The Lettered Cottage

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Cottage Bathroom Makeover

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Hooray! It’s cottage bathroom makeover reveal day!

Here’s a quick look back at the inspiration and ‘before’ photos…

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lettered_cottage_half_bath_before_1

…and here’s what we had fun coming up with over the past five months!

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We’ve been calling it the “bird bath”, and my favorite part is definitely the sky-themed wallpaper. I love the movement and sense of whimsy it adds to the room!

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After it was installed, I started to bring in all the “fun stuff”. The first thing we hung up was the mirror. I found it on Lowes.com for about $175 less than one just like it on PotteryBarn.com. I love it because there’s no frame to compete with the painted paneling behind it. I also love that its little chrome brackets tie in with the chrome faucet and toilet paper holder. (Note: I *may* switch out the toilet handle for a chrome/porcelain one in the future- but I’m still undecided on that because I like the way that ties in with the door knob, and I like all of our oil-rubbed bronze doorknobs. #ToBeContinued)

And speaking of the toilet paper holder…

I knew, the second I saw it, that this was holder for me:

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See how it mimics the shape of the hooks on the bent wood shelf above the toilet?

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I LOVE that! #LittleThings

And speaking of the bent wood shelf…

I found it on Ebay about a year ago, and I really like how it brings the warmth of the wood dresser, up to eye-level…

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…and to keep things nice and cohesive, I also brought in some warm wood behind the bathroom door:

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It’s the top portion of an old apple-picking ladder-turned-towel/magazine/book holder, and I got it at the Nashville Flea Market for $10 a few years back.

To counter the darker tones of the dresser, shelf, and ladder, I brought in some lighter earth tones, too.

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Numbered toothbrushes, soaps & sea sponges, and a couple of hanging items- all of which we moved over with us from our last house.

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Obviously most of these things probably won’t get used in this room because there isn’t a tub or shower in here, but it was a super cost effective way to decorate the room (#free), and I like really the character and texture (and scent!) they add to the room.

As I was hunting for hand towels to use in this room, I noticed that I was more drawn to dish/tea towels than regular bath towels- so I decided to go with it, and man did I have fun looking for them! There are so many great ones out there! From Etsy, to Ebay, to Ikea and Walmart- I’m smitten, and I love the extra cottage-y energy they bring in to this tiny room.

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…and since it is so small, I didn’t want to introduce too many contrasting colors when it came to the decor in here, but I did bring in the color navy to keep things from feeling too “soft”. There’s such a crispness that comes along with the color navy, and I really think it did the trick in here.

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I shot little videos of the makeover along the way, but make sure to click the little Settings button and select 720p HD if you decide to watch it…it looks fuzzy if you don’t:

The-Lettered-Cottage-Half-Bath-Makeover_Video

It isn’t a “how-to” video or anything…just something I put together to document the process, with a few little tips along the way. (Email subscribers will have to visit TheLetteredCottage.net to view the video below.):

(Click here to view the video on YouTube)

So there ya have it- from builder basic brown, to bird bath blue- it’s been a fun room to play with, and now it suits our personalities to a T!

The_Lettered_Cottage_Half_Bath_Makeover_Before_And_After

Before I sign off- here are links to all the half bath makeover-related posts I’ve published since we started this series back in February…

1. Half Bath Redo

2. Tile and Wood

3. Paint and Paper

4. Sink

5. Barn Light

6. DIY Magazine Holder

…and here’s a room resource list in case you’re shoppin’ for something similar:

Bird Wallpaper: Hygge & West
Pine Paneling: Lowes
Paint Color: Wedgewood Gray (Benjamin Moore)
Hex Floor Tile: Overstock
Dresser: vintage
Vanity Top: Home Depot
Glacier Bay Teapot Faucet: Home Depot
Gatco Frameless Pivot Mirror: Lowes
Wall Shelf: Ebay
Ladder: Nashville Flea Market
Bird Planter: vintage
Navy & White bowl: vintage
Honeycomb Soap: Etsy
Sea Sponge Soap: Etsy
Sea Sponge: Etsy
Soap on a Rope: Etsy
Hanging Brush/Stone: World Market
Calendar Tea Towels: 1canoe2 for Anthropologie (but I got mine on Ebay!)
“Ball” Perfect Mason Jar Tea Towel: Lemonade Makin’ Mama on Etsy
Plaid Dish Towels: Walmart
Navy & White Dish Towels: Ikea
Barn Light: Barn Light Electric
Arran Apothecary Hand Wash: World Market
Toilet Paper Roll Holder: Pottery Barn
Toothpaste: Marvis Classic Strong Mint
Wooden Toothbrushes: Izola
Seafoam Green Step Stool: Etsy

Happy Decorating!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof

    SO pretty Layla! I am loving that gray color on the paneling and oh my, the bird wallpaper is adorable. Such a pretty bathroom 🙂 I talked to Thistle yesterday and she is SOOO excited to be a part of the Chapel Market 🙂

  4. Susie Harris

    What a fun room your bird bath has become! I can’t wait till Oct. for the market. I will be driving my blog friends crazy I’m sure because I will be chatting it up often. I have already chatted with Rhoda and hope to see her there as well. All of you girls are so worth the drive and it will be so much fun. May need to book a room soon before they all book up. I know that this will be a huge sucess for ya’ll . Love an hugs.. Susie Bloop!

  5. Fairfield House

    Layla,
    Love your whimsical bird bath! I especially adore that wall paper. {It reminds me of the ceiling in Kim’s studio.} I hope the ‘Chapel’ has adequate parking for the crowds of people that will be attending your event. Looks like Thomas and I need to plan a road trip to your sweet home Alabama!
    Your Friend,
    Deborah

  6. Regina

    Ahhh, there is such a thing as a bathroom retreat! 🙂 So fresh and happy looking! Looks so much bigger with your colors. You give me a lot of inspiration for my home! I do like the floor and sink in the “old” bathroom, but, your makeover is definitely more my style too.

  7. missy

    I can’t believe that dresser fits!! I never would have thought it would. Is it taller than regular counter height? Surely you had to cut some of the legs? It all looks great.

  8. Kate

    This came out SO cute!!! Great job. Now if only you can come up to CT and do my house 🙂 pretty please?

  9. Rachel

    Layla: Do you use those toothbrushes? If so, make sure the seat is closed before flushing…..bacteria everywhere!

    Now my favorite part is the paneling! Love the detail. This room went from drab to fab!

    I’ve been mooning over a glass and chrome shelf for my bath from Pottery Barn…UGH!!! the price is nuts! Lo and Behold….Goodwill (I mean Gracie Whites Boutique), had one for EIGHT BUCKS!!!! Thanks for the shopping list!

    • Layla

      No- the toothbrushes are just for fun, Rachel! 😀
      Great score at Gracie’s- congrats on that!!!

  11. beth

    That was so worth the wait!!!! I love your new “bird bath”. 🙂
    Can’t believe the difference from the before pictures. So much lighter, brighter, and cute!
    Thanks for sharing with us, Layla. 🙂

  12. Karen

    I love it! Everything turned out so cute. And, the video was really fun to watch. You are a natural in front of a camera. What a delightful start to the week. Thank you! 🙂

  13. Donna Doble-Brown

    Layla . . . . I just can’t get over how BIG the bathroom looks now! It really came out beautiful! but I would have expected nothing less from you two talented peeps! Such a JOY to see the finished project . . . .you should be so proud! sending lots of love and blessings to you guys for a wonderful 4th of July week . . . . . 🙂

  22. Kristin

    Absolutely perfect. It is so fresh, cottagy….aahhhhhh! Great work! And I love those PB toilet paper holders with one side. Be gone the plastic center ones you have to squeeze together to replace– and may I say–more sanitary in my eyes 🙂 Everything–just beautiful.

