Progress has been made in the guest bathroom, folks. Which is good news since we’re less than 30 hours away from the arrival of Sherry’s mom and stepdad. Our first score was finding a shower curtain. Despite being burned by pattern in our last shower curtain attempt, we bought this guy at Target on Friday for about $20.
It definitely still looks kinda rough in there (still have to paint the walls and hang art, but we don’t think we’ll get to that before the inlaws arrive, uh, tomorrow). But getting back to the shower curtain, we think the pattern works much better because it’s bigger when it comes to the scale. The large medallions don’t compete with the tiny square tile on the walls and floor like the smaller scale yellow pattern in the last one we grabbed. The dark brown also introduced some nice contrast since the yellow tiles and off-white walls were sort of washing out the rest of the space. And because our old guest room bedding – which we plan to reuse – includes brown & white, while the walls in there are blue, this curtains sort of ties things together.
Then once we had the curtain finalized (and picked up a cheap white fabric liner to keep this guy from getting drenched, also from Target), we turned our attention to the bathmat – or the lack thereof. We originally brought home a brown one that matched the curtain but it was waaaay too dark. And walking into a bathroom to see a big brown spot on the floor wasn’t the most, um, clean looking choice.
So we went back to Target and picked up three other options for a little bath mat fashion show (Sherry may or may not have clapped and chanted “fashion show, fashion show” as we made our purchase). First we tried this square one that almost blended right into the floor completely.
No dice. It just looked kinda dirty and blah.
Our next choice was the polar opposite. We decided to try a more colorful rectangular mat to pick up those blue tones in the curtain (and the adjoining deep teal guest bedroom).
We didn’t really mind this one. It matched the curtain nicely and certainly would help us achieve our goal of bringing more color into the house.
But when we saw the third option we knew it was “the one.” It just felt crisp and tailored without being matchy-matchy. The stripes are a fun counterpart to the circles in the curtain (the white and brown tones in each one keeps them related in a fun mixed & matched way).
What can we say? I guess even though we’re embracing more color, we’re still suckers for crisp white stuff from time to time. Especially with there’s a white toilet, sink, and mirror in there (so it automatically ties right in). I guess when it comes to bathrooms, nothing beats clean white linens for us (99.9% of hotels that we’ve stayed at always have plush white towels and bathrobes, so we want our guests to feel like Casa Petersik is just as spa-like and inviting). Long story short, we had a bath mat fashion show winner. So we hoisted it up and sang For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow, removed the tag, and returned the others.
We also accomplished a few hardware updates yesterday. The most needed of which was a new toilet seat, since the old one boasted several chips in the lid and tears in the soft seat (and we’re not really fans of the soft toilet seat thing anyways). Here’s the least offensive shot of the old toilet seat that shows off some of those chips on the lid. We refrained from sharing the open lidded shots since we know some of you eat breakfast slash drink coffee while reading. You’re welcome.
Replacing a toilet seat isn’t rocket science, nor is it a very glamorous job. But I did my best to enjoy the process, and even flashed a thumbs up at the wife as she snapped this pic.
The whole switcheroo brought back memories of when I used a toilet seat for a 9th grade science project where I had to illustrate the anatomy of a mollusk (i.e. clams). In case you were wondering, toilet seats take well to dry erase markers. Yes, I really am that dorky. Go Team Mollusk.
We also replaced the old rusted shower head. It functioned just fine (the water pressure was great and there were thankfully no leaks to deal with) but it just didn’t look very nice.
So we sprung for the cheapest multi-setting shower head at Target (it was $14) in an effort to fancy things up a smidge.
And after using some serious elbow grease to get the old one off, the new one went on within 60 seconds. So shiny, right? I can even see myself in it.
Speaking of being in it, I actually took the shower for a test run shortly after this installation. I figured if anything weird or gross was going to happen in the first use of this shower, I wanted it to happen to me and not my mother-in-law. Fortunately things were all good. In fact, the water pressure is better in there than our bedroom. Lucky guests.
