Remember the '80s? Big hair, neon colors, and... tassel everything. Well, my bathroom was a shrine to that era—until I decided it was time for a change. Initially, I dreamed of a total gut job, but then I checked my bank account and reality hit me like a ton of outdated plastic tassels. So, I embarked on a DIY journey to transform my bathroom from a time capsule to a tranquil retreat, all while keeping my expenses and sanity (mostly) in check.
Here are some before photos:
The Transformation Saga
Shower Power
The Challenge: A wobbly shower head held up by... zip ties. Yes, you read that right. The previous owners' DIY skills were as questionable as their decorating choices.
The Victory: After binge-watching YouTube tutorials like it was my job, I opened the wall, bid farewell to the zip ties, and installed a rainfall shower head that didn't wobble. Victory was mine.
Deep Clean Drama: The tiles and doors got a spa day that included deep cleaning, re-grouting, and a matte black makeover for all the silver hardware, thanks to my newfound love for Rust-Oleum. The doors now close properly, and I can shower without the existential dread of hardware failure.
Light It Up
Old vs. New: The tassle lights had to go. Removing them was a joy, but discovering they were adhered with construction adhesive? Not so much. The new partially flush black LED lights not only brighten the space but also make the room look taller, sans plastic tassles.
Vanity Fair (Or How I Learned to Love the New)
Plan B Comes to the Rescue: The vanity saga included a demo, a broken mirror, and a wrong vanity top delivery. The plot twist? Buying a new double vanity combo. Best. Decision. Ever.
In our original quest for thriftiness, the game plan was simple: salvage the mirror, strip the vanity back to its hoped-for wooden glory, and just swap out the vanity top and hardware. Ah, the best-laid plans...
When we started dismantling the old vanity, it quickly became clear that the new one was a square peg for a round (or, in this case, tile-surrounded) hole. So, we did what any reasonable DIYer on a mission would do: we took that wall down, mirror and all. Despite the mirror's slight casualty (a crack here, a chip there), it was a necessary sacrifice for progress. We then fortified our fresh canvas with mold-resistant drywall, making it pristine and ready for whatever came next.
Then, the plot thickened: the vanity top that arrived wasn't what we ordered. Coupled with vendor delays and the disheartening discovery that our vanity was more veneer than valiant hardwood, we scrapped Plan A. Out with the old, in with a new double vanity combo that seemed like it was designed with our needs in mind. This pivot wasn't just a win for aesthetics; it offered us a bounty of storage and, financially, was a wash compared to the cost of reviving the old vanity. Sometimes, the universe really does know best.
Color Me Calm
Walls That Whisper: Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams turned my walls from a scream of '80s beige to a whisper of modern calm. Eggshell finish, because gloss is not in my vocabulary.
Reflections on Reflections
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Two arched black mirrors now grace our walls, proving that sometimes, the best plans are the ones you didn't know you had.
Plumbing Adventures
DIY Plumbing: Replacing faucets and P-traps taught me that I could be a plumber in another life—if that life didn't involve emergency call-out fees.
The Final Touches
Decor: From HomeSense finds to Amazon greenery and a DIY wood shelf, the decor pieces were the cherry on top of this renovation sundae.
The Numbers Game: A Price Breakdown
Here's a sneak peek into the costs associated with turning a bathroom from drab to fab, without emptying your wallet:
Item | Store | Cost |
Amazon | 33.89 | |
Amazon | 129.98 | |
Amazon | 132.80 | |
Amazon | 14.97 | |
Amazon | 40.49 | |
Amazon | 65.99 | |
Amazon | 32.99 | |
Amazon | 25.99 | |
Amazon | 166.98 | |
Drywall | Home Depot | 28.58 |
Decor - Home Sense | HomeSense | 250.91 |
Home Depot | 1,299.99 |
Total Spent: $2,700 CAD (Far less than a complete overhaul and infinitely more satisfying.)
Where to Shop
For those looking to replicate any part of this transformation, I've linked the Amazon & store links either above or when refering to the item. (Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.):
Conclusion: A Bathroom Reborn
This project was more than just a renovation; it was a rite of passage. From the highs of demolishing tassel tyranny to the lows of plumbing perplexities, every step taught me something new about DIY (and myself).
So, here's to taking on side-quests, learning new skills, and creating spaces that make us happy. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this transformation. Stay tuned for more farmhouse renos, and remember, the best projects are the ones that challenge us to grow (and occasionally question our sanity).
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