  26. Carrie - Curate | by Carrie Corson

    What a charmer! You sure did pull off this transformation in a true cottage fashion. I love the warm wood tones mixed with the soft muted colors. LOVE the whimsical nature it seems to suit your personality so (at least what I know if your blogger voice:)

  27. Lynn

    Your bathroom makeover turned out beautiful!!! Love the colors and all the little details are wonderful!! Thanks for sharing where you bought the items…will be good inspiration for a bathroom I need to do in my home.

  32. Pam

    I must admit… when you said you were making over the half-bath, I was perplexed because I thought it looked great the way it was. But the makeover is beautiful. And (like someone else) said, it is amazing how much bigger the room appears. Probably the only additional thing I would suggest is boxing in the cutout of the drawers (adding “walls” around the cutout.) If you are anything like me, everything will roll or slide out the cutout. As a furniture re-designer, it is an easy thing to do and will save frustration in the future. I absolutely love the bird figurine!

    • Layla

      Thanks, Pam! I had a ton of fun personalizing it to reflect our style!
      I hadn’t thought about boxing in the cut-outs because those drawers just hold “big stuff”. Might have to do that on down the line though! 😀

  34. Jenn @ Home Style Report

    You two knocked it out of the park…again! I love it all and I think the toilet knob ties in well with door knobs…my vote is to keep it! You’ve also just confirmed that I LOVE panelling in bathrooms!

    • Layla

      Thank you, Kathleen! And, yep! We love, love, LOVE the legs of the dresser, so we decided to lop off the top so we could keep more of it’s feet! 😀

  37. ShellyP

    Layla: The bird bath is so very lovely! The colors are so soft and beautiful. Bravo on all of the little details that make this space so very special. You have a great eye. My powder room is a very similar layout. The tile floor in my powder room extends into the foyer. When you installed the hex floor tile in your bird bath room, does that hex tile end at the doorway or does it extend ? How do you feel about different flooring surfaces? Just curious and would like your best insights. Thanks!

  39. Jude Groninger

    You are such a natural (beauty!) in your videos!!! You make me so proud 😀
    PS the room is beautiful, too!

  40. angela

    layla,

    i love your wallpaper!!
    i’m having a heck of a time finding a wallpaper i like for our dining room, which is currently covered in a stuffy damask. do you have any favorite designers/websites you went to to look for one?

    you know what, i might just send you a photo for pick my presto because my whole dining room needs some help!!

    • Layla

      Hi Angela! I love the papers on Hygge & West, and I found them by Googling “bird wallpaper”! 😀

      • angela

        thanks! i never thought to just google a theme. i do like some of the wallpapers on hygge & west. ordering samples soon!

  41. Gina

    The bathroom looks fantastic! I really like how you explained your color choices, it gave me a better understanding of how to balance a room. You’re right, the navy makes a huge difference! Thanks for the video too! We’re redoing our master bathroom and it is fun to see someone go through the same steps. Your steps were very clear and helpful.

  44. KATHYSUe

    Love it ALL! it is impeccably done and so true to your design aesthetic. You never waiver in your design choices and look, so many are influenced by trends and yet you can do vintage and make it look fresh, new and current. Congratulations on a beautifully executed design, Layla-Style,
    Kathysue

  45. Mindy

    The bird bath – I love both the name and the makeover! I like how you used the navy and the wallpaper is just perfect in there. As usual, a fabulous cottage job!!

  46. Gretchen

    Even prettier than I imagined! I LOVE the room, and the peek into your thought process! 🙂

  47. angela

    love the bird bath . for the drawers i would put wood around the opening were you cut so one you do not see the pipes and two if you put stuff in the drawers they do not fall out.

  49. Denise

    KEVIN & Layla, i love how you still drive your little S-10 pickup truck, Ya’ll are soooo relatable. Thanks for keeping it REAL–thats why we love you guys so much. 🙂