Thursday, April 5, 2012

Easy Master Bathroom Fix



My master bath is a builders special.....
I have made a few tweaks to personalize the space.
Next year or the year after, I will change the cabinet doors and the countertops and faucets.
BUT FOR NOW.....
just a little cosmetic applications took it from sterile to comfy.

This is how it looked when I first saw the house with the real estate agent.....


The mirror over the double sinks covered the wall, creating a space that felt  cold. All it did was reflect back white walls.

Since I was going to have the room wallpapered, I had the guys pop the big mirror off the wall, just leaving the one over the dressing table.

Two full walls of mirrors is not a middle aged woman's friend.....
Especially when she's in the "all together" if ya know what I mean.....

So, I found these mirrors in a catalog; they were in a dark mahogany.
I had the brilliant idea, to paint them in faux bamboo!!!
Again.....
this was before I had time to do this for myself
(and before I knew that I could do this stuff!!!)

I really liked these mirrors because they allowed me to combine two looks that I don't normally think of as working together:
bamboo and etched glass!


This way I was able to add all my 1920's sparkly details to my bamboo accents.


The way the dressing table looked, just wasn't doing it for me....

This was going to be where I put on my makeup,
(the one or two times a year that happens)
and where I would work on any unnecessary hair that has a tendency to appear after 40 years of age.
SOOOOOO.....
I needed a lot of light.....
and a magnifying mirror.....

BUT I WANTED THEM TO BE PURTY!!!

I love the way pairs of dressing table lamps look on a vanity.
But I didn't want a lot of messy cords running along the top and up to the outlet to the side of the table.

SO I DID WHAT ANY WOMAN IN HER RIGHT MIND WOULD DO!!!!
I drilled holes in the vanity top.....

took the plugs off the lamps and threaded the cords through the holes, then reattached the plugs and plugged the suckers in!!!! 

This way I could create a traditional looking vanity in my builder's special bathroom.....

I love glass vanity lamps. I love glass vanity lamps. I love glass vanity lamps......


Remember my bedroom????
I have a pair there too......

I love the glass detail, it's like BIG diamonds!!!!

Of course, I have more silver that I'm not polishing.....
I really need to get my @$$ in gear.
The green perfume bottle is one of my favorites. 
I always look at it and get off on the way it repeats the color from around the room.
A clear bottle wouldn't have been as visually successful.


SO SOMETHING VERY SCARY HAPPENED!!!
the stopper disappeared....

You got me.....
Now you'll know....
I have help cleaning my house.

It was right after my cleaning helper Joann left that I saw it was missing.
SO I THOUGHT.....
she had done what I do when I clean....
(break something).

But she hadn't said anything, which is not like her.
So, I grieve a little
('cuz, I loved the way it looked)
then get my big girl panties on, and hit ebay, looking for a replacement.

Well Olive Cooper of http://oliveout.blogspot.com/
 let me know that she has some she was selling and sent me some pictures

they were pretty, but didn't do it. 
So I went home for my mom's birthday, and remembered that I had a green perfume bottle I wasn't using.
SOOOOOO.....
 I brought it back to Florida,

and put its stopper on my other bottle!!!!

When I mentioned the lost (I thought broken!!!) stopper to Joann,
she assured me that it wasn't broken.
SOOOOOO.......
I start looking around.....
and looking around......
And I FIND IT!!!!!!!
she had put it on the chair cushion so it wouldn't get broken!!!!!!!
YIPPEE!!!!

Don't know why, but I LOVE THIS STOPPER.

Isn't it funny how we all have our favorite things.
Something no one else would even notice,
 makes us happy just to look at it.
Doesn't have to be expensive.
Doesn't have to be rare.

On this note,
I will continue this story tomorrow...

Later, Gator
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40 comments:

AndeM1 said...

So pretty...I love your wallpaper... Your perfume bottle it gorgeous also!

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

Betsy, your bathroom is very pretty and not sterile looking at all. The green accessories and the colorful floral chair cushion add warmth and personality to the room. I am glad to see how the room looks after removing the large mirror because I have been wanting to do the same thing. Yours looks great so I don't feel so afraid to do it, now. Always love seeing your lovely home. Have a wonderful weekend!----------- Shannon

Etcetorize said...

Love this room! All the extra special touches like the painted mirrors and no cords showing really make it one of kind. So lovely~

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That's funny and beautiful bathroom.

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

...and I love glass vanity lamps, too! It was brilliant to drill holes in the vanity for the cords. Glad you found the perfume bottle stopper. It's the little things, isn't it?!

Janette - The2Seasons said...

It's me again. I really enjoy your blog and the way you let us know why/how you do the things you do.

Brenda Pruitt said...

You did a phenomenal job on making that bathroom personal and special. LOVE the mirrors! Glad you found the stopper. It's the little things, isn't it...
Brenda

SheilaG @ Plum Doodles said...

Great job warming up the space. I know what you mean about the need for plenty of light and a magnifying mirror- sigh, yep I know what you mean....

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

i so love your bottle...looks "jadite-ish"...so glad you found the stopper..beautiful bathroom and yes, the faux bamboo mirror looks great with the etching...Love the crystal lamps...drilled holes?..Brilliant!

Connie@Connie Nikiforoff Designs said...

I understand about things you like "just because". I've done that "hole in the vanity" idea several times too..Genius! ;-) I think your bathroom is my favorite room so far that you've shown us.

Unknown said...

So pretty! I love pretty vanity lamps too. I rescued a pair of milk glass lamps at my local thrift store and gave them pretty shades- it just makes me happy to look at them! So happy you found that stopper; nothing else would do the same beautiful thing.

