Bathroom Makeover Reveal and a Printic Giveaway!

September 11, 2013

wonder bathroom I’m so excited to share with you, finally, the first room in our whole apartment makeover (and a fun little giveaway at the end of this post)! As I was putting these photographs together, I realized I don’t actually have a before photo of either of our teeny bathrooms. But try to imagine that until recently, they were both off-white, in desperate need of a paint job, devoid of storage except for a few shelves over the toilet, and completely lacking any artwork or fun or personality. But not anymore!

These photos are from the bathroom that I refer to as my bathroom, which isn’t technically true, but I decided calling it that simplified things and gave me license to do with it whatever I pleased! We have two (almost) equally tiny bathrooms in our apartment. Michael’s bathroom is the en suite off our bedroom, and mine is the outside one that I and any of our guests would use. Both have a little cube of a shower (mine’s a little smaller than Michael’s, but that’s okay since I’m smaller than Michael), a toilet, a sink, and very, very little room for anything else. Explaining that we have separate bathrooms now sounds a bit strange, but it’s really nice not to share that space – it makes getting ready in the morning way easier if we aren’t bumping into each other trying to find things or brush our teeth, and it means I’ve gotten out of cleaning both bathrooms. I clean mine, Michael cleans his. One happens more often than the other, but hey, no one else has to see it, so I don’t put up a fuss.

bathroom storage x2 First things first, the color. When I decided to paint everything else in the apartment white, I thought it might be nice to inject a little bit of color by painting the bathrooms something more dramatic. I thought I wanted a blue-grey color, but when I went to the paint/DIY store, they had stopped doing the color I chose. So, I chose a different one on the spot – Atlantic Spray. It’s a version of my favorite color, and so far hasn’t surprised a single one of our friends or family that I chose it. Apparently, I am predictable even if I didn’t predict it myself!

I was a little worried that painting such small spaces a strong color would make them seem smaller, but it just doesn’t! Instead, they just feel amazing and complete. Since they have white ceilings, white fixtures and shower tile, and they each have a skylight, there’s still light coming through, which makes a big difference.

bathroom knob close up I also knew I wanted more storage in the bathroom. I had this old wooden shelf thing in the shed that I picked up (probably from a skip!) a few years ago and was using to hold thread and needles above my rarely used sewing machine. Again, no before picture (except this photo half way through!), but I’ll get better at this – a little out of practice on DIY projects!

So, shock of all shocks, I painted it white! Three coats of the same water based gloss I’ve been using on the trim. I had Michael hang it, and then I cut out pieces of flowery fabric to sort of decoupage the back of the shelves. I brushed a little Mod Podge (diluted glue would work too) on the back of each shelf and smoothed the fabric onto it. Then I painted the little drawer knob red and added a little white flower detail. I actually searched “Anthropologie knob” on Pinterest to get a little inspiration, then just winged it! It’s not perfect, but not many of those Anthropologie knobs are, so I think it works perfectly as an impostor!

flowers bathroom I think every good bathroom reveal needs a few nasturtiums, no? For added storage on the shelves, I painted the inside of a few jars and yogurt pots with white paint and let them dry over night. I also added a few of my favorite purple French yogurt pots to the mix for a little color.

bathroom emily photo On the other side of the bathroom, I pinned up my little fabric-wrapped wire word (DIY instructions here!) and a pottery star I made last year for Christmas. With a pink ribbon, it suits all seasons!

Then, I framed two photos I had printed using this great iPhone app called Printic. I saw a few bloggers were trying it out a few weeks ago, and although it’s not really my style to jump instantly on that type of recommendation for products, I tried it out and absolutely love it. You download the app, select photos from your phone, your Instagram stream, even your Facebook photos, and order them on your phone. You can even pay with Paypal, which saves me searching for a credit card and typing in all those numbers every time.

The prints arrive a few days later in a cheery little envelope, and they’re just the perfect size for my little Ikea frames. The quality is great, and the shipping is included in the print price – which, when you live in Ireland is a huge luxury! I hate getting all set to order something only to find out the shipping is eight times as expensive because we live on this little island!

printic photos close up So now for the give away portion of the post! The kind people at Printic are offering five of my readers three free Printic prints. All you have to do to enter is comment on this post and let me know an example of a photo you’d like printed. One entry per person, and of course, they’ll ship all over the world! I’ve already sent Printic photos to a few family members, and they’re such a hit! I’ll choose a winner on Monday and let the winners know by email!

And there you have it, more words than I ever thought I’d write about a bathroom the size of a postage stamp! Next up, a gallery wall that is proving very difficult to photograph!

43 Comments

  • Reply Esther September 11, 2013 at 10:01 am

    Love the makeover! That drawer knob is adorable 😀

    This is such a cool giveaway, I would love to get a print of this photo of my daughter’s feet: http://instagram.com/p/XKUZV0qGDO/

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:43 pm

      Beautiful little baby feet! Love them, Esther!

  • Reply Alex - Hydrangea Girl September 11, 2013 at 10:09 am

    While I’m not a big fan of blue / turquoise; those walls. Amazing colour. And I adore your little storage shelves! That floral pattern and red knob are a perfect punch. I really like your white painted glass DIY – I need to get in on some of that action.

