Master Bathroom, Before

Paint. You can paint all of that for a temp fix. There is a sealer you have to use on the vinyl wallpaper. Kiltz everything even the cabinets, glue the broken doors on for a false front, and paint it something bright. If your hot water tank is old then you might need to drain it. Sedement settles in the bottom of them and they don't give as much hot water. There should be a faucet at the bottom of the tank. You may be stuck with the yuck lighting but you really don't have to live with the bathroom dark and 70's. Good luck, you have done a great job on everything you have touched.

I agree on the paint idea. Changing that lighting to non-flourescent is actually easier than you might think it is. Flourescent lighting makes you look...different. We changed the flourescent lighting in our mudroom and it's unbelievable what a positive difference it's made.

i'd say the tub is your major problem in there.
if it were my bathroom, i'd take the whole tub assembly and surround out, and replace with a freestanding clawfoot soaking tub. add a braided rug for a bath mat, and a towel rack on the wall.

take the old vanity out and replace it with an old white french style side board. cut a hole in the top and plop in a lovely painted oval china sink. add white beadboard to the lower walls, and a chair rail with some flowered paper above that.

some simple shelves and brackets above the loo should do the trick for that area, and a cloth top for the seat.
finally i'd replace the lighting with a victorian style ceiling fan in white, and add a duct to the outside for moisture removal.

sounds like a large job,but it's gonna be beautiful when you're done!

Like the others, my brain was rapidly finding at least temporary solutions (mainly paint) and then I got to the light fixture and started laughing. Really, it's too much.
But...wait! maybe some silhouettes - great leaves and/or twigs resting on top - bamboo...oh, the mind boggles....
Have fun with it, Angela.

Well you know what I'd do :D

Good luck, Angela! It really does look like a fun project with lots of possiblities!!

I've seen the way you have redone other rooms, so I'm sure you'll do a great job on this one. Keep us posted!
Elaine

Oh what a lovely bathroom, lol. For me, I love wood, so unless the cabinets are in really bad shape I would clean them, remove the knobs (yeck) and get new handles (now I do like porcelain knobs, have them on my kitchen cabinets but not that backing thing and not in the middle) and put in the corners of the doors, you could put a grass type paper over the middle of the doors (just to cover the hole). I would paint over the wallpaper if it is up there good, other wise remove and paint. You can also paint the tile, but I think if you do the walls it won't be so sad looking. Nice thing about brown it is pretty neutral just have to know if it is a yellow or blue brown, then accent with a color that will go.
Alot depends on how much work you want to put into this room, how long before you can do it up right?
I have no doubt though that whatever you decide to do it will be lovely, you have a knack for this stuff.

Paint it!!! I would strip off the wallpaper and paint the walls a mocha color, paint the cabinets chocolate brown and put on satin nickel hardware(new faucets too), and use robin's egg blue accents in your towels (lose the oak towel bar and put in a satin nickel one), etc. I would take out the light panels and fluorescent lights and paint out that area up there the Robin's egg blue and hang a really cool chandelier. I love the idea of taking out the tub and enclosure for a free standing clawfoot. Perhaps you can find one at a salvage yard. Oh, if we only had the $$$ to make our decorating dreams come true!

I agree with Jeannie. A few coats on paint on everything would make it 100% better. Cabinets, walls, around the tub. Perhaps a soft creamy brown. Something that will go with the tile. Maybe a new toilet seat and toilet paper roll holder and some accessories in your style and preferred color and it wouldn't be half bad.

Knowing your eye for things, this will be gorgeous!

Oh, I don't know, there's something sort of trashy fabulous about that tub! Me being the big freak I am, would totally work that 70's bathroom and paint it some crazy colors and fill it with really bad Liberace style gaudy decor! Cherubs and fake fur and crackle glass! Giant acrylic grapes! Hee hee! Not really cottage-y though, huh?

Hello Angela,

I love your blog. I have an award for you at my blog. Please collect it.

oooh I feel your pain, I madeover our family bathroom a few months ago, boy was it horrid and now it is sooo much better, not wonderful but nicer! so there is hope on the horizon...!

I did lots of research and found some good inspiration on Rate My Space for makeovers

I think the cupboards would be great painted and distressed white or if you like it I think the whole thing would be great in the black and white look...the cupboards would come up great in black

oh and we used the tile paint, apparently the technology in it has come on in the past few years and so far it has been a great success, really pleased with it, so that's another idea

good luck

Sarah

I know you're going to come up with something fabulous when the inspiration and energy hits. Until then, though, enjoy that oak toilet seat! ;)

I LOVE the tile. LOL. Way better than purple or something. And almond is way better than some other colors I've seen. :o) Cried during remodeling? LOLOLOL. I pretty much had a nervous breakdown during our big remodel. I totally empathize with ya. ;o) It's all worth it in the end though. ooxx`jodi

Oh, what a fun project! I just posted (well, for Monday) my new master bathroom--it is all done and works well, being that it is new and all, but it still isn't "me". I'll be watching your project!!

