Thursday, April 12, 2012

Tropical Powder Room


As I continue my journey showing off how I transformed a builders basic home into my tropical cottage, I decided that today would be the day to show my 
POWDER ROOM REDO!!!!!

This is what the powder room looked like when I first
 viewed the house.....

Because of the placement of the door, (the sink stuck out in front of it) a pedestal sink was necessary, so there would be enough floor space to be able to walk into the room.
I couldn't move the door over, because it was a pocket door, and the wall was needed to hold the door when it was open.
Sooooo.....
I couldn't move the door.....
I had to have a sink that allowed foot traffic space under it.....
what could I do?????

I ruminated over this dilemma for several years.
Then I got off my @$$ and sat at my drafting board and drew up a solution.
There's a great little workroom/shop in West Palm Beach called 
Wilhelm's Rattan.
I brought my drawing to them, and they made me a vanity shelf out of 
MY FAVORITE MATERIAL!!!!
SPLIT REED!!!!!

I then brought it home to my workshop (garage), and
 painted it this funky green.

Now, before I go any further in talking about this room, I want to show you guys something I just figured out with 
PicMonkey.

After I took the picture of the bathroom, I realized that a white tag was showing on the linen towel, and that white trash was showing in the trash basket.
I WAS ABLE TO FIX THIS!!!!! with the clone part of PicMonkey.


See how the white tag is at the bottom           Look!!!! The white is gone!!
of the towel, and the trash shows???

THIS IS TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL!!!!!
I don't know how long this program will be free, 
but I am willing to pay for the sucker.

There is a feature that can make you loose weight!!!!!!!
I was going to show you guys, but I'll let you play with that by yourself.

HO KAY
back to decorating.....
I'm getting a little tired of vessel sinks, but this was a perfect place to use one. 
I wanted a rustic cottagey feel, maybe a bucket or a pail??!!
SOOOOOO.....
I tooled around the internet, and found this guy.....


It was one of those times, when the item I found was better
 than what I had envisioned.




After I moved in, I found the mirror I wanted, and the wallpaper, which I bought (and held onto for 5 years, while I figured out what to do)
I needed to move the plumbing, so I could have a wall mounted faucet, which would save me some floor space.
I hate construction, so after the initial push of changes when I first bought the house, I wasn't in ANY rush to rip up any more walls.


But after I had FINALLY figured out what I wanted to do, 
I bit the bullet.


Isn't this an EXCITING picture?????
It shows the plumbing pipes after they were moved, and coming
OUT OF THE WALL!!!!!


Then I had to paint the shelf.....
This is what I do for entertainment.....
I pile all the stuff going into a new space
(wallpaper, tile, sink, vanity shelf and TOILET PAPER!!!!)
and stand back and look at the 
WONDERFULLNESS of it all.


Then I had my buddy and (paid husband) Chris, install the shelf for me....


At this point I was hopping around the house singing, I was so excited.




Shelf installed, ready for the tile.....


Tile, faucet, sink, towel hook installed!!!!!
waiting for the wallpaper.....

Wallpaper installed, waiting for artwork.....

When you do an exposed sink trap, make sure to get one that matches your faucet. 
What's the point of a pretty sink, if the trap is PVC?????

So, now I had the bathroom done!!!!

I even was able to find a matching soap dispenser at Home Goods!!!
I love the way my little faux bamboo towel hook fits 
right next to the sink.....

OK, as I was sayin', 
So now I had the bathroom done.... 
what to hang on the walls?????
I MEAN....
that's a lot of pattern.......
When you have a busy wallpaper, it's always good to break up the pattern with artwork.

When in doubt.....
use flamingos!!!!!

I hung these babies over the toilet....

But it still felt like the room needed more art.
I mean, if there's a bare wall, you've gots to hang something on it!!!

So of course I hung 
MORE FLAMINGOS!!!!!
The three white framed paintings are by Turner
So I tooled around the internet, and found this description....

        "The Turner Manufacturing Company, according to the 1965 Chicago, Cook County and Illinois Industrial Directory of Manufacturing and Industry, was located at 2315 Keller Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
        The Turner Manufacturing Company went out of business in approximately 1975.
       At one point, Turner was the largest producer of low cost Decorative Art & Mirrors. These products were sold primarily at Department Stores and 'Five and Dimes'."

