But before we get to that: an armadillo in the bathroom. Let’s talk about it. Everyone needs one, right?
I mean, we can argue that a lot of decorating “rules” are personal preference and yada yada, but seriously, can we all agree that a bathroom is not complete without a golden armadillo?
That’s a print we bought from this craft fair from an awesome local artist named Rachel that I finally got around to framing and hanging up. I especially love it in the burlap-y/grasscloth-ish frame (an old Pottery Barn Outlet find) hanging above the framed instagram photo of Clara holding a naked doll (felt kinda bathroom-esque).
The linen-like fabric behind the instagram photo looks great with the textured frame above it, and I actually have a secret agenda when it comes to bringing these cream/straw tones into the room. After looking at the gold-tones in our soap containers and even that loofah on the toilet tank, I realized they help the oddball cream sink feel less out of place.
I mean don’t get me wrong, it’s still shaped like a shell and won’t be here forever, but it’s a lot cuter and a less clashy when it’s paired with other things that we already own in that color palette (like the soap pumps, the art, the loofah, and the frames). So there’s gotta be a design lesson in there, right? Say it with me: everyone needs an armadillo in the bathroom! sometimes adding a little bit more of a color that feels like the oddball can make it feel more layered and intentional. At least for that Phase 1 (in the meantime) type of decorating.
And I know it’s hard to tear your eyes away from that gorgeous armadillo, but we also got a new light fixture. We dug it up for $9.99 at the Habitat For Humanity ReStore (see the chrome guy hiding in the middle of this shot?).
We just gave it a few thin coats of Rustoleum Universal oil-rubbed bronze spray paint with the light bulb parts taped off to protect them. It’s self priming, so it was an easy one-step update.
Then we grabbed two cheap frosted bulb covers at Home Depot and called it good.
It definitely helps the whole room feel more crispy and updated. And since we’re planning a deeper room makeover down the line once we save our pennies (perhaps with a tiled accent wall or some grasscloth wallpaper?) we love that we could find some cheap secondhand charm in the meantime. Psst- Notice how the red flowers on the sink from the first shot are gone? I added those for a pop of color after I took these shots, and love ’em. So pretend they’re here too.
UPDATE: We’ve finally transitioned our entire house to LED lights (they save tons of energy & money, and they’re a lazy person’s best friend because you never have to change them). For anyone wondering, these are our favorite interior LEDs. Their glow is warm & natural (not weird/blue like some of the others we’ve tried) and they use around 90% less energy.
* This post contains an affiliate link
Jennifer Laura says
It’s the hoooliday armadillo!
emily says
i laughed out loud when i saw the title of this post! in my husbands college apartment bathroom he had an actual armadillo shell hanging on his wall. of course i refused to let him bring it with him when we got married. but, this was a fun reminder of those days!
cj says
Wow it looks so much better in there already – just a few touches have really changed the look of that bathroom! It’s funny we also have that same ivory seashell sink – I wonder how many other people have inherited those sinks in their homes? It’s been on our grand list to replace for a few years, but still there she sits…. Maybe we can just bring it back into style??!!?:)
YoungHouseLove says
Let’s bring it back!
xo
s
jill says
Ha! I love this! And not just because I have a rhino in my bathroom…
Okay, because maybe I have a rhino in my bathroom.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Megan @ Two Live Colorfully says
This tiny little bathroom is seriously coming along! Love it!
Also, I feel like channeling Kristin Wigg’s SNL character, Penelope, and saying “Well, I have 12 bathroom armadillos… Soooo, I have just a few more than you…. They help me braid my hair after I shower… Sooooo.”
Gosh, I hope you get that reference… because if not, I’ll just be some weirdo with 12 bathroom armadillos.
(For the record I have no armadillos but I super like yours! :D)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, we love Penelope!
xo
s
Jackie says
This is hilarious
Jackie says
Do toilet paper rolls fit in those glass jars? That’d be such a practical use!
Also, given you ended up with such a dark color on the vanity, do you regret painting over the pretty wood at all?
I think it’s smart you’re taking time to update your powder room – that would make me feel great to walk by each day :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Jackie! TP would fit in there, so that’s another option for sure! As for painting the raw wood, it was in rough shape and also had an odor so the odor-blocking primer was awesome along with a fresh coat of paint :)
xo
s
Jackie says
Oh yeah forgot about the smell you mentioned in a previous post! Glad it’s stink-free now. It looks really pretty.
