The Start Of The Hall Bath Redesign
The mirror will be framed (and the light fixtures turned upwards to make room for the frame). I may also change out their shades to a white glass.
On a side note, can anyone tell me why it is so hard to take photographs in small spaces without the lines of the room, that are in reality straight, come off looking like they are angled and curved?
See the angled ceiling and curve of the door frame? Crazy. Oh well, back to the project.
That recessed light is nearly history...
...and paint is the logical place to start. The soft green wall color was easy to pick. A first! It is one of the colors tested as an option to use on the kitchen island. I loved the color, but it didn't quite work with the island countertops. I already had a pint of the color, so after a test on the wall dried looking great, I went straight to the paint store to pick up a gallon.
The second chalkboard, that I recently built, has been hung. It is all ready for reminders to be written: brush your teeth, make your bed, hang up your clothes, practice the piano. Let's see if it helps. I know Isabella and Max are tired of hearing me tell them!
Love the Hudson Paint Rayogram Grey chalkboard paint paired with SW 6164 Svelte Sage wall color.
This angled shot was taken by mistake, but looking at it I see the lines of the room appear nearly straight . Hum, is this the answer and why I sometimes see rooms photographed this way? If so, you may see this technique used on occasion to show progress in this room.
There are no towel bars in the vanity area of the bathroom. I find it really interesting what short cuts builders opt to take! To fix this problem, towel rings will be installed adjacent to each sink.
A nice style found at Target coordinates well with the existing hardware, at a price that didn't break the bank.
Some of the walls will probably get stenciled. Though with so many great stencils on the market, picking which stencil to use is proving to be difficult.
And a recessed light conversion kit will make hanging this pagoda light fixture possible.
What do I see as the biggest challenge for this space? Simply photographing it! If you've ever tried to photograph a small bathroom you know what I mean...
39 comments:
I love the color and most curious about the stencils. . . Would love to know your best source for stencils that don't look like "stencils."
Can't wait to see the end result! We just did the kids' bath this Summer...and photographing it was such a challenge! For a few of the pics I was nearly lying down in the bathtub behind the shower curtain! :)
I can't wait to see this transformation! I can't wait to hear more on stenciling. I like it when you create your own!
I crawled into a glass shower one time and took a picture through the glass! I think it's all about the right lens, but I wouldn't know how to use it if I had one. The transformation is surely taking place, and it will be fun to see it finished.
This is going to be fun to watch and I feel your pain with photographing small spaces.
-Rene
Interesting point/question Emily. I've just ordered a stencil and also having one made. I have to say, so far in life I cheated when doing stencils! I trace them and fill in by hand, have yet to use a stencil brush, as I like sharp lines. So...we'll see what happens! Janell
Love the choices you've made. Can't wait to see what stencil you do.
Londen
I love the color! I feel your pain on the small spaces too - it's so hard to photograph them well!
looking forward to the stenciling project! what a wonderful cost effective idea...show me how!!
I really like the color in this space and the way the final chalkboard looks. The frame on it makes it work so well in the room and it appears so custom - This is going to be a fun transformation to follow...
Everything sounds/looks great! Hmmm, may have to try stenciling in my master bath. I will be feeling you pain right along side with you since I'm working on 2 baths at the same time??? BTW, what color is your door/trim?
Where do you buy you stencils from? I can't seem to find much online, but maybe I'm not looking in the right places.
We did a total remodel of our hall bath. It was terrible. Here are pictures to prove it:
http://bontempsbeignet.blogspot.com/2010/04/hall-bath-nightmare.html
Always love seeing a new space you're working on. Question about the paint... have you ever heard of a paint or primer made just for bathrooms so it would hold up to the "steaminess" from the shower? Our original hall bath never used to show streaks on the walls, but after we had it painted a year ago, it shows streaks from the wetness. How is your new paint holding up after showers? Thanks!
-Michiganhome
Great question about paint in bathrooms. I'm using SW Home Durations paint, which is supposed to hold up well in such spaces. We'll see!
Stencil Companies:
www.royaldesignstudio.com, look at their Moroccan styles, wow!
http://www.thegbrand.com/whitewallco/patterns.html
http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/wall-stencils-stencil-designs.html
I am excited to see your end results! I am working on two bathrooms and I am not sure about the whole "decorations" thing. :) Heck, I am nervous about painting.
Good luck!
I can't wait to see the results especially the stencils. I need to find out how you did the paint technique in your master bedroom...that is one of the coolest wall treatments I have seen!
Tell me about photographing small spaces! Half of the rooms in my house are so hard to photograph. But I see that you have a DSLR camera - i think there's a lenses - wide lens? - that will help you capture more in your pictures. might be a good idea for your blog and all the writing you've been doing? :)
can't wait to see what you do with the stencils... I really want to use it somewhere in my house later..
