Monday, February 13, 2012

The Guest Bath Vanity Reveal

Before I start sharing this project I want to take the time to thank Lisa at Shine Your Light for her new monthly Before/After party.  This party theme lights a fire under my derriere as in the beginning of the month I pick a project and have committed myself to complete it by the months end.  Last month I linked up Emmy's Toadstool table.  This month I made a loftier goal- painting the guest bath vanity.  And it is done!  So thank you, Lisa!

Ok, so if you recall (or maybe you have blocked its ugly golden oak-ness from your memory!)  here is our guest bathroom before...


Not horrible- it had decent bones.  The tile floor isn't bad, the countertop isn't bad and the cabinet is functional.  The mirror was recently framed out with a MirrorMate frame that I silver leafed.  That was the first step in making this bathroom more "ours".  The next step was painting the vanity, and this past weekend I had the perfect window of opportunity.  Chris went to visit his sister and her family, and I brought the kids to my parents so I had Friday night through Sunday morning ALL TO MYSELF.  It was glorious!!!!!

Friday while the kids were both at school I got started.  I had already removed the old hardware and filled in holes.  I brought my sander into the bathroom and shut the door so dust didn't get all over the house and sanded in the bathroom.

 As you can see here the sides are not wood, but pressboard.  Still, you can sand and paint- you just have to be careful.
 Once it was sanded, I got to work priming.  I primed the body, and then primed each of the drawers but put them in place while they dried.  The doors were removed and primed and sat in the bathtub to dry. :)
 This was the HARDEST part- the tiny gap on the left side of the vanity needed to be painted.  I used a small roller just to reach in there, but used it in a brushing instead of rolling motion.  And let me tell my my hand is pretty scraped up from having to get in there by the door molding as well.  And I may have hit the wall a few times, but that's ok because it will be painted soon!

Once it was primed and ready, I sanded lightly to smooth it out, and then put my first coat of paint on... I used the Lake Champlain left from my sideboard which I love.   But I did not like it here.  In this small room with poor lighting it was just too much.
I slept on it Friday night and when I woke up the first thing I did was walk into the bathroom and make my decision... NOPE.  I did not like it.  Of course, I have wanted to spend no money, so I searched my paint stash.  I had a beautiful softer blue, Sherwin Williams Tidewater, leftover from my ombre dresser.  I thought it would be just what I needed!  So two more coats of paint later, I was finally satisfied!  I waxed the whole piece and here is what it looked like....

Now I honestly didn't think I would be revealing this vanity today because I planned on getting some new knobs.  But I checked my stash just in case, and I found some cool octagonal hematite finished knobs that I thought looked cool.  So, I was able to avoid spending money, and even so, I bought these knobs a while back for 99 cents each at the Habitat ReStore.
So because I hoard shiny pretty things I had those knobs, I am able to share it with you today!  You may also notice in these pictures that the rest of the bathroom has been de-woodified; I have removed all the wooden accessories and prepped the walls for painting!(ok, except the switch plates which need to be changed of course!)  The closet door will also get painted.


 Here is a close up of the knobs...


With just the changes of the mirror and the vanity so far, the bathroom already feels lighter and brighter and much more like ours!

Sharing here:
UndertheTableandDreamingThe DIY Show Off{Primp}Power of PaintSaved by SuzyIt's Overflowing

79 comments:

Stacey said...

Great improvement Cassie! Looks really great!
Stacey of Embracing Change

Cindy said...

i love the paint color and the lighter one is definitely better. it looks great with the mirror and the blends nicely with the "bones" of the space.

what color are you going to paint the trim and doors? i can't wait to see it all done. and i LOVE the octopus shower curtain....LOVE it, want it, covet it!!! :D

xo, cindy

Jaime said...

Oakness be gone! Love that tidewater blue, so fresh and light. Really nice job Cassie, and the best DIY is done with what you have, true to form.

Sarah AKA The Thriftress said...

It sure does look lighter & brighter! I can't wait see it all finished!

Megan said...

I love the knobs!!! And the color is much better than the color your tried at first (not to mention the oak!).

Megan said...

I'm so glad you decided to change the color, the lighter one is much better! I need to paint mine, I'm just scared to screw it up :) Your's look so amazing! The knobs are perfect!

Beverly Pennington said...

So pretty - so much softer and more custom than that oak. I agree on changing to the second, softer blue.

michelle said...

It looks so pretty, I love the color and I am still so in love with your shower curtain! :)
xoxo

Kara @ June & Bear said...

paint is such a glorious thing. love that shade of blue and the hardware. glad your hoarding of shiny things paid off.

Susan said...

Cassie, your paint job took about 30 years off of those dated cabinets! It looks so light and breezy and wonderful in there now! The color is fab.