Happy night,
Melissa

Oh. Dear.

Well, I painted right over a bad wallpaper situation in my "I heart the 80s" kitchen as a quick fix, ripped out the fluorescent light (replacing with an off-the-shelf cheapie), and replaced the cabinet knobs...pretty much everything that people are suggesting here. It made a *world* of difference....for not a lot of cash at all. In fact, we're content enough with it to back burner a big kitchen redo for a good long time. (We have started to replace appliances as budget and sales allow.)

You are so super talented...you'll be able to perk this room right up!

hi angela! wow, that's a PRO-JECT! but i agree with most people: paint is your friend. for bang for your buck type decorating. (i would peel off the vinyl before painting.) i'd paint the wood too! the tub is disturbing, huh? it's so big!! well, maybe disconnect it and take off the harware and cover it with plywood and a nice thick foam pad and have a daybed? you could have a real boudoir!! pillows and candles galore... or ironing platform? yoga platform? can't wait to see what you do now, and when the windfall lands... lol. jkj

Oh I can't wait to see it when it's done! I bet it'll look fabulous!

Wow, I am envious of that tub! Who cares if it isn't pretty... oh the nice baths you must be able to take!

In addition to just regular paint, you could texture paint over the wallpaper. It's a light sandstone texture that's not too dramatic. My parents did it in their house, and I'm amazed at how good it looks: Not like a bandaid at all!

I feel your pain though; I have a lavender bathroom myself. Purple toilet, sink, tub and tile surround. It's atrocious! :)

Good luck.

Hi Angela~

I took had a very similar bathroom and was patient until we eventually renovated. Could you paint the cabinets? Take the wallpaper down and paint just to get you through until a MAJOR reno? Love your blog - inspired me to start one too - stop by sometime!

I agree w/ Jeannie. White paint is the perfect bandaid. If you like it, maybe all you will need to do is add fixtures!

Hmmm...I'm thinking a coat of white paint on the cabinets, some new knobs, a fresh color on the walls (after you strip the wallpaper or maybe just paint over) and maybe ignore the ceiling light fixture for now, just don't look up.

Speaking as one who has no master bath at all, it looks pretty good to me. LOL

Kimberly :)

Angela, I commented earlier on your project but wanted to stop by and let you know, you have inspired me to start my own decorating blog, though in a rustic style. Stop on by.
Thanks for sharing your style with us and linking us to so many others.
Gail

Oh, girlfriend. Im sooooo sorry for you and that bathroom. Isnt it funny the way people see things, hot diggity, this is going to be a funnnnn transformation, and, Ill come by and dance around your lovely honey stained oak fire with you!!! dont even get me star-ted on that lighting. I need to go sit down.

Its going to be GREAT! --ahem..when your done!

xoxo
coastal nest

Yep, I'm thinking along the same lines as everyone else...paint. If the cabinets are of the same quality as my kitchen cabinets...none, you may want to remove some of the doors and drawers and open things up a bit. Shelves and baskets might cottage it up. Now for the light fixture, it has gotta go. If not for style...to look and feel better when you look into the mirror. Florescent lighting just doesn't give one a healthy glow. Goodluck! Can't wait to see what you do with it! I'm sure it will be quite the before and after!
Peace,
Ki

Hello,
I redid our bathroom which was about as pretty as yours. I will share what we did by suggesting the following: Remove all the hardware. Fill the holes from the knobs and sand. Use Simple Green wash down your cabnets and prime and paint a nice off white. White will draw attention to the almond color fixtures off white will look monochromatic. I used Lowe's Navajo white. I replaced all the knobs with brushed nickle small round knobs,hinges, bath fawcett. I would also remove the scallop trim on the bottom of the cabinet above the toilet. Change the toilet seat. Side the bath surround with Wainscoating. Two small pieces should do it.Paint it the same as the cabinets. Go to the work of removing the wallpaper. You will be glad you did. With the humidity, painting the wallpaper would be a bad choice. The lighting fixture can be removed. It just needs to have the pannels removed then the lightfixture. Then sheetroak over the hole. Looks like you have that expericence. Paint the walls a nice rich color to accent the tile on the tub to make it look deliberate. Lastly, put a spring loaded shower curtain rod up over the gold glass shower door. Add shower curtain and matching rugs and towels. We bought our fawcets and hardware on ebay. Hope some of my ideas will be of help. Enjoy the journey.
Sweetest regards,
Shelley Davis

I had a very similar thing going on in my bathroom -- oak, beige, the lot (well, not the tile). My wallpaper was a sort of speckly blue.

