Displaying posts labeled "Bathroom"

I mentionned here on DTI a while ago that I was working on another home project but I didn’t give away too many details. I FINALLY finished and now it’s time to share.

I had grown VERY tired of the ugliness of my main bathroom. One day I hope to gut the space and completely redo every piece of it but in the meantime the ugliness was getting on my last nerve. And I needed a project because I just wasn’t busy enough. (HA). So here are a couple photos of the bathroom before I tackled it – and this is how it had been since I bought the home more than two years ago.

Trust me, it was even worse in person. The linoleum floor was scratched to sh*t, and so dirty and stained it was impossible to clean. The main light fixture, medicine cabinet, towel bar, light switch plate, outlet plate, toilet paper holder were ALL made of nasty wood. SO GROSS. I’m pretty sure the cabinet over the toilet was hung upside down. The faucet was probably the cheapest one you could buy and was missing a piece on the front to cover the screw. The walls were white and BORING. There’s a small window to the left of the toilet that had bright green plastic blinds hanging. There’s a second light fixture on the wall opposite the sink that had a nasty 80s vibe. The whole space was just awful. Until I can gut the room, I decided to do a cheap makeover. Some leftover paint, new inexpensive faucet and lighting, addition of a chair rail, cheap lino peel and stick tiles, some items brought in from other spaces around my house to decorate and VOILA, a temporary fix to keep me from losing my mind.

This reader request comes from Lia: “I take possession next week of a little urban cottage in Overbrook. I have pretty much no cash to do much of anything, but have to do some renos (redo hardwood throughout; upgrade electrical; paint, of course). I had a designer give me a hour’s consulation re: colours, but beyond that… I’m on my own. I’d like the place to reflect my artsy bent and be a sanctuary for my daughter and I. Do you have any ideas for a space of about 800 square feet, including an eat-in kitchen (70’s style brown wood-type cabinets, I’ll keep the linoleum for now, 10 by 14 feet), 12 by 14 foot living with with non-functional fireplace (brown brick and slate), the smallest bathroom possible (with pink and black tiles with white toilet and walk-in bath – that will have to be replaced), and a bedroom for myself (12 by 9) and for my three-year-old (10 by 9)? Do you have any images of cottage-sized, girl-pretty places?” What dug around my photo stash and found all sorts of small-ish spaces with a girly touch, which hopefully will inspire Lia to create a gorgeous little home for her and her daughter. A chick pad. 🙂 I found enough photos for 2 posts so here are some living rooms and bathrooms and tomorrow will be kitchens and bedrooms.

Bolig Magasinet	design*sponge
Sally Conran	Martha Stewart

jj Locations
The Cross Decor & Design
Domino
Marie Claire MaisonHouse to Home
House to Home
House to Home
Tara Larkin
Living Etc.

The New York Times	Bolig Magasinet
Apartment Therapy	Domino

Domino
House to Home

Jordi Canosa
Coburn Architecture
envelopeA+D
envelopeA+D
Natalie Thiart
Dylan’s bathroom

I received an email this morning that totally made my day. Here’s what Dylan wrote: “I just wanted to write as a local Ottawan and say that I am a big fan of your blog and follow it daily. If you’re interested, I’ve attached a couple of pics of my bathroom that we completed last year. I’m a future designer (currently in school) and this is my first real project. It is in keeping with the style that your blog seems to feature (neo-baroque?). Anyhow, thanks for posting so many amazing pics! Its nice to see good design does exist in Ottawa!” This renovated bathroom is straight out of my dreams. And since I have 2 totally awful bathrooms to redo eventually, I think I’ll be looking Dylan up for some advice and sources. Be still my heart. (Dylan, you’ve got an amazing career ahead of you).

Ian wrote us last week with a request for some ideas for this bathroom: “I’m trying to get my bathroom lighting sorted and I’ve decided against harsh overhead lighting with the plan of having the mirror lit either side instead which is a much more flattering light. However, I’ve looked everywhere and can find barely any ideas! I was thinking of a couple of Glo-balls coming out of the mirror, or recessed lighting, or a pair of Tolomeo lights coming out of the wall etc. Anything other than a horrid downlighter above my head! I wondered if you may be able to help me and post some much needed inspiration on your site?”

I went through my photos of bathrooms and selected some that hopefully give Ian some ideas. I personally think 2 glo-ball-like lights hanging on either side or wall-mounted Tolomeos would look fantastic. (I’ve got Tolomeos on either side of my range and I LUV them!). Examples of these and others are below.

Cossman_de Bruyn	Ami Mckay
Dolly Howarth	IFI
Location Works	Kate Hume
House Beautiful	mlk studio
Better Homes and Gardens	Jeff Andrews