Last but not least was a quick zero-cost change. After removing the mirror on inside of the bathroom door (awkward!), we realize we were missing towel hooks… ’til we discovered them on the other side of the door while painting this weekend. Seriously, in the two months that we’ve lived here we never once closed the door to the guest bathroom to discover those towel hooks hiding back there until a few days ago. So I just unscrewed them from the back and reattached them to the inside of the door where they’ll actually be seen and used (and Sherry spackled and painted the leftover holes on the lesser seen back side of the door).
We’ve still got a few other things (like towels, and maybe some art) to make the room look more complete and guest-ready, but at least it’s completely functional now. Stay tuned for pics of the whole room after Sherry gets her kicks by adding a few accessories. And we still have to share our progress in the guest room. Which we’re most likely working away on as you read this post.
In the meantime, have you guys made any recent bathroom upgrades? Or do you have any tips to share about how you get a guest bathroom ready for guests (besides buying some shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste – which is already on our to-do list along with fluffy towels and a few washcloths)? This is our first time having to furnish a devoted guest bathroom that we don’t regularly use ourselves, so we’re definitely feeling kind of JV about the whole thing.
Kristin ~ Bien Living Design says
I like to have a couple of different sizes of slippers for the guest bathroom :) Very hotel/spa like and nice for guests to slip their feet into for padding around the house.
Kristi Dodson says
I bought two of those same curtain and I am using them as curtains in my office. Cute fabric for a great price!!!
Kelly D says
It’s really coming together. I think the folks will be very comfy.
A few suggestions for the guest room/bathroom. A nightlight in the bathroom so if they awake and are disoriented they can make their way there safely.
A fan (not ceiling) – I personally cannot sleep in silence so a fan is key for drowning out noise. Plus, if you guys arise early with Clara, they won’t hear you.
Contact solution and razors – often overlooked and spares guests from having to ask.
I also agree with fresh flowers and as an added treat, chocolates on the pillow!
Good luck!
Chaucea says
I’m currently agonizing over a *very* small bathroom that has both mustard *and* light yellow tiles in it (along with a horrid rust-colored leather-like patterned formica and stunningly ugly and busy-looking floor vinyl that’s done in brown, rust, yellow, cream, etc).
There are just so many things *wrong* with my bathroom, but I am absolutely determined to work with what I’ve got (specifically the tiles–they’re going to stay… for now) and make it less of a pattern-and-color assault on the senses.
After spending entirely too much time fumbling around with paint chips, counter and floor tile swatches, I’ve come to the conclusion that gray will be the unifying color in my bathroom. In fact, I saw a picture of a duvet a few days ago (http://s3.amazonaws.com/atimg/2251154/022211Bedding_01_rect540.jpg) that reminded me of the colors I have to wrestle with in my bathroom–but in this picture the gray seemed to help the other colors get along better with each other, so *hopefully* I’m on the right track.
Believe me, this is *not* the ideal bathroom palette for me, not even close–but, with what I’ve have to work with (and it ain’t pretty!!), I think this is about as good as it’s goina get… for now. ;-)
Oh, and as for a ‘must-have’ in your guest bathroom: a rubber ducky (that squeaks) tucked into a corner of the shower (or sitting on a shelf of a hanging shower rack). Its just one of those whimsical things that everyone loves (even if secretly), and in the privacy of the shower no one can resist picking up that lil’ ducky and giving it a few squeezes. :-D
*sings* Rubber Ducky, you’re the one, You make bathtime so much fun, Rubber Ducky, I’m awfully fond of you (doo doo, be doo)
susan says
I am loving this redo. It’s looking great. Now what are you going to fix those guests for dinner? susan
YoungHouseLove says
I could never cook for my mom. She’s old school Italian. She is not capable of sitting in a kitchen while other people cook for her. But we’ll be taking her out a few times and possibly trying to distract her with the baby while John makes pancakes and fun things for breakfast. I’m sure she’ll commandeer the kitchen too, saying that she’s “breaking it in for us.” Haha.
xo,
s
Melody says
Great choice on the bath mat and shower curtain! They really update the bathroom. I like putting a tiny bouquet of fresh flowers in the bathroom when guests come.
