Monday, January 26, 2009

The New Loo

Our first floor bathroom view (from the mirror reflection) before:

Yup - that is our archaic washer and dryer hanging out in the first floor GUEST bathroom. I had a constant fear that I would accidentally leave a load of laundry in there. Then a uber-nosey guest would go in there...shut the door...and check our undies for skidmarks. It was terrifying. At first chance, we moved that sucker to basement - away from the prying eyes of panty peekers.


Now when you peer into the bathroom mirror, the reflection looks a little more refined with my newly painted cabinet! YAY!

Before the cabinet was dark, dated and pretty depressing. After a little TLC, I brought this baby back to life.


All my beast needed was a couple coats of primer and paint. I used a roller for all the flat parts, a foam brush for the crevices and a regular brush for the spindle-y legs. The primer was actually Zinsser's oil-based primer - which is fabulous for furniture because it seals and is a stain blocker. This hand-me-down didn't have any visible stains but it was an extra measure that ensured that no hiding blemishes would peek through my white top coat. Two coats of primer (three is special spots) and two coats of Benjamin Moore's base paint in Pastel White gave the dark veneered wood a traditional, clean, and time-lasting look.


Ya'll voted for the color of the inside and I listened. Since the vast majority chose the blue-gray smokiness of Benjamin Moore's Atmospheric for the inside of the cabinet and the inside of the drawer, I made a mental note that the next time I was out I would get a pint. But when Jeremy was making a trip to Lowes - I decided that I probably could find an alternative color that was screamed Atmospheric. Enter Valspar's Winter Flannel. Immediately, I was totally crushin' on this color. A little less blue and a little more gray than the Atmospheric. And is it just me or is this not as punchy but more cozy? Or am I just taking cues from the name?


We definitely splurged on the hardware. Usually I have a three dollar limit for each knob or handle. But when I saw these brushed nickel pull cup handles - they practically danced their way into my buggie. I got them at Ace Hardware - but for an online version, check these out.


I also moved some of the existing art in the room. The two black and white pictures that flanked the window now live above the cabinet. I got them at TJMaxx for $5 each.


I told Jeremy that when I bought this art that they were an interpretation of us. He is the one on the left....orderly, stable, transparent. Me - I am the right hand photo...messy, romantic, and sometimes I fall apart. I knew I was meant to own the b&w prints. Plus now I have a clear view to ponder the balance my boyfriend brings to my life as I do my bid'ness. Two thousand points go to interpersonal art.


So that is it folks. The tour of my new bathroom complete with new-old cabinet is finished. But now that I spent so much time in the loo, I found about seven more things I need to add to the to-do-list. Does that happen to you? It's like chores only lead to more chores. Maybe we should all just leave it as-is and quit, that way we would have tons more time for more important things...like reality TV :)

42 comments:

kari said...

I love the way it turned out. I love your whole bathroom.

Pretty Little Things for Home & Life said...

Katie, The cabinet turned out amazing!! It looks so great. Great job!

Anonymous said...

It looks freaking amazing!!

###### said...

GIRL HUSH! No that is not the same....Oh my...You get the GET IT GIRL AWARD for making it HOT! Man that looks good.

Christi said...

katie it looks FABULOUS! love it! nice work. the glass centerpanel is a great touch, too. now you have me debating if i go back and paint the hutch inside...which reminds me i need to post photos. nice work!

Katie @ makingthishome.com said...

Perfect color! I was so worried about that red option. This one looks lovely.
Katie

Leigh @ Kesler Expressler said...

That looks awesome! Great job

Melissa said...

Ohmygosh - it looks AMAZING! Great work, Katie!

Anonymous said...

Wow! It looks great! Good call on splurging for the hardware -- the pulls especially make the cabinet.

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

Dear Katie:

Please come to my house and help me paint my dining room hutch. I'm skeered and I need your oozing creativity.

It is amazing. It truly doesn't look anything the same.... And, I'm loving that interior color.

xoxo
Kim

Anonymous said...

Ohh! Pretty! Love the new glass insert in the middle cabinet, too! Nice work!

The Fabulous Side of Me said...

Looks great and timeless!