    I was going to comment anyways on your post, but now it looks like I’m only in it for the prints. Having said that, now that I’m an Insta-noob, I’d love to see some of my pictures printed out. Instagram is so addictive. I actually would love to print off my favourite picture of hubby and I on our wedding day too. Embarrassing confession – there are NO pictures of us in our apartment. I know. I hang my head in shame. It’s something I’ve been meaning to do for way too long now, and just haven’t gotten around to it.

    Hope you are keeping well Em 😉 xx A

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:42 pm

      Ha! Yes, now that you’ve joined the Instagram world, you have to get on printing prints! LOVE that wedding photo. Amazing deep colors!

  • Reply Alex - Hydrangea Girl September 11, 2013 at 10:11 am

    Shoot – am I to include the picture itself? Here it is anyways – http://pinterest.com/pin/286611963757789389/ 🙂

  • Reply Claire Choudhry September 11, 2013 at 10:40 am

    Oh Emily – your bathroom looks FABULOUS. I love it, the colours, the decor – everything 🙂 well done!! I think would get a photo of my hubby printed or maybe my cats!! ?

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:41 pm

      Thanks so much, Claire! Can’t go wrong with hubby and cats! 😉

  • Reply cbb September 11, 2013 at 10:45 am

    Love the makeover, what brand is that paint, crown/dulux? Would like to use similar for my office makeover.
    Would love some prints for that room, would have to get some of my 5 wk old son’s cuteness!

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:40 pm

      Claire, it’s actually Woodie’s Kitchen/Bathroom range. It’s very durable, which we need for a bathroom that doesn’t have any ventilation system! 😉

  • Reply Elizabeth September 11, 2013 at 11:42 am

    The bathroom looks great! Love the paint color. 🙂
    I live in South Africa and my husband and I were recently on a holiday in the bush. I’d love to get some pictures of the nature we saw…hippos, giraffe, elephants !:)

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:39 pm

      Oh, incredible, Elizabeth! I just had a browse around your blog – I LOVE that you wore your wedding dress around London! Amazing idea!!

  • Reply christine September 11, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    Could you come and make over my house pls !!! Love this little bathroom so much, can’t wait to see the rest of your make overs. The pic I would choose is this one of my girl, sums her perfectly and includes so many things I love, her, Italy, film, Italian food shop & her I don’t care attitude, C http://www.flickr.com/photos/christineburns/9309525524/

  • Reply NAOMI CLEARY GRAHAM September 11, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    love the red knob and the lovely floral detail, love the idea of painting yogurt pots to match a room.

    Would love to get my one sunflower with a beautiful red admiral butterfly sitting on it

    Havent a clue how to attach a photograph, but it such a lovely shot bright yellow sunflower and the fab colours of the butterfly, would be a nice keepsake of summer 2013

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:39 pm

      Oh, fab, Naomi! I think we’ll all have to have reminders of summer 2013 – just in case we don’t get such amazing weather again!

  • Reply Katie September 11, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    The bathroom looks so relaxing and fresh! I’ve fallen in love with shades of blue very similar to those walls. This summer I painted a table and chairs in that color family. Great job with the first room in the apartment makeover!

    As far as photos go, I think I’d choose one or two from our travels in Peru several years ago. Machu Picchu was a dream!

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:38 pm

      Thanks, Katie! You might see it in person sooner or later! 🙂 And then we’ll have you printing photos of Dublin!!

  • Reply Anne Mac September 11, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    I love that wall unit, it’s gorgeous. I’d either have one of the cat, a landscape in Scotland or one of the two of us (since I don’t have one)

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:38 pm

      You should see the number of cat photos I nearly printed! 😉

  • Reply Ronan September 11, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    A picture from my holiday in Madrid.

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:37 pm

      Oh, can’t go wrong with Spanish holidays!

  • Reply Joanne O'Sullivan September 11, 2013 at 10:25 pm

    A photo of my neice, she lives in another country so the more pictures of her around me the better!

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:37 pm

      I know that feeling, Joanne!

  • Reply Kate Fogliaresi September 12, 2013 at 5:08 am

    I would love a picture of my little boy who has just started walking <3

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:37 pm

      Ah, what a great idea, Kate! I bet he’s adorable starting to toddle around!

  • Reply emer breen September 12, 2013 at 8:45 am

    Wow, you have done an amazing job, please visit my house and you have the freedom to do it up just like that! I can think of a million pictures that i would really love but i love flowers and nature so i think i’d go for a nice floral print – like the ones you have done above – would be gorgeous! Thanks so much for the competition, fingers crossed xx

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:37 pm

      Thank you so much, Emer! 🙂 I’m so glad you like it! I’m a big fan of a good floral print too – which is why I’m glad I don’t share the bathroom with my husband. It can be a little girly!

  • Reply Stacy September 12, 2013 at 11:52 am

    I’ve been so excited to see pictures of your home makeover! I love all the crafts you do, and following your blog is such a fun read in the morning. Also, the cabinet is fantastic – I also love a lot of white, but the way you used the floral background as a brilliant pop of colour is wonderful, and such a cheery touch.

