I’m excited to show you today’s before & after transformation! My friend Tracy wanted to take her powder room up a notch, but like so many of us she just wasn’t up for a complete overhaul. We came up with a few cosmetic changes that ended up totally transforming the space.
So here’s Tracy’s powder room BEFORE:
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And here’s the AFTER:
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Pretty great, right? I mean, look. There was nothing wrong with this bathroom before. It was just a little bit yawn-o-la. Tracy wanted to spice it up for her guests and spice it up she did!
Here are some of the affordable and easy things she did (that you can totally replicate in your own home).
1) Wallpaper:
Tracy picked this wallpaper and it’s just perfection. The big print makes such an impact (it’s okay to go big!). And the black and white is super polished looking. The loopy, organic damask print keeps the whole thing pretty traditional and “civilized”; I don’t know if it would have worked with some crazy graphic, zigzag print. You can find her wallpaper here.
2) New Lighting:
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Lighting is the single best way to transform your bathroom (or kitchen). Tracy tends to lean more traditional in her decorating choices (which works well for her house), but I was able to convince her to go a bit more modern with the lighting.
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That is the Luna Natural Brass Pendant from School House Electric. It just adds a nice, elegant edge to the whole thing (going the traditional route with the lighting would have just been too boring).
3) Rub ‘N Buff
I know you’re thinking, “Rub ‘n WHAT?” It’s basically gold magic in a tube. Rub ‘N Buff is a waxy metallic paste that you can rub onto any surface that you can’t really spray paint. This silver-framed medicine cabinet, for example – it would have cost a fortune to rip out and replace. AND because there’s a sink right below (and new wallpaper) the last thing we wanted to do was spray paint!
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So all Tracy did here was squeeze a bit of Rub ‘N Buff onto her finger and she just carefully rubbed it onto the frame. Amazing, right? It dries quickly and adheres well. You can buy Rub ‘N Buff here.
4) A few other tips.
Another very cool thing that Tracy did was purchase an inexpensive “weathered brass” faucet online (she has a shiny chrome one and we both agreed a brass/gold look would be better).
She also purchased an acrylic towel rack from CB2 (which looks like very expensive Lucite) – what a fantastic, modern touch.
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She did exactly what decorators do: Pair a few traditional elements with some more modern elements. The result is a really nice balance.
There you have it–simple and affordable. Doesn’t this make you want to run to the wallpaper and lighting stores immediately?
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Read more about the mini makeover here.
Lorri Dyner is an interior designer and blogger who believes in the power of “decorating for the rest of us.” Using clever, accessible, and affordable ideas, she brings us insider tips and tricks that make our living spaces feel pulled together. Lorri resides in Westchester with her husband and two small children. Visit her at lorridynerdesign.com.
