Young House Love

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Upcycling A Secondhand Bathroom Light

But before we get to that: an armadillo in the bathroom. Let’s talk about it. Everyone needs one, right?

New Art Shot

I mean, we can argue that a lot of decorating “rules” are personal preference and yada yada, but seriously, can we all agree that a bathroom is not complete without a golden armadillo?

Armadillo1

That’s a print we bought from this craft fair from an awesome local artist named Rachel that I finally got around to framing and hanging up. I especially love it in the burlap-y/grasscloth-ish frame (an old Pottery Barn Outlet find) hanging above the framed instagram photo of Clara holding a naked doll (felt kinda bathroom-esque).

Clara Pic Detail

The linen-like fabric behind the instagram photo looks great with the textured frame above it, and I actually have a secret agenda when it comes to bringing these cream/straw tones into the room. After looking at the gold-tones in our soap containers and even that loofah on the toilet tank, I realized they help the oddball cream sink feel less out of place.

Art 22

I mean don’t get me wrong, it’s still shaped like a shell and won’t be here forever, but it’s a lot cuter and a less clashy when it’s paired with other things that we already own in that color palette (like the soap pumps, the art, the loofah, and the frames). So there’s gotta be a design lesson in there, right? Say it with me: everyone needs an armadillo in the bathroom! sometimes adding a little bit more of a color that feels like the oddball can make it feel more layered and intentional. At least for that Phase 1 (in the meantime) type of decorating.

Bathroom After2

And I know it’s hard to tear your eyes away from that gorgeous armadillo, but we also got a new light fixture. We dug it up for $9.99 at the Habitat For Humanity ReStore (see the chrome guy hiding in the middle of this shot?).

New Light 1

We just gave it a few thin coats of Rustoleum Universal oil-rubbed bronze spray paint with the light bulb parts taped off to protect them. It’s self priming, so it was an easy one-step update.

New Light Sprayed

Then we grabbed two cheap frosted bulb covers at Home Depot and called it good.

New Light After11

It definitely helps the whole room feel more crispy and updated. And since we’re planning a deeper room makeover down the line once we save our pennies (perhaps with a tiled accent wall or some grasscloth wallpaper?) we love that we could find some cheap secondhand charm in the meantime. Psst- Notice how the red flowers on the sink from the first shot are gone? I added those for a pop of color after I took these shots, and love ’em. So pretend they’re here too.

Bathroom After2

UPDATE: We’ve finally transitioned our entire house to LED lights (they save tons of energy & money, and they’re a lazy person’s best friend because you never have to change them). For anyone wondering, these are our favorite interior LEDs. Their glow is warm & natural (not weird/blue like some of the others we’ve tried) and they use around 90% less energy.

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Comments

  1. Tara says

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m so terrible at these just-for-now-fixes. I truly can’t see a room done unless it’s exactly the way I want it, which is why I feel like I’m living in someone else’s house. I need to fix this ASAP. You three are great and it’s nice to see you still commenting on posts even though you guys are big time now. :) You two are inspirational!

    Reply

  2. keisha says

    Love it! I’m inspired to find more ways to “art up” my tiny half-bath.

    My apologies if you have already answered this – I swear I attempted to find the answer in the many comments of the two cabinet-painting posts, but what did you do to prep the cabinets before painting? Did you sand or in another way remove any of the varnish on the bathroom cabinets before you primed?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      If they’re glossy, sand them and then wipe them down with a liquid deglosser and then use a stainblocking primer with latex semi-gloss paint on top (two coats). If they’re chalky and matte, you can skip the sanding and go right to primer.

      xo
      s

  4. Casey says

    That bathroom is shaping up nicely!! I can’t believe how different it looks through a couple minor changes and upgrades !