I agree with you small spaces are so HARD to take pics of, I'm going to start using my tripod more and see if that helps!
Looking forward to seeing what type of stencil you use for the bathroom
Oh, I am praying that one day I win the lottery so I can hire you. Crossing my fingers!
This project looks promising! I am thinking about doing a stencil-esque treatment in a tiny breakfast nook so I can't wait to see how this turns out! Will be following so I don't miss anything!
I'm loving the colour and can't wait to see the finished product.
I know what you mean about tight spaces and pictures. I had a hardy time taking the pics for today's post of the table. I wish I had a massive home (that someone else got to clean).
Love the new paint color. It is gorgeous. I can't wait to see the room all done and accessorized. I know it will be stunning. Hugs, Marty
Re taking photos: I totally know what you mean. I'm beginning to think that's the reason we only see enormous bathrooms in shelter magazines.
Love that light fixture!
Love the pagoda fixture and the idea of turning the other fixtures upside down. I just installed a dimmer on my daughter's bathroom lights b/c they were shining down so bright. Love the direction....and looking forward to seeing more. PS--thanks for the fabric recommendation!
Re: the photography. I was researching cameras a couple of weeks ago as I am looking to upgrade to a big girls camera (DSLR). I found this review of a camera that explained the distortion of straight lines. Its just something that happens with some lenses - nothing you can do about it sorry. Its just that the optics in some lenses are better than others when it comes to straight lines like on building :)
http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/nikon-d80-guide.html
(scroll down to the 'lenses' section
Janell, if you use proper technique, you should get nice sharp edges with stenciling. The secret is a dry brush technique -- which means offloading.
As for sources of stencils online, there are so many options. Those mentioned already have a good selection. Stencil Library is another great source. You can find links to many more at StencilSearch.com
I love the third stencil - can't wait to see more of the transformation.
I hear you about photographing small spaces. My guest bath was small with no light. Photographing that was not easy.
I think that the effect you describe is called barrel distortion. There is a way to minimize or improve it in Photoshop. Google 'how to debarrel' or correcting lens distortion. (I do not have Photoshop - so I've never tried this... I think you can do it in Gimp, but I get a headache using that software).
Looks like a fun project & I can't wait to see what you do.
Where is the best place to find a really cool stencil similar to what you have in today's post?
YES! I have tried to photograph a small bath. It is very difficult. Even my professional photographer stuggles with them. I just read a post on Details and Designs that has many beautiful pictures of small baths. How did they do it? Beats me! Any who ~ love the paint color you chose and the sinks are wonderful. Love the stencil idea. Nice to see you Janell!
Paula Grace ~
I have tried to photograph the small spaces and it is annoying. I think you can get a different wide angle lense and it might help. I wondered where you found those beautiful stencils and how to get them. Thanks. BTW, love your blog and have found my creativity again. Thanks.
I'm really looking forward to seeing this project complete. It's similar to the bathroom my children share. I hung a shower curtain, tossed in a few accessories and shut the door-the kids do the cleaning. It's high time I spruced up that space. I love what you've done so far.
BTW, you inspired my post today!
I can't wait to see the finished room! I love the sinks and faucets and your plans for the stencil and light fixture are beautiful! The builder may not have put in towel bars, but it's better than those cheap ugly ones they silicone to the wall that mean major drywall damage when you want to update them to something nice!
I know what you mean, every time I take a picture of a room it looks so crooked. I can't wait to see your magic in here!
I love that first stencil (it looks familiar!!), where did u find that one?
PS: What lens are you using? A wider lens may help you in the future, something more like a 10-15mm! :-)
Hi Leigh,
Now if I could answer that question perhaps I could address my problem!! I certainly lack basic knowledge when it comes to cameras. Thanks for asking and pointing out this option, I'll be looking into it and see if there is a better lens!
As for the stencil, it is one I'm getting fabricated based on a design I used here:
http://isabellaandmaxrooms.blogspot.com/2009/11/paint-choice.html
How big is your bathroom? It looks similar in size to ours, but I always enjoy knowing the sizes because it gives me ideas. I am thinking about re-doing the layout.
Thanks!
Hi Janelle - Thank you for hopping around in your house! I'm excited to watch this transformation, as I have a similar bathroom and it needs help. I love the idea about the recessed light converter and I can't wait to try it.
HI- I love your bathroom and want to try doing the same thing with my bathroom mirror; I have a question though (probably dumb and completely obvious). What did you do with the little hooks that hang on top off the mirror? Did you leave them on and put the frame on top of them? Or did you take it off and let the new frame support the mirror? Thanks for your help and inspiration!
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