fact, I really like my master bathroom paper. It’s tone on tone and looks like French handwriting.

jaguar 2 I wish I had saved some pieces of the wallpaper that I stripped from Ben’s bathroom. Do you remember how popular animal skin prints were a few years ago? Well, the walls of the wet area of that bathroom were covered in something that resembled leopard or cheetah or jaguar. It looked something like this.

Ben has always been one to take really long showers, and every time I went into his bathroom after he had showered I could see the water running down the walls. I secretly hoped that the wallpaper would just fall off one day.

After removing the paper, I had the walls painted in Benjamin Moore HC-88, Jamesboro Gold. It’s a rich color and really looks good with the Linen White trim.

bathroom 002

scan0007I’ve always liked the look of black and white photographs matted in white and framed in black. These photographs are from LBeau’s rodeo days. I scanned the original 8x10’s and used PhotoShop Elements to get rid of the wrinkles. Then I had 5x7 prints made and bought these frames and mats from Pottery Barn. Here’s one of the originals.

bathroom 001 I bought this framed photograph by Cindy McIntyre in Bar Harbor, Maine. It caught my eye because of the Grapette sign hanging on the wall. Grapette was invented in my home town. I once had a pest control man compliment my sense of humor for hanging a picture of gas pumps beside the toilet. Frankly, I had never thought of it that way.

bathroom 003

The sink area was papered in a striped companion paper to the animal print. It is now painted in Benjamin Moore HC-82, Bennington Gray, which matches the adjacent bedroom. The colors in the accessories compliment the bedroom colors as well. I found the stacking boxes at Hobby Lobby. The red transferware plate that I’m using as a soap dish is an eBay purchase, and the plates hanging on the wall were a gift from my Aunt Mary. She gave me four of these Castle on the Lake plates by Johnson Brothers. The other two hang on the wall at the opposite end of the countertop.

Pic_for_Body_of_Blog3 Now that you’ve seen my bathroom makeover, be sure to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch to see what other transformations are taking place.

28 comments:

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

I've GOT to take down the wallpaper in my kitchen -- it's got pigs, roosters, sheep and cows on it - yikes! I really didn't like it when we moved in 16 years ago - but it was new so I decided to just live with it -- but now I HATE it~ I've painted, but never put up or taken down wallpaper - I'm scared! Or it would have been gone 5 years ago at least!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Beautiful bathroom! I still need to renovate all of mine...dreading the wallpaper removal process! This turned out beautifully! The red and white transferware is really pretty with the paint color you chose. Great Met Monday post! Thanks for the inspiration...I've got to get busy on my baths! Susan

From the Old InkWell said...

Very nice! I love the paint color too! It is very clean and fresh.
Blessings, Marsha

Domestic Designer said...

It looks great! I love the color. You did a wonderful job!

Kammy said...

I does really look good ! Thanks for sharing the paint colors too !
Hugs ~ Kammy

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh I so remember all the wallpaper I once had and how much I loved it at the time, but times do change. Your bathrooms are both gorgeous even without the paper. I love the individual style you've given to each. Hugs, Marty

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

This is beautiful! I love the paint colors and I also love black and white prints! It looks great! I have taken down much wallpaper in my time and it is not a fun job in most cases!

Your hard work paid off! I love it!

Lou Cinda :)

Anonymous said...

Your bathroom looks fresh and updated with those great colors and photos. Was Grapette a grape flavored soda or juice? I love red transferware, and was looking at a cheese dish yesterday on Ebay. Cheese or Butter Dish
I wasn't sure if the price was reasonable.

susan said...

Love the colors in the bathroom and especially your black and white prints framed! I still have wallpaper in my master bath and LOVE it--no matter if I am "outdated" :) Thanks for showing us!

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

I love the new colr and how it pops with the white trim. Now that I think about it, the gas pump print is quite comical. Love the plates and the stacked boxes, too. Thanks for sharing! Barb

xinex said...

Kathy, I like what you did to the bathroom, love the paint color and those plates and B & W pictures are perfect....Christine

Tonja said...

I do not have any wallpaper in my new house, but I hear that it is now beginning to make a comeback. I think it will be a long time, though, before I'll want anymore of it. I had one room in a previous home where it stripped off so easily, it was no problem, but some of the rooms took way too much time and energy to remove for me to even think about using it again.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Kathy, this bathroom looks so good. Love the b/w framed photos and the red transferware. That wall color is great. laurie

Linda said...

Your bathroom redo looks great! I've got 3 to redo and I'm truly not looking forward to it. Luckily, no wallpaper to strip though...we did that 10 years ago!

I love your wall colors. Is the Jamesboro Gold a yellowish or brownish color? It's very pretty and looks great with the white. Very classic looking.

Keetha Broyles said...

Very nice re-do.

I still like wallpaper, passe or not.

trish said...

What a great space! I really like your choice of colors and items of decor.
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Beautiful bathroom make over. I can't wait to get mine done. Have to wait till DH get over this sinus infection.
Have a great week.

Chandy said...

Good morning, your bathroom looks great! Great decor choices! Have a great Monday!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Just wanted to thank you for stopping by my MM post and your gracious comments. You always make my heart sing with your kind remarks. Thanks, Hugs, Marty

Baumbastic said...

I didn't know Larry did rodeo! That picture looks like some of mine during that era. I did horse shows and I remember the chaps with names on them.

-Marty

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Your bathroom looks like a Pottery Barn ad - so crisp and fresh...love the black & white prints. Also like the red touches in the other side. Great job! Linda

Unknown said...

I need you here with me. I've been meeting with the architect on bathroom/bedroom remodeling for months now---we both can't seem to get together. Anyway, so many questions..... Love yours by the way.

Melissa Miller said...

Kathy it is GORGEOUS!

A wonderful MM! :)

momma said...

i hate removing wall paper! your bathrooms look beautiful!!

Martha said...

It really looks pretty -- and I like your pink transferware. Those boxes look nice as well and should be handy for "things"

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

your color choice is gorgeous with that white! I love it!

Anonymous said...

You did a fantastic job! The wall color, the black and white photos, the crisp white trim...it just goes together perfectly. And what a riot with the gas pump pictures beside the toilet...only a man would see the connection. ;)

Neabear said...

Your bathroom looks great! You did a wonderful job with the transformation. I like the idea of the stacking boxes on the counter. A great place to hide things.