My Bathroom Makeover...
More images, and all details you want to know!
When I first moved into my apartment in December of 2020, I embarked on a slow but steady interior design journey, and my bathroom was the final frontier. Inspired by a blend of traditional charm, feminine whimsy, with a Nancy Meyers touch, I set out to transform it into my serene little sanctuary. I spent countless hours gathering inspiration, I knew I wanted a sink skirt and I knew I wanted to paint the bathroom something other than white. Some of my favorite inspo can be found below:
When it came time to choose the perfect paint color, I knew it had to be something special. I am a huge fan of Farrow & Ball, the colors and quality of their paint is on another level. Initially I swatch tested a few colors: Borrowed Light, Pale Powder, Green Ground, and Vert de Terre. I love them all but in the end I was head over heels for Pale Powder, a soft, calming hue that beautifully complements the light and airy feel I envisioned. Though I must admit I was torn for a bit and nearly chose their Borrowed Light shade, Pale Powder ultimately won me over with its soothing, organic yet elegant vibe. It was so subtle but perfect and I opted the color wash the entire room (minus my exposed wood ceilings), all moulding, doors, windows were painted and I really love that look, reminds me of my grandparents house in Virginia.
Next, I turned my attention to textiles, at first I was really drawn to a fabric called Hollyhock by Lee Jofa, my grandmother had used it and it felt sentimental but was out of my price range. I wanted to invest and get something beautiful but within reason. Another fabric house I love is Schumacher, and I ended selecting a couple of stunning fabrics that were closer to my price range. Their Loudon Rose pattern caught my eye immediately, it was fun, feminine, and brought a burst of floral beauty into the room. Once I decided on that, I saw it paired with the Elton Check, and I knew that would be perfect against the Pale Powder walls and added a touch of french country classic sophistication. I toyed with which one to do as the curtain versus the skirt, but I really loved the Virgina Tupker reference above and ultimately decided the check was the perfect choice for a sink skirt. See my mood board below:
Once the walls were painted, it became clear that my existing mirrors and sconces no longer fit the aesthetic. I loved the style of my previous mirror, but the color very much blended in and got lost with the Pale Powder color I had chosen and the polished nickel sconces now felt too cool for the beige/taupe undertones in my fabrics. Determined to find the perfect replacements, I headed to my favorite antique store, Good Buy James, hoping my gal Kristen James would have just what I needed to execute my vision. She truly never disappoints, I discovered a pair of exquisite European sconces and a mirror that were such upgrades. The new finds were in the same spirit of what I had perviously, but in the right palette anchor the space and my last mirror was a reproduction while this was the real deal. These pieces, with their timeless elegance and unique character, perfectly complemented my design and I finally felt like the pieces were falling into place.
Now that I had the pieces in place I just had to execute. The paint job was completely DIY and took a couple of days to complete with the help of a friend. We did 1 coat of the primer and then three coats of Pale Powder and it was perfect. I had a handyman come and install my sconces and anchor my mirror since it is on the heavier side. For the sink skirt and shower curtain, I paid $250 to an upholstery professional to make me the sink skirt and sew a curtain panel. If this is something you are interested in doing for yourself, I would definitely chat with your upholsterer before ordering fabric to make sure you get the correct amount. I attached to shower curtain with my previous hooks and the sink skirt is attached with velcro. Last but not least, I needed new towels and bathroom accessories. I am a huge proponent of getting things second hand but one thing I need whenever I makeover a bathroom or move is new towels. I loved the Kassatex x Erin Gates collaboration and I chose to order the Greek Key Towels in Taupe along with the Beacon Hill Bath Accessories, the alabaster really added and extra textural element that felt less antique and tied in my floors.
The result is a bathroom that exudes traditional charm, feminine sophistication and a touch of whimsy. I just love it! Every element, from the soft color palette to the carefully chosen fabrics and antique accents, comes together to create a space that is both inviting and uniquely my own. Hope you love it too and are inspired to create your own little sanctuary!
PS. for all my people who love a progression series, here’s the before, phase two, and where we are now!
