Update a Basic, Beige, Builder's Bathroom with 5 Simple Steps (and less than $100!)

<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WDvc95XzHQQRLDPl2wMQsWRjrRvRyaLsTULygKUW7J9leq6vq5MszCgyXY-L67Uhj0Z4kiWFt-WgrdUAbMYQAfjXEbULoxTtVU7DKwgYESoOl2rOz_ENknORSKUdoI_0rQr45mE8360/s1600/BATHROOM+EDITTED+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WDvc95XzHQQRLDPl2wMQsWRjrRvRyaLsTULygKUW7J9leq6vq5MszCgyXY-L67Uhj0Z4kiWFt-WgrdUAbMYQAfjXEbULoxTtVU7DKwgYESoOl2rOz_ENknORSKUdoI_0rQr45mE8360/s1600/BATHROOM+EDITTED+1+copy.jpg" /></a></div>We all have seen / had / know someone who has a bathroom like the one in my rental. It's functional, spacious, there is nothing really wrong with it, but it is just a bit boring! There is nothing defining it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The trouble with rentals, of course, is that you cannot do much about the major fixtures and finishes, but it's amazing what a little decor can do to give a space like this some glamour! I made 5 simple and affordable changes and really changed the look of my rental washroom! (See the 'before' <a href="http://tiffanyleighinteriordesign.blogspot.ca/2014/04/rental-dilemmas-my-basic-beige-bathroom.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;">here</span></a>).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K2fpctk-aWYOtuWElVLomRiYaOOMj9Tw7pXfQB-u4RETlA6m-awAtiFXNepc8aH_HCtHhZtnCWjEKV98MgP_4cXrS3WZ-hfIsy5fyAn5XlANRhH3KRH_raUfmW6bxrWaTt69jZf-l6M/s1600/BATHROOM+EDITTED+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K2fpctk-aWYOtuWElVLomRiYaOOMj9Tw7pXfQB-u4RETlA6m-awAtiFXNepc8aH_HCtHhZtnCWjEKV98MgP_4cXrS3WZ-hfIsy5fyAn5XlANRhH3KRH_raUfmW6bxrWaTt69jZf-l6M/s1600/BATHROOM+EDITTED+2+copy.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCDswn06t8rkoRa43zg957bIn5GUm_VYQmBmN0YD5fDfFWSAcbYCw2GSN1OS_3Pv8Nce4xyY7t7-X9YnFtMY7IFqNdhfHJ-JkeNBcYdk7WNoWHYPM7mOXGWvL3FHbJoz4uundvjdkWHE/s1600/BATHROMM+EDITTED+4+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCDswn06t8rkoRa43zg957bIn5GUm_VYQmBmN0YD5fDfFWSAcbYCw2GSN1OS_3Pv8Nce4xyY7t7-X9YnFtMY7IFqNdhfHJ-JkeNBcYdk7WNoWHYPM7mOXGWvL3FHbJoz4uundvjdkWHE/s1600/BATHROMM+EDITTED+4+copy.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> 1. <b>Interesting Mirror:</b> The tough thing about rentals is they often come with a basic sheet mirror. If you can take it down and replace it, that's a great option, but you can also mount mirror on mirror. I found this octagonal mirror at Good Will for $4 and simply hung it from a chain. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2.  <b>Art Work:</b> I painted these black and white abstract pieces for the bathroom. They add an instant chicness and also some personality to the space. Each blank canvas cost me about $5 at Michael's. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. <b>Black and White:</b> The thing about beige is that it doesn't always pair well with colours. Although technically a 'neutral', it does not go very well with brights. Black and white helps to add a freshness and glamour, without clashing or competing with the beige finishes.  Navy also looks great! Avoid colored towels as well. Nothing beats the clean, crisp look of hotel whites, and it's easy to tell when they need washing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4. <b>Unique Accessories:</b> Add a few accessories that tie into your neutral colour scheme, while providing a little bit of unexpected whimsy. Here, two foo dogs found at the flea market guard my sink. I also covered up my kleenex box with a vintage bamboo case which helps relate the tones in the oak cabinet (which I am not a huge fan of) to the rest of the space.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5. <b>Declutter:</b> Try to keep the facewash, toothpaste, body wash, etc. tucked neatly away within the cabinet, at least when guests come over. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bonus points for fresh flowers!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is a little look back at my original concept sketch, and the before and after!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ha1m_DaMb6EQCXQrzeAkwqEsAUTXD7eegQ0eYclAesb7H3av2xjPc1oWue1VPRwnuqVpVYWM-h2F55x9U5YCIWhkiTmUR47DqKJKQf1iEOP0DGgZiNh-EsMdRDve1asACFDyDOCJUaE/s1600/053.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEwtQh_uJRcmJZcLeqNLfUiO-0balpnLzjhDZCwJ9q12GJXV-tE7hFEhgYFd_xUp0WO1ca6u1MGsxz6lz8xh33EGXFqFQRLIdN9v_8Q6hIzUq_LzYLApxwPPS8WhW4fMSl89A5mfMbqU/s1600/BATHROOM+BEFORE+AFTER+EDITTED+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEwtQh_uJRcmJZcLeqNLfUiO-0balpnLzjhDZCwJ9q12GJXV-tE7hFEhgYFd_xUp0WO1ca6u1MGsxz6lz8xh33EGXFqFQRLIdN9v_8Q6hIzUq_LzYLApxwPPS8WhW4fMSl89A5mfMbqU/s1600/BATHROOM+BEFORE+AFTER+EDITTED+copy.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm officially convinced that black and white can fix anything! Tiny changes with BIG impact, people.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you all had a great weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center;">xox </div><br /><a href="http://s1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh609/tiffanyleighinteriordesign/?action=view&current=Tiffany-27.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh609/tiffanyleighinteriordesign/Tiffany-27.jpg" /></a> </div>