17 Perth said...

I had forgotten how much I love love love the ombre dresser. And yes, I think it is my favorite piece ever. But--I love the tidewater you chose (in round 2). It really looks great. I can't get over how much better it looks.

Andrea said...

So beautiful! Love the color and it looks great with your mirror. Great job girl!

Jacqueline said...

The bathroom looks fantastic! I love the color you choice for the vanity and the mirror looks lovely!

heidi said...

Your vanity is so pretty. The tidewater blue is the perfect color for it. And the price tag couldn't be better.

Lesley said...

Oh my! A WHOLE weekend to yourself! How decadent! Yoowza!

Maury Kilgo said...

LOVE IT! I actually liked the darker color too but I like the pale blue. I've been planning on painting our master bathroom and using the leftover blue from the master bedroom on the cabinets. I think you've given me the courage to do it!

Cathy Wall said...

A huge difference painting the vanity makes! Love where you are going with this!
And lucky you, how nice to have such a stretch of time to yourself...it certainly looks like you have made the most of it!
Cathy

The Bold Abode said...

Wait for it...wait for it...

SHAZAMALAMALAMALAMALAM!!!!

Those knobs are spectacular and THE perfect fit...they totally speak to Octo over there!

I think it's really awesome that you have that little space...it makes it seem like a custom vanity. Mine are all butted up to the wall and LOOK like builders grade.

Two thumbs up, girl! It would be three if I had an extra hand....

Twice Nice said...

Lovely, Lovely! It looks so fresh and bright now! I love the knobs, they play so well with your Octopus shower curtain. I'm inspired, just need to get the Mr. on board. Questions: Did you use a latex or enamel? Finish coat or no? Your cabinet turned out gorgeous!

Kim @ keller-creative said...

This is looking so good! I painted our oak cabinets black when we first moved into our house and it makes the biggest difference. I love how much fresher and cleaner this space is looking!

Renee said...

Wow, what a difference a coat of paint can make!!! This looks so crisp and clean...love it!

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

What a difference! It looks terrific--you definitely made the right choice on the color.

DecorandtheDog said...

It's so pretty! Sending this to little brother ASAP!

Shari @ turnstylevogue.com said...

That looks great Cassie! The light color makes it look so fresh and clean.

Sarah said...

That looks great Cassie! I love the color!

Melissa at HOUSEography said...

That looks amazing Cassie! What a huge difference. Can't wait to see what you do with walls and window!

Ange said...

Looks so much better! Who ever decided that honey oak was cool? Lisa's hopefully lit a fire under my butt too but we'll see. Excited to see what you do with the rest of the room. :)

Lisa Scibilia said...

Cassie I LOVE that color in there!!! You are a girl after my own heart shopping your paint stash for another color....that's just what I would do! The bathoom looks FANTASTIC de-woodified and I can't believe how you attack a project and git.er.done!!!!!
Thanks for the shout out you awesome lady!!!!

Dharma said...

Ahhhhh.....the oak. Who ever loved the oak? In my mind, only builders ;) You did a great job. The 2nd colour is the winner for sure.

Stacey@A Sort Of Fairytale said...

What a difference! Love the final blue shade you chose. You really worked on on this with all the sanding, etc. and your paint job looks perfect. Isn't it great when the kids are gone for the night once in awhile?! ;)

Anna@Directions Not Included said...

So, so pretty. Love the color combined with the framed mirror. Glad you went lighter because it really ties the room together.

lemondropdreams said...

Huge improvement even without paint on the walls!

Lyndsay Wells said...

I have a similar vanity that is getting an overhaul. Have been debating ripping it out and replacing it with something new or refurbishing as you have done. I was leaning toward refurbishing and now that I see how beautifully yours turned out that's what I'm going to do. great job!

miss flibbertigibbet said...

SO much better! Painting a vanity makes SUCH a change....I can never figure out why people leave those "builder" vanities untouched! I know you are going to do even more! Can't wait to see!
Lorraine

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

How, how, hoooooow do you find time to do all these makeovers? You are suuu-pppper-wooooo-mmmman!

Sarahx

Carmel @ Our Fifth House said...

I LOVE the color you chose! It completely changed the room!

Andi @ Jane of all crafts said...

Great job Cassie!!! I definitely agree that the lighter is better, especially with the silver frame. Are you planning on keeping the shower curtain?

A place 2 call home said...

I love that color, so pretty darling! It's really coming along : )

Katie said...

Yes! Now that's Cassified! I love it! Already it looks so much brighter and happier!

gail said...

ahhh, so peaceful and quiet looking. :)
I love the second color. It's gorgeous!
way to go, doesn't it just make you smile now?
well, I mean after you get it painted. lol
gail

Allison said...

It looks fabulous, Cassie! You certainly did have a productive weekend. I love the color and the knobs are perfect with your mirror. Great job!