Emily said...

It looks fanfreakingtastic! And how did you know you needed to hide your undies from my curiously nosy upcoming visit (ha!)

Anonymous said...

Break me off a piece of that cabinet because it is fiiiiiiine. Fabulous work as always! Love it love it love it.

xo,
Sherry

Freckles Chick said...

OH.MAH.GAH. It looks stunning!! I love the interior's blue even more than the original option. And the glass insert is just fab! And those cup pulls are like gorgeous jewelry for the piece. Sexaaay. (We have the same ones in our kitchen!)

LMAO @ "skidmarks"!! There is now coffee splattered all over my 'puter.

Katie said...

Ahhh people - stop it! You are making me blush. And you giving me way too much credit! Just so you know - I didn't include the glass panel door...it was there before. It just wasn't as visible because of the darkness and poor picture quality. Amazing what a coat of paint and windex can do, right?!

And Emily - you are officially hilarious. put that on your blog.

XO - Katie

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

It looks awesome! I'm off to find me an armoire.
-Laurel

Evie said...

Katie- this looks amazing!! That cabinet looks so great, I wish I had the vision to see old furniture in a new light like that. And I wish I had a husband who would do all of the work for me. :) Great job!!

Jen said...

Can I just jump on a plane, fly over and make out with your cabinet please?

Kelly said...

I love the cabinet! You did such a great job.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, that piece looks SO WONDERFUL now! I would have never picked it out and thought it could look like that! I love it! Great job!!

Rose said...

That is so beautiful! What a transformation!!!

I have some old veneered furniture I am contemplating painting white....and this is a strong argument!!

Mrs. McB said...

Awesome job! I love it!!!!

SweDaisy said...

Fantastic work Katie. I have 2 dressers that we are using as night tables that I hope to paint as well. The only thing stopping me right now is the weather outside. Take a look at my blog I mentioned your cabinet revamp.

Take care,
Lisa

Michael said...

That is an amazing tranformation...love it!

Amber said...

Very clean, crisp, warm and inviting! Love the glass insert! Great job again!

Dusty @AllThingsG+D said...

Oh wow, Katie!! The cabinet re-do looks absolutely fantastic! I love it!!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the cabinet makeover! Can I ask where did you get your black and white stripped towels?

Katie said...

Sure Lisa - they are from Target. Here is the link if you wanna look at them on the Target website:

http://www.target.com/Fieldcrest-Classic-Stripe-Bath-Towels/dp/B000M043CE/qid=1233183034/ref=br_1_46/186-6212502-5941148?ie=UTF8&node=14227101&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=14227101&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=1

We love them and they are tough too. My little nephew smeared red georgia clay on one of the hand towels and after a little soaking with oxyclean, it was as good as new.

XO - Katie

Jenny@ L.O.T.s of Love said...

The cabinet looks great! I have not attempted to paint furniture yet but I think it is in my future!

southerninspiration said...

OH MY WORD!! Great transformation!!! I so love it!!

Suzanne

Karen At Home Blog said...

OMG, I am speechless!!! Beautiful!

Darlene said...

I stopped by from Kimba's. Your cabinet turned out FABULOUS! I LOVE it.

Kimba said...

You are awesome! Your makeover looks fantastic.

I linked to your post today.

Kimba

http://asoftplacetoland-kimba.blogspot.com/2009/01/saturday-linky-love_31.html

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

I saw your blog at Kimba's. Your washroom looks so great! The armoire is totally rockin' my world. Great job!

Sarah Ring said...

Looks so great!

Anonymous said...

Found your blog at Kimba's. Your bathroom looks gorgeous, and I love your cabinet makeover--fabulous!!

Allison said...

Great Makeover. Great to run across another Bower in blogland too.

Victoria said...

I came over from Kimba's and just had to gush about your bathroom! The cabinet makeover is gorgeous as well.

www.gallamorewest.com said...

I LOVE the cabinet makeover Katie!! It looks amazing!

laura @ so alaurable said...

What a great transformation! Thanks for the lesson on painting the cabinet!

Jen @ RamblingRenovators said...

The new loo is loooovely! What a great transformation!