Update a Basic, Beige, Builder's Bathroom with 5 Simple Steps (and less than $100!)

We all have seen / had / know someone who has a bathroom like the one in my rental. It's functional, spacious, there is nothing really wrong with it, but it is just a bit boring! There is nothing defining it.

The trouble with rentals, of course, is that you cannot do much about the major fixtures and finishes, but it's amazing what a little decor can do to give a space like this some glamour! I made 5 simple and affordable changes and really changed the look of my rental washroom! (See the 'before' here).

 1. Interesting Mirror: The tough thing about rentals is they often come with a basic sheet mirror. If you can take it down and replace it, that's a great option, but you can also mount mirror on mirror. I found this octagonal mirror at Good Will for $4 and simply hung it from a chain. 

2.  Art Work: I painted these black and white abstract pieces for the bathroom. They add an instant chicness and also some personality to the space. Each blank canvas cost me about $5 at Michael's.

3. Black and White: The thing about beige is that it doesn't always pair well with colours. Although technically a 'neutral', it does not go very well with brights. Black and white helps to add a freshness and glamour, without clashing or competing with the beige finishes.  Navy also looks great! Avoid colored towels as well. Nothing beats the clean, crisp look of hotel whites, and it's easy to tell when they need washing. 

4. Unique Accessories: Add a few accessories that tie into your neutral colour scheme, while providing a little bit of unexpected whimsy. Here, two foo dogs found at the flea market guard my sink. I also covered up my kleenex box with a vintage bamboo case which helps relate the tones in the oak cabinet (which I am not a huge fan of) to the rest of the space.

5. Declutter: Try to keep the facewash, toothpaste, body wash, etc. tucked neatly away within the cabinet, at least when guests come over. 

Bonus points for fresh flowers!

Here is a little look back at my original concept sketch, and the before and after!

 

I'm officially convinced that black and white can fix anything! Tiny changes with BIG impact, people.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

xox

Rental Dilemmas: My Basic Beige Bathroom

There is a part of my apartment that you all haven't seen much of, and that's my bathroom.
Functionally, my bathroom is perfect. Firstly, it's giant. It's got a large soaker tub, a huge shower, and a decent sized vanity. There is also a large window so I have ample natural light. The layout is also ideal, and the fact that I don't have to share it is pure bliss.

Aesthetically...it needs a bit of work. There is nothing really wrong with the way it looks. It's fine. My instinct as a designer is to replace all the tile with something fabulous and paint the vanity blackt, but let's face it, this is a rental and the fixed elements are not changing. Not only would my landlord say no, it also doesn't make sense for me from a financial perspective. But, I am thinking I could spruce it up for around $100.

Take a look at its current state:

^ Call me crazy but I actually kind of like the light fixture. I know it's super outdated, but it reminds me of an old Hollywood starlet dressing room. Things I don't love (but cannot change), are the  plain mirror, the counter top, faucet, light oak vanity colour, and the boring beige tile floors....so pretty much everything.

^ I do like the toilet. It's fairly small and nice looking. 

^ I love my tub and the big window. Again, the tile is not my favourite but atleast it's neutral.

^The view of my shower.
I also currently have pinky corally bath towels hanging on the wall opposite my vanity:

I'm thinking it needs a few minor tweaks to make it look a bit more cohesive, and a lot more styled.
Even though it's perfectly clean and tidy, it looks kind of hodge podge and cluttered to me.

I saw a small graphic black and white rug at The Home Depot that I am considering to replace the boring brown one I currently have. I put my black and white pillow down to get an idea of how it would look, and I'm liking the contrast:

I also think that the black and white help to make the fixed elements feel more 'goldy', which I like.

I also know that I can't change the mirror, but lately I've been seeing a lot of 'mirror on mirror' in bathrooms.... I wonder if there is a way I could put my octagonal mirror on top of this one in a non-permanent way....

Lastly, I'd add some chic accessories, and paint and hang a couple of abstract black and white paintings. I did a quick twenty minute brainstorming sketch:

What do you guys think?
xox

Bathroom Project

This week in Space Planning, we had a bathroom layout assigned to us.
The dimensions of the base plan given to us were huge! 20' x 14'.
I decided to use part of the space to include a fabulous dressing room/walk in closet for the client. Here are the plans *almost* near completion.

Even though it's not a requirement of the assignment, I like to throw together a quick moodboard before I start the floor plan so I know the vibe of the space and the furniture I wish to use:

 

xo

You Killed Our Love Fern

Chase Booth's Bathroom via Domino Book of Decorating

I remembered reading in Domino the following useful bit of information about ferns:

And I thought to myself hmmm...I'm not much of a gardener.
Then one day I was out at the grocery store and spotted the Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Tree version of all ferns and felt the need to save it and show it some loving! And I had a new bathroom with a big window, it was like it was meant to be.
Here is the (giant) tub and window in my rental...The finishes are generic, but it's super nice for a rental and only a few years old, so I'm not going to complain. Ever.

You can see my mini fern sitting there in the corner. Sometimes I stick him in the window like this:

Here's hoping I don't kill him.
Also..he needs a new pot. I'm sensing a DIY project in my near future. Maybe a DIY leopard print pot?

Window treatments probably aren't in the budget for my mini bathroom project, but I'm thinking I'd like to hang some art on the walls on either side of the window. Maybe some botanical prints to keep the fern company? Any thoughts?

Lastly, sorry about the later than usual post today guys, I'm on the part time job hunt so I can afford design school and this lil apartment and let's just say so far...it's been discouraging at best. 

Big News: Signed a Lease

Besides my first year at university which I spent living in campus residence, I have lived in the same house since I was born. It has been a blessing which has allowed me to save money, avoid student debt, and not have to worry too much about daily tasks such as cooking and grocery shopping.

Pursuing my dream career in the big city, however, means big changes. I've been on the hunt for some affordable housing in Toronto close to my design school for the fall. Recognizing that my own apartment was not realistic financially, I settled on student housing. All I wanted was my own washroom. 

I may have gone slightly over my planned monthly budget (oopsy), but I've found the perfect room!

The room is 12' by 19'. Lots of room for all of my design ideas!

This picture doesn't do it justice, but this is my extra large WALK IN CLOSET, maybe big enough for my very own dressing room.

Here is the huge shower in my private washroom!

And my big soaker tub! I love bubble baths after a long day.

I can't paint the walls or change any of the fixed elements, but I think it's a good blank and neutral canvas to create a space that is completely me. Stay tuned each day this week where I discuss my design ideas for the different areas of the room!
xox
Tiffany Leigh
ps. I feel so grown up! Ah! Tell me about YOUR first rental.
All photos sent to me by my future landlord. Better quality pics to come when I move in and redecorate.

Dream House Alphabet: C

C is for Clawfoot Tub

Alright, so I know that clawfoot tubs aren't the most practical of all bathtubs. I mean, where do you put the shampoo?! But...come on, they are just too gorgeous to resist. My *dream* house  will definitely have a clawfoot tub. Not to wash the kiddies in, just for me to relax in after a long day.

Here are some beautiful inspirational images:

1/2/3/4/5

 Which is your fave? Mine is the last one. What would your 'C' be?

 xox Tiffany Leigh