The center painting looks like a summer camp project.....

I found this on ebay, and thought it was really fun.
HOWEVER.....
When it arrived at Chez Betsy, and I unpacked it,
well let's just say it was worse in person.
SOOOOOOO.....
I whipped out my trusty paint and small artist brushes, 
and added the black details, and shaded the darker pink.
It wasn't until it was hanging on the wall, that I realized I had painted the darker pink on the upper bodies of the birds,
 but it should have been
the lower part.....

At least I got the beaks right.

I also felt that I needed to add a little something over the mirror.
Don't know why.....
It needed more stuff.....
So I found this great vintage tray!!!!!


So I went from this.....to this!!!!!


That brings us to the conclusion of 
THIS ROOM!!!!!

Next up is either my study, or my front porch.
I still haven't decided.....

Later, Gator
Photobucket
Partying at:
French Country Cottagevif187fingerprints on the fridge

it's OVerflowing{nifty button}

you are talking too muchBoogieboard CottageThe House in the Roses

UndertheTableandDreaming
Buttonmop it up mondays feature

Delectable HomeMy Uncommon Slice of SuburbiaHome Stories A2Z

Ivy and Elephantsshabby creek cottage
HookingupwithHoHPhotobucket



43 comments:

Heather said...

I love the funky sink and the BOLD wallpaper. Powder rooms are so small, it's the perfect place to really have some fun!!

Connie @ Sensible-Redesign said...

All I can say is WOW! That room is bright and bold. So cool.

Janette - The2Seasons said...

From a wanna-be decorator to a REAL decorator - you are a great problem solver. You are so the pro. Good job!!!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

What a fantastic solution...Your home flows so beautifully from room to room...your attention to detail is so phenomenal.....I love how you used the bold wallpaper in the small space...

As I stated before, I hope your Florida home renovation becomes a book!

Anonymous said...

You are a genius.. that is all there is to it!
Forgot how to sign into my google thingy..
Cindy Jorgensen

Amy Chalmers said...

Yes I agree with anon~you are genius! There is just something about Betsy! Hey, I LVOE the green split reed sink console...its fantastic, and each thing you did next was even better!
Funny girl...and I have yet to try picmonkey.

Vicki said...

Betsy,that vanity is fabulous-I thought it was porcelain at first. You are so smart! And thanks for the tip about picmonkey. I have wanted a free alternative to photoshop and it looks like that is it!

Bonnie Schulte said...

You are a decorating wizard. Love this little room.

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

Beautiful space and love the sink! Thanks for the tip regarding PicMonkey!

Anonymous said...

OK, that is a genius solution to that space (and I may steal it!) Beautiful job.
And thanks for swinging by my blog - I too will be subscribing to my fellow snarky blogger.

Tartan Terrace said...

Love the faux bamboo and all of the flamingos. The wallpaper is perfect and the vessel sink is oh so wonderful. Love your blog!

Babs said...

What a fun powder room!..LOVE the bamboo mirror frame and the split reed vanity shelf.
Babs

Connie said...

To say you added style is an understatment. It's fabulous! I know guest in your home must make excuses to keep going to your powder room

home before dark said...

I have learned not to drink anything while I read your posts. Yup, the graceless snort! Your style is such a lively antidote to the world going white and gray. What's up with that stuff? Life is technicolor. I prefer Speerterize to sanitize any day.

Michelle said...

Love it, love it, love it!! I love colorful, tropical and Asian styles, so this post caught my eye. You did an excellent job! The sink base is beautiful and a great alternative to the pedestal sink! Love the whole transformation! :)

Robin said...

That's amazing what your were able to do with such a small space. Really, you should send this to Coastal Living as it is certainly worthy! You did have a good start with the mirror but the whole vanity thing is just genius! Thanks for the tip about Picmonkey and I will check it out.

Robin
Robin Flies South

Effie said...

Your post was very inspiring! For now, most of my redecorating projects are portable as I'm renting my house. But, when I do buy again, I'll remember your awesome vanity! I wonder if pink flamingos know how kitchy they are?

Linda Leyble said...

Hey Betsy - what a wonderful transformation. I am so jealous of this room!! I love the reed vanity (totally gorgeous!), the paint color, the flamingos, the wallpaper - the sink! Everything is just so perfect! I have a powder room in my house that I may post about soon (if I can only find a few before pictures!!! I'm usually in a hurry and I forget...but since I'm blogging now - I take them!!) My theme was eclectic tropical with pineapples and monkeys (hard to describe!)