Christie Stearns says
Hey guys! I haven’t commented in a while, sorry… but I LOVED this post! When you guys originally showed the first shower curtain I was like… it looks good, the colors go, what’s the problem. But now that you’ve done it “right”, I get it and I see what you were talking about!!
Same thing with the bath mat comparison you shared here. I love that you showed all three and why you chose what you did. I completely would have gone with the blue one, til I saw your final choice. Then I “got it”, again. I love when you show us these comparisons instead of only your final choice because I feel like I really LEARN more about design. Thank you so much guys! And the bathroom looks great!
Harinee says
So true! If I had seen only the last bath mat with the shower curtain, I would’ve pictured a blue one as a better fit. Thanks for the mini-design lessons!
Alison says
I noticed that you like the extra long shower curtain in your other bathroom. Any particular reason why you decided not to use a long one in here?
YoungHouseLove says
We thought it might look weird coming out of the top of the wall like that (since it’s not an open shower, it has sort of a top front wall above the doorway to enter) so we opted to leave the bar down so you could see it (we didn’t want that top of the shower doorway to look like a weird cornice or something). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Alison says
That definitely helps! I’ve been searching for an extra long shower curtain for our stall and can’t find one anywhere. Now you’ve got me rethinking this plan since it isn’t a totally open shower and has a top front wall too. Thanks!
Larissa says
Sherry, your mom keeps up with the blog, doesn’t she? Has she commented on the progress so far? Or will it be a surprise when they arrive?
Loooove the bedroom color and that bathmat was the perfect choice!
YoungHouseLove says
I don’t think my mom knows how to comment. Haha. And as for reading the blog, she just scrolls through for Clara pics. Seriously, if she’s not pictured, my mom hasn’t read it!
xo,
s
Sue says
I have a question – maybe its a really basic question that everyone here already knows the answer to but here goes – when I was redecorating our master bath, I fell in love with some beautiful blue-gray mat at Kohls and brought them home and put it in the bathroom – only to discover the mat was sliding and moving when I walked over it – due to having no rubber backing (in fact the mat was double sided -one side more plush than the other). So I returned the mat and went and bought the standard mat in standard color with rubber backing. How do you hold these mats with no rubber backing in place, whether its on the bathroom tile or the kitchen tile?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I wonder if it just depends on your tile floor. Ours isn’t slippery at all, so the mat doesn’t slide around. Anyone else know why that would happen? I guess you could also get a little rug pad for a few bucks at Target to keep the one you love though!
xo,
s
Rachel says
If you buy new towels, be sure to wash them (maybe even more than once). While I appreciate hosts who buy me fresh, new towels, I hate getting covered in lint as soon as I dry myself off. The guest suite is looking terrific! Good for you.
Christy Panzarella says
Ditto!
Aimee says
Nail scissors and a file! I cannot count the times I have needed one or the other and had to either bug my hosts or go searching around my parents’ house. :)
I also appreciate an empty toothbrush holder for my brush so I don’t have to lay it on the counter or keep it in its travel container. And a roll of paper towels under the sink is always nice (especially if your guests happen to drop a bottle of face lotion on the floor and then have to spend ten minutes trying to wipe it all up with kleenix like i did one time, blah).
And I really dig your yellow tile! Much nicer than the 50’s peach and blue we are currently stuck with in our house.
Krista says
We did a bathroom remodel last year around this time, our house was hit by a tornado. Your bathroom reminds me of ours with the yellow tile so every time I read a post about your bathroom my mind wanders down memory lane. We ended up gutting the whole thing and staring over. We had bead board put on the walls where the tile was and whit tile in the shower/tub. I went with a bright blue and tan tile trying to get that spa feeling and I loved it but of course I’m ready to re paint.
We only have the one bathroom, so what you see is what you get pretty much…rubber ducks, fish and barn yard animals included!
If you want to see before and after pictures I’d be happy to share!
