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Real reno: This incredible bathroom makeover cost just $2,000!

February 15, 2018 6 Comments

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Itโ€™s fair to say that weโ€™re privy to plenty of renovation projects here but thereโ€™s something about this one that really piqued our interest. Aside from its stunning good looks, this bathroom overhaul is proof that budget constraints are no obstacle for human ingenuity. The entire transformation was carried out for just $2,000!

Before
After

The work of DIY decorator Kristine Franklin, of The Painted Hive, the original bathroom (her parentโ€™s) was tired, dark and very, very beige. โ€œGiven my parents are now empty nesters, the room is rarely used so they wanted to update the 25-year-old decor and create a space they could proudly share with guests. Plus, they also wanted to walk past it daily without cringing!โ€ says Kristine.

Vanity BEFORE
Vanity AFTER. The new basin and round mirror are fromย IKEAย and the basin mixer($60) and wall sconces ($50) were found on eBay.

โ€œThe idea was to retain as much as possible to create a fresh look on a tiny budget but we didn’t have much of a plan – things just evolved,โ€ says Kristine of the startling transformation that owes much of its success to paint. โ€œThe vinyl floor was stencilled. We sanded, cleaned and primed then painted it using chalk paint,โ€ says Kristine who finished it off with several coats of floor-grade sealer.

โ€œThe wall tiles were sanded, cleaned and painted with tile paint. It’s not difficult,ย though you need to work somewhat quickly so it does take confidence. Of course, I can’t comment on the longevity as it’s only been in place for a few months however so far, so good,โ€ says Kristine.

Bathroom cupboard BEFORE
Bathroom cupboard AFTER – the original doors were sanded back to reveal warm wood. The towel hooks are IKEA.

โ€œThe vanity base was sanded and cleaned then painted with three coats of white semi-gloss and the bath panelling was sanded and cleanedย then painted with two coats of chalk paint (leftoverย from the floor) before being sealed,โ€ says Kristine whose mother had the shower base and vanity top professionally refinished.

Shower BEFORE
Shower AFTER – the shower screen was replaced

Perhaps the most amazing part of the renovation is the tiny budget. โ€œAll up it cost around $2,000. Excluding the styling items such as towels, stool, art and decorative accessories it was actually around $1,500,โ€ says Kristine.

As for her favourite part, Kristine really loves the roomโ€™s new palette. โ€œObviously, the floor is a nice statement feature. Overall though, the colour scheme is something I really love. The blue and crisp white teamed with the brass and warm wood and the soft grey of the walls just works,โ€ says Kristine.

Let’s take one last look at the gorgeous floor! The stencil was an Etsy find.

Iโ€™m not sure about you but I found this project incredibly inspiring โ€“ particularly as Kristine is untrained. โ€œI’m just a mum who loves decorating! Several years ago, I started a blog to share some of my DIY projects and budget-friendly home ideas, and am lucky to have seen it grow. Although I still consider it a hobby, I feel fortunate to be able to do something I love,โ€ says Kristine.

The Painted Hive | For more renovation stories

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Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

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Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
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Amy Collins Walker

About Amy Collins Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarKristine says

    February 15, 2018 at 1:36 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing my bathroom makeover and for the lovely write-up ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  2. AvatarIrene says

    February 18, 2018 at 10:56 pm

    Very inspirational!

    Reply
  3. AvatarRhon Macdonald says

    February 21, 2018 at 8:02 am

    There must have also been a cost for plumbing changes and electrical work, also hardware changes, hinges, door handles etc… Was this all included in the final breakdown..screen cost? The floor lines dont match the previous flooring…did you sand away a layer of the vinyl?
    It does look very nicely refreshed. Well done.

    Reply
    • AvatarKristine says

      February 21, 2018 at 9:28 am

      Hi Rhon
      Thanks. If you’d like, you can read further information about the makeover in the full post over on my blog. As mentioned, we had friends help with the very minor plumbing and electrical work (of course, I realise this isn’t an option for everyone though we are fortunate to have a plumber and electrician in the family). Hardware wise, all we changed were the five handles on the cupboard doors. These were bought from a Bunnings clearance for just $4 each (were originally brushed silver, we painted them black). The cost of the shower screen has been included.
      Regarding the floor, as also mentioned in my blog post, we pulled up the faux tile sheet vinyl to reveal an older layer of plain vinyl beneath. This is what we painted. I do have photos if you’d like to see, just didn’t want to over-complicate my blog post.
      Cheers

      Reply
  4. AvatarMarina Jackson says

    June 12, 2020 at 2:51 am

    Can you tell me what color the wall is. I love that soft gray

    Reply
    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      June 12, 2020 at 9:08 am

      Hi Marina. There’s a link to The Painted Hive at the end of the post and if you contact her I’m sure she’ll be happy to tell you. Thanks! Jen

      Reply

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