Amy Chalmers said...

HI BEtsy, I loved this post! I think so many things are wonderful. First of all I loved those mirrors, with the etched details, they are awesome~ loved the story about the stopper and it does look perfect/ its 3 am and I can't sleep....

Syndi White said...

So funny, you could have just asked her if she knew where the stopper was and it would have saved you heartache and purchasing a new stopper. Now I'm wondering, since that crystal stopper is so pretty...did you end up buying the bottle that went with it?

Joy @ Comfort and Joy said...

Betsy, you always come up with a creative solution to all your decorating problems which is why I've been a loyal fan for years. You are a master at showing readers how little things add so much to the big picture. Thanks again and again for your inspiring posts. Joy

The Kim Six Fix said...

I too have the "wall to wall" mirror problem. I cant' stand that I can see myself naked in the shower from every possible angle. Ugh. I love the way you warmed up the room.
Beautiful.

Olive said...

The bathroom is warmer by far. The wallpaper diminished that sterile look. I am glad you found the green stopper. Thanks for using my image and giving me a mention on your pretty blog. Olive

Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage said...

Betsy,
From cold to cool! I love old bamboo - your mirrors & chair are fabulous - love the dark accents in the white room.

I agree - no woman over 40 needs all that mirror in their bathroom! Unless we want to get ready in the dark!

And one thing I wasn't really sure about - how do you feel about glass vanity lamps?!!

The decanter - I want it. I collect vintage Italian glass decanters and a couple have lost their stoppers. So sad - the stoppers are the best part!

And I'm all for drilling holes to hide electric wires - I did the same in a built in desk and I even had my electrician put outlets inside my bathroom cabinet so I could keep my electric toothbrush plugged in (who wants to stare at that)?

Thanks for sharing!
Kelly

At The Picket Fence said...

Betsy you completely made that bathroom look like a custom job and the mirrors are so gorgeous! I love what you did with the lamps on the vanity too and so glad you found your stopper. :-) Thanks so much for sharing this at Inspiration Friday!
Vanessa

Katy said...

I love what you did with the bathroom, and I love the green accent. That pink stool in the before --- how was that even tall enough? So odd looking. (I mean besides the pink Little Miss Muffett thing)

chateau chic said...

You have made your bathroom so much more charming with your personal touches!
Mary Alice

Susanne said...

Wow, the contrast in materials and items you have used is stunning. Wow!

cathy@my1929charmer said...

Your bathroom is so purty. Love those vanity lamps. I also like the contrast you have going on and like that large mirror removed, it did make the room look cold Like how you "bamboo" your new mirror. so very pretty.. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful redo to the bathroom! The bamboo wallpaper is such a neat and different look and love the mirror. Sounds like you're becoming a regular handy man with drilling holes and rewiring lamps!! Good for you!

Found you via Cowgirl Up!

My Dream Canvas said...

Beautiful images. I am visiting you via Tuesday Treasures. I look forward to seeing you at My Dream Canvas.

Elegant Economies said...

Very PURTY! Love your wallpaper, not cold! I love glass lamps, too! Buy them every opportunity I get!

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

Thanks for showing your gorgeous bathroom at my party,Betsy. Glad to have you join us anytime you can!-------- Shannon

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love a bright bathroom and yours is beautiful! The bamboo treatment on the mirror is perfect and the way you took card of the cords on the lamps is brilliant! Everything looks nice! I'll have to look around on your blog and see if I can figure out where you live in FL! I live there, too!

An Oasis in the Desert said...

I think you've done some amazing transformations in your bathroom, & it looks lovely.
CAS

Sharon @ mrshinesclass said...

The changes you've made have definitely warmed up the bathroom. I LOVE the lamps on your vanity. The bamboo paint effect on the mirror looks very authentic. I'm wanting to exchange my big builder grade mirror for two mirrors. Either that or frame it and then add sconces that attached through the mirror.
Thank you for sharing and inspiring us at Show & Tell. I appreciate it!

sharon @ mrs. hines class

Something Special said...

Oh I love that you added some color to the bathroom. And I totally know what you mean about being a middle aged woman with too many mirrors. I love your stopper story, and well your new bathroom fixes are very nice!

Unknown said...

Excited to feature your beautiful Master Bath tomorrow! XO, Aimee

Michele M./ Finch Rest said...

You truly warmed up your space there!

I love your vanity area - how convenient!

LOVE the perfume bottle and so so glad you found the topper.

Have a fab weekend.

Roeshel said...

Beautiful! Removing that huge builder grade mirror and replacing with your faux-bamboo DIY genius idea was a great idea! The entire space looks lovely! Love the bottle (and story) too! ;) Thanks so much for sharing, Betsy!

Micupoftea said...

Nice changes, great touches. I especially like the lamps! Stop by for a cup of tea if you get the chance :)
Shawn

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Oh what a wonderful transformation!! It looks so pretty!

Katie Mansfield said...

I love the wallpaper and taking down the big builder mirror makes such a difference.
I'm so glad you found the stopper!
Katie

Chatty Chics said...

Oh, it's beautiful now! Great job! Love the transformation! :)
Melody
One Chatty Chic

The Charm of Home said...

It's really beautiful the way you have decked out! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla said...

Truly beautiful!
Visiting from Share the Love Wednesday

Greetings from Australia♥
~Pernilla

Shower Doors Suffolk County said...

I love it!! You use simple items and small decorations as main centerpieces and atmosphere, the lamps are genius and very well crafted. My hats off to you, keep goin!!

-Irwin Zinkin

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