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You know what I learned about myself during this specific renovation?
And I don’t know why I didn’t know it before. I’ve never really put too much thought into what my personal style was I guess. I know I’ve just always veered toward the rustic and collected versus the contemporary and trendy. But I never really knew exactly how I would define how I pull it all together. And now that I’m typing that, I still don’t know how I would define it … so that’s not what I learned. π
Turns out I do like a little bit of trendy, because I think that Carrara marble is all the rage right now, but I also think it’s got a classic look about it and for anyone who likes a white, light, bright or neutral color palette it is potentially the perfect backdrop to build on. If if you want to build on it with a chair and galvanized bin found on the side of the road.
And even the sinks I picked are described as “modern style”. Here’s an aff link to theΒ the exact sinks I bought. So I like more modern elements than I thought I did.
But me and rustic, we’re besties.
We stay up at night giggling and I find myself staring lovingly into her eyes. Seriously, I was just standing in the entry to the new bathroom yesterday and Joel walked by and said “Are you just staring at it all again?”. Ummmm, maybe. π
Turns out I like a lot of rustic in small doses, if that even makes sense.
All the way down to using a simple, cleaned out dog food can as a plant pot and an old galvanized metal tray that was in our shed when we bought this house to hold the everyday bathroom necessities. Here’s an old post about ways to use things you have around the house in new ways, you know, upcycling ideas.
This chippy old cabinet is something my mom was giving away. It had chipping white paint on it already, looked like someone had maybe used oil based paint and then latex paint and they didn’t mix.
Instead of working hard to make it perfect, I worked much less hard to make it more imperfect.
And that sign … well there’s some household controversy over the sign right now (read: Joel doesn’t like it because apparently he has something against cheerful sayings on old pieces of metal) … but that old piece of V crimp roofing metal came out of our crawl space. I kind of love it. Joel kind of hates it. We’ll see what happens. π
And those reclaimed wood mirror frames are my new favorite thing for now. I love when I can take an old post out of my neighbor’s garbage (Yep, it was with these old planks I turned into art for the guest bedroom.) and actually use it for something functional. Spoiler alert – those frames are super easy to make so keep your eyes peeled for old wood in your neighbor’s garbage.
I have a complete source list coming your way when all is said and done, we haven’t even discussed the most amazing faucets known to man (and how seriously easy it is to install a faucet) and no bathroom is complete with a toilet … which we still don’t have.
But I couldn’t resist sharing a bit of what the bathroom is looking like these days in between the more meaty posts about tiling a bathroom.
And that sheer curtain you may have spotted is just an effort to deflect your eyes from what is really going on out there.
That is a tub and plumbing that still needs to be installed, a few extra accessories waiting for their time to shine and cleaning supplies where there should be a toilet, an unfinished half wall and a side yard that functions as a work shop and storage for furniture not yet in use. Oh yeah, and a big hole where a new window should be.
But, do you remember what that spot looked like before? Here is the same window before demolition.
And the wall where the vanity is now …
Amazing how quickly I can erase these images from my memory. π
So, yeah, I learned that if loving rustic is wrong I don’t want to be right … but I also like balance. I am so much more well-rounded than I gave myself credit for. (Hopefully you can hear the sarcasm there.)
Update: Β You can now read the tutorials for installing rolling door hardware, making the reclaimed wood mirror frames and the DIY wooden vanity.
What about you? Do you have a defined style? Love rustic or hate it? Want to come hang out with me and stare at the bathroom?
Jaime Costiglio says
Karah I love your rustic and collected style, it’s real, slightly raw and oh so charming. Thanks for sharing your beautiful bathroom – makes all the hard work worth it!
Karah says
Thank you so much Jaime. I love the “slightly raw” description, that’s dead on. π
cassie8978 says
OH MY LORD!!!!!! love it so much!
Karah says
xoxo
kathleen says
Fantastic! you guys worked so hard and made an amazing space together!
Karah says
Thank you Kathleen!!
melissa says
Why, yes, I do want to come stare at your bathroom with you.
Karah says
Come on over!
Erin says
Again, just so jealous that I can’t stand it. lol!!!
Karah says
You’ve got to send me some pics of your place so we can come up with some ideas to update it that would be OK with your landlord. π
Erin says
You know, I am outta here by August of next year. But this house is so old, that there is nothing we could do, unless we gut the whole thing. Ok, maybe not that bad, but, agh!!!!! lol!! But, your so sweet to want to help. I may call upon you in the next place, wherever that may be.
Karah says
Deal!
Karah says
Collectic! I love it.
KathleenC says
That’s looking so gorgeous! I don’t think any look is objectively right or wrong… it’s what appeals to the person who actually lives with it that counts. That said, I don’t respond to or use much of the rustic look… it doesn’t feel right with our present house. But I do like the eclectic mix of more than one way much better than a single theme… and you’ve done that so nicely here. And I love unpainted wood. A little smooth and sleek, a little rough and raw. Nicely blended!
