My goal for October was to have both bathrooms updated by the end of the month and so far things are moving along smoothly. The house has 2 bathrooms and I was able to get the first one finished yesterday after completing the 10 hour roman shade making marathon. 😉
When we bought the house I really liked the size of the space and that the lines were clean and simple. Nothing too funky or anything that would be hard to personalize.
The bathroom had blue walls and hardware for curtain rods on the wall and some of the woodwork needed to be touched up, but other than that, the room was pretty much perfect.
If you’ve never used Fil-Stiks before, they work like a dream. Basically you just rub away the flaky paint, clean the area, color in the bare spots with the Fil Stik and then add a little heat {a few fans back and forth with a hairdryer usually do the trick}.
Look at that! Good as new.
Another one of my favorite tricks is using color matched wood filler. Minwax makes a good product and it works especially well to repair cracks in beadboard. Just fill and paint.
Since the counter top was sort of an unusual green color, I decided to paint the entire room out white and then just try and pick up the green with a few accent pieces.
Finding a mirror was a bit of a challenge. The first one I ordered said it had a “chrome finish” and the reviews were great and it fit the space and so I ordered it. Turns out the “chrome finish” was a PAINTED on to a piece of PLASTIC and the mirror came in two parts and you had to assemble it yourself.
Ummm no. So I returned that one and found a different one at Lowe’s that not only looked better, but was heavy and not plastic. Ordering online does have it’s perks, but nothing compares to being able to put your hands on something to gauge quality.
I hung a freebie wreath I brought from the old house {the speckled bits in the eggs matched the counter} and hung it on the same wall as the mirror.
Sweet Grass Farm has the best lotion and hand scrub! And if you are looking for some fancy guest towels, I found a really nice set on Amazon.
My first roman shade! I went with Hudson 43 Farm Multi-Purpose Decor Fabric 58”-Flax Sensation from Joann Fabric’s. I ended up getting a boatload of it for only $9.99 a yard {enough to do the entire downstairs} and with all the hardware, I figure I spent about $30 to make the window covering for the bathroom.
The fabric still needs a bit of tweaking, but for $30, I am pretty pleased. With 36 windows to cover, I felt like DIY roman shades were the only way to go since custom shades run $300 – $500 a window {depending on the size}.
Most of the rooms in this house have radiators in them, which kind of throws a bit of a design challenge into the loop. And since I am a big fan of clean lines and a more cohesive style, {and because I don’t like the look of 54″ curtains above radiators} roman shades throughout the house seemed like the best plan for window treatments. Plus, all the windows will look the same from the outside of the house. 🙂
Plain and simple. That’s me. 😉
Next week, I’ll finish up the other bathroom and then it’s on to the family room. One room at a time… what a genius plan.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone, enjoy the sunshine.
~Mavis
Emily E. says
Very nice! Looking good! I love the changes you made and especially the wreath. Thanks for the great tips. Your pottery whale garland was awful cute too!
linda collins says
Your shade looks great!!
Are you going to do a tutorial on the shades? I read you every day and now can’t recall. I would love to do something like this is my house.
Plus, you really seem to love this house. I am so happy for you!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, I will post a tutorial {next month} after I get a few more shades under my belt. 🙂
Pammy says
Yeah! Looking forward to that
Sandy says
Wonderful! I would love a tutorial! The whale garland is beautiful.
Kelly says
Hi Mavis! I love your shades! You did a wonderful job. How did you attach them at the top? I have done shades also and my house is old with old windows. I always have problems with getting them level and no gaps at the top. Keep up the great work!!
Mavis Butterfield says
My husband just screwed them to the inside top board. I plan on doing a tutorial {with lots of pictures} next month and will be sure and take a photo of that step.
Jen says
Great shade for the bathroom! I’ve once considered making Roman shades but went another direction. Planning to make curtains for our current house soon. It’s private enough that we don’t need window treatments, but it’s better for our power usage if we do.
Deborah says
You are an interior decorator at heart! Beautiful job.
Diana says
Great job on the shade! Looking forward to the tutorial.
The bird’s nest wreath is gorgeous!
AND, I spy a cupola with a weathervane in the view outside of that bath window! How COOL!
Thanks for another sneak peek. Can’t wait to see the rest of the house as you finish it…
Ruth says
Love everything you’ve done! You’ve encouraged us all!
Would you consider relocating the toilet paper spindle so that it’s recessed into the side of the vanity? Right now, it’s highlighted. Concealing it would provide you with a more tailored look….less “bathroom-y.”
I was surprised at the big difference that one small tweak made after we moved ours. Lowe’s has the recessed mount dispensers.
Emily says
Beautiful work! I grew up with radiators and I love the warm cozy heat they put out. I hope you learn to love yours too.
Teri says
WOW you did a fabulous job on the roman shade! Love it! The bathroom looks so nice and clean; did you buy a new toilet for it? Love the accents and new hardware.
Laura says
You may not care for your bathrooms, but you might for other rooms….you might consider a blackout liner to keep the light out of certain rooms (most especially bedrooms). Your liner looks to be pretty light and lets a lot of light in to the room. Again, not a big issue everywhere, but something to consider in other rooms.
Diane says
The Roman shade came out great! Based on the amount of light coming in, you might want to test how well it shows your silhouette at night. The neighbors might be able to see when you’re on the toilet which is a little embarrassing. Picture how you can see silhouettes inside a tent at night.
Kelly says
Thank you Mavis!
Linda says
Hi Mavis!!
Great job on the bathroom! Loving your new home and projects. I look forward to the Roman shade tutorial because I’m remodeling our empty nest & that shade looks great. I’d love to move like you but we bought my husbands grandparents farm when my kiddos were babies & my hubby is firmly planted. Ha!!! It’s ok- I’m content & he’s easygoing about the changes I’m making!!
Enjoying your stories & pictures!
Have a great weekend Mavis!
Mary G says
Very nice! I like your shade too! My husband and I are hoping to downsize in the next year or two, although we haven’t figure out where yet–we’re in Southern New England now. Your opting for a smaller house with less maintenance definitely resonates with me.
Linda Practical Parsimony says
Great post. I love the shades and all the tips.
Lili@creativesavv says
This looks beautiful and fresh. Thanks for the tip on Fil-Stiks. That looks like something that will solve one of my cabinet problems.