YoungHouseLove says
You know we love before and afters! Why not post them on our Facebook page for all to see?!
xo,
s
Lindsey says
We are in the very beginning phase of remodeling our master bathroom…which is consisting of tearing down one of the walls to incorporate what used to be our Hall Closet, for additional space. We want a double vanity and that was the only way it was going to happen.
Here’s a time lapse video of the wall-tear-down-happiness. I mean really…who doesn’t love a time lapse video.
http://gibbsspot.blogspot.com/2011/02/phase-one-of-master-bathroom-demolition.html
I’ll be checking back often for fun ideas and tips throughout this process for us. You guys are so inspirational….keep on rockin’!!
MichelleG says
Go Team Mollusk! :o)
and for that matter, go team Fashion Show! :o)
yey for you two making me smile this morning.
Andy says
Go with crisp white towels and buy enough for a whole load of laundry. I suggest 4 bath towels (2 per guest), 2 or 4 hand towels, and a whole bundle of washcloths. I have long hair & end up needing 1 towel for my body & 1 for my hair. My hubby likes to use a fresh washcloth everyday. I would also wash the new stuff before it gets used to remove any sizing from the cotton. White means you can bleach them if needed.
As for the accessories, don’t forget a lint roller. Fresh flowers win over a reed diffuser every time.
Cristina says
mmm.. not convinced by by those colors..
I would go with sparkling orange and yellow!
Something like this:
http://www.jadearreda.com/product/1467/Tenda-doccia-Arancio-Fuxia-Bouquet-Gedy.asp
or:
http://www.arredo70.it/web/?content=scheda_articolo&art_id=ee0fbd7fc7a60149df2447e9fa83e161&categoria_id=c0b6e4fb6c691a55d0197fc74018b086
;-)
Kristin Zamora says
Good call on the toilet seat change. I am not a fan of the soft seat either.
It’s looks like it is all coming together very nicely.
Great job. Have fun with your parents!
Todd says
I’m currently in the process of putting up beadboard over the beat up walls in our half bath. Based on the way things look right now, I’m very thankful for the magic of caulk.
amanda6 says
Nice choice! Love the s. curtain and rug combo
kelly says
I second the plunger suggestion…
Christy Panzarella says
So my favorite savings blog is totally target and she has some deals you guys should take advantage of:
http://www.totallytarget.com/2011/02/21/new-revised-cheap-finds-on-up-up-products/
I just wanted to let you know, that with just target coupons, you can score a ton of cheap or freebies on things like dental floss, mouth wash, pantiliners, pain reliever, bleach cleaners, and cotton balls for that bathroom. You can also score free travel size Aqua fresh toothpaste at Target this week with the manufactures coupon.
I normally wouldn’t pass these along to you guys, but it seems fitting for tomorrows needs! And Kerry has a really good Target blog. I guess there is a clearance in home goods, on things like knobs and light bulbs too. A shoe organizer on the back stocked full of sample sized stuff would be sweet if you could find one!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much!
xo,
s
Christy Panzarella says
You’re Welcome, anything to make an Italian woman comfy & content ;)
Lara says
Nice work! My parents have similar tiling in one of their bathrooms (one is yellow, one has pale blue, and one has…wood paneling! I used to get in trouble for hot showers in that bathroom) so I’ll need to send her this particular project’s link.
I have a college friend (wahoowa!) coming into town in a few hours, so I love all the suggestions for guest bathrooms today! The only addition I haven’t seen is a carafe of ice water along with a glass. It’s so dry out here in Colorado that I also leave water bottles and lotion in the guest room, to make sure friends and family know to hydrate. I also often leave a nightlight in the guest bathroom in case people like me get confused in the dark at night, ha. Anyway, off to put a travel hair dryer under the bathroom sink!
Allykristine says
Has anyone mentioned food??? When I have houseguests, I like to leave them a selection of tasty treats…and all the better, if I know what they specifically enjoy chomping on (ie KitKat bars/etc.). I leave them in the guest BEDroom, though – not the BATHroom. (This reminds me of your fave spam comment…wasn’t it something about eating a chocolate bar on the toilet? :)
Hugs to all the Youngsters :)
Megan says
We just moved from Raleigh to Denver at the same time y’all were making your move! It is like we are on this journey together ha! I also just finished my guest bathroom-white towels and washcloths, shampoo/body wash already in the shower, lotion/toothpaste/new bar of soap on the counter. Definitely a nice rug on the floor! Great job-keep the ideas coming!!
Steve says
Regarding the discussion of reglazing- I’ve heard that reglazing is one of the most toxic processes in home improvement, and the chemicals stay around for a while. Any information on that?
YoungHouseLove says
We were sticklers for using a company that vented things out the open window. It was still a bit stinky so I left the house the whole time (I was prego) but that evening when I returned there wasn’t a stick of smell in the air (I had the nose of a bloodhound when I was prego so I would have definitely noticed it). It really must depend on who you go with and how they do things. Guys with good gear and venting systems rock. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lauren says
We have a linen closet in our guest bathroom. I have a tote for each set of grandparents in there (labeled, of course) with their preferred brands of products in them. Since they are such regular guests, it seemed like a nice thing to do so they don’t have to cart their toiletries back and forth all the time. My mom even brought her extra curling iron from her house and keeps it in her tote at my house. :)
annabelvita says
I love this idea!
Bridget says
Katie Bower has a great post on little things to get ready for guests… I think she wrote it about once when you guys stayed at her house, so I’m sure you’re familiar with all of them :) But it’s a good read for others! Made me want to be a better hostess.
I like to put a couple magazines that I know my guests will like on the nightstand. Since most of them have the same interests as us, usually I just throw the current month’s issue of our magazines (Real Simple, Golf Digest) in there and they almost always comment on it.
amanda6 says
Oh, wanted to add that I put one of those water carafes with the cup on top in the guest room. You guys have the sweetest blog!
Sarah@StyleandCentsability says
It really works with the yellow tile. What a difference a great shower curtain and rug can make.
Ours really transformed the space as you can see here
http://styleandcentsability.wordpress.com/2010/03/30/before-and-after-bathroom/
Brooke says
quick question about the shower curtain on a stall shower….L.O.V.E. that curtain, but with only a stall shower in my house I chose against it because it was for a full size shower. Were you able to find a stall size curtain or did you do some “magic” to it before you put it up?? Just curious! :)
YoungHouseLove says
We just put up a standard one. It seems to work well!
xo,
s
Erin says
I just adopted my grandfather’s 1970’s era ranch house, also equipped with a yellow tile bathroom. So far, my dad and I have taken down the old dry, peeling wallpaper, the giant mirrored medicine cabinet and a few other small things. We still have the oversized vanity and old toilet to go.
I can’t wait to see what you guys end up doing with this yellow bathroom, I’m definitely going to be taking some pointers from you! I can live with you yellow tile (for now), but it’s the baby blue tiled guest bathroom that really scares me.
Krysta says
Lookin’ good Youngsters!! That is not an easy color palatte to work with. I would have thrown up a white shower curtain like the one in your master but I appreciate you trying to do something different. Can’t wait to see what you are doing with the room!!
Kimberly says
LOVE LOVE LOVE the shower curtain! Excellent choice!
(Yay Target!!)
Jamie says
I get a lot of bath products from gifts at work parties, gift bags, etc. I generally don’t use them since I have sensitive skin, so I keep them in my guest bathroom along with some unused loofas. That way the bathroom is always stocked and there aren’t any awkward, “Uh, where’s the soap?” moments.
Jessica J says
I too have that shower curtain in my guest bathroom! Love it. Don’t know what route to go with art in ours either though. :( Or paint color.
Susan says
Love the shower curtain. You should buy another one and use the fabric to recover those chairs you just bought at the beach:)
Trisha says
Since there were already quite a few comments already made, not sure if you guys will get this before you do you’re shopping– but I thought I’d toss an idea/suggestion your way. My hubby’s parents have a dedicated guest bathroom and they put a cute 3 tiered basket on their counter.