Lisa - A Room with A View said...

You have had a busy weekend and looks like you got most of the hard work done on Fri. I love the soft hue and it does transform the bathroom. The knobs are a great touch with the contrast they lend. Great work, Cassie!

Ali Richardson said...

Soooooooooooooo stinkin' AWESOME!!!! I seriously LOVE my bathroom now :) Yay!!! great great work, as usual!

Abby said...

That looks so much better! I love that color, very pretty

Katie @ Wildwood Creek said...

Love the changes in the bathroom!

Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication said...

Love the color and the knobs! You said that you waxed it to finish things off, is waxing the same as putting polyurethane over it to seal it?

rebecca said...

it looks fantastic!!

Upscale Downhome said...

Isn't it wonderful when blogging helps us complete a project?! How glorious to have a whole weekend to yourself to work on your bathroom. It looks great and I applaud your choice to spend no money. Lookin' good girl...as always!

Becca's Dirt said...

I love it and you did it in a couple of days - awesome.

Rita said...

Cassie this looks AWESOME!! love the blue in here. I can't get over you doing this so fast!!

My Furnicure said...

Wow! That looks great! Awesome job and so resourceful. :)

thistlewoodfarm said...

What a pretty color blue! I love the transformation with the mirror. Perfect combination.

blessings,
karianne

Laurie LW said...

Looks great as always!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Beautiful transformation! The color is perfect with the hardware and countertop! Sometimes it takes a few tries, but it's exciting when it makes you smile! And it was a thrifty transformation too!

Junky Vagabond said...

Much improved! The color is very classy and the knobs add a nice contrast...don't you just love it when something you've hoarded...ahem...saved ends up being just the thing??

-Jill

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

That's 100x better! I love the color an the knobs are great! Your bathroom is going to be so pretty by the time you're done with it.

Jan@southernjunkin' said...

Beautiful transformation! love the color you chose!!

pam {simple details} said...

Holy Moly, it's not even Friday! It look fabulous and so fresh! The knobs couldn't have been more perfect!

jeannie maxwell said...

Wow! So, so, so beautiful! I absolutely love the color you went with. It looks amazing Cassie!

Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys said...

I like both colors. But you're right, the lighter one is more "breathable". Looking nice!

Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.com said...

What a HUGE improvement! The blue with the dark knobs is so pretty. I love your octopus shower curtain too.

Good Time Charlie said...

Love the knobs, love the color. Wow, I can feel the bathroom changing already, just from those little changes. Can't wait to see the rest!

Anneke {RustiChic} said...

Ok. You're amazing. It's official... LOL! This is looking great! I love it when people can just say, "Nope, don't love it." And just get over it and change it! Wait to be thrifty too. ;-)

Catherine said...

I looks fantastic! I love the colour - I'm trying to convince my husband that we could go for something similar in our bathroom. I'll definately show him your post when he gets here!

René said...

Wow! It looks fantastic! Love that little peak at the shower curtain with it. Fun knobs, mirror, & wall color. It all looks so good together!

freckled laundry said...

Looks great, Cassie!

Sabrina said...

Great job Cassie!!! I love all the changes, it looks like a completely different bathroom!!

Our Delightful Home said...

WOW! Amazing transformation! I would love for you stop by and link up at my linky party via: http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Delightful
Ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Fabulous transformation! I do like that first color but the second color is even more fabulous in the bathroom!! Thanks for linking up and happy valentines day!
XO
Kristin

Kelly said...

I got totally stuck on the idea of having a WHOLE weekend to yourself! :) But then I got past it when I saw that gorgeous vanity. Wow! Way to banish that oak. :)

PB said...

You continue to amaze me......can't wait to visit the new bathroom!!!! Love it!
GramPam

cranny + b said...

love it--what a nice, clean, and bright change!
( and I still love that shower curtain! ) : )

Sam @ The Junk House said...

I love the color! It turned out amazing! "Hoard shiny things" seriously made me laugh!

I haven't made much progress on my February Before project...the month is already half over!

Julia @ 551Eastdesign said...

Welcome to 2012 vanity. Welcome! :)

Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate said...

Lovely!!

Tonya said...

Your bathroom vanity turned out gorgeous!! Love the color you chose!!

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

Your bathroom vanity is gorgeous! LOVE the blue you went with. I'm sure you loved every moment alone :) I'm featuring your paint project in the PoPP Spotlight this weekend. Thanks for sharing your awesome project with us!

Rasonda @ Lake Cottage Dreams said...

I looove the inexpensive revamp Cassie!!! Quick question when you get some time.... you said you can sand and paint pressboard but you have to be careful. Can you elaborate on that more? We have loooots of pressboard that needs paint around here ;)

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

That is just gorgeous! Fabulous job! Thank you for sharing. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse