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Bathroom: Green With Envy

As an ode to St. Patrick’s Day yesterday, I have to share this recently finished spa-like bathroom that I designed for a Client. The overall space is filled with lots of varying shades, but to make it unique + unexpected, we added a major splash of color to the vanity…

GREEN!

Bathroom Renovation with neutrals and a pop of color for the vanity.  Wall Paint Color - Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter; Vanity Paint Color - Benjamin Moore Green with Envy; Design by - Jenna Burger Design, www.JennaBurger.com

The pop of green was a request of the client and I was all for it. When she mentioned wanting to introduce a fun color for the new 7′ long custom vanity, I was on the hunt for the perfect shade.

Bathroom Renovation with neutrals and a pop of color for the vanity.  Wall Paint Color - Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter; Vanity Paint Color - Benjamin Moore Green with Envy; Design by - Jenna Burger Design, www.JennaBurger.com

In the end we chose Benjamin Moore Green With Envy 2036-30. It’s a fabulous color that is a true green with a slight blue undertone instead of yellow like a typical kelly green color would be.

Here’s a Benjamin Moore color chart for greens and you can see where Green With Envy falls compared to other greens…

via Benjamin Moore

On to the rest of the bathroom space…

The existing window had to be moved because it did not work with the proposed shower / tub configuration. We reused the existing window and positioned it to be centered over the new soaking tub.

The tub is an undermount style and we had a quartz top templated for the tub deck, which extends into the shower to create a bench to sit on. The design when the deck continues into the shower is such a modern, clean look.

Once the slab was in, the glass enclosure was templated and created the needed separation between the tub space and the shower.

Check out that detail here..

At the tub face, we added in a mosaic tile in shades of grey and positioned it vertically. The tile continues on to the face of the bench and is also used at the sides + back of the vertical niche.

Shower Niche with vertical layout; Mosaic accent tile at the niche back with a barliner surround; Design by Jenna Burger Design, www.JennaBurger.com

The walls are complete with a simple + modern 4″ x 12″ white subway tile that runs floor to ceiling in the shower and continues partially up the wall at the tub space.

Wouldn’t you love to get ready in a space like this every day?!?

 

Serene + Sophisticated Master Bathroom Reveal

It’s been months in the making, but I am excited to share that my master bathroom renovation is complete.  I actually wrapped it up right before the new year hit, but I was awaiting a few accessory items (the finishing layers always make complete a space) + I really wanted to use the space on a daily basis before sharing my thoughts on the outcome.

Without further ado, here is our recently remodeled master bathroom…

Before getting to far ahead of myself and throwing loads of pictures at you (which I can’t wait to share), let’s remember where this bathroom started when I walked into a shell-of-a-house 7 years ago…

I don’t know who in their right mind would find this shade of purple to be pleasant each day, but it wasn’t for me.  If you can believe it, this space ended up being the last of all the rooms to be renovated (why did I wait so long?).

Finally in 2011, we gave the bathroom a DIY overhaul with a new floor (groutable luxury vinyl tile, tutorial here), new paint on the walls, new paint on the cabinet (faux glaze tutorial here), and new accessories (like the shower curtain made using window drapery panels, tutorial here).

DIY Master Bathroom renovation - JENNA BURGER DESIGN

What a huge difference. We loved it.

Fast forward 6 years, and we were in want + need of a total bathroom overhaul.  I envisioned a large shower, a longer + newer vanity + tile!

And voila, this is our new renovated bathroom

This is the vision board that I originally created…

Master Bathroom Renovation mood board - JENNA BURGER DESIGN

3 walls now are floor to ceiling tile and this space feels (and looks) like a high-end hotel bathroom with a serene spa feel.

If you know me, I adore color, but for this space, I stayed with lighter + brighter hues of neutrals and added contrast with a dark gray cabinet + layers of accessories in shades of blue.

 

The paint color for the space was tricky…  I actually had another color chosen but because the tile above the vanity is glossy & reflective, the tile took on an ugly color.  So I went to the light section of the color wheel and choose a soft blue.  It’s called  Sunday Sky by Valspar.

Sunday Sky by Valspar Because of the small amount of wall space, I decided to paint the ceiling a color as well and chose a slightly darker shade of blue (in the same color family as the walls).  It’s called Windblown Blue by Valspar.

The previous vanity was only 36″, but there was plenty of space to install a longer vanity.  We were able to increase the the size to this 48″ wide vanity that has two doors in the center and 3 drawers on each side (it looks like 4 drawers, but the bottom 2 are actually one taller compartment).

The additional 12″+ has been a game changer with the amount of usable counter space.  Yes, a double sink would have been glorious, but I’ll take what I can get!

Having drawers in the bathroom has also has been a welcomed change.  There is now so much room for the smaller bathroom items, as well as taller items like hairspray and nailpolish remover.

I lined the drawers with this cute contact paper that I snagged from Target for $3.  Just a small touch that makes a big difference.

The countertop for this vanity is a beautiful carrara marble.  Never great for the kitchen, but perfect for the bathroom!   This vanity came with the marble top + undermount sink in a square shape.

A 36″ round jute rug placed in the front of the vanity has been such a nice added touch for softness and texture.

The marble countertop arrived with 3 holes to accommodate this widespread sink faucet.  When possible, I always prefer separate holes for the faucet + handles versus being together on one late.  The look is higher end and appears like it was custom cut.

The frameless tile mirror above is a favorite of mine not only because it’s affordable at less than $100, but also because it’s a sophisticated, classic look + it can accommodate people of different heights since it tilts.

I have to talk about the tile…  The tile is what truly sets this bathroom apart and gives the space a custom, unique look!  The tile in the shower space is a 4 x 12 white subway tile and I added a 12″ high band about 3′ high above the floor, which continues to the ceiling on the wall of the vanity.

The accent mosaic tile (which comes on a 12″ x 12″ mesh sheet backing) is made of a variety of ceramic + natural stones in varying shades of neutrals.  It is such a beautiful backdrop to the vanity and is so dramatic, but not in an overwhelming way, when you enter the space.

As you make your way around the space, the window adorns a new roman shade made by my go-to-fabricator Tonic Living.  I work with them a lot on client projects and they create such gorgeous window treatments.  This fabric just truly captures everything that I wanted this bathroom to evoke.

One large component of this bathroom remodel was the removal of the existing tub and creating a shower space in it’s place.

This renovation was part DIY and part highered out to a contractor.  There were areas (mainly plumbing) that was beyond our skillset to take on, so calling in a contractor was a must.  Once he removed the existing shower unit, he installed a new shower pan.  We installed the tile on the walls, and then he returned and installed the new shower enclosure.

>>> Check out more here on how the walls were tiled 

Transitioning from a tub to a shower left us with one challenge.  The shower pan was 2″ narrower than the tub so there was a gap between the floor ended and the shower pan edge.  What to do?  What to do?  Using a few extra mosaic pieces, I filled in the gap, and no one will ever know – wink, wink…

One moment it was a problem, the next a simple resolution was discovered!

I am really loving this shower door because it eliminates the difficulties of a typical swinging shower door (they swing into the shower so the placement for the shower fittings needs to be configured properly) + the design of it is so modern + minimal.

The one panel is stationery (left side in the picture above) and the panel with the handle is operable. The wheels seamlessly roll on the bar above similar to a rolling barn door.

In lieu of a bench or built-in niche for shampoo (something I would have loved, but beyond my skillset + budget), I found a petite teak bench perfect for sitting and/or holding various shower necessities.

To finish off the tile where the tile meets the wall on the shower fittings side, I added a 3×6 bullnose tile in a vertical layout.  With the one side of the tile being curved, it transitions beautifully into the wall.

 

The layout of this space is somewhat tricky because there is an angled wall that is too large to leave bare, but too small to add a piece of furniture that is oversized. When I was scouring for accessories, I knew what I wanted, but couldn’t find anything that was just right + within my budget.  In the end, I found this gorgeous lucite + leather (white) stool.  I just couldn’t leave it.

I knew I had to pair it with a simple + minimal vanity.  Shopping came to a halt because I decided to build the simple vanity that I envisioned.

I used 2 x 3 for the 4 legs + 1 x 4 for the apron surround + 1/4″ thick plywood for the top, then painted it a color similar to the ceiling.  It’s the perfect size + scale for the space and is the ideal spot for perfumes, cotton balls, q tips, etc…

All the beautiful artwork in the bathroom is from Minted.com.  They are a fabulous source for fine art + limited edition prints at an affordable price.

One of the most frequent inquiries I get on the blog is about the towel bars mounted on the back of the door.  The bathroom space is decent, but there is no perfect place for towel bars, so the existing back-of-the-door-towel-bars remained.

>>> Check out this post on How-To Hang a Towel Bar on a Hollow Core Door

Like all renovations, this project came with it’s hurdles + challenges, but nothing that couldn’t be overcome with thinking outside the box and a bit of patience.  As with all projects, there is a first for everything and with each completed endeavour, I take away something new, which builds my skillset + confidence.  At the same time, I know when to turn to others and call in the pros.

If you want to see more on this bathroom remodel, check out this previous posts:

Master Bathroom Renovation: Plan + Mood Board

Master Bathroom Renovation: Demo!

Master Bathroom Renovation: Tile + Grout

Now through March 23, Lowe’s is having a kitchen + bath event with deals up to 40% off. Work with a Lowe’s project specialist to design you dream space…  It’s the perfect opportunity for a refresh!

DISCLAIMER: THIS BATHROOM RENOVATION IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWE’S. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN.

Master Bathroom Renovation: Tile + Grout

It’s been a few weeks and lots of progress has been made on the master bathroom renovation!

Last I left off, I shared details on the demo (which we hired a contractor to do) + the steps to prep the space for tile.  Once that part of the job was complete, it was my turn to step in.  Thankfully I’ve tiled before so there wasn’t too much of a learning curve, but I knew tiling 3 large walls from floor to ceiling would be time consuming…

And it was!  BUT… it’s so worth it.  Check out where I left you last time…

…And what the bathroom looks like now…

Woah! Big Difference!!

Once the tub was removed removal and the new shower pan + cement board walls were installed, it was time to tile!   To start, I chose the center point of the shower space – the back wall – and worked my way out and around the room using a 4″ x 12″ tile.  I marked out a level line at the base of the tile so the tile would be as plumb as possible.

It’s important for the first row to be about 1/8 – 1/4″ above the shower (same for a tub deck) – I used shims so the tile would not slide down.  Instead of filling the 1/8″ gap with typical grout (which could crack), I used an expandable caulk once the tile was completely installed.

I continued my way around the base of the shower pan and installed the tile on the plumb line. At that point I stopped for the evening (yes, most all of the tiling was installed at night when the kiddos were in bed) to let the first row of tile set.

HELPFUL HINT: Subway tile is the only tile that has a slight bevel, so there is no need to add a spacing/ joint between tiles. If you added a joint (using a spacer), the joints would be very large.  The ‘pro’ for using subway tile is they stack one on top of the other.  The ‘con’ for using subway tile is you have no wiggle room.  If a tile is off (when using spacers), you can cheat on the next tile or the next row, but not with subway since every tile butts next to each other.

The next evening I was back to work installing one tile at a time… row by row as I made my way around the shower.

Master Bathroom Renovation: Plan + Mood Board

It’s been quite some time – about a year – since we tackled a full-on big room renovation.  To put it plain + simple, the kitchen remodel last Fall just wiped me out… and we didn’t even do too much on our own. When it was done, I was desperate for a break.  Then life got busy. Sports. Work. School. Appointments. You know the drill…  But when this past Summer turned into Fall and the kids were back to school and a everyday routine was once again established, I was finally feeling the itch to get my hands dirty… again.

If you remember back about 4-1/2 years ago, one of the last spaces in our home to get attention after moving in was the master bathroom.  The walls were a horrendous purple/pink hue with dated + dusty brass accents.  It all had to go…

Master Bathroom 'before' renovation - JENNA BURGER DESIGN

…but it didn’t all go.

With a few cans of paint, I transformed the walls, the trim, and the cabinet with a whole new color palette. Then to finish it, I laid a new floor using luxury vinyl tile, hung a new mirror, and changed the light. A few hundred dollars later, and the space was completely transformed… for the most part.

DIY Master Bathroom renovation - JENNA BURGER DESIGN

DIY Projects:
How to Paint + Glaze a Cabinet
How to Make a Curtain into a Shower Curtain
How to Install Luxury Vinyl Tile (to look like ceramic tile)

And if you can believe it, the renovated space even ended up in a national publication, Kitchen + Bath makeovers, Fall/Winter 2014 

Better Homes & Garden Kitchen + Bath Makeover magazine - SAS Interiors Kitchen and Master Bath feature

Bathroom Makeover featured in KBMO Fall/Winter 2014, produced by Donna Talley & photographed by John Bessler

But after 4 years of using the bathroom day in + day out, it needed a makeover. A real makeover. The pre-fab tub was drear and the builder-grade cabinet had seen it’s life span.

I envisioned Carrara. White. Clean. Fresh. Fun…

…And created a vision board.

Master Bathroom Renovation mood board - JENNA BURGER DESIGN

eek!  It’s all so pretty and fabulous.

Sophisticated, but casual.

Elegant, but inviting.

I am really excited about this new bathroom. You know me, I adore a striking + bold color, but for this space, I need it to feel tranquil and serene.  With being pulled in 92 directions each day, I want to start off and end each precious day in a calming way.

Thanks to my friends at Lowe’s, who I have worked with for years, for choosing to partner with me on this project to create an inviting and peaceful place.

Here is what I have planned…

> The tub will be changing from a pre-fab bathtub to a shower with a frameless rolling glass door

> New Tile will be added from floor to ceiling in the tub space and will continue on the entire wall of the vanity

> The main tile will be 4 x 12 white subway with an accent glass/natural mosaic tile

> The walls will be painted a light mint green hue

> The 36″ vanity will be replaced with a 48″ vanity in a dark gray finish to give contrast and a white cararra countertop will be added to give a finished luxury look

> To finish the space, artwork and a fabric window valance in hues of blue will add pattern and color

These are the specific items I plan to use (and are shown in the mood board above):

Vanity
Toilet
Shower Door
Main Subway Tile
Glass Mosaic Tile
Sconce
Mirror
Artwork
Fabric Valance

This is the overall layout plan + elevations that I created:

Floor Plan

Bathroom Elevation

DIY + Calling in the PROS!

This bathroom renovation, like the last one I tackled, isn’t going to be a devoted do-it-yourself project.  For 2 reasons.  One, I don’t want to be without a bathroom for months AND I want to stay somewhat sane. Two, other than the basics, the Mister & I don’t know much about plumbing and leave those things to the experts.

As with the previous bathroom renovation, we worked with a contractor to demo the bathroom and install the major components.  What is on our list to tackle for this renovation is: tile installation (there’s A LOT of tile!), paint, baseboard, installing the light, installing the accessories, hanging artwork, etc.

By splitting up a project with tackling some of it on our own and calling in the pros where needed, we’ll save money AND our sanity (i hope)!

There you have it… for now.

Demo has begun.  Wish me luck.  I’ll need it 😉

DISCLAIMER: THIS BATHROOM RENOVATION IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWE’S. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN.

Budget Bathroom Renovation Reveal

What a whirlwind of a week. Renovation of the kitchen is underway, which is keeping me busy, but I had a few moments over the past days to sit + reflect + appreciate all the kind comments that were left on the blog + + Instagram & Facebook about the plan of action for the new space. It’s going to quite a ride over the coming weeks. More on that soon!

In the meantime, I am excited to share a before & after bathroom renovation that I recently completed for a client / friend.

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

This bathroom remodel was a labor of love! With a tight budget in mind, smart solutions + affordable, yet stylish choices were a must. Some elements had to stay, but others – like the vintage clawfoot tub – were a MUST TO GO!

When my friend reached out to me about freshening up the bathroom space – which is the only bathroom on the 2nd floor of her 1920s home – the major need/want was a new tub. The overall look & feel of the space were also important and for that I created a Vision Board that suited their style & was an extension of the rest of their home.

Design Board for the Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Let’s take a step back to see what the ‘before’ space looked like…

BEFORE.

With budget in mind, all the plumbing fixtures needed to stay in the existing locations but be upgraded.

The toilet would be swapped out…

Before Bathroom

The pedestal sink (with absolutely NO surface space) would be changed out for a new 5′ long cabinet with storage!

Before Bathroom

The clawfoot tub, which looked beautiful but wasn’t functional at all for this family of 4, was the main focus for this bathroom renovation. The tub went from a clawfoot style to a built-in tub with custom tile surround – more on that in a bit.

Before Bathroom

Before Bathroom

Additionally, different decor was added to the walls, the laundry area got a fresh coat of paint, and a new mirror + light were installed.

Once the design was complete, the items were ordered + delivered, the contractor was able to get started. Of course, with all renovations there were a few hiccups along the way, but the renovated bathroom was soon complete and has been the highlight ever since!

AFTER.

Welcome to this new serene + sophisticated cottage-style bathroom…

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

What a change!

The pedestal was replaced with a 5′ long vanity that not only has more surface area for getting ready in the morning, but there is plenty of storage below – closed and open.

One tricky part of this bathroom was the existing baseboard heaters. With a 20″ distance between the heaters, the pedestal base fit just perfect. But a vanity wouldn’t. The challenged lied in finding a vanity that not only fit the aesthetic for the space, but also had legs that could be removed / notched in the back to fit around the heaters. Take a 2nd look at the picture above… Do you see the missing legs in the back?

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Another challenge was the small space – again only about 24″ – between the 2 windows to fit a new mirror and light. The mirror width just fit.

Tile was added to the backsplash above the vanity, which was a beautiful addition that ties into the tile in the tub.

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

The toilet was an easy switch to a new style. Above, floating decorative shelves were installed to hold baskets and fun layers.

Making way around the new bathroom, the clients chose to hang their vintage horse hooks for the towels. This was in their previous bathroom and I love that they reused them in this new space.

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Above are black and white pictures from their travels.

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Ah, the new tub area! What a big change. No more clinging plastic shower curtains while in the tub.

For this area of the bathroom, we designed a wall to the right of the entry door which allowed the new tub to be tiled on 3 sides. The new wall was built thicker than a typical 4″ wall and a vertical niche was created for holding shampoos, soaps, etc.

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

The main tile in the tub area is a white 3 x 6 subway and a glass accent tile was added on the 3 walls as border + was used in the backs of the niches.

This accent tile is what was also used for the backsplash above the vanity.

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

As I shared above, this bathroom is really big, but it’s also the only bathroom on the 2nd floor. It not is filled with bathroom essentials, but also houses the laundry area.

The washer + dryer sit side-by-side and fit in a closet with shelving above. A large, luxe laundry would have been ideal in a dream world, but it wasn’t feasible, so we upgraded the space.

LAUNDRY BEFORE.

Beore Bathroom + Laundry

The walls of the laundry were painted a deep turquoise color & new sturdier shelving was hung. A clean space was created using beautiful baskets.

LAUNDRY AFTER.

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com[this laundry makeover was actually the inspiration for my laundry revamp]

Lastly, the one element that was an eye sore before, but took on a new life after the renovation was the floor. The ceramic tile on the floor was discussed a lot and at length. In the end, because of the size of the bathroom, the cost to remove + replace the floor with new material would have cost way too much. Plus the additional time without a working bathroom would have been just shy of a nightmare.

Once all the new fittings + fixtures were installed, the client had the grout professionally cleaned and with a new rug – a 4′ round jute – was added. Today, with the new cooler colors + all the other beauty in the space, your eye never steers to the floor.

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

And that’s a wrap, except for 2 pictures I couldn’t resist sharing… On the day of photoshooting this bathroom renovation, I brought my daughter with me. In true style, Bring Your Daughter to Work day!

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Another blah to beautiful transformed space!

Looking for something similar in your home, check out the resource links below to get you started…

Design Board for the Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

// 1 – Paint Palette:
// 2 – Light Fixture
// 3 – Floating Shelves
// 4 – Black & White framed pictures (by client)
// 5 – Valance (I made them – DIY tutorial for simply box valance)
// 6 – Oval Tilt Mirror
// 7 – Vanity Top
// 8 – Cabinet
// 9 – Bathroom Faucet
// 10 – Toilet
// 11 – Accessories
// 12 – Tub / Shower Fittings
// 13 – Shower Curtain
// 14 – 3 x 6 White Subway Tile
// 15 – Glass Accent Tile
// 16 – 4′ Round Jute Rug
// 17 – 5′ Tub
// 18 – Basket

RECAP.

A before & after comparison…

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Budget BATHROOM RENOVATION Reveal: Before + After of this cool-toned cottage style bathroom by www.JennaBurger.com

Thanks for checking out this budget bathroom reveal. It was such a great project to be a part of. I’ve worked on many client projects this year, which I will be sharing soon!

For now, I gotta get back to my kitchen reno…

DIY: Kids Fingerprint ART

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

Many of the walls in our home are filled with beautiful creations made by our kids.  I just love their creative minds & the beautiful colors they use in their artwork.  Plus everything they create is so meaningful & it’s incredible how prideful they are to have their beautiful work displayed so prominently.

When it came time to add artwork to the walls of the remodeled bathroom, it took me a few weeks to find just the right art.  I wanted something that wouldn’t take away from the beauty of the wallpaper + it had to be meaningful.

As I was shopping in the local bookstore with my kids, I saw a book called Mix It Up by Herve Tullet (here is the book on amazon) and as soon as I opened it up, an idea came to me… fingerpaint art!  You see, this book is captivating from the first to the last page.  “Follow the artist’s simple instructions, and suddenly colors appear, mix, splatter, and vanish in a world powered only by the reader’s imagination.”

My inspiration…

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

My interpretation…

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

Not only does this fingerprint art look so beautiful, but it only took minutes to create!  How much better does it get when it comes to kids?!

I purchased 2 frames with an 8 x 10 opening and used 8 x 11.5 white paper from a drawing/art pad to create the artwork.

Using a ruler + pencil, I made a small mark about every 1.5″ – 2″ across & down creating a grid.

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

The pencil marks are helpful to keep the fingerprints in a straight line…

Once the marks were made, it was time to get the kids involved.  If they’re old enough, you can let them do their thing or you can assist to get their thumb prints on the mark.

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

We used craft paint in a mixture of colors and randomly added the colors…

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

Minutes later, the result…

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

Once they were dry by the next morning, each of the beautiful fingerprint creations were ready to hang…

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

DIY: KIDS fingerpaint art - inspired by the book Mix It Up, fingerpaint wall art can easily be created by kids

So fun, right? Fast + Meaningful + Inexpensive = Major Score!

Thanks for following along on every tid bit of this bathroom makeover!

 From start to finish, these are all the posts pertaining to this bathroom remodel
Plan of Action
Demo: Removal + Installation of the Tub & Walls
How-To Tile + Grout the Bathroom Walls
Installing Wallpaper
Adding a Tile Accent Border
Creating a Tiled Niche
DIY: Simple Painted Wood Shelf with Decorative Brackets
DIY: Kids Fingerprint Art
Bathroom Makeover Reveal
Resources

DIY: Simple Wood Shelf with Decorative Brackets

As I am crazy busy painting and ordering furniture for the living room makeover, I want to rewind a bit and share a few details on the bathroom remodel that I revealed on the blog a few weeks back.  Sometimes, I move from project to project so quickly and forgot to share the little details that truly make a space extraordinary!

One of the many projects that I created + adore in the new bathroom space is the simple wood shelf with decorative brackets that I created for above the toilet.

Here’s a peek…

DIY: Creating a simple WOOD SHELF with decorative brackets.  Perfect for displaying + styling accessories and/or pictures!  Also great for picture gallery walls.  DIY by Jenna Burger Design, www.jennaburger.com

My original plan for the wall space above the toilet was to create a multi-tier shelf using metal piping which would have given the space a more industrial aesthetic.  (Here is the original plan of action + mood board)

As the new space evolved and the wallpaper went up, I wasn’t feeling the look of the shelving unit that I had planned on.  Instead I opted to create a simple painted shelf which allowed for the addition of a few accessories, but truly allowed for the statement of the space – the wallpaper – to shine through.  Where the tiered shelf would have covered much of the wall, the one wood shelf enhances the overall bathroom + it makes the space feel larger especially since there is no window (only a skylight above)

Here’s how I made the simple wood shelf >>>

The area above the toilet looked like this before I did anything…

DIY: Creating a simple WOOD SHELF with decorative brackets.  Perfect for displaying + styling accessories and/or pictures!  Also great for picture gallery walls.  DIY by Jenna Burger Design, www.jennaburger.com

Supplies

> Decorative wood brackets ($3-5 at Lowe’s)

> 1″ x 8″ piece of wood cut to desired length

> screws + anchors

> primer + paint

> general tools

1. Starting off, I measured & determined the middle point of the toilet to center the shelf.

Then using a pencil, I marked on the wall the height placement for the shelf and where I wanted to place the wood brackets.  I first hammered my screw into the wall to make the hole, then input the anchor. Once it was popped through, I installed the screw…

DIY: Creating a simple WOOD SHELF with decorative brackets.  Perfect for displaying + styling accessories and/or pictures!  Also great for picture gallery walls.  DIY by Jenna Burger Design, www.jennaburger.com

Then I repeated the same steps for bracket #2.

2. Once the screws were in place, I attached both brackets, and laid the 1″ x 8″ (which is actually 7-1/4″ wide) across the top.

DIY: Creating a simple WOOD SHELF with decorative brackets.  Perfect for displaying + styling accessories and/or pictures!  Also great for picture gallery walls.  DIY by Jenna Burger Design, www.jennaburger.comThankfully it was level  – phew

3. Next up was to cut the board to the right length.

By eye, no measuring tape, I made a mark and cut the board with the miter saw (my recommendation for one here). If you don’t have a miter saw, you can have your local Lowe’s make the cut in their lumber department.

DIY: Creating a simple WOOD SHELF with decorative brackets.  Perfect for displaying + styling accessories and/or pictures!  Also great for picture gallery walls.  DIY by Jenna Burger Design, www.jennaburger.com

4. Once the shelf was cut, hung, & done, it was time to paint it.

I first primed all the wood pieces with Zinsser Primer, then gave all the surfaces 2 coats of plain ole’ white.

DIY: Creating a simple WOOD SHELF with decorative brackets.  Perfect for displaying + styling accessories and/or pictures!  Also great for picture gallery walls.  DIY by Jenna Burger Design, www.jennaburger.com

After a day of drying, it was complete and ready to hang.  Typically the longer the paint dries the better, but I was excited to get it in place.  Paint often takes 2-3 weeks to fully cure.

And this is what the new simple-to-make + inexpensive wood shelf looks like in place…

DIY: Creating a simple WOOD SHELF with decorative brackets.  Perfect for displaying + styling accessories and/or pictures!  Also great for picture gallery walls.  DIY by Jenna Burger Design, www.jennaburger.com

DIY: Creating a simple WOOD SHELF with decorative brackets.  Perfect for displaying + styling accessories and/or pictures!  Also great for picture gallery walls.  DIY by Jenna Burger Design, www.jennaburger.com

And the overall space…

DIY: Creating a simple WOOD SHELF with decorative brackets.  Perfect for displaying + styling accessories and/or pictures!  Also great for picture gallery walls.  DIY by Jenna Burger Design, www.jennaburger.com

I am very happy with the change of plan from a more detailed shelving system to a simpler white style.

Sometimes… the simpler, the better.  At least when it comes to design.  A simple wood shelf like this is an inexpensive and fairly easy project for anyone to tackle.  And it’s not just for the bathroom either.  Any space in the home can use an extra shelf here or there, right?!  Think the kitchen perfect for those cute teacups or for the living room ideal for accessory styling + books.  Or how about in the hallway to display photos.  Yes, a shelf like this would be perfect for a photo gallery wall!  The ideas + uses are endless.

I have another fun + easy project that I created for the bathroom which I will be sharing later this week.  Stay tuned…

 From start to finish, these are all the posts pertaining to this bathroom remodel
Plan of Action
Demo: Removal + Installation of the Tub & Walls
How-To Tile + Grout the Bathroom Walls
Installing Wallpaper
Adding a Tile Accent Border
Creating a Tiled Niche
DIY: Simple Painted Wood Shelf with Decorative Brackets
Bathroom Makeover Reveal
Resources

Bathroom Makeover: Reveal

The day is finally here… reveal day of the Bathroom MakeoverThe project that I challenged myself to do in 30 days.  Keeping reading (till the end) to see if I accomplished the goal…

The finished space has taken a wee bit longer than planned to share, but with the holiday high, I got a bit sidetracked.  Good news, Good news… the bathroom is done and has been for a few weeks.  I was planning on sharing the reveal sooner, but thought it would be best to wait till after the Christmas craze.

Without further ado, here it is…

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

As always, I love partnering with Lowe’s on projects and this bathroom makeover wasn’t any different.  I have worked with Lowe’s on so many projects over the years and not only am I thrilled to be apart of their Creative Team, but I truly love their product line.  Minus a few elements, this entire space was pretty much created using in-stock items that can be found in most of their stores.  How great is it not to have to order and wait 8 weeks for something to arrive?!  Grab & go today – that’s a bonus in my book. (I wasn’t paid to say any of that and am sharing my true, honest thoughts!)

Before sharing more of the ‘after’, I have to state that bathrooms – in my opinion – are so difficult to photograph because of the limited size of the space.  I’m not a pro photog, so I tried capturing it the best I could.  That being said, let’s get to it.

You can’t appreciate the after, without seeing the before.  This bathroom has had quite the evolution.  It was pretty sad when we moved in…

Before Bathroom

Within a year, it was painted & got a little refresh…

Before Bathroom

Since it’s heavily used by 2 young kiddos it got + gets quite the abuse on a daily basis.  After a while, the exposed walls (sheetrock) + the builder-grade melamine cabinet  just wasn’t fitting the bill anymore.

If you missed following along from the beginning, this was the mood board I created for the new space…

Bathroom Makeover Mood Board / Plan of Direction for space

A few changes had to be made along the way, but the main elements & more so, the main aesthetic / feel of the space, was absolutely achieved.

My goal was to create an updated, modern bathroom with a classic (live-a-long-time) background + lots of eye-popping, unexpected layers.  I am thrilled with the result not only because it’s super functional for the kids (with tile going half way up the walls), but it’s really a dynamic + fun space!

Come on in…

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

Many have asked, “why did you choose to do the kids bath instead of the Master?”, and the reason for that is I see this bathroom much more throughout the day (plus it seemed more of a manageable DIY project because it’s a smaller space).

This bathroom is right at the top of the stairs and since I am up & down a lot on a daily basis, I wanted it to look & feel new, updated, and fresh.  I’ll get to the Master bath someday.  Even though it was featured in a national magazine, it does need some fixin’ up!

This is what I see each & every time I walk up the stairs…

snapshot from my phone The hallway entry into the remodeled bathroom space...

Let’s explore the new bath space more…

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

The space is a typical standard 5′ x 8′ bathroom with a sink, toilet, tub layout on one wall & then a straight wall on the other side.

I installed 3×6 subway tile from the tub deck to the ceiling in the tub space and continued the tile about 3′ up the wall in the main part of the bathroom.  Above the tile, I installed a dynamic wallpaper in a beautiful damask pattern with colors of navy, beige, and orange.  It really is the art of the space so I didn’t add much more to the walls.

On the left side, above the towel bar, I hung two framed custom art pieces (created by my 2 older kiddos) which I will be sharing more details on soon.  The frames + matting are white & simple, the perfect contrast to the bold background.

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

tutorial for >>> how to install wallpaper

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

As you continue around the revamped bathroom,  you round the corner to the tub space.  This area is drastically different with new floor to ceiling tile (all installed by me – thank goodness my hands aren’t cracked anymore).

3×6 subway tile was used as the main tile material, which frames an accent tile of natural stone in a small herringbone pattern

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

3 x 6 subway tile with herringbone accent tile in carrera

tutorial for >>> how to install tile + grout

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

Where the wall meets the ceiling, I added a small decorative moulding, which really gave the space a finished, tailored look.  I am not very good with moulding (remember my troubles in the powder room), so this time I chose a moulding that had a 90 degree angle and it was much more manageable + easy to install since the cut was a simple 45.

Adding the moulding not only provides a finished look, but it allowed the install of the wallpaper to be easier – the wallpaper didn’t have to be perfect at the top because the moulding covered it.  Additionally, the moulding continues in the tub area where I was left with a 1/2″ gap between the last tile and the ceiling – a space too small to install tile.

Here I am installing it…

Installing Moulding in the Bathroom

On the other side of the bathroom were more big changes…  a new toilet, vanity, lighting + a new shelf and medicine cabinet turned tiled niche.

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

The shelf is a simple DIY project that I will share more about soon.  The original thought / plan was to add an industrial-style shelf above the toilet, but after the wallpaper went up, I just couldn’t bring myself to cover it + with the new vanity there was ample storage.

A simple white shelf along with a few layered accessories and a framed print seemed to be the perfect addition.

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.comTo the vanity…

The vanity is a beauty and I love the openness it brings to the space.  This vanity compared to the previous one is about 6″ longer.  There was enough room at the side of the toilet to go a bit wider and the additional inches really makes a difference.  Even though it’s minimal, there seems to be a lot more countertop space.

Also having drawers with this vanity, the amount of storage has tripled versus having 1 large open cavity with the last cabinet.  There looks to be 5 drawers, but the center drawer under the sink is a faux panel.  The 2 smaller side drawers + the 2 larger drawers provide so much room.  As the kids get older & accumulate more stuff, I am sure the drawers will definitely fill up.  For now, they’re fairly unused.

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

Underneath the closed part of the cabinet is an open shelf perfect for towels, baskets, etc.  I chose these cute burlap bins at Lowe’s and revamped them a bit (of course, how could I not…?)

I loved the texture of the burlap, but the rope pull was slightly too nautical, so I swapped them out for a chalkboard label that I found in the dollar bin at Target.  Using jute rope, I attached them through the holes and in 30 seconds gave these pretty bins a whole new look…

I love how easy & simple something like this can change a space & be unique to your personal aesthetic + style.

Make it your own by changing up a store-bought item.  From rope pulls to chalkboard labels, this DIY upgrade was less than a $1.

Back up above, the countertop is adorned with a few simple, but must-need items.  I found these really cute accessories – liquid soap holder, toothbrush holder, and cup – that were super inexpensive at Lowe’s.  They are clear (plastic), but look very modern and $$$.  The look of lucite is hot right now.

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

I chose a minimalist-style, frameless, rectangular tilt mirror and an industrial-style oversized outdoor light that is centered above (because of the longer vanity, the light had to move over a few inches – my contractor did that since it’s above & beyond my skillset).

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

On the wall to the right of the vanity was a medicine cabinet (which I had painted with chalkpaint + added a frame a few years ago) and is now an open tiled niche

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

A niche is really so much easier for the kids and tiling it makes cleanup so simple.  I was originally going to create the niche using wood and that would have been a big mistake. wood + water = disaster.

DIY: A tiled niche in place of a medicine cabinet.

tutorial for >>> creating a tiled niche

DIY: A tiled niche in place of a medicine cabinet.

before &after DIY: A tiled niche in place of a medicine cabinet.

A few more detail shots…

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.com

And of course a look at a few before & afters…

BEFORE & AFTER Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.comBEFORE & AFTER Bathroom Makover with 95% of the space being a DIY project - new tub + tile, vanity, wallpaper, and more!  Lots of details on this multi-post before & after.  Bathroom makeover by Jenna Burger Design www.jennaburger.comI will admit, I am so happy this bathroom is done.  It was a bit tiring, but in all honesty, it was 100% worth the blood + sweat + tears the effort!  This post was chock full of info on the final stages + reveal of the space, but you really might be wanting where I got it all & the actual resources.  No worries… that post will be coming up later this week – pinky promise.

In all, from start to finish, this bathroom makeover took just around 30 days to complete (95% DIY and mostly all by myself – the mister helped when he could).  So I guess I can say, I met my challenge… which I really only set for myself so I would finish it 100% and not slack off.   10 days, 30 days, 60 days, who cares.  It’s done!  This makeover was a big accomplishment for me as tackling the removal & install of a tub + such a HUGE tile project was nothing that I had done before.  The challenge scared me, but I did it! That’s the beauty of DIY!

From start to finish, these are all the posts pertaining to this bathroom remodel
Plan of Action
Demo: Removal + Installation of the Tub & Walls
How-To Tile + Grout the Bathroom Walls
Installing Wallpaper
Adding a Tile Accent Border
Creating a Tiled Niche
Bathroom Makeover Reveal
Resources

Lastly, I want to give a big shout out to Lowe’s for believing in my talents & choicing to partner with me on this project. They never tell me what to do, what to buy, or what to write, but instead they always say do what you do best… create something good & inspire!

Thanks for following along with me on this bathroom makeover journey!  Cheers to another successful (but tiring) before & after makeover!

Resources for all the items in this bathroom makeover coming later this week.

Bathroom Makeover: Tiled Niche {Day 19 + 20}

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind with decking the halls and preparing for the Christmas season, resulting in the bathroom makeover being put on the backburner.  BUT, progress is still being made and it is almost complete – YAY!

I can officially say, the walls are complete.  Last I shared, I had finished the install of the wallpaper & the tile accent border.  It’s Day 19 & 20 of this Bathroom Makeover in 30 Days Challenge and it’s focused on creating a tiled niche near the vanity.  Here is the result…

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

Before this niche was created, there was a medicine cabinet in this space. This is how it looked when we moved into our home about 5 years ago…

before bathroom makeover

Then about 3 years ago when I gave this bathroom a refresh, I painted the glass of the medicine cabinet with chalkboard paint and added a frame…

before bathroom makeover with chalkboard medicine cabinet

While creating the plan of action for this bathroom makeover, I had the idea of removing the medicine cabinet to create a niche – the perfect small storage solution.   Since I already had the natural stone herringbone tile planned for the shower, I thought the niche would be another ideal spot for it.   Unexpected & a great tie-in.

During the demo phase of the bathroom, I removed the medicine cabinet from the wall by unscrewing a few screws.  It was much easier than I thought it’d be.  In the end I was left with a sheetrocked cavity.

Removing the medicine cabinet

I wasn’t expecting “the hole” to be sheetrocked and was originally planning on needing to create a box to fit in the hole.  Upon removing the cabinet and discovering this, I was pleasantly surprised.  I was able to install the tile directly on the sheetrock that was already in place.

To create the tiled storage niche, I used the beautiful 13″ x 13″ natural stone herringbone mosaic and the 3 x 6 white subway tile that I found at Lowe’s.

White subway tile - the most classic, most beautiful (an one of the least expensive) tile you can get!

Lowes Herringbone Carrera Marble

1. To start, I created a template of the back surface of the niche using craft paper.  Then I layed it on the herringbone tile and traced the outline using a marker.

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

2. Then using the wet saw, the Mister (gotta give him creditwink, wink) cut along the line.

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

3. Then I layed the tile inside the niche to make sure it was the right size (it wasn’t perfect, but I knew the grout would “hide” any imperfections).  It fit – yay – so using adhesive (the same method I used to install the wall tile), I added the herringbone accent tile to the back surface of the niche.

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

4. When the back was finished, I cut and added 3 x 6 subway tiles (same tile as shower) on the sides, top, and bottom.

As I was working from bottom to top on the sides, I cut and added (2) shelves (marble slabs typically used for a door threshold) at varying heights.  The Mister cut it to the right length using the wet saw and we made sure it was long enough so it fit between + sits on the subway tiles.

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

5. Once the tiles were in place, I grouted all the joints using the same method as the wall tile.

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

6. After the joints were filled and the tile was cleaned off, I added trim around the edges using a 3/4″ decorative moulding.  It was basically like creating a picture frame surround. I cut all the pieces using the miter saw and nailed them in place with finishing nails.  To give an extra tap in place I also used a nail punch to drive home the nails – love that tool.

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

7. Then I filled in all the holes using wood filler.

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

After the last piece was put in place, I gave the moulding a light sanding, and painted it with semi-gloss white.  Here’s the result…

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

A closeup…

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

This new niche is such a fun, unexpected addition to the bathroom.  Pretty + Functional = A great storage solution

Here is the niche filled with a few things…

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

And a glimpse a few steps back…

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

Bathroom Makeover: a tutorial on how to create a tiled niche + many more DIY projects.

A few more details to go and I will be able to call this bathroom makeover DONE!  Adding a tiled niche on Day 19 + 20 is complete!  Up next… adding details – moulding, lighting, and accessories.  More to come soon!

The installation of the tiled niche took 2 days, about 4 hours each day

From start to finish, these are all the posts pertaining to this bathroom remodel
Plan of Action
Demo: Removal + Installation of the Tub & Walls
How-To Tile + Grout the Bathroom Walls
Installing Wallpaper
Adding a Tile Accent Border
Creating a Tiled Niche
Bathroom Makeover Reveal
Resources

{Day 19+20} Tiled Niche – Complete!  10 more days to go…

Lowes Creative Ideas Team Member

To gather even more unique, fun, and creative ideas for your indoor and outdoor Winter spaces, I would definitely suggest downloading the Lowe’s Creative Ideas app on your iphone and/or ipad.  I’m always checking out the FREE app for great seasonal + do-it-yourself inspiration.

Disclosure: I am part of the Lowe’s Creative Team and was provided with a Lowe’s gift card to purchase items for my project.  I was also compensated for my time to use the products.  No one told me what to create, what to buy, how to use the product, or what to write.  All opinions are 100% mine!

Bathroom Makeover: Tile Accent Border {Day 18}

Since the wallpaper, the last phase of the bathroom makeover, was fairly quick taking only a day from start to finish, I was able to move on the next step pretty quick.  With the completion of the dynamic + bold wallpaper, I am feeling so happy with how the bathroom is coming along.  There were a few points that I questioned my decisions + selections, but I feel the wallpaper really pulled it together and added the interest needed to make this new space + funky against the stark white tile.  It’s all about the balance and the contrast…

Onto the next phase to get this space done.  I’m on Day 18 of this Bathroom Makeover in 30 Days Challenge and it was spent adding a tile accent (trim) border to finish the edge of the subway tile.

Take a look…

Adding a Tile Trim Border in a bathroom to give a finished edge!

From the start, I had intention of using a tile board to finish off the subway tile, but once the installation of the horizontally layed subway tile was complete, it confirmed that something was definitely needed to finish the ends.  I chose a pretty decorative tile at Lowe’s that was the perfect complement to the subway tile.

American Olean Linea Gloss Ice White Ceramic Chair Rail Tile (Common: 2-in x 6-in; Actual: 2-in x 6-in)I chose to use the border tile vertically to border the shower tile and then turn it horizontally to border the subway tile on the walls outside of the shower space.  Originally I was going to use this accent barliner to border the herringbone tile in the shower as well, but I chose a simpler tile instead > see it here.   Like I said before, this has been my biggest tile job EVER.  I HAVE NEVER ventured into a project as big, so I was learning as I worked.  I questioned my skillset a few times along the way, but in the end I am very happy with the result.

For the tile border, I started with the corner pieces because they had to be cut on a 45 degree angle.  I measured and cut the two pieces using a wet saw and then worked my way up vertically and over horizontally.

Adding a Tile Trim Border

I installed the accent tile using the same method as I did for the subway tile.  To learn more about installing the tile, check out my post on How-To Tile + Grout Bathroom Walls

Once the tile border was in place, I used painters tape to tape off the wallpaper so the grout would not get on it.  After installing that gorgeous paper, the last thing I wanted was to get it ruined!

Then it was time to grout.  After mixed + made the grout mixture, I put it in a ziploc bag and cut one corner creating a small hole for the grout to come out of.  Kind of like icing a cake…  Then I worked the grout into the cracks & crevices.

Adding a Tile Trim Border

It was a little messy, but using the Ziploc bag was very helpful to direct the grout where I wanted it, instead of going on the entire tile surface.

Adding a Tile Trim Border

Once I filled all the holes and crevices, I used a damp sponge to smooth out the grout.  This not only cleans the tile face but smooths out the grout joints.

Adding a Tile Trim Border

If your walls are painted or have wallpaper on them, like mine, go slow + be careful so the wall surface doesn’t get grout on it otherwise it’ll become hazy.  Thankfully the wallpaper was easy to wipe off, but I am sure paint wouldn’t be as simple.  I guess you could always touch up those spots…

BEFORE THE GROUT DRIES, REMOVE THE TAPE!  This is in caps because if not the tape will dry into the grout.  Yes, it’s happened to me (not on this project thankfully).  As soon as you finish grouting while the grout is still moist, pull the tape off.

Adding a Tile Trim Border

From start to finish…

Adding a Tile Trim Border in a bathroom to give a finished edge!

And the result…

Adding a Tile Trim Border

BathroomAdding a Tile Trim Border in a bathroom to give a finished edge!

Adding a Tile Trim Border in a bathroom to give a finished edge!

Adding a Tile Trim Border in a bathroom to give a finished edge!

And a peek at a few other things happening {art + accessories}…

Adding a Tile Trim Border in a bathroom to give a finished edge!

The tile accent border is truly a beautiful addition.  Not only did it hide a lot of little mistakes and imperfect spots, but it has given this bathroom such an elegant + sophisticated finished look.  I am so happy that I installed the wallpaper before adding the border because it has really given a nice clean edge.  If / when I ever want to remove the wallpaper, my plan would be to score the edge of the accent tile with a sharp blade and then peel the paper off.

Adding a tile accent border on Day 18 is complete!  Up next… creating a tiled niche.  I removed the old medicine cabinet and replaced the space with a tiled niche.  More to come next week!

The installation of the tile accent border took about 4 hours on one day

From start to finish, these are all the posts pertaining to this bathroom remodel
Plan of Action
Demo: Removal + Installation of the Tub & Walls
How-To Tile + Grout the Bathroom Walls
Installing Wallpaper
Adding a Tile Accent Border
Creating a Tiled Niche
Bathroom Makeover Reveal
Resources

{Day 18} Tile Accent Border – Complete!  12 more days to go…

This post is sponsored by Lowe’s, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.  I am thrilled (and a bit nervous) about tackling this project, but very excited to be partnering with Lowe’s on creating an entirely new bathroom space.  I’d love for you to follow along on this new project!

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