artwork in the bathroom

Wow, it’s been a long time since I wrote about the second update to our guest bathroom! We’ve done a couple things since then.

Now that I had my lighting painted turquoise, my next step was artwork. I went to my stash and picked out anything with similar colors. The following photos are a couple options. I first thought these splatter paintings would go well because they somewhat matched the room colors but I realized it was too busy for the clean look I was going for.

Then I debated on this piece because of the color again but no, not the right vibe.

These last two pieces fit juuuust right. They only have a hint of turquoise but they’re simple and add to the new character of the space.

After choosing my art, I went to Target and looked at shelving. While I was there I remembered I had this old piece that usually hangs horizontally. To fit the space I turned it vertically. It fit perfectly! Perfumes and soap for the guests now had a place to rest. It’s such a nice feeling to reuse stuff that’s just laying around the house. This piece was literally laying on the fireplace step for the last couple weeks with no home.

Before I had time to hang these pieces up, I went up to NJ to visit family. While I was away, Al got down to business and cranked out a lot of painting. He painted the yucky brown vanity a light turquoise and spray painted the hardware to update it a bit.

Here’s a little before shot if you’ve forgotten what the room used to look like!

I thought the new color would work well with the crazy yellow tile and the dark turquoise.

He also painted all the yellowed trim a crisp white.

And then I hung up a new shower curtain, the paintings, and the shelving when I got home.

The paintings were hung on the right side of the vanity so that the shelving and a new towel could fit on the left. It’s a brushed nickel finish from Target that now matches the shower curtain and vanity hardware. I do hope to update the vanity hardware to something more modern soon. I’d also like to spray paint the shelves white but I haven’t gotten to that yet!

What do you think? It’s still pretty crazy coloring but I think I’ve successfully toned town the yellow tile!

Thanks Al for all your hard work!

organizing the guest bathroom

This month is crazy with a capital C!

I’ll be out of town next weekend, I’ve got family visiting around my birthday (the 22nd) which also happens to be the day that I want to open my Etsy shop full of fun paintings, AND the following weekend I’ll be subbing in for Lauren at the Farmer’s Market. Eek. These are all very exciting things to say the least but it’s a lot!

And now, on top of my 10 hour workdays at the Vet and creating/finishing paintings, I’ve decided that I want to get the guest bathroom updated for our guests.

I plead insanity.

Supposedly in the blogging world, you aren’t supposed to apologize for not writing so this is just a forewarning. My posts may be irregular in the next couple weeks and you’ll probably be seeing a little more DIY. I don’t think you’ll mind though, it’ll be fun!

On to the task at hand.

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Here’s what the bathroom looked like before we moved in. The only thing that was left when I started on the upgrade was a little bit of the wallpaper (my sister took down a lot of it a while back). The seller hauled off most of the decor items when he left and I donated the rest.

My plan is not to rip out everything and start for scratch but to work with what I’ve got. The (excuse my language) barf yellow tiling that engulfs the room is my main challenge but I’ve got some ideas up my sleeve. Let’s hope everything works out!!

First things first, organizing.

I had my makeup somewhat organized in this big, clunky set of drawers that sat on the counter while the drawers and cabinets in the vanity lacked order altogether.

To start, I pulled everything out and tossed what I didn’t use. Then I assessed the situation and measured the vanity drawers. I headed over to Target to find some baskets and organizers.

I found these great drawer organizers in the bathroom section at Target and some baskets to wrangle everything else under the sink. I didn’t want that plastic drawer eyesore on the counter anymore so I needed to make room down below.

And I did!

After downsizing I was able to fit both my hair and makeup items into the two vanity drawers.

Now in my official hair drawer, from back to front I’ve got: overflow of hair ties, nail polish (not hair related but oh well), current hair ties, decorative clips, bobby pins, functional clips, headbands, and finally my brush, comb, and big hair clip on the left.

As for the makeup drawer, from back to front I’ve got: extra chapstick, eyelash curlers, lip glosses, lipstick, tweezers, powder, blush, q-tips, concealers, eye shadows, brushes, eye liners, and makeup remover wipes on the left.

Under the sink the baskets hold, from left to right: frequently used products, hair styling items stacked above excess items like deodorant and toothbrushes, and cleaning products which sit behind a stack of toilet paper.

A little side note: I didn’t even realize that these baskets were stackable at the time! If you can see on the right, there’s a little plastic piece on the handles that can fold in to make them stack. Pretty sweet.

The counter is now clean. Our guests will have room to place their things!

Let’s recap:

1. Take everything out of the space.
2. Donate or trash whatever you don’t need or use.
3. Measure and figure out what you need to organize.
4. Buy organizers.
5. Organize and pat yourself on the back.

I have often done steps 3 and 4 backwards which makes for an inefficient space!

I can tell you, I’ve made my mom and sister proud. These ladies love a good organizing/decluttering project. I understand that love because man does it feel good to have some order!

In the next bathroom posts you’ll see some wall, lighting, and vanity upgrades as well as a little bit more organizing and final decor touches.

I can’t wait to have a completed room!!

Are you super organized? I have a lot more to do in that department.