The closest link I could find is similar to this one: http://www.hubert.com/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Hubert-HubertUS-Site/Hubert/en_US/images/200/vol2/22501-25000/22879.jpg (Please don’t mind the ugly background, but its was a quick google search)
They then filled them with cute little travel size toiletries including various lotions, shampoos & conditioners, soaps, toothpaste to suite anyone’s favorite particular brand. Cheap (think .50-$1.00 each) way to please the general crowd, plus it adds cute character to the bathroom.
Catie says
My family is coming tomorrow, too, and I’m also slapping together a functional guest bedroom! What I just did that I always have thought is a great guest room touch is use a tray (hey hey Sherry!)and put a small pitcher and two small glasses on it then put that on the dresser or nightstand. I bought a small, glass wine decanter at Wal-Mart for under 3 bucks. Empty candle jars work great as smallish glasses.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59266557@N06/5471563946/
Susan says
The shower curtain would also be great for your weekly Clara photo!
YoungHouseLove says
True!!! Never thought of that. Hmm…
xo,
s
heather says
totally random…but everytime i read your blog…(which is all the time..haha!) you guys remind me of pam and jim halpert from the office… :)
YoungHouseLove says
You’re the third person to say that. Haha. And we totally take it as a complement. Love them.
xo,
s
LauraC says
Your thoughtfulness abounds . . . I’m one of those breakfast-eating-YHL-reading folks. ;-) But seriously, though I liked the blue, when I saw the white/brown one, I agreed it was a winner! (Only six more weeks till our bathroom redo!)
Erin says
I just recently scrubbed the dingy floor tile grout with a Mr Clean Magic Eraser- OMG- it immediatly made the bathroom feel cleaner!!! I read all about ways to clean grout and they were a little complicated but the magic eraser sure does the trick. Now all we have to do is seal the like new grout and we’re good to go!
Alayne says
I love how simple things like changing shower curtains and bathmats can totally change the look of a space. Your guest bath is looking good.
One thing we always do for guests when they come is put out a “hospitality basket”. We put sample size maouthwash, disposable razors, various sample shampoos, lotions, mini bar soaps,travel size q-tips,mini toothpaste, etc. in there. That way if our guests forgot anything they don’t have to run to the store or feel weird about borrowing ours.
Katie @ Newcomb Home says
We’ve just started our first renovation…
http://newcombhome.blogspot.com/2011/02/dabbling-in-demo.html
So far we’ve got the drywall taken out of the shower. Now I just have to figure out how to properly put up the cement backer board :)
And I would second the comment about q-tips. Its nice to include things in the guest bath that people often forget: q-tips, cotton balls, bandaids, things like that.
Sarah says
It’s all coming together so well!
Have you heard of tile reglazing? My aunt and uncle had and awful pink and blue bathroom but the tile was in good shape. So they found someone who can reglaze the title (I think the process is sanding, cleaning, coloring and glazing) at a fraction of the cost for new tiling.
But you are really making the yellow work! Hope your guest like it :)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes we had our tub reglazed at the old house- loved it!
xo,
s
Jocelyn Stott says
Very nice! It shows how just a few simple fixes can totally help!
carolinaheartstrings says
Nice choices. I love the different geometic designs of things too! Cannot wait to see what color the walls eventully will become. Off to a great start.
Shonda B says
I recently stumbled upon your site and absolutely LOVE your home! My husband and I are doing some redecorating of our own and would like to steel the floating shelves idea that was in the dining area of your first home. We live in Nashville and do not have an Ikea nearby. I know some items can be puchased online. Do you mind sending me the link of the ones you purchased? Thanks a million!
YoungHouseLove says
Just search “72” Lack shelf” on their site and click the white ones. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Chrissy Ruehl says
Love the shower curtain you two picked! For our guest bedroom, we hung two fluffy white ropes from TJ Maxx on the back of the guest bedroom door and they have been much appreciated by the in-laws!