We had, of course, big plans for our upstairs renovations. Since we were eventually going to tear everything out, it wasn't a priority to pretty it up. Alas, as my house renovation energy wanes, we've decided the upstairs will have to do as it is for a few more years. So I put aside about $250 to make what we had look nicer.
We reused some period lighting we had around the house - adding a much needed second overhead light fixture to illuminate the tiny stand-up shower, removed ugly mirrored medicine cabinets, added cabinetry & shelving made of reclaimed barn board, new curtains from fabric I got at a yard sale years ago and a new mirror from a scrap we've had for ages. Also addressed the crumbling plaster, the holes in the wall from old stovepipe flues and the rusted white metal heater. Basically I tried to make it less like a horror movie location.
Of course you'll see I cheated by taking the "before" pictures at night..in fact the same night after I started the demo....and the "after" photos in bright spring sunshine. But trust, the new white paint does have a beautiful brightening effect on the nearly windowless space (yes that is a window that looks out onto the laundry room). I married someone who equates bright white = boring, but I think at least for this bathroom is was the right choice.
Since taking these pictures I've rearranged the shelving baskets so they seem a bit more uniform than the rag-tag pile of items in these pics. I may or may not update the photos :) The old ladder came with the house and is temporarily acting like a towel rack until I can get my hands on a nice hook.
Also new: upstairs laundry! Check it! No more going to the cold porch to do the laundry! Room to put two drying racks! Future planned clothesline right out the second story porch! Hollah!
