A Little Time In The WCWhile I wait to see what the finishing solution will be for the dining room table, I thought I'd move on and address another little project I've been wanting to get to: replacing the recessed light in the master bathroom WC with a hanging light fixture.
A little work was done in the space when we first moved in, painting the walls with a striae effect by applying a darker wash over the lighter wall color. Then I began hand painting a pattern on the walls...this was long before I had this design made into a stencil. As you can see I gave up before completing the job. I have considered painting over the walls and starting over using the trellis stencil used on this DIY Tray, but I don't know.
Cutting into the corners, ceiling, baseboard...do I really want to set myself up for all that work? Besides, this random half finished look has, after two years, grown on me. We'll see!
For now, I'll address the lighting, and then a window treatment. Do you see how close the neighbor's house is in the photo of the WC?!?
To begin I remembered this lantern tucked away in a closest. It was ordered from Shades of Light last summer for a project I was working on for HGTV.com. It arrived damaged, with the glass inserts broken, so happily they sent me another and I was able to keep the damaged one. Well, it finally occurred to me that if I removed all the glass panels backing the fretwork, broken and unbroken, and I'd have a fixture that was just fine to be used! So the next question was, should it stay green or be refinished?
At first I tried applying my favorite Rub n' Buff over the green...but soon I saw this wasn't the direction to go for this project.
So the wax was quickly sanded off...
...with a layer of adhesive primer brushed on, followed by a layer of my favorite neutral paint color, Sherwin Williams Softer Tan.
I am liking the fresh new look of the fixture! If I find the time later today I'll install the conversion kit and hang the lantern. If not, I'm sure to find something else to post about tomorrow...
36 comments:
I'm liking this idea. It's so hard to make these tiny spaces interesting. Look forward to seeing what you do; our neighbors house is just as close.
I love it, Janell! And it picks up a bit on your design on the wall!
What a great lantern. Can't wait see how it looks in your bathroom.
OK...am I to understand that it is not a light fixture and you are going to make it into one????? Holy crap...you really CAN do anything :)
Love the asian lines it has....
Moral of the story: Don't throw out something just because it's broken, repurpose it!
That is a great fixture, especially in the new color. I think it will make a nice addition to a cozy space. And yes, that is very close to your neighbors...
Love the color you chose for the lantern and I love the lantern!!
Wow Janell, you are just knocking out projects left and right....I'm amazed at your energy! Love the lantern and I really like that pattern on your WC wall "unfinished". Very cool.
I like the color you have chosen and think it will be great in the space. I just recommended this fixture to a client last week....I really like it.
Janelle, Thank you for the sweet welcome comment on new public blog. I guess we both have Lanterns on the brain. Your lantern looks so fresh with the softer tan color:) BTW I like WC wall design as is.
I can't believe they just let you keep the broken one, great customer service, gotta love! It looks great, can't wait to see it up in the space. You are way patient to have done as much as you did without a stencil!
I like your idea of hanging the light fixture over the commode.
I have an exhaust fan over ours and I figured out away to attach a lightless chandelier to it. It's really just a chrome frame with a lot of glass what looks like water droplets hanging from it. It's very pretty. Now that small room makes me smile.
I actually like your half stenciled wall! The light fixture looks like a good save too. It would probably be really easy to get new glass cut if you thought you needed to replace it. Good luck!
As a faithful reader Janell I really appreciate how you transform things that many others would toss. The transformation is great, I love it. A fixture with great style!
I have to say, I thought your "random half finished" walls were entirely intentional!
Having just made a few lighting changes ourselves, I can testify what a wonderful difference they make to a room, especially a small one. Your "loo" will look fab!
This light fixture is fantastic! I had just finished suggesting a fixture from Shades of Light to Danika at Gorgeous Shiny Things for her latest project. I may need to do some shopping there myself!
To my eye, the "unfinished pattern on the walls has a life to it that an over all pattern would not. I like it....go with your gut! BTW the Briwax and steel wool should do the trick.
I am liking the fixture! Not sure if you want to paint stenciled walls in there...that is a lot of work for you and might look too busy in such a small space.
I love it! You have some of the greatest ideas and the looks you end up with are awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Oh - can't wait to see what you are going to do with the bathroom walls. I have been eying some stencils for my walls - I just can't decide which one:
http://refinddesign.blogspot.com/2011/02/wall-stencils.html
We have been thinking about creating a light fixture for our home so I can't wait to see how this one turns out!
Heather @ REOlisticRenovation
I think you might be a super hero. Really. Endless patience with that table, and now you're making your own light fixture?
We should start calling you Peter Parker.
That fixture is going to look awesome. It's just what the WC needs. I can't wait to see how it all comes together. BTW I am having another party this week (since last week's went so well). The link will be open starting tonight at 8pm EST. I hope you can make it.
your neighbors will be so excited to see the new fixture up!!
but not as excited as ME.
:)
i really love that fixture...it totally looks like you could have picked it up at a flea market in europe.
I love that color,that is a really great idea.I'm sure it will look fabulous.
A light bulb just went on… no pun intended! I have a unused Pottery Barn lantern that is just begging to be transformed into a legit light fixture, where it will go I have no clue, but light fixture it will become.
And I love the random stencil on the wall, I would leave it be.
Thanks Janell, you truly inspire!
Wow, I love the idea of a lantern in the bathroom. You just gave me an idea for my master bath. I love that stencil and I actually like the unfinished look.
http://southerndiva-kp.blogspot.com
I like the direction you're headed here-- can't wait to see what you do. Confession: I kinda like the half-finished design on the wall-- it just looks artsy and interesting to me!
How cute, Janell, I love this look you're going for. Funny how so many projects get started and come to a halt. Happens in my house a lot, then we eventually get back to them (:
Really unique lantern--I love it! I'm so curious to see how you convert it too...
Amazing what a little paint can do. It drastically altered the appearance. Wow, looks great!
LOVE it!
You never cease to amaze me!! you are so crazy talented! i'd love to have you over for drinks and just pick your brain about all the things you see in my home!! ack...move south please!! :)
ps -- if you get a chance, pop over and give me your opinion on the pelmet for my girl's room. you are kind of a drapery expert.
I really love this progect, beautiful lantern!!
Can't wait to see it all put together because I was really liking the lantern black.
I love your fixture! I've got a powder room that I've ignored since we bought the place 3 years ago and really want to replace the ugly "boob" light in there! :)
I didn't notice how close the neighbors were until you pointed it out. Ha, they could hand you a roll of toilet paper if you used the last square.
Love the idea with the lantern. That will add so much more personality to your powder bath. Can't wait to see it hung.
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