    I’ve been working on (finally) making my rental feel more homey, and I’d love to add some pictures from my brother’s beautiful wedding to my collection. It was at one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, on the west coast of Canada, and while all the wedding photos are on facebook, here’s a moody one of the ceremony location: http://instagram.com/p/du8jIVAF06/

    (Don’t worry, it was beautiful and sunny and 25 degrees with no clouds the day of the wedding!)

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:36 pm

      Thanks so much, Stacy! 🙂 What an incredible spot that looks like for a ceremony! Incredible! Even if it had been cloudy, it would have been stunning!

  • Reply Edite September 12, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    Bonne Maman jam jar for keeping cotton buds! lovely! Did you spraypaint the inside white? I’ve caught myself buying this specific jam only for the jars… I think I would print three different parts of the same picture (as puzzle pieces) or picture of the same thing in three different angles, as an optical illusion

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:35 pm

      Thanks, Edite! I just used white house paint I had on hand, and gave it two coats with a brush. So simple! And yes, I’m totally with you on buying the jars for saving – but I have a hard time actually using them!

  • Reply Jennie Andersen September 12, 2013 at 11:25 pm

    I absolutely love the pop of color from the flower fabric in the backed your cabinet! Great ideas!

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:34 pm

      Thanks, Jennie! They’re such cheerful colors to see every morning and every evening!

  • Reply Denise September 13, 2013 at 7:52 am

    I’ve been looking to put those yogurt pots I keep saving to good use! Great idea!!

    I would print pictures of the day my son was born when for some reason we only had our phones. You just can’t re-enact the moment his big sisters first met him.

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:34 pm

      Denise, it was so satisfying to actually use some of the *many* I have saved! I love the idea of printing a pic of when your son was born, I bet it was monumental!

  • Reply Ciara September 13, 2013 at 8:33 am

    Here’s another one who looks like she’s in it for the prints, though you’ve probably chosen a lovely home for them already. I was just going to say Emily your craftiness has put me to shame, that fab anthro inspired knob? I probably would have just bought one, and who knew painted yoghurt pots could look so chic, nicely done! I might as well jump on the band wagon… Hanging photos is currently the only decor change we’re allowed to do in our apartment so I should really make more use of it! 🙂

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:33 pm

      No winners yet, Ciara! You’re still in the running! 🙂 The tricky part about that knob was that it’s not the screw on kind, so I couldn’t just replace it! Actually a little annoying, but I’m thrilled with how it turned out!

  • Reply Kathleen September 13, 2013 at 10:07 am

    Love your makeover…especially the flowers! If I was lucky enough to win, I’d love a print of our local lighthouse, fuschias (which are my favourite flower), or my family :-).

    • Reply emily September 13, 2013 at 9:32 pm

      Thanks, Kathleen! Where’s your local lighthouse? Sounds like wonderful ideas!

      • Reply Kathleen September 17, 2013 at 7:34 pm

        Hi Emily, have just received your email saying I’m a winner…I’m so thrilled! Fyi, our local lighthouse is Hook Head, k

  • Reply Happy Friday / From the Archives | From China Village September 13, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    […] friends! How was your week? I have absolutely loved reading all your comments on my bathroom make over post. You’ve been so kind about the new look! But more than that, I really just love hearing […]

  • Reply Aisling September 15, 2013 at 12:45 pm

    Hi Emily, I’ve been enjoying reading your great blog for some time now and felt compelled to post about your lovely bathroom makeover. Firstly, the fabric you used is so gorgeous, it reminded me of the late-Summer wild flower bed that I saw in The Botanic Gardens yesterday. Coincidentally, I had nasturtiums in my aqua Art Deco wall vase in my bathroom last week; they are abundant at this time of year and delicious in salads too!
    I won’t be entering your great giveaway, as I have finally got around to printing off a load of photos from the last few years and framing some in the excellent Ikea Ribba frame.
    Just a quick suggestion on outrageous delivery costs to Ireland, have a look at parcelmotel.com ( I have no affiliation to them). I’ve just signed up and have availed of free UK delivery charges on a number of occasions now, but I’m afraid it’ll cost me more in the long-run as it fuels my Internet shopping addiction!
    I look forward to the next instalment of your apartment makeover 🙂

  • Reply Rossagh September 16, 2013 at 9:26 am

    Hi Emily,
    I love your bathroom makeover – that paint colour is just gorgeous!

    I would love to print my photos from Electric Picnic for my pal Catriona. She always takes loads of pics at ‘The Picnic’ every year and prints them out so the rest of us don’t have to even think about it.
    Well, this year she was gutted when she realised she had forgotten her camera so it was my job to take as many as I could on my iphone before my battery died (10 hours later – thanks iphone!).
    So if I was lucky enough to win I would love to return the favour and print some memories for Catriona!

  • Reply A Bright Living Room Makeover - From China Village May 18, 2015 at 11:01 pm

    […] made over and turned white and bright over the last year or so. (You can see our hallway, bedroom, bathroom and landing strip in case you missed those, and you can see the before photos right here.). We rent […]

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