Monday, October 15, 2012

52 Some Thrifty Bathroom Updates!

Our lower level bathroom was the beneficiary of some new and fun thrifty updates!

I already shared that I snagged this fabulous stool from a local junk convention...


The style reminded me of great high end styles I have seen at One Kings Lane and West Elm... so much love!

When I purchased it for $20, I had no idea where it would land.  I knew it was versatile enough to be popped next to any chair or even in the playroom.  Then it dawned on me that it would be the perfect solution to our lower level bathroom dilemma.  We needed a stool for the boys at the bathroom sink for hand washing.  And this was the oh so perfect size!

But it was in rough shape.  And although I sort of loved that, I wanted to clean it up a bit and make it mesh well with the bathroom.


So, I decided to finally give the oh so famous Annie Sloan chalk paint a try!  It had the reputation of being able to cover on any surface and is raved about all over blog land.  I went with Paris Grey.


I started by painting the underside of the stool, which was really tedious with all of the nooks and crannies... a combination of a regular brush and craft brushes was necessary.


I noticed that the paint seemed to level really nicely.  And it was covering really well!  YAY!  So pretty!


While the stool was drying, I decided to go after my next project.

Some thrifted glass containers found at the ol' Goodwill to the tune of $1.50 total.


Not so pretty now, but a quick wash and some pearly swirled craft paint later.....


And we had fabulously fun storage for the bath!


I looked up painted glass tutorials all over Pinterest, and some said to cure the paint in the oven.  I will caution I started to do so, and I had issues with some bubbling {even at super low temps}, so, I pulled them out, touched up the paint and just let it air dry and cure for a week before popping my cotton products inside.

I think they are pretty adorable on the bathroom shelves!



And the new stool lives next to our laundry hamper...


It works wonders as it's intended purpose....


Or, as a bathtub side table for momma!



And a tray I found on clearance from Target, before going on strike, to hold my pretty soaps...


Thanks to a few thrifty finds and a little paint, both the bathroom and I are smiling nice and big!

Anyone else grinning ear to ear over some thrift store finds that are making a great impact in your rooms?  Who else loves the painted glass effect?


52 comments:

  1. Looks wonderfull! I've wanted to try out the painting the inside of a glass jar, but haven't gotten round to it yet. Looks great!

    And no, not really grinning from ear to ear as I cannot figure out what's wrong with the colour of my thrift store find: http://therearelilactrees.blogspot.fi/2012/10/varivinkkeja-colour-ideas.html

    Love it anyway :)

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    1. I think it is lovely! Hard to say what other color to try though, would have to see more of the room?

      xo!
      Jen

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  2. These are some great ideas. Thanks for the tip about curing the paint - I've been looking at some glass+paint projects too so this is a good heads up.

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  3. I just love how you are able to put things together and I envy the time you have to do all your lovely diy projects

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  4. Sweet! Love that little stool & those painted glass holders - awesome!

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  5. I love the colors. It looks lovely.

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  6. Jen,
    Where is the local junk convention? I would love to check it out! Thanks so much!

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    1. Hi Jaime!

      It's in Shakopee, MN, more details here: http://www.junkbonanza.com/

      xo,
      Jen

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    2. Oh Thanks, Jen! I will check it out!

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  7. Looks great! I adore the shade of blue you used for the glass holder. Adorable!!!

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  8. What kind of soaps are those in the bowl? They look so fun!

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    1. They were a gift from a girl friend, but they are natural and handmade. :) I think I have seen some similar on Etsy.

      xo,
      Jen

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    2. I had to laugh- cuz even tho I knew it must be nice soaps in your white bowl, it actually looked to me like a PBJ sandwich on grain bread! Haha- (which is totally me, having a little snack with my bubble bath and a good book.) I'm a huge fan of your blog, ideas, and cheerfulness Jen! Love how u found that "junk" stool and made it beautiful!

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  9. I love it! I have a little stool that needs a little TLC and I'm thinking of painting it a fun color. But I NEED to know where you got that laudnry sorter because it's exactly what I'm looking for for my bathroom!

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    1. i was wondering the same thing about the laundry hamper!

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    2. I found it about 5 years ago at HomeDecorators.com. I believe they still sell similar styles :) We really love it!

      xo,
      Jen

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  10. Super cute! I love the painted glassware-- what a fun pop of color! Thanks for sharing and have a great week :)
    -Sandy

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  11. Honestly, you are the best organizer and decorated around! I get so excited when I see your post. I aspire to decorate my home like yours!

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  12. I absolutely love the painted jars. I plan to try it this very afternoon! What's up with striking on Target?

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    1. I just decided to take a small little break from purchasing home decor at Target. I LOOOOVE it, but it is always the first place I go since it is close and easy. I want to find items with more character to mix and match within my home. I love me some Target! Just forcing myself to branch out a bit, that is all. :)

      xo,
      Jen

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    2. Target also stole some designs from Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Company and Joy Cho, of Oh Joy! Not cool Target, Not cool at all...

