Hall/Guest Bathroom Make-Over

“Honey, I have an idea…..”  I said to the Captain a few weeks ago.  And if you have followed me you will know that when I say those few little words… that means there is going to be a project and the Captain will play a major part in the physical part.  I do the planning and he carries it out!

I have shared a few of my painting projects over the last few years from the Flip houses to our own home and you seemed to enjoy these so I decided to share with you a few tips and pics of the Hall/Guest Bathroom make-over. 

The room is only 5’X8′ and is the smallest of the 4 bathrooms in our home AND it is the bathroom that is used the most by guests.  One could call it a powder room, but it is a full bath with tub, vanity and commode.

When we first moved into the house…this hall bathroom was painted a yellow with a darker gold glaze over the top. (see pic below)

I really didn’t like it and so it was one of the first painting projects I took on after moving in. You might think it is pink…..and the painting is of pink flowers but you would be wrong.  Definitely goldish/yellow. The woodwork was a beige color…matched the tile floor nicely but I did not like the space as it always seemed dark to me.  The fact that the room does not have a  window makes it appear even darker.  So the first to be changed was the beige wood work.  I painted it white to match the vanity and the white tiles above the tub…and the walls became a pale green, the same color as the bedroom next door….and although the room looked fresh and clean, I have never been happy with it. 

When I painted the walls and wood work…we also replaced the shower curtain and faucets which were simple fixes. The vanity top, unframed mirror and mirrored medicine cabinet remained with the thought that some day they would be removed.

So, I have lived with the color and “issues” for the last couple years.  Until now. It is time for a make over. The color in the above pics appears more of a sage green…it just goes to show why I had a difficult time picking the right color, artificial light can make a color appear anything but the color of choice.

Many years ago, through trial and error, I learned that light colors open up a small space, especially in a bathroom where there are so many built-in features…and while the pale green and white woodwork allowed the room to breathe (so to speak)…it just did not speak to me.  “Hello?”…see, no answer!  

My vision for this small bathroom was for it to complement the rest of our home which is a Spanish/Mediterranean style, be bright and cheery …which is almost a contradiction… and yet be sophisticated enough for our guests.  I wanted this bathroom to make a statement.  

The beauty of paint is that for most rooms, you can update for a mere $25-$50.  In case you haven’t noticed, I am rather frugal, but even I can’t deny that if you absolutely dislike a wall color, $25 is not going to break the bank.  It’s nothing like taking the risk of recovering furniture or buying a very large area rug.

However, changing the paint color alone was not soothing my design and decorating desires. Hence…the new make over.

Thankfully, the tile surrounding the tub is a white ceramic and is in good shape.  So it stays. The next decision to be made was regarding the cultured marble vanity top with the built in sink.  It had to go, but the existing cabinet will remain.  

Another “has to go” item was the mirrored medicine chest that appears in so many SW Florida houses. This elongated rectangle built into the wall adjacent to the bathroom mirror (in my opinion) is “fluff” that takes up valuable space. The bathroom floor is 18 inch square tiles that run through the main living area of our home.  I would love to replace the tiles with bamboo flooring.  We have bamboo floors in our master bedroom, bath and office and I absolutely love those floors.  But my budget says the floors should wait for a later date.

Armed with safety glasses and a pry bar…the Captain began his demolition. Out came the vanity top and the medicine cabinet.  Off came the large mirror, dated towel racks and TP holder.  

The next step was adding the new beadboard topped with a chair rail all around the small room. I wanted to give this room a little character with the beadboard.  

And of course there is that gaping rectangular “hole” that needs to be patched with dry wall. We ordered a new marble vanity top and a vessel sink and faucet …..and I am excited to see them put into place.

This is where the real fun begins for me….the adding of color to the ceiling, walls and beadboard, replacing towel racks and refinishing the large oval mirror that has had a position in every house we have lived in.  No need to buy new and I think the mirror is perfect for this small bathroom.

I promise I will post the finished pictures as well as sources for the final color choices/fixtures/faucets and other items in a future post.

Until then, below is a fantastic recipe for a Reuben Casserole.  There are many variations floating around in cyber space these days, but this recipe came from my good “old”….seriously old…Betty Crocker Cookbook, so the recipe really isn’t that “new”. But it is delish!

This recipe calls for left over mashed potatoes which makes it almost like a Shepherd’s Pie.  With or without mashed potatoes….it is a good go-to recipe. 

Have a great week-end my dear readers.

Betty Crocker's Reuben Casserole

2016-03-11 09:29:08

If you like Reuben sandwiches....you are sure to like this. The addition of mashed potatoes makes it almost like a Shepherd's Pie. I have made this with and without the mashed potatoes and it is yummy both ways.

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Ingredients

1. 6 slices of Rye Bread, cubed
2. 1 pound of thinly sliced corned beef
3. 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) sauerkraut , rinsed well and drained
4. 2 tablespoons onion, finely diced
5. 1/2 cup sour cream
6. 1 cup Thousand Island Dressing
7. 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
8. 2 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese or you can use slices
9. 2 cups of mashed potatoes (left over works great)
10. 1/4 cup melted butter
11. 4 teaspoons caraway seed (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease or spray 2 1/2-qt baking dish.
2. Spread the rye bread over the bottom of the baking dish
3. Layer 1/2 of the sliced corned beef over the rye bread
4. Follow with the well drained sour kraut
5. Mix together the mustard, sour cream and thousand island dressing and pour over the top of the sour kraut
6. Repeat with another layer of corned beef and top with cheese, reserving 1/2 cup cheese for the top
7. Spread mashed potatoes over cheese and drizzle with the melted butter and caraway seed. Top with remaining cheese
8. Bake uncovered about 20 minutes or until cheese is light golden brown and casserole is heated through

Notes

1. This is a meal in itself by using the left over mashed potatoes....however, you can also replace the mashed potatoes with additional rye bread cubes before popping in the oven.

Me and My Captain https://meandmycaptain.com/