Projects

The Little Girls’ Bathroom Phase 1 Reveal!

October 6, 2020

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

Portfolio

Projects

Design

We're Chris + Julia

read more

What we're                   right now

Loving

browse the shop

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here. 

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen. 

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.

browse all

browse all

browse all

02

01

03

Popular Posts

1.

2.

3.

Top Categories

We generally don’t do back to back reveals, but consider yourself spoiled, because TODAY we’re showing you the phase 1 makeover we did in the little girls’ bathroom!! (If you missed yesterday’s playroom reveal, check it out here.) Last week, we put the pedal to the metal to focus on tying up a few project loose ends and that included putting a few finishing touches on this sweet bathroom.

That used to look like this…

But really started off like this when we moved in last year:

Greta’s room has an en suite bathroom in her bedroom, so this bathroom (with petite countertops and toilets! so cute!) is perfect for our little girls, Faye (6) and Polly. You can see Polly, age 3, standing in front of her sink proudly in the first photo above. I should note, Polly is tall for her age but it was so fun to improve this bathroom now that is just their size and will serve them for the next few years.

The makeover was not one that we had on our radar at all this year.  But during our current exterior renovation, one of the biggest project creep questions that came up was–does this mean it’s time to replace the rest of the windows?! We were planning on changing a few out every couple months over the next year, but suddenly being faced with re-facing our entire exterior–it made sense to replace the windows at the same time. (See how the budget breaks down for all of that project creep here.) The little girls’ bathroom needed a larger window to balance the exterior, which brought this phase 1 makeover as a result to make it functional again.

So with the new window in place (it’s centered on the exterior portion), we got to work with a few easy DIYs, big impact pieces.

Here’s how that angle looks now!

We kept the layout, cabinets, sinks and countertops (although we painted them with this $20 countertop paint in Putty!) and enhanced the room with a few new pieces including lighting, mirrors, hardware and peel and stick floors! (Every last source is linked at the bottom of the post!) We also added 4×8 sheets of white beadboard on the mirror walls from countertop to ceiling. The bathroom had some beadboard before so it was a natural accent that added so much texture and interest to the light walls.

The wood arched mirrors add so much warmth the the room but I actually ordered the wall sconces before anything! Ideally, a bathroom has two sconces on either side of a mirror, but this layout didn’t accommodate that with the window and mirror nearly touching. I’m happy to report the sconces, mixed with overhead light, provide ample lighting and look so charming while doing it.

Here’s a look in this direction:

Swapping the hardware (one of my favorite tips for dressing up old cabinets!) really gave the old cabinets a new life. And the peel and stick floors (read all about those here) added a fun color to the room and after a few weeks, we  have had no issues at all–will keep you posted on that front.

We put two small white hooks from Target on the side of both mirrors to hold a hand towel. Simple and efficient!

These faucets were an inexpensive swap and I LOVE the hot and cold handles. They are F-U-N to turn on, just ask Polly. Haha.

Through the vanity area of the bathroom there is a door that separates the toilet and shower/tub. Besides painting in there and adding the floor tiles adding a new hook rack, and laying a bath mat–we didn’t change anything.

It was quick and easy and high impact–all of my favorite things. Sources below!

Bathroom Sources

Wall Color: Sherwin Williams Snow Bound
Sconce
Arch Mirror
Hand towels
Faucet
Hand Soap
Cabinet Hardware
Floor Tile
Curtains
Cafe Curtain Rod
Art
Ceramic Canisters
Bath Mat
Shower Curtain (similar)
Towel Hook Rack
Corner Wicker Hamper
Wood Pedestal
Countertop Paint in Putty

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What do you think?

  1. Jen says:

    Hi Julia! I just loved watching this sweet bathroom come together! Can you give an update on how the peel and stick tile is doing? I’d like to try it in our small bathroom, but we don’t have as defined grout lines, so they’d need to match up completely. Would you recommend?

  2. Julie Willard says:

    The floors are so fun! My family and I are about to relocate and move into a rental that’s great, but just not our taste. Would you recommend using the vinyl in a rental?

  3. Dianne says:

    Link for bead board? Individual pieces Or panels?

  4. Kelly says:

    This is lovely! It has been fun to see it come together! I also look forward to seeing how you update the space further down the road. My bedroom and living room are plagued with windows that are centered on the exterior, but quite close to the corners of the rooms inside. I have struggled with so many layouts trying to balance them and still can’t get it right. And it makes “high and wide” curtains impossible…or at least the “wide” part. I can’t wait to see how you tackle the window issue in Phase 2! But what a peaceful yet fun space to enjoy right now! Thanks for taking us along!

  5. Alva says:

    Julia, would you mind explaining the process of painting the countertops a bit more? I saw your link to Amazon, however, it looks like one then has to go to a paint store to get the color added. Yes? What type of paint brush did you use? How many coats? I need to redo some countertops and this would be perfect!

    • Julia says:

      The instructions are REALLY easy and we honestly just followed the can. But! We actually did the exact same thing on our very first kitchen nearly a decade ago. Read about that here! You can buy it at the hardware store or Amazon and take it to the paint counter and they’ll add whatever colorant FOR FREE. I’d brush the edges and roll with a foam brush. Two coats did it for us!

  6. Jaclyn says:

    Such a huge transformation! Looks soo good! Was wondering if u used the same type of brass for the hardware, sconces, and faucet or if u mixed finishes? Thanks so much!

    • Julia says:

      Mostly went for unlaquered brass and polished brass. The hardware, faucet and light are all from different brands which can be tricky, but because there is distance between each–it works!!

  7. HcH says:

    So charming! May I ask what finish you got in the sconces?

  8. Molly says:

    I love the phase 1 remodels! This bathroom is so cute and charming!

  9. DD says:

    Lovely! How will you keep water from getting under the beadboard where it meets the countertop? Did you add a clear sealer? Best wishes.

  10. JL says:

    Okay, this is now my favorite room in the house! This, the playroom, girls’ study and Faye’s bed are definitely giving off old English cottage manor vibes. Your design vision for this house is definitely hitting its stride. If memory serves me right, the only interior rooms that remain untouched are the two guest baths (which you said are fine for now) and the laundry. I love cottage-style laundry rooms, so after Faye’s room, this gets my vote for your next DIY. Also, would love an update on your major bath renovation. Looking good Julia!

  11. Cici Haus says:

    Love it!! It’s a wonderful phase one and perfect for the little girls.

  12. Carla says:

    I love this phase 1 bathroom update! It looks sooooo good!

    Question about the tile “stickers”… when you’re up close to them, can you tell that they’re a sticker on top of the existing tile or do they look like one cohesive tile?

  13. Tanya says:

    I absolutely love the bathroom change. It’s so beautiful. Also where did you get those shoes?????

  14. Nicole says:

    You guys are MAGICIANS!! To work with what you’ve got, but make it look like every aspect was intentional and designed on purpose from scratch….AMAZING!

  15. Theresa says:

    This is such a charming bathroom, love love love how you made the simple swaps for the final result! I have to ask, do you think you will keep this layout when the girls are older or change it up? Either way it will be great to follow along!

  16. Sharon says:

    I live these back to back reveals! Such sweet spaces for your sweet girls!

    I hope this makeovers that you’ve been able to control are hoping you remain patient while your other work continues. I’m thankful for the positive tone of your posts as you go what I assume is a super frustrating time, to say the least. Hugs!

all the latest

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

HI! We're Chris + Julia

read more

Load More

Reader Faves

SHop all

What We're                     Right Now

What We're                 Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop. 

Loving

looking for inspiration? 

A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

Follow Along on Instagram

Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations

@chrislovesjulia