Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Bathroom Update: Lighting and Mirrors

I'm sure every homeowner has a to-do or wish list for their home. Whether it is maintenance, re-model or high design, it takes perseverance to see the goal through. My blog post, How to Strip and Paint Your Bathroom Vanity has received the most hits over my years of writing on the fly. It was one of those Summer pet projects that helped keep a stay at home mom busy and handy woman skills from getting rusty.

I mentioned removing 'Hollywood lights' in that post because they are a design and fashion no-no. I laugh because I lived with them for five more years after giving that little tidbit of advice. I feel a bit of a hypocrite living so long with the outdated lighting eyesore. I never fail to recommend, first thing and without any doubt to my staging clients to remove these fashions relics before going on market. 

I'll confess, over the years I've thought of ways to break that darn light so I could get a new one but I'm not really the type to manipulate the situation to get my way unless there seems to be a perfect opportunity for the situation to be dealt with in a logical manner, so I used my birthday as my persuasion tool to pitch the idea of ridding the distasteful lighting bar to my husband. We both live under the 'if it isn't broke, don't fix it' standard but alas, my duplicity had to come to an end. 

I said, "I don't need to go out for my birthday or even have a party or a gift, I just want that flagrant lighting that blights my view gone." This proposition made sense, I told my husband what I wanted and he delivered, easy-peasy for both parties. I think I like this particular type of persuasion and keep this notion ready for future birthdays.

The Update

The fact is, our master bathroom needs a total overhaul. Until that happens I updated using a new wall paint, mirrors and a brushed nickel towel bar and ring. I also re-caulked the shower, tub and sink vanity to help give a clean, fresh look sans mildew.

BEFORE
By: Chandra Brown


AFTER:UPDATE
By: Chandra Brown

The current trends are calling for contemporary modes. So I changed the paint from the outdated blue hue to a classic grey. I removed the builder grade, original mirror that had de-silvered edges and installed in-expensive, thick, natural, wood toned framed mirrors with grey undertones. The brushed nickel towel bar and ring defines the transitional style which helps mix the contemporary with traditional.

I didn't change the chocolate brown vanity cabinets I originally did five years ago. They still look great...

We decided to wait on the sink vanity faucets for budgetary purposes and yes, the ones we have in place are also a design and fashion no-no. 

Let's just say next years birthday persuasion will be announced with anticipated gusto unless a mysterious calamity befalls the faucets before then. (He He!)

P.S.
I did re-purpose those old Hollywood light bulbs in the new lighting bar.