Congrats on having a space almost completely done- such a good feeling!
Carla says
Thank you so much for sharing a little bit of your Aunt Kay with us. My husband also suffers from MS and we have our daily challenges raising our two young children. Your blog has been a constant stream of inspiration for me to personalize our own space and make it a soothing sanctuary during the tough times. Thank you so much!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Carla! Lots of love to your husband. Hope he’s feeling awesome.
xo
s
Autumn Beach says
You are cracking me UP with the armadillo references. I do love him. Especially in that frame. And the bathroom looks GREAT! A far cry from what you started with. And I think the design lesson would be…don’t fight the shell?? Seriously, though, I think you did a great job of working with what you had, but making it a thousand times better. As always!!
Gwen, The Makerista says
Don’t you love ReStore! Such a good place! Nice improvements! I always admire you alls practicality. You make good deals look great!
Kristi says
I know it’s a “just for now” bathroom update, but I’m loving how it looks! Our guest bathroom is set up just like this one, only with a shower to the left of the toilet. I’m constantly on the hunt for staging and updating ideas for when we sell in the spring. P.S. The first thing I noticed was the cute red flowers! I love how it brightens up the whole room! :)
lee says
i love the mini makeover on the bath! It shows what mostly effort can do to freshen a dated room.
No need to live with uglies while waiting to save up!
I think the results are well worth it.
Therese says
I like posts where you make what you have work. We are working on a 1966 raised ranch, and there are just some projects that have to wait. It is nice to have a good looking room even if it isn’t exactly what I want. Thanks for sharing.
Susan J. says
What have I learned here today?
1. I am not the only one who relates everything to a quote from Friends.
2. I need to paint my vanity cabinet – that gorgeous color on Sherry’s vanity is fab.
Miz Lottie says
What a difference! The old bathroom was absolutely depressing and awful! Tho you’re not finished, this looks fabulous as is. I’m surprised you haven’t named the armadillo yet.
YoungHouseLove says
I think Ross is a good choice.
xo
s
Tee Cee says
Lurve it. Very fresh and just gorg.
I luuuuurve our local ReStore. They donate the funkiest, coolest stuff here, and I’m at the point now that I am sometimes bypass Big Orange and Big Blue and go straight to the ReStore first. That redone ReStore light fixture is boss, though!
Aspen says
I love what you’ve done here! Looks so polished and put together. :) Not to be a stickler for nature and biology (I’m sort of obsessed with Animal Planet), but I must inform you that your print is not an armadillo, but an aardvark. But don’t fret! Aardvarks are actually really cool critters, too! See?
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/aardvark/
“An Aardvark in the Bathroom” sounds just as rad. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s true! Aardvark for the win!
xo
s
Laura B. says
Hi. This is totally unrelated to your post. Sorry. I need to begin the process of replacing my 18-year-old refrigerator. Can you recommend any web or blog sites that would help me to decide which brands hold up better, etc? Thank you.
YoungHouseLove says
Anyone have recommendations for Laura? We liked our Frigidaire Gallery appliances (had them in our first and second houses).
xo,
s
Jkb says
Hmmm…I love the colors and I understand how the loofa is justified in being there because of the color pallet..but it really bugs me because it is a bathroom accessory but yet cannot be used in that bathroom. Unless your planning on taking a vigorous bird bath in the sink it just looks odd. It’s like putting a jar of bubble bath in there, what are you going to do with that fill up the toilet? And I doubt the next time you need a loofa your going to want to use the one on the back of the toilet in the powder room. Try filling it up with sand instead maybe you brought some back from your Hawaiian vacation? Or a bouquet of sticks tied with twine…I don’t know the loofa is just funny.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah lots of things in this house just landed somewhere when we moved (bathroom stuff got shoved into various bathrooms). I’m sure as we go it’ll get replaced with something better for a half bath :)
xo
s
Jenny says
I love what you have done with the place but i don’t get the mirror. The rest….awesome!
Janna says
Lovin’ the golden armadillo! :) We have a blue buffalo hanging in our bathroom. Company generally just asks “Why?!” but we. . .well, mostly me. . .I adore it.
YoungHouseLove says
Blue buffalo for the win!
xo
s