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  13. Yay on the Annie Sloane chalk paint - I have two big projects coming up with that paint. Love to hear it came out well!

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  14. Wonderful ideas that would work doubly well on a small bathroom.

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  15. I love all of it, especially the two glasses. That's such an pretty and clever idea! I love Chalk Paint too, I'm in the middle of refinishing my great-grandma's dresser with it. I used their clear wax as a finish, it's so durable. Very nice!!!

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  16. YAY....I am obsessed with CHALK paint! I was wondering if you have ever tried it! I'm glad you blogged about it! Your stool looks awesome =) I just painted my nephews dresser with chateau gray. Going for a green camo look. I'll be blogging about it soon...

    shushinyourhome.blogpsot.com

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  17. What an awesome find! Love that stool! I have to ask where you found the bathroom shelf. I've been looking for a white shelf with a towel bar for a while now and have come up empty handed.

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    1. I would also like to know this!

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    2. I found it quite a few years ago at HomeDecorators.com. I am not sure that they still carry it, but I am guessing they have similar options.

      xo!
      Jen

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  18. Love those painted jars-I just did some myself! Gotta try the chalk paint next! Thanks Jen!
    -courtney (http://itsprettycheap.blogspot.com/)

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  19. Lovely... sometimes it is the small changes that make the biggest difference! I have used Annie Sloan chalkpaint, in French Linen and Old White, recently on some of my furniture makeovers - but haven't yet tried it on anything metal like your step stool - it looks great!

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  20. I ADORE the painted glass containers! So gorgeous and chic!

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  21. Thank you for the painted glass suggestion! I have some similar glass vases snagged at Goodwill which I used for tablescaping at a shower, and didn't know what to do with now. I think I will be getting some paint!

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  22. Your bathroom is so pretty!! Nice find on the stool and very cool idea with the paint. I also love the tray you found at Target. I am searching for a tray for my 1/2 bath. Finally getting around to decorating it. Soft blues and greens with white and a bit of a taupe. My rug was my inspiration piece. This one caught my eye last time I was at Bed Bath & Beyond. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=112159&RN=2050&

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  23. Hi Jen,
    As with everyone here I just adore your blog. Seeing all the pantry remodels you've featured led me to redo my family's pantry this summer! (It was kind of a flop, but it was also my first try. Not giving up yet!)

    Where did you find that gorgeous flower bowl that held the hand made soaps? I've been keeping my eyes open everywhere for bowls like that but I can't find them!

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    1. Hi Gabrielle!

      I believe it was a Pier1 find, however, I can't seem to find it on their site. I have had it for quite awhile now though...

      xo!
      Jen

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    2. They have adorable flower bowls at HomeGoods right now for about $6 in aqua. Looove them!

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  24. Looks fantastic (as always!!). Now... what did you do to get the jars painted like that?? I hope there's some instructions somewhere tucked away in blog land! :)

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  25. Such cute ideas. I love that stool, great find. Comes to show you can find the perfect piece anywhere! I found similar glasses at goodwill and was not sure what to do with them yet, thanks for the idea!

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  26. Hi Jen,

    Loving this bathroom. Would love to know where you purchased your little cabinet and towel rail combination? I have a small ensuite with very little room and that would be a perfect addition to it.

    Heidi

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  27. I love what you have done here Jen, it has a really nautical contemporary feel and I especially love that stool! You've shown that objects are not always as they first appear, you just need a little inspiration. Everything has a purpose - thanks for sharing :)

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  28. Jess, that is a brilliant job on the stool and the jars, very creative....now why can't I do that!
    J
    http://www.lifelovesand.blogspot.ie/

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  29. So what is the deal with chalk paint. I've seen a lot of bloggers use it but no explanations about what is different about it? Does it have that flatter feel- like a chalkboard? What makes it so great for furniture?

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  30. Oh my goodness these finds are amazing!!! Great job sprucing them up too.

    Question: I have a black step stool for my son in the bathroom that I found at a thrift store. It is wooden and so easily painted however I am worried that a light color will show too much scuff or dirt. Have you had an issue with this so far? Any tips for keeping a lighter color looking nice?

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  31. I adore the change. It's a perfect accent table for your bathroom.

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  32. Jen - What a great find! Check this out, the cousin of your stool is selling for $792 over at Zinc Door! Amazing find you've got yourself!

    http://www.zincdoor.com/p/Arteriors-Costello-Antique-Brass-Side-Table__AR6288.aspx.

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    1. Holy bananas!! I feel like I just one the home decor lottery!!

      Thanks for sharing the awesomeness! :)

      xo,
      Jen

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  33. You did a great job! I like how you styled the two glasses and the stool! This year I'm thinking of remodeling my bathroom at home, and I will save this post in case I get inspirational!

    Lisa

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  34. Shouldn't the Q-tips be in an enclosed/covered container to be sure they are sterile when the need to use them for cleaning up an open wound or applying medication to an open wound?

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    1. Yes, if you are using them medically, then they should be concealed (we have some in our first aid kit/linen closet as well). I use them for removing nail polish and for external purposes so I am not too worried. xo!

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