Just after Thanksgiving, I started on a major home improvement project – remodeling the downstairs guest bathroom!  If you didn’t see the start of the project, you can catch up {here}.  While the handyman completed construction before Christmas, I hadn’t yet shared the final result with you because I wasn’t quite done decorating.  But I am now and can’t wait to show you how it turned out! Are you ready for an amazing bathroom remodel with BEFORE and AFTER pictures?

1980’s Bathroom Before

You might recall, the bathroom started out as a builder-grade creation straight out of the ’80s, complete with cultured marble countertops and shower walls, brass everything, fluorescent lighting, and a mismatched patched flooring.

1980s bathroom with cultured marble countertop and gold fixtures - Before Makeover

My inspiration piece was an old dresser that I found at the antique fair that I wanted to use as a vanity.  The overall look that I wanted to achieve was a mixture of warm and cool tones paired with contemporary finishes and antique accents.

Bathroom Remodel AFTER

Here’s what it looks like now!

small bathroom with antique dresser used as a vanity and trellis wallpaper

It is *so* much brighter and as a result, feels so much bigger!  We removed the old vanity and countertop, along with the wall mirror, fluorescent lighting soffit, and toilet.  The new vanity isn’t quite as long as the old but actually offers more storage since it’s a bit taller and the drawers are deep.

Antique Dresser as a Vanity

bathroom with dresser as a vanity wainscotting and wallpaper

The old floor was replaced with 12×12 marble and we added matching subway tile in the shower.  I also asked my handyman to add a decorative panel that drops down from the crown moulding to hide the shower curtain tension rod.

Marble Subway Tile in Tub/Shower Combo

tub shower combo with marble subway tile and white ruffle shower curtain

Inside the shower there is a shampoo and soap recess and while it took forever to figure out how to align it properly with the wall, I love the end result.

Shower Shampoo Niche

shower shampoo niche made from marble subway tile

The shower curtain itself hides behind this decorative, ruffled panel.  The panel is actually an 84″ curtain panel that my mom lengthened for me over the holidays.

DIY Ruffle Shower Curtain Panel

diy white ruffle shower curtain panel for tub shower combo with silver table next to it

Next to it is a small table that holds extra soaps and Q-tips, but all of that decor can easily be moved and stored in the vanity if guests would prefer to keep extra towels or a change of clothes on the table.

Silver Butler Tray Bathroom Decor

silver butler tray in bathroom holding soaps and q-tips for bathroom decor

I have even more spare toiletries in a vintage sewing drawer on the back of the toilet.  The drawer holds a wash cloth, extra hand soap, travel sized shampoo and conditioner, room spray, nail files, and even a small sewing kit.

Guest Bathroom Essentials in a Sewing Drawer

vintage sewing drawer holding bathroom essentials for guests

Above the toilet is a small vintage hand mirror and compact that I have framed and placed a vintage comb from the late 1800’s above.

Bathroom Decor Ideas

Framed silver mirror and comb hanging on wall above toilet with sewing drawer holding essentials

The wall art on the back wall is a large gold and silver vintage hand mirror and I love the juxtaposition of it against the bright, contemporary wallpaper.

vintage silver hand mirror framed and hanging on bathroom wall

The vanity itself is still my favorite part.

Turn a Dresser into a Vanity!

French wooden dresser turned into a bathroom vanity with marble floors

I love that the paint looks like a warm, weathered patina with its mix of warm and cool tones and I love all of the carved details.

closeup of details on a chalk painted french dresser

The old faucet was replaced with this vintage-inspired one.

Vintage Style Faucet

closeup of a chrome vintage style faucet

Separate soap and lotion dispenser sit on a small tray on one side…

Beautiful Vintage Style Soap Dispensers

closeup of vintage inspired soap dispensers in a bathroom remodel

…while a boxwood sphere in a mercury compote dish sits on the other along with a small container that can be used to hold guest items such as tooth brushes, toothpaste, jewelry, watches, etc.

