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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Red Room

| By John Petersik | July 20, 2012 | 127 Comments

Reader Redesign: Red Room

Okay, so maybe the red bathroom Melissa and Ian inherited with their house isn’t bad enough to deserve a nod to The Shining, but it was pretty killer on the eyes. Fortunately they remedied things with an awesome redo that they sent our way. Here’s their letter:

Hi John and Sherry! We bought our second home up north in good ‘ole Canada in April of 2011 and started our DIY magic – or whatever you wanna call it ;) So far we’ve done 2 bathrooms, an office, a guest room, and our bedroom and I still feel like we have tons to do (I’m sure you know the feeling). However, we’re really happy with how our bathroom turned out. Let’s start at the beginning. Here is what we had to work with:

Ian Before Shower

Where to begin? The pink floors? The vanity that was about as tall as my lower thighs? I was barely able to wash my face without sitting on the floor.

Ian Before Vanity

The room looked a bit like a rainbow exploded in it. We don’t do rainbow guts.

Ian Before Bathtub

In all reality there were no words. We just knew we wanted to change the ENTIRE thing. I had been saving up tons of ideas and we pretty much knew what we wanted: a ‘spa’ feel with light, bright colours, and a clean look. We also really wanted to incorporate a little bit of architectural detail somehow. We had seen paneling done in a variety of different forms, and we figured this might be a good place to try it out. We ended up choosing picture frame style wainscoting. Overall, this process wasn’t as difficult as it sounds.

Ian During Paneling

Sooooo… here it is: our pride and joy!

Ian After Bathtub

We did a lot of other things besides the wainscoting ourselves – just to stick to our tight budget – like doing the shower tile pattern ourselves, making our own curtains, and searching high and low for the best priced materials and fixtures (the tub is from Costco and the mirrors over the vanity are from HomeSense – which is also known as HomeGoods in the states).

Ian After Vanity

Thanks again for being a huge inspiration for a young couple like ourselves. All the best, Melissa and Ian (oh and Clover, our 85 pound golden doodle who thinks of herself as an 8 pound chihuahua).

Ian After Shower

Oh to have a bathroom that large and that gorgeous! Nicely done Melissa and Ian (and Burger gives two paws up to Clover, to whom he gives all the credit). You can see more photos of their beautiful bathroom on their blog, where they’ve also got a full source list as well as a breakdown of projects like the paneling and the curtains.

Psst- Got a before and after of your own that you’d like to submit? Send your best pictures, links to any blog posts, and brief description to [email protected]

Psssst- We’re sharing our latest Clara-conversations over on Young House Life (she’s definitely the comedian of this family).

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Comments

  1. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    gorgeous!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for ErinErin says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    Oh, heavens. That tub. I want to go to there.

    Reply
    • Avatar for AliAli says

      July 20, 2012 at 5:37 pm

      What she said.

  3. Avatar for AlisonAlison says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    Super gorgeous! Nice work guys!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Janelle DJanelle D says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    What a beautiful, fresh, relaxing bathroom. I am not really a tub person, but I could be if I had that one to lounge in… Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:19 pm

    That first after photo took my breath away. Gorgeous!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Jen @ Jen SpendsJen @ Jen Spends says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:19 pm

    Wow, what a stunning transformation! Dark colors+warm, moist bathrooms=eww.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    Love the shower and vanity but can’t say I like the tub. I would have kept the original one :)

    Reply
  8. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    Great makeover! I absolutely love the colors.

    You have a type in the last paragraph though. You call Melissa – Michelle. I noticed because I’m Michelle and people have called me Melissa by mistake a few times in my life!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 20, 2012 at 1:48 pm

      Thanks for the tip! All fixed!

      xo,
      s

  9. Avatar for TaylorTaylor says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    OMG, this is so stunning. This is exactly what we wanted to do with our bathroom – put in a freestanding tub. Did you have to do any extra plumbing to replace the existing tub with the freestanding tub?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 20, 2012 at 1:48 pm

      Anyone have info or tips for Taylor?

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for Melissa and Ian @ Living BeautifullyMelissa and Ian @ Living Beautifully says

      July 20, 2012 at 2:05 pm

      Hi Taylor!
      Thanks for your comment!
      We kept the tub in the same place as the original so we didn’t need to move that much around, but there was a bit of work. We did have to replace part of the drain pipe. You may need to do this since your new tub might not line up with where your old tub was. When we pulled our old tub out, the drain pipe wouldn’t detach from the old tub, so we had to cut it. Since we installed a freestanding tub, when the plumber was attaching the drain pipe to the new tub, he had to do it from underneath, so we had to cut out a hole in our kitchen ceiling. Sounds like a lot, but it wasn’t that bad, and I LOVE the new tub, so it was definitely worth it ;) Hope that helps!
      Melissa :)

  10. Avatar for Emily AEmily A says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    Lovely! YHL is a great provider of inspiration/motivation. Having just bought a house with a mint kitchen, little storage, and a bathroom of pale yellow and black trim tile ( painted bright yellow!), this site has been a great resource to get my DIY gears spinning and I hope to have a trasformation worthy of a feature someday! Keep up the great work in love and life and have a great weekend!
    And of course kudos again to Melissa and Ian!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for JaymeJayme says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    That bathtub!! OMG! The whole room is beautiful!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for ShannonShannon says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    Holy crap, THIS IS STUNNING! I am so impressed and absolutely love every choice they made. I feel like you can