the space between

upcycle, repurpose and reinvent your space

just some photos of our new rustic bathroom

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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. 🙂

rustic bathroom

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.

rustic bathroom

And even the sinks I picked are described as “modern style”. Here’s an aff link to the the exact sinks I bought. So I like more modern elements than I thought I did.

master bathroom vanity area

But me and rustic, we’re besties.

rustic bathroom vanity and mirrors

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. 😉

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.

rustic bathroom decor ideas

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. 🙂

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.

rustic bathroom decor ideas

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.

master-bathroom-renovation-tub-side

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.

master bathroom before

And the wall where the vanity is now …

master bathroom before

Amazing how quickly I can erase these images from my memory. 🙂

rustic bathroom vanity and mirrors

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:  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?

Comments

  1. 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!

    • 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. 🙂

      • 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.

  7. 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!

    • Thank you Kathleen, I do think it is about the mix and blend, too. Too much of one style can be overpowering.

  8. 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!

    • 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!

  9. 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!

  11. 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…

  12. 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

    • Hahaha Lisa, I don’t know why the men don’t swoon. 😉 Thanks for the compliment on the bathroom!!

  14. 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!

    • 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!!

  15. Everything about this is stunning!
    That sink vanity is just amazing….Would love to have something like this in my master bath!

  17. 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!

    • 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!

  18. Hey Karah, I finally finished the bathroom in which we sort of copied your vanity.
    Thanks! Janet

  20. 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!

  21. Love the choices you made. Where did you get the towel hook from? I want to put these in my bathroom.

    • 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!!

  23. 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

    • 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

  24. 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

Trackbacks