Update a Basic, Beige, Builder's Bathroom with 5 Simple Steps (and less than $100!)

We all have seen / had / know someone who has a bathroom like the one in my rental. It's functional, spacious, there is nothing really w...

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You Killed Our Love Fern

<div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YnV6Rw9gxzreKb5TOjzvWiJY8a_77kt-p0yMYo4imUt-T3AV7_yjxVtikMAT0p6AQY5vx5jjGSe1yN0aoUNT9eLS5cXuM6R4tNa64AWfVX1oyxh4_EdCBd0SkUzeDGnF-xiuvcI-zgo/s640/chaseboothbathroom_thumb2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="498" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chase Booth's Bathroom via Domino Book of Decorating</td></tr></tbody></table>I remembered reading in Domino the following useful bit of information about ferns:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UJeEZW17bCuAkCukePPWpHlQiRKVh_7urKGCeyANcXDMbNke-hTCu42uX9eeiEryztDiPi3of2rz2Dlx5CA1pj_yU1g05PDencaB3eemPpftpk3N9waHns_LJxiXvAA_TmWrSmgoaQmE/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UJeEZW17bCuAkCukePPWpHlQiRKVh_7urKGCeyANcXDMbNke-hTCu42uX9eeiEryztDiPi3of2rz2Dlx5CA1pj_yU1g05PDencaB3eemPpftpk3N9waHns_LJxiXvAA_TmWrSmgoaQmE/s640/010.JPG" width="505" /></a></div>And I thought to myself hmmm...I'm not much of a gardener.<br />Then one day I was out at the grocery store and spotted the Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Tree version of all ferns and felt the need to save it and show it some loving! And I had a new bathroom with a big window, it was like it was meant to be.<br />Here is the (giant) tub and window in my rental...The finishes are generic, but it's super nice for a rental and only a few years old, so I'm not going to complain. Ever.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vGz8g1iLZkrPaVUqGNjOSephgqijA0kiqP8byNee98CAKSOubIPnaK2IE-ldGSzcbfoaPrKFL_XDCybgsgS_d-Rm-2yRmN1dI7dKLIDrulHaNgIoEDnkyu2r22I4m6NxZvTVWSB4XiBN/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vGz8g1iLZkrPaVUqGNjOSephgqijA0kiqP8byNee98CAKSOubIPnaK2IE-ldGSzcbfoaPrKFL_XDCybgsgS_d-Rm-2yRmN1dI7dKLIDrulHaNgIoEDnkyu2r22I4m6NxZvTVWSB4XiBN/s640/003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>You can see my mini fern sitting there in the corner. Sometimes I stick him in the window like this:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3nuS3_0Ck7z3REen3yKGr5cmeqgKDaWrA71enjdr1TVIKRzDGnQHhGO0vFWj8mSesrSx3OOqccSpv96jiltIX_TyRR1OMPXtjNvYBlkXVMxVXBQCbtGCPAbqNHlZ2_cu-X_pPy40pbVc/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3nuS3_0Ck7z3REen3yKGr5cmeqgKDaWrA71enjdr1TVIKRzDGnQHhGO0vFWj8mSesrSx3OOqccSpv96jiltIX_TyRR1OMPXtjNvYBlkXVMxVXBQCbtGCPAbqNHlZ2_cu-X_pPy40pbVc/s640/018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Here's hoping I don't kill him.<br />Also..he needs a new pot. I'm sensing a DIY project in my near future. Maybe a DIY leopard print pot?<br /><br />Window treatments probably aren't in the budget for my mini bathroom project, but I'm thinking I'd like to hang some art on the walls on either side of the window. Maybe some botanical prints to keep the fern company? Any thoughts?<br /><br />Lastly, sorry about the later than usual post today guys, I'm on the part time job hunt so I can afford design school and this lil apartment and let's just say so far...it's been discouraging at best.  <br /><a href="http://s1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh609/tiffanyleighinteriordesign/?action=view&current=Tiffany-27.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh609/tiffanyleighinteriordesign/Tiffany-27.jpg" /></a></div>

You Killed Our Love Fern

Chase Booth's Bathroom via Domino Book of Decorating I remembered reading in Domino the following useful bit of information about ferns:...

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