Please visit my blog as well - I found you on a few that I linked up with. It's http://www.studioofdecorativearts.blogspot.com

I did a Ceiling Design and Room Re-do of my dining room that I got a host of comments on. And yesterday I posted my Old World Range Hood transformation. Would love you to take a look.

Love your designs and ideas...will follow you - please follow me as well.

Nice to meet you!

Linda

LuvWheaties said...

I love everything about your home! Can I come for a visit? And bring my two dogs....

Denise Marie said...

What is not to love about this sweet lil room?! Like all the comentary w/each story too. (;

Bette Jo said...

I can't think of a thing to add to all of the wonderful comments above so I'll just say I agree with all of them! You are putting color into our blogland world Betsy. I love it!!

Amy Fountain said...

Very outstanding room design! Wonderful transformation!

Unknown said...

I am not a tropical sort of person but....that is FANTASTIC!!! I love it! Great job! 8^)

Leslie said...

I love what you did with the bathroom. So bright and fun!

Thanks for the tip about PicMonkey. I'm need to try that out!

Anita Rowe Stafford said...

You did an awesome job with your powder room! This is just an amazing transformation! Clever girl!

chateau chic said...

Your powder room is amazing! You must just want to stop and gaze at it every time you pass by.
Mary Alice

Envoy-ette said...

Wonderful! So gorgeous! What an eye you have! Perfect! Love love LOVE IT!

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

Betsy, I am amazed that you made such a big impact in such a tiny room. I get the feeling that nothing stops you from making your ideas a reality. That persistence results in a very beautiful professional look. Thanks for showing your gorgeous room at Your Cozy Home Party.

Ricki Treleaven said...

Betsy, I love the powder room. It is so full of personality!

Linking from Mod Mix Monday.

xo,
Ricki Jill

Unknown said...

You were FEARLESS, girl it paid off. That room is off da hook, I love it!!

Sharon @ mrshinesclass said...

I love the colors...green and brown are so classic, and the whimsy of the wallpaper and flamingos really make this space come alive. The after looks nothing like the before. Thank you for continuing to show us around your home at Show & Tell. Can't wait to see the study and front porch.

Sharon @ mrs. hines class

Debra@CommonGround said...

awe-some!! and I said that in a very high-pitched voice, Genious here with the reed vanity!

Katherines Corner said...

I love that you have such a unique and artistic piece in your wonderful tropical bathroom. Hugs

Tisha Clapp said...

Wow! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! I love the shelf design and the perfect sink basin. The tiered tile is so creative too. Thanks for linking up @ Delectable Home.

Michelle {Jarrah Jungle} said...

I love the idea of making powder rooms into bright fun room. I have the same problem for my loo that the basin (when I install one!) is going to be right near the door, and I can't believe the vanity that they made for you. So cool. Love it all. Espeically the flamengos paitings. Love love love.

Stephanie said...

You must be so pleased with the finished project. It is so unique and you designed it yourself. Very clever.

Tracy Greenlee said...

I can't say it any better than those before me so I will say "I absolutely love the AWESOMEness of your powder room!" If you EVER want to sell/rent your place, I will be first in line! Fabulous job!

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Yowsa. Love the idea of a tropical theme and that green is gorgeous here.
Thanks for sharing on BeColorful
pam

sheri said...

DITTO from above. I love it - whodda thunk i would like tropical. I love in Florida so I tend to think it can be cliche - but this? THIS I LOVE.

kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor said...

Betsy, that split reed vanity in the green is gorgeous!! And I love the wallpaper and sink...it all goes so beautifully together!! I love, love, love all of the tropical beauty you've put into this. Thanks so much for linking up last week! I'm featuring you at tomorrow's Mop It Up Monday {coming out later tonight}! Hope you've had a wonderful weekend!

{HUGS},
kristi

The Charm of Home said...

Beautiful! The old five and dime bath decor is great! I have some of my grandmas. Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

What a fabulous transformation! You took that tiny, boring space and made it come alive. I love it!!!

Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday again, Betsy.

Blessings,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage

Kimberly said...

WOW! Just saw this on pinterest --- your sink is fabulous!

Kim

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...