One Room Challenge Week 6 | The Scary Bathroom Isn’t Scary Anymore

You know how when you’re so exhausted you feel like you want to cry? Then, you look back at how much work you did to make you so tired, and you actually start to cry? That’s me. I’m happy. I’m sore from the pure physical effort of it all, and you couldn’t pay me to pick up a tool right now. The Fall One Room Challenge is over, and the Scary Bathroom is not even the least bit scary anymore.

Many of you became acquainted with this bathroom during the challenge, but it’s been the stuff of our nightmares since we moved in.

2013 to 2017

In 2017, we were thrilled to find original wainscoting hiding under that pink paneling. However, our happiness was short-lived when we discovered a missing section directly behind the toilet, and the rest of it was coated in a patchy layer of oil-based paint.

2017 to ORC Week 1

I don’t like to get stuck in the past, so let’s stay in the present.

This post contains affiliate links.

The Scary Bathroom renovation was so comprehensive that I will break this post into categories to make it easier to digest.

Wainscoting Restoration

Restoring the wainscoting took the bulk of my time during the past six weeks. First, I removed the glue and paint and scraped every crevice with a dental tool. Then there was the wiping. So much wiping! Currently, it is unsealed. I had an eleventh-hour change of heart about sealing it with shellac, and it was too late to choose something else before today. At this point, I am leaning towards using Waterlox, but I want to do a little more research first. The baseboards and trim are new. I stained them to match. Whatever was there originally was long gone. It was probably removed when the pink paneling was added.

As soon as I seal everything, I will publish a full tutorial post. A few readers have asked about the process.

toilet paper holder | Waste Basket – Bed Bath & Beyond locally| Art (vintage)

Remember those missing pieces? I stole a section from behind the tub to fill the gap, but don’t worry; the shower curtain hides everything. (See the before-and-afters below)

Marble Sink Restoration

My attempts at restoring the original marble sink were not entirely successful, but I can assure you that it is probably the cleanest sink in the entire state right now, and it certainly looks a bit better.  At around 120 years old, this sink has seen its fair share of grubby hands and toothpaste. Fortunately, we like items that are a little rough around the edges. They tell the best stories.

Towel Ring – IKEA | Brass Soap Dish (vintage from Hepburn House on Etsy)

The Bathtub

This poor bathtub was a mess. Large sections of paint were flaking off the outside. I gave it a good scraping and a thin layer of Zinsser Gardz primer. The Zinsser Gardz is my favorite product for problem surfaces. I followed the primer with two coats of fresh white paint on the upper part, and three layers of gold on the clawfoot piggies.

Shower Curtain | Shower Curtain Liner | Shower Curtain Rings | Rug

Storage

The biggest nightmare in this bathroom was the lack of storage. The Scary Bathroom was plenty large, but we had a problem staying organized. There was one tiny built-in cabinet, barely large enough for Andy’s shaver. We stacked towels in a basket, and we used a dresser for our toiletries. It was not ideal.

Finding a proper storage cabinet ended up being a high-drama affair. First, there was an option from IKEA. Next, there was the perfect piece on Craigslist, but the seller did not get back to me in time. Finally, I decided to travel to IKEA after all which required crossing the border into Canada. (Remind me another day to tell you the story of the time that the Canadian drug-sniffing dogs alerted on my car at the border. Good times. I assure you that I was not carrying drugs. Ha!)

I had something from the BRIMNES line on my shopping list, but I scrapped that idea the moment I saw this HEMNES glass door cabinet. It was perfect.

I added several storage bins in two sizes and toothbrush holders. My poor kids don’t have to store their brushes in a red Solo cup anymore. Yay!

Lighting

I was so fortunate to have our lighting sponsored by Lamps Expo. This was the first time that we have ever had sponsorship for the One Room Challenge, and it is hard to express how grateful I am that Lamps Expo supplied all the lighting for the Scary Bathroom. Restoring and renovating BHH is a labor of love, and it feels so good to work with a company that believes in what I am doing

Kevin, from Lamps Expo, and I worked together to choose traditional lighting in the finish that I wanted.

Wall Sconces

Take a look at this beautiful pendant. I have a thing for seeded glass.

Pendant Light – Seeded glass option

I had a knob switch added to the sconces locally, but for the overhead light, Andy and I, with the help of our friends, added a new-fangled lightswitch. It’s amazing. Old house owners, I know you know exactly what I am talking about. No more swatting at the air to try to find the pull chain in the dark.

The Sweet Details

I could go on all day, but I know you just want to see more photos. I shall oblige.

Basket (Marshall’s) | Towels

Plastic Caddy (kitchen section of Marshall’s)

Original Charcoal Art by my Father-in-law – Framed at JoAnn Fabrics | Towel – Local Store | Hook

Before-And-Afters

A big reveal post is not complete without a few before-and-afters just to get your eyes popping.

Before:

During:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

More Photos Because I Can’t Stop Myself

Rug | Table (Marshall’s)

Don’t forget that it’s a reveal day extravaganza over on the One Room Challenge blog. The featured designers showed off their rooms yesterday, and the rest of the guest participants like us are sharing their projects today. I cannot wait to see them all. During the challenge, we aren’t supposed to talk about our favorites, but I sure have some, and I will share them with you next week. Please check out the link-up and search #oneroomchallenge on Instagram for more exciting transformations.

Now, stick a fork in me. I’m done.

Read about The Scary Bathroom from the beginning: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 |Week 5

PS: If you are interested in our past ORC projects, here are the links:

Kitchen Pantry | Street Side Front Porch | Library | Breakfast Nook (featured in This Old House magazine! | Dining Room