My Mom’s Guest Bathroom Reveal


May and June have been full of renovations around here. Between our backyard and my mom’s two bathrooms, I feel like our go-to spots to hang with Rory have been filled with construction debris and dust! But, I’m happy to report that both of my mom’s bathrooms are complete and they’re just about the dreamiest spots you ever did see.

Today, I’m so eager to share my mom’s new guest bathroom. But before we get to the goods on her new gray and gold bathroom, let’s rewind and take a look at the before pictures and design plan for this space.

The Before & Design Plan

Guest bathroom before

Here’s a look at her guest bathroom before. It was incredibly dark in here with the deep green tile (my mom thinks the tile looks black) and no windows. Heck, there wasn’t even a light in the shower…so it was pretty impossible to see in there when bathing! Vanity bowl and sinkWhile it was perfectly functional with a vanity, toilet, and shower, she never loved the look of this bathroom. Jan's guest bathroom mood board

Capiz Mirror // Gray Vanity // Vanity Light // Brushed Nickel Faucet // Toilet // Shower Tile // Shower Hardware // Floor Tile // Toilet Paper Hook

Together, we came up with a design plan to create a gray and gold bathroom oasis. With new tile, a new vanity, and all new hardware, this space would look completely different!

Gray and Gold Bathroom – RevealJan's gray and gold bathroom reveal

Jan's gray and gold bathroom makeoverHere’s a look at the space now! It’s hard to even believe it’s the same room. It’s so much lighter and brighter in here. Let’s dive into the details of this small, but oh so mighty, bathroom.

The Tile…Oh, The Tile!White bathroom tile

In the shower, we went with this square Cloe tile and it’s fantastic. Love the different shades of white in here because it adds so much dimension. Similar to the Cloe tile I used in our first-floor bathroom. Can’t get enough of that brand! Shower niche with white tile

My mom did a cute little shower niche in here for her toiletries (aren’t these plastic bottles the cutest?) and instead of using a bullnose tile, we just had our contractor use a white Schluter on the edging. I was a little nervous about how it would turn out, but it looks beautiful. And she saved a few hundred bucks not buying bullnose end pieces. The hexagon floor tile

The floor tile was purchased locally at The Tile Outlet and I love the geometric pattern with the white and gray. We just had them match the grout to the gray in the tile and it matches pretty perfectly. (Sorry, I’m not sure of the exact name.) While the shower tile is very organic and natural-looking, this floor tile adds some clean lines to the space. I like the contrast between the two.

The Shower White shower tile in this gray and gold bathroom

For the shower, we ended up keeping the same bathtub because it was in good shape. We went back and forth about installing a glass shower door in here to open up the space a bit, but ultimately decided that it was best to keep a shower curtain. My mom likes to bathe the grandkids in here and it’s nice to have a shower curtain that you can easily move out of the way. Not to mention, this saved us a few bucks!Brass shower hardware with white tile

We then chose this really pretty brass shower hardware to contrast against the white tile. (It’s called “champagne bronze”.) It adds some warmth and personality to the bathroom. If you’re keeping your tub, don’t forget to buy a new drain kit to match the upgraded shower hardware. It’s those little things that are easy to forget and the last thing you want is your contractor asking for a piece that you don’t have!

The Wood Wall & HooksAdding beadboard wall treatment to a small gray and gold bathroom

On the wall opposite the vanity, we decided to add beadboard and I’m so happy we did! It adds interest and storage with these pretty brass hooks. I love adding wood wall treatments like this to a small space because it really takes things to the next level and makes any room look more custom and high-end. Brass wall hook from Rejuvenation

It’s painted the color “Chelsea Gray” by Benjamin Moore, and I’m pleased that we went with a dark gray here. It’s a tad darker than the vanity and prevents the room from feeling too stark white. You can’t go wrong with a moody paint color here and there. Turkish towels on hooks in a bathroom

The Turkish towels were actually in my first-floor bathroom, but I realized that they look better here than in my house!

The Vanity & ToiletThe vanity and toilet in this gray and gold bathroom

This gray and gold bathroom wouldn’t be complete without a new toilet and vanity. Opt for a new toilet for your bathroom remodelMy mom was hesitant to get a new toilet because her old one was okay, but if you’re ripping it all out, you might as well freshen everything up!Hanging a wall shelf over a toilet

Above the toilet, we added some storage with this wood wall shelf. If it looks familiar that’s because it’s very similar to the 3-tiered wall shelf I have in our own guest bathroom! This one adds some warmth with the wood and some additional storage for cute goodies. Candle and matches

We’ve got a blush candle and fancy matches, plus a little container for cotton balls and q-tips. How to decorate a bathroom shelf

Up top, we opted for a faux plant,  because there are no windows in this space, along with a painting made by one of my mom’s friends. She loves it and always finds a place for it.

Jan's gray and gold bathroom makeover

We went with this gray vanity that has some storage underneath and it’s great.Adding bathroom accessories Brushed nickel faucetMost vanities don’t come with a faucet, so we opted for this brushed nickel faucet. I wanted to have at least two metals in this bathroom and we went with brass and brushed nickel throughout. It’s a nice contrast and keeps things looking interesting. Hexagon cabinet knobs

Oh, and take a look at the knobs we chose for the gray vanity. They’re a hexagon shape to match the shape of the tile floor! Love repeating shapes, colors, and textures throughout a room to keep it cohesive. Capiz mirror from Pottery Barn

Here’s a view of the vanity light and mirror, with the light turned off. The capiz mirror is so feminine and really feels like my mom! Her home is full of so many blush and glam touches and this goes well with the rest of the house, which you can tour here!

Before & After

I think these pictures really showcase how we achieved the goal of creating a new light and bright space. Wowza.

Gray and Gold Bathroom – SourcesGray and gold bathroom reveal

Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore “Chelsea Gray” (wood wall treatment) and “Fog Mist” (walls) //  Capiz Mirror // Gray Vanity // Vanity Light // Brushed Nickel Faucet // Toilet // Shower Tile // Shower Hardware // Drain Kit // Floor Tile // Toilet Paper Hook // Wall Hooks // Vanity Hardware // Wood Shelf // Toiletry Bottles // White Shower Curtain // Pink Candle // Faux Plant // Vanity Vase // Flower Vase // Turkish Towels

What’s Next?

Sneak peek of my mom's main bathroom reveal

You’re in luck because I have not one, but two more bathroom blog posts coming your way! Next month, I’ll share the big reveal of my mom’s main bathroom (wait until you see this dreamy freestanding tub!) and then Jan is actually writing a blog post all about her renovation experience. This was her first really big home improvement project and she learned a heck of a lot along the way. I’m excited for her to share her wisdom with all of you!

Casey

If you want more details about any of the spaces in her home, check out these blog posts below.


The Year of Casey

Hey there!

Iโ€™m Casey Finn, the voice behind The DIY Playbook. I’m a Chicago gal teaching you how to design, DIY, and maintain your home…by yourself! Learn more about me right here.