26 April 2013

Magnolia Manor: Half Bath Reveal

Instead of starting from the beginning (which I think I'll try to do Monday), let's start small.  This is the little half-bath that we weren't going to doing anything to.  I was going to handle it, steam off that wallpaper, paint the vanity.  But, then, since this bathroom comes off the hall, which leads into the kitchen, which is getting a huge makeover, we might as well do it, too.  Right?
Right.  
So, I realize this might be the most lame before picture in the history of before/after photos, but I spent all morning going through my phone and my camera and my computer, and this is what I had.  And I had this only because I texted it to my sister (who also sews), so she could appreciate how they matched the print on the wallpaper when covering the lightswitch plate.  A closer look? Of course:
But, you get the idea.  You can get a glimpse of the tile, which was a lot uglier than it looks.  The vanity was just a blah brown wood, which we were going to replace entirely, but it came down to a few budget cuts, and we just painted instead and replaced the top, which was a peach faux-marble thing.  Bleck. We used Absolute Black granite, which is what went in the kitchen as well.  There was fluorescent drop-ceiling lighting that we also took out and just put in 2 can lights.  We kept the original towel racks and toilet paper holder, but I'd like to eventually replace those with something round. 
Round was the theme in here, in case you didn't pick up on it.  Do I also need some round-themed towels?  Why, yes.  Yes I do. But, like I said, trying to just document, because perfection won't come in this life.
I think the sink is my favorite feature.  I ordered it online from amazon because it was cheapest there, as well as the faucet. It fit perfectly in the space, and I love how long the faucet extends, so the kids don't splash as much.
I began looking online for a big, black, round mirror and everything was at least $200 or much more.  I didn't want to spend that much.  I finally found one at Target! 
It wasn't solid black, more of an oil-rubbed bronze look, but PLASTIC!  A mere $30 (they gave me a discount because the one I had was scratched) plus some spray paint, and I think it looks just as good as the $200 mirrors. You can't tell, can you.
The towels came from my mother-in-law, who let me go through her stash when we were there last. Circa 1970s I'm guessing? And the knobs on the vanity just came from the knob aisle at the local Home Depot.
And the splurge was...the toilet.  A Toto toilet (we bought locally) with a (round) button that let's you choose the flush power you desire with a soft close lid.  
It's all about the details, I like to tell Ryan. 

38 comments:

  1. love the make-over! i don't recall ever seeing those kinds of flushers in the states, but where i live in Israel, there's a water shortage so those flushers are on every toilet. if you don't need the big flush, go with the small to save water! how green of you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lauro! We seem to be behind the times here in the States! Maybe next we'll finally get artificial colors out of everything! ;)

      Delete
  2. I took a break from running around frantically on my first child's birthday to read your blog. I'm glad I did. I love the mirror and the sink. Very pretty. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're too funny. Happy first to your baby!!

      Delete
  3. Katy, I love it! I can't wait to see the rest of your transformations. Jacob and I are just staring our remodel, and these pictures are inspiring! I'm going to have to talk CHB into the Toto toilet--so fancy. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's the only toilet we replaced, but it's nice because it's a bit taller for those with long legs (use that as your main argument with CHB)

      Delete
  4. We did Toto Aquia toilets when we built our house and LOVE them! When we were building, I shopped everywhere from Target, Ikea, Overstock, Amazon, all the home improvement stores and specialty stores as well. Living in a small town... it was exhausting! But, like you found, the only way to get what I was after style-wise without breaking the bank!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wish we could put one in ALL the bathrooms! It drove my contractor mad that none of my choices were from the same place, but it's what you have to do to get the right price!

      Delete
  5. Looks awesome! Way to go on that mirror, I always feel like I've stuck it to the man when something fortuitous like that happens :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. We have the same toilet in our house. It seems funny to find such beauty in a toilet but this one sure is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had to choose between a nice bathtub for the other bathroom and this toilet...

      Delete
  7. Love the bath makeover ... Can't wait to see the rest of the house!

    ReplyDelete
  8. OMG! We have the same wallpaper in our master bath but it's a blue background! They even matched the light switch cover also.... And to make it even better, there is matching fabric and the valance above the window is the same! It's on our list to remodel, just not there yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is classic! Make sure you do lots of before photos! :/

      Delete
  9. You must love looking into this bathroom! I adore your floor tiles! You have such amazing and unique taste - thanks for sharing!

    and the leaning tulips are terrific! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Andrea. And I'll admit the tulips were a bit dramatic, but I can do dramatic sometimes ;)

      Delete
  10. Love it! We are renovating our new home, room by room as well -- we moved in about 2/3 of way through the process, so I can definitely appreciate all that you are doing and going through, Katy! Your bathroom looks great!

    Tara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Tara! It's worth the pain and suffering!

      Delete
  11. I am curious to see a round towel rack...really really curious !!!
    I do like the sink !!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have something in mind...just have to have it made...;)

      Delete
  12. Katy, it looks great! It gets me excited for the rest of the tour! We have Toto toilets in all of our bathrooms, and I can't tell you how many people ask (after they get up the nerve) what the heck the 2 button choices are for :) Love them. The sink is my fave :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. The first thing i thought was...well, really that one before shot kind of sums it up, doesn't it? I mean...what else is there? :-) love the bathroom, and i know you're just teasing us now. Also...not to be too creeperish--but your t-shirt? Awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I had to go and check to see if our toilets were still there: they were. We have exactly the same push buttons on ours and in Australia it is mandatory to have dual flush toilets in all new homes. We were going through droughts at the time. That was before the floods.

    I can't wait to see the rest of your home Katy - I will have the coffee ready and waiting.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Gorgeous Katy! You have the magic touch. Love the round theme. You think of everything my dear!

    ReplyDelete
  16. We have the same toilets here in Germany....they are everywhere!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love the changes you made! I especially love the toilet!

    ReplyDelete
  18. You are amazing! Thanks for the GREAT idea to go in my bathroom, right now, and paint the vanity and the corner cupboard above it white! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
    We also have the toto toilet. Bob put it in my new little corner bathroom with my little tiny sink. It was my 55th birthday present. He and my grandson built the whole thing while I was at my Mom's for a week. LOVE your little bathroom!

    ReplyDelete
  19. ARGH! It's awesome! Can't wait to see more!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow, they camouflaged the light switch! I love the re-make and want to know how you still look like a teenager after delivering six Dills! Go YOU. Can't wait for more reveals.

    ReplyDelete
  21. LOVE!! I have been checking your blog every day so I can see your Magnolia Manner. Can't wait for more.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love it all Katy, so excited to see more xx in Australia they only sell half and full flusher buttoned toilets.... Or at least I've never seen otherwise :-).... Those towels are gorge btw.....

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love the sink, it´s so imaginative and all the white looks fresh and pure. :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. So beautiful and fresh... like everything you touch, Katy!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ok so this is awesome but my favorite part...those towels!!!
    -liZ

    ReplyDelete
  26. Nice to have you back! Love the bathroom remodel! I can't wait to see more. Love the idea of your strawberry plants too! Your garden and plants in your yard seem charming and relaxing! Like it is a whole new world you can get lost reading a book in. Congratualtions!

    ReplyDelete
  27. gorgeous! the sink and granite and flowers make me want to hang out in there and avoid my kids

    ReplyDelete

Be a lamb & tell me what's on your mind.