    Reply

  6. Laura & the Shell says

    Looking great!!! So now all you guys need in a different faucet. Have you ever tried ORBing a faucet? I really think that’s all that’s needed in there. It all looks totally intentional and stylish now. Good work!!! Budget breakdown?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Laura! We’d love to do a BB when we’re done with the faucet update! As for ORBing a faucet, we’ve seen bloggers do it with success (wahoo!) but outs is one of those giant crystal knobs that wouldn’t take as well to spray paint as metal (boo!).

      xo
      s

  7. Laurie says

    Oo Oo! Do a mosaic feature, do a mosaic feature! I’m dying to try one out and I like it SO much better when you venture forth before me. :-)

    Reply

  9. Leah Kerbs says

    Looks great! I am learning so much from your blog!! I am going to try and spray paint some outdoor light fixtures… they are a brassy gold now that is dull and rusty. Would you recommended sanding it first or just spray away? Also I bought some rustoleum spray but didn’t see colors listed, the guy at the store said you just have to go by the lid color. It’s black…I wanted oil rubbed bronze, maybe that’s the same thing??

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      The one we buy says oil-rubbed bronze right on the label. It’s called Rustoleum All Surface Universal spray paint, if that helps (it has a trigger spray thing, so it looks different than other types). As for the rust, I’d carefully sand it just to smooth it out if you can. Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

  10. Marianne in Mo says

    Lookin’ goood! What diff does it make if it’s an Armadillo anyway? And my first thought was…why have a loofah in a half bath, but then, I thought…what diff does it make? If you like it, and the color works, who the heck cares? I also never got hanging plates in bedrooms, but again, who cares what I think? Go with what you like, and do it with confidence, because you may be the next trend-setter in your circle!! ;)

    Reply

  14. Maria says

    Love this! It’s amazing how much nicer the bathroom looks even though it’s just in transition. I rent, so Phase One is where I live. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply

  15. Robyn says

    I’m not usually a fan of pictures of humans in the bathroom but yours seems somewhat appropriate since Clara is looking away. My three year old nephew spends hours on the toilet and always says “I need privacy” despite the door being wide open.

    Reply

  16. Jessy says

    I have two shell sinks (cultured marble) in the master bath and have thought about cutting them out and putting in drop in sinks because the countertops are in good condition and not horrible. That could be an inexpensive option to not replacing the countertop but getting rid of the sea shell. Plus, if ya’ll did it first I could show my husband and maybe he would agree to it.

    Reply

  19. Maribel says

    The bathroom looks awesome and this is only phase 1 can’t wait to see phase 2. I noticed the book Simplicity PArenting” on your side bar. What do you think about. I recently came across it on the blog design mom, she does a series of living with kids on one of the moms featured mentioned it regarding toys.

    Reply

    • Claire says

      Here’s a 2nd for “How to Talk…” I first read it when my twins were in pre-school, and I revisit it every 5 years or so. They will be 15 in September (yikes, where does the time go?), and it’s still the most relevant parenting book I’ve ever read.

  22. sharon says

    Thanks for making what might seem to some (me) as a daunting task seem so reasonable and instantly gratifying. This is what I need to remember when DIYing it at my house. Sometimes the little things make big impressions until you can do the big things you dream of.

    Reply

  23. bella says

    I love the armadillo and all the thought put into tying in the sink. I know exactly what you mean. If you can’t beat it, work with it until you can. ha.

    Reply

  25. Blake says

    I have that light fixture in my bathroom, too. It was one a cheap score from Lowes — they have it with 1 to 4 four lights and it starts at under $20. There are little finials that screw into the ends of the bar that make it look more finished.

    Reply

  26. Michele says

    I think that’s a great tip! I’m currently struggling with our kids bathroom that has a cream vanity, shower, and tile floor. Any ideas for where I can find a shower curtain that has cream or off white tones in it? So many that I’ve found have white!

    Reply

  29. Randi says

    What a difference in your half bath! It looks sophisticated and well thought out. I personally never thought you’d be able to work with the odd sink – I should have known better. Your armadillo is perfect!

    Reply

  31. Laura says

    Will you be installing your special water saving flushers in there?- not sure why that came to my mind, but…. Beautiful phase 1 update!

    Reply

  32. Dianne says

    I love what you’ve done with the bathroom! Those pictures totally tie everything together. I think you made the right choice with the vanity colour as well. More than ‘well done’!!

    Reply

  35. kate says

    All this friends talk and I can’t believe no one has brought up Steel Magnolias! (Am I dating myself? I swear, I’m young!) Every time I hear the word “armadillo” I automatically add an A to the end and think of it in a southern twang because of that movie. And I’m from Jersey! Arrrmadilla! :-)

    Reply

  36. Taylor says

    Someone may have already asked this, but where did you get the soap (and is that lotion beside it?) love the way the two nest in that little container :) and love the new bathroom look! Amazing how a little paint can totally transform a room!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Taylor! That’s from Anthropologie a few years ago (I just refill it whenever I run out of soap/lotion so I can keep using the container).

      xo
      s

  37. Maura says

    Lookin’ good! I think I need an armadillo or equivalent for my bathroom!

    Great color lesson, too. When I was quilting (years ago) I was reading some color advice, and the author wrote “when you look at your design, and one color looks out of place…” I expected the next line to say ‘take that block out’, but instead she said “repeat that color at least twice more somewhere in the quilt”. Whoa. I just took the red pill.

    Reply

  38. Sarah W. says

    I have a decorating rule that the bathroom is the place to hang weird pictures or art. A few years ago my friend was getting rid of some things after university, and I saw her ditch an autographed picture of Richard Gere. I have no idea where she got it but I thought it was too funny to throw out. It’s now hanging over the toilet in my bathroom and is a major conversation piece for our guests. No one should take themselves too seriously in a bathroom!

    Reply

  40. angie says

    One of my favorite Friends episodes ever is the one with the holiday aradillo! if you haven’t seen it, you must look it up in honor of your newest artwork! ;-)

    Reply

  41. Amanda says

    This just made me laugh. We just moved to the south (from the midwest) and my new least favorite road kill…armadillos. Your picture of a live one is much more appealing. I am used to dead dear, skunks, on occasional cat..dog…pheasant…possum. But dead armadillos are SO gross. Can’t say I will ever hang one on my wall because of this, but yours looks fantastic! And the little red flowers make the bathroom so happy too!

    Reply

  43. Steph says

    Your little bathroom has come a long way! Nice job! Have you guys ever thought of going to a granite/marble company’s yard? My husband is in the granite business and they have people come in to buy remnants for super cheap for small projects like your bathroom vanity. You should google the closest shop to you and take a peak if you never have.

    Reply

  44. mitchypoo says

    I’m so in love watching you transform this new house! The before pics are just ick, and I know I would have changed a few things here or there but it wouldn’t look like a new bathroom like yours does in the few changes you have made. It’s so inspirational and gives me hope. Do you ever get overwhelmed? And what do you do to have that eye to see it in a new light?

    P.S. I have 2 smallish bathrooms from the 1960’s that need renovating if you ever want to come to CA! (hint hint!)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Mitchypoo! You’re so sweet. I think we definitely got overwhelmed a lot with our first house but after slowly chipping away at it over time just using trial and error and figuring things out along the way, we learned that these things take time and just taking it one project at a time seems to work. It helped to release the ‘we should be done in a week!’ pressure that we were putting on ourselves. Now we embrace the journey and remember that this stuff takes years, but it’s fun! And as for trying to see past the bad stuff, we try to remember that any bad lighting, wall color, and wallpaper can be removed – so we just try to picture things stripped away or replaced with other things we love.

      xo
      s

  46. Kylene says

    Love the armadillo and how quickly you changed the look of this bathroom! It inspires me to do more in the meantime, instead of waiting for the big $ renovations to (finally) happen. Also love your writing style and how it makes me feel like I’m chatting with a friend while I’m reading. :)

    Reply

  47. S says

    I love the way this room is coming together, especially the color of the vanity! I wonder, though, if you will really use the loofah in a half bath, or is it only for looks?

    Reply

  50. Kaitie says

    I don’t have a bathroom aardvark, but I do have a bathroom stegosaurus. Kind of similar what with the armoured plates and all, right?

    Your tip about bringing in similar tones to help a bad colour fit in reminds me of an episode of an old Canadian renovation show, Take This House and Sell It. Basically a designer identified cosmetic problems in houses for sale and fixed it up over two days for an open house. Anyway, one house had this horrendously saturated peachy pink carpeting in the living room (a light pink would have been bad enough, but this was full on PINK), so they painted it the same hue of pink but much lighter. It didn’t look good, exactly, but it definitely made the carpet recede a bit and look less out of place. Anyway, thanks for the random memory of a show I loved when it was on. :P

    Reply

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