Cute Bathroom Decor

French bathroom container holding q-tips and mercury glass compote with preserved boxwood bathroom decor

Above the vanity, two sconces offer additional lighting.  The sconces are on a separate switch from the overhead lights and the overhead lights are on a dimmer, so all of the lighting can be customized to each person’s comfort level.  The mirror is actually the front of what used to be a medicine cabinet.  I love that its shape repeats the pattern in the wallpaper.

Sconces Flanking a Mirror

sconces with shades flank a wooden mirror in bathroom with dresser vanity wallpaper wainscotting and beadboard ceiling

From builder-grade…

Downstairs-Bath-Before

…to beautiful!

bathroom makeover with dresser vanity trellis wallpaper beadboard ceiling and carrara marble

It is so nice to have a bathroom where the sink doesn’t drip, the toilet doesn’t leak, and the shower actually works!  This is now our favorite room in the house and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!

For a full list of sources, please click {here}.
Signature Favorite Things 2014 {and a Gift for You!}

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Want to see another bathroom remodel? Click see how our master bathroom turned out!

French master bathroom with carrara shower pony wall next to freestanding tub

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137 Comments

  1. This bathroom is just beautiful. Job well done! Did you buy the dresser like this or did you paint it?

  2. omg! Drooling over here! What an amazing transformation! Love every detail in the room but that vanity! Oh my! Soooooo beautiful!!!

  3. Absolutely gorgeous! We’re in the planning stages of remodeling a small bathroom, and I have an antique washstand that we’re going to use as a vanity. It keep going back and forth between putting the sink right in the top of it, or topping with with stone. I love the look of your vanity, so you might have just swayed my decision. I made sure to pin your post and am now following you!

  4. Absolutely gorgeous and inspiring! I can’t wait to get my hands on a couple of our bathrooms in our home. I would love to hear how you got your dresser to have the patina look and vintage.

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Thank you, Tammy!

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Thank you so much, Melissa!

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Ooooohhh….a buffet wold make an amazing vanity, too! I’ll bet it’s beautiful!

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Hi Ingrid – Sure! You can find the names and links to everything {here}.

  5. WOW, Kim!!!! You did such an amazing job creating this gorgeous space for your guests!! So much to love…the vanity, vintage drawer, panel to cover the shower rod, perfect touches from top to bottom! Thanks for sharing at Best of the Nest!

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Hi Pam! Thank you so much for your kind words! And thanks for hosting such a fun monthly party! :) Kim

  6. I am in absolute adoration of that dresser turned vanity.Did you purchase it with that finish already in place or did you stain/paint it to get that effect?.I am in awe…that finish is what I have been wanting to create. I NEED a tutorial…please? Love the wallpaper also! :)

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Hi Shelley – I *wish* I could provide a tutorial but I bought it that way! I was told that it’s painted and I think she said she used three different colors.

  7. OH. MY. GOSH! Kim, you did an amazing job with this gorgeous bathroom, WOW!

    Love every element, you really did well, love it love it love it!

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Hi Michele – Thank you so much!!!! :) Kim

  8. Oh my gosh – what a beautiful bathroom!! I love all your choices, the tile, wallpaper and finishes are all gorgeous, especially with a bit of wood for warmth!

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Hi Lisa – Thank you! Thank you!!! :) Kim

  9. Oh.my.word. This is everything I dream of! I LOVE the vanity! Everything is beautiful!

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Thank you so much, Amber!!

  10. Your bathroom turned out stunning, Kim! I am in the midst of our master bathroom makeover. Nothing as major as yours was, but enough to make a real difference in its look for not a lot of money. I’m waiting on a cabinet and then it will be done and I can’t wait! I love the piece you used for the vanity and the tile is gorgeous. You really turned this bathroom into a light, bright and elegant space.

    1. Tidbits&Twine says:

      Hi Kathy – Making over the master bath is a super exciting project! How fun! I’ll be you’ll be relieved when the cabinet arrives and you can really see the difference you’ve made. I’m sure it will turn out beautifully! :) Kim

  11. This looks amazing! I’m about to be in the middle of a reno myself. I apologize if I missed it, but could you maybe name your sources for the tile in the shower and on the floor?
    Again, love what you did with this space!

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