I can’t believe it’s already time for another One Room Challenge! I am excited to get my butt in gear to transform another room from blah to wow, but this time I’m doing it in a completely different home than I was in for last fall’s challenge. If you’re new here (welcome!) let me fill you in just a bit.
Last fall, I participated in my first One Room Challenge. My husband and I decided to makeover our dining room in the home we had just moved into. It was the home we intended to raise our family in and stay in for quite a while. We were excited and hopeful and ready to put in the work. A few weeks into the challenge, my husband suddenly and unexpected died from a massive heart attack. He was 36 years old. Losing him was a shock to say the very least.
Despite my devastating loss, I knew I had to get my dining room finished, not only because I knew I was going to have to sell our house, but also because it gave me something to focus on in the midst of my grief. Working with my hands gave me a way to get my mind off my loss, if only for a few hours every few days. With the help of my dad and my father-in-law, we finished the dining room a week early and it turned out beautifully. I know my husband would have been very proud.
In between then and now, I and my two kiddos have moved to a new house in a new city and are trying to find our new normal. It is hard, but I know it’s for the best. The house that we’re in now is a rental, so there’s that added challenge of being able to transform a room and make it my own without making major changes. Luckily, my landlord is a very kind man and he has given me permission to improve the property with paint and other cosmetic measures.
When I moved into this new place, I knew that the first room I would tackle would be my downstairs powder room. First, because it’s the smallest room in the house and I knew I could focus on a small room without feeling overwhelmed. Second, because it’s the most horrendously painted room in the house and I can’t possibly live here without changing it! I call it the “murder bathroom” because all the walls (and the ceiling!) is painted blood red. It is AWFUL!
The first thing I always do when tackling a makeover project is look for inspiration and begin to form a plan of attack. Pinterest is always my go-to for inspiration and I have found some lovely half-bath/powder rooms that have given me some great ideas! I will tell you all about my plan for this bathroom next week, but for now I want to share with you my favorite pins that have inspired me the most for this Spring’s One Room Challenge:
Via Zillow
I love the crisp white walls and the natural wood tones combined with the metal of the mirror and those fabulous hammered brass sconces.
Via Shades of Blue Interiors
I adore this bathroom! I really love their use of the repurposed vintage vanity mirror and the distressed gray cabinet. The white shelves offer a great storage option for a small space, too!
Via Domino
Lord, look at that tile! I’m obsessed with this style of tiles and I have an idea of incorporating something similar in my half bath design.
Via It’s Overflowing
Oh my, that vanity with it’s curves and sexy legs! And that mirror! Be still my heart!
Via My Design Chic
I am usually a strict “neutral paint is life” girl, but in small spaces, especially bathrooms, I’m really digging the look of a bold, dark paint on the wall combined with light tiles and natural wood. I don’t think I want to paint my walls this dark, but I sure do appreciate the boldness of this look.
Aren’t these bathrooms lovely? I can’t wait to get started on this challenge and I hope you’ll stick around to see how it turns out! Be sure to check out all the other participants in the challenge!
We are about to tackle our 1/2 bath too. I LOVE the look of the wood planked ceiling in that 2nd to last picture you posted.
I love the dark! I had a Benjamin Moore Affinity color in my condo bathroom called Silhouette – I’ve been dying to use it again, only it worked perfectly with the stone in that room. As soon as spring finally arrives here, I want to tackle our deck and landscaping – last year we didn’t know what was going to bloom and where. I also need to do our office – everything else is pretty much done (for now!). Can’t wait to see what you can do with the space. XO
So sorry for your loss. The rooms look awesome, I can’t wait to see more!
This is right up my alley I love all of them!!
Ohhh, so pretty! I like the second one best! Good luck with the challenge!
So sorry for your loss and praying that your new normal is around the corner. These bathrooms are lovely and the landlord is lucky! lol
I have BM Iron Gate in high gloss in my powder bath and love it! Can’t wait for the results!