Karah says
Thank you Kathleen, I do think it is about the mix and blend, too. Too much of one style can be overpowering.
Julie W says
Karah it’s GORGEOUS! I love where you’re headed in here, and that tile is devastating. I can’t wait to see the fininshed product!
Karah says
Thank you so much Julie, I almost didn’t pick it because of all of the grout lines but I’m so glad I did!
lynn cockrell says
The bathroom really is gorgeous, Karen. I love the eclectic mix you have going on in there and the way you have used the rustic touch, along with the shiny and new!
Karah says
Thank you so much Lynn!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
The bathroom is looking amazing! I love the tile, the rustic elements, all of it! I never would have guessed that there was a giant hole in the wall! π
Karah says
Hahaha, we’re taking indoor/outdoor living to the extremes!
karen@somewhatquirkydesign says
If I have any style it is collected. With rustic around the rim and vintage as a chaser. Your bathroom is enviable in so many ways. You deserve it. And, uh, you also deserve a toilet…
Karah says
Every good style needs a chaser … and every good bathroom needs a toilet π
lisa says
Loved this post and also did some introspection to discover my rustic bestie, she has such awesome ideas. I also walk around my space and comment how much I like my style… Thought I was the only one! My husband likes it too but doesnt swoon – hehe… The room is shaping up so well, its so lovely
Karah says
Hahaha Lisa, I don’t know why the men don’t swoon. π Thanks for the compliment on the bathroom!!
laura@top this top that says
you and your bathroom are amazing. All that hard work is shining through. Be proud my friend!
Karah says
Thank you so much Laura!!
Melanie MS says
So pretty, just our style. BTW, we own a construction/remodeling company and Carrera marble is decidedly NOT trendy….it is one of the most classic & traditional styles there is. And that’s good, it has MAJOR longevity. It’s beautiful! Nice work and good eye!
Karah says
Thank you so much Melanie!! I’m glad to hear it’s not a trend, seems to be everywhere these days, but it is a nice classic!!
Jen says
Everything about this is stunning!
That sink vanity is just amazing….Would love to have something like this in my master bath!
Karah says
Thank you so much, Jen!
Kelly says
Where are the light fixtures from? Bathroom looks great.
Karah says
Thank you so much Kelly. I got them from Shades of Light, this post has the direct link and a bunch of other options I considered. https://thespacebetweenblog.net/2014/07/21/2-light-vanity-light-options/
Janet Hurley says
Karah, Love it!! We bought a 1950 farm house in Sept, we’re gradually making changes and building on. Our master was previously a den. We’ve framed out the closet–had to hang clothes,but other things have been more pressing. Your bath looks almost exactly like I want ours too, carrera included! I will definately be checking out the how-to on the vanity!
Karah says
That’s awesome! It is a process, and the most pressing needs rise to the top … while we get used to the other things. Joel and I often say “one day we will live like normal people”. haha Enjoy your reno!
Janet says
Hey Karah, I finally finished the bathroom in which we sort of copied your vanity.
Thanks! Janet
Gemma says
Hello I love this ! Where are your taps from please ?
Karah says
They you so much, Gemma! They were a splurge, but we sure do love them. You can find them on amazon, http://amzn.to/1qfuMGG.
Lisa says
Hi Karah! I am so grateful you posted this vanity! My husband made it for our master bathroom! The instructions were perfect! We love it, thank you so much!
Karah says
Thank you so much for coming back to comment, Lisa! I’m so glad you like your finished project, if you have a pic please feel free to email it, I’d love to see!! karah.thespacebetweenblog@gmail.com
Gina Adame says
Love the choices you made. Where did you get the towel hook from? I want to put these in my bathroom.
Karah says
I found mine at Home Depot in the marine aisle but I found there here on Amazon, too. http://amzn.to/1Tjcuhy You will also need an eye hook or something to attach the hook to so it can hang loosely. I hope this helps. I’m so glad you like the choices. Have fun with your own bathroom projects!!
Misty says
Karah-where’re your light fixtures from???
Karah says
It’s this one from Shades of Light. http://www.shadesoflight.com/schooner-2-light-bath-light.html
Katie says
OMG! I just found this site and this is exactly what I’ve been dreaming of… Rustic and still modern. So nice!
I’m planning to remodel my current bathroom just like yours. What kind of wood did you use for your bathroom? Any tips?
Thanks
Karah says
Thank you so much! The wood for the vanity is pine. The wood wall is Dade County Pine which is a Florida hardwood pine. I’m trying to think if there is any other wood in there. haha
Catherine Haddad says
Karah, I love this style! I have been looking high and low for a wood vanity just like the one in your rustic bathroom . Where did you find it? Thanks for the inspiration! Catherine
Karah says
Hi Catherine! I made it, https://thespacebetweenblog.net/diy-wood-vanity-master-bathroom/