Who puts wallpaper in a bathroom? You take wallpaper off with STEAM, duh.

I stripped the wallpaper (nooooo problem, double duh) and I painted the walls Egyptian Sand from BM and the oak black.

It looks quite presentable now!

I feel your pain...I have a similar master and you are right...it is depressing. I console myself in the fact that the "after" is going to be so dramatic!! LOL!!

I actually like the almond toilet and sink! I think they would look great with the cabinets painted white with appliques added! New knobs!
Whatever you do I bet it's gorgeous!

I agree, fill the holes with wood putty and slap on Bin primer and off white paint. Tack on some "faux" Lowes/HD bead board around the tub and paint that too. Use a gloss paint If possible cover the ceiling in the "beadboard" as well, to disguise the flourescent boxes,and just hang a few Big Box or thrifted chandy's or pretty fixtures where the electric in the ceiling is located. I would take the time to peel the wallpaper, really not that hard, just tedious, and paint a soft color or white. For a few hundred dollars you could live with the bath until you are ready for a major redo. Pam

I see a huge garden tub (oh yeah, after a new big, giant water heater is installed), clean paint (no wallpaper), beautiful light fixtures...you'll do something wonderful in here, I'm sure. At least you have some space to work with! :)

What a inspirational blog you have! Enjoyed my visit! Hugs, Maryjane

I read you! Let's face it, re-doing a bathroom is very expensive. Sometimes it's a question of where we want to put the bulk of our renovation funds! I had such a depressing bathroom. I had dh put some waynescoating (sp?) and painted everything white. I did put some wallpaper, French provencial look. Amazing what it did! When the bathroon becomes a priority, I want a claw foot tub in there - yes I have a vision but for now, it's a nice bathroom! ;o) Sounds like you need to change your hot water tank! lol Have fun!

We know it will be wonderful with all your touches! Love the paint and switching the lights!!
Just catching up- have a fabulous weekend!
blessings,
kari & kijsa

Hi there,

well I must admit it isnt the prettiest of bathrooms... but man, those are so expensive to fix up... But you know... wetroom paint could do ALOT... and tiles can be repainted also...

but then again, dreams are alwys fun too... imagine if we had a perfect house with nothing to do up, fix or dream about,,,then what would we do? Ha ha... have a great weekend....

-Tee...

Just checking in - it has been a while (and I am living vicariously through your 'redo's'!) ;o) Hope all is okay!

Kate

Let me at it, let me at it. When I see bathrooms like this my hands start to itch. Such a pity that we don't live close together, otherwise we could tackle this room together! ;-)

BTW When are you going to take mercy on us and show the after pic?

I think the lighting is a Venus vs Mars item. Being a fella, I like lots of light in the twah-let. My wife, Michele, is more subtle. She gently, persistently, continuously urged me to replace the regular bathroom light switch with a slide-dimmer. Now we are both happy with the lighting.

I feel for you. Anytime "ugly" is the style like in the 1970 and 1980, there is no living with it once it is no longer in vogue. A perfectly working avacado green refrigerator, for instance, is an albatross to live with!

Who puts door knobs in the middle of the cabinet? Then you have a lot of work to do to make it "right." At least the colors are neutral and live-able. We once owned a house with the bathroom tiled from 4 feet to the floor - in 1930's pink! Along with a nice tub and sink and toilet to match; it all went so nicely with the grape-colored carpet! I was new to fixing such a problem and didn't know you could take tile off the walls! I was also new to stenciling and thought that might fix it, so I created a globby ivy design around the top of the tile all over the bathroom! YIKES! Good thing we sold the house!

Have fun gathering all your ideas and making preparations! That is the fun part! I am sure it will be lovely when you are through.

C. C.

Hi Angela!
Well at least everything matches, and it looks to be in good shape! But I know what you mean. I'm sure you'll do something great with it when the time comes. ugh, I hate stripping wallpaper.....
Hugs,
Rose

We had an almond toilet and painted all that icky brown-stained wood cheezy cabinets a soft white. Our place is still a work in progress, but moving in was quite a job even before we remodeled as when we moved in we had squatting tenants downstairs, a family of four living in a one bedroom apt. Father's name was "Mad Dog". When they moved on the daughter left her pet rats behind. . .but all nine of their cars parked up and down the street went with them as did the boat and car-both on cement blocks in our driveway.

a lot of sanding and a little paint will go a long way. take it from me!

ps
that was from me (elyse) i forgot to post my info ...

Hey Angela! I was just thinking about you today. Thinking about all of my reno projects and dreaming of landscaping and it made me wonder how you're doing. I hope you are well. Jen

Wow that looks like a project. I can hardly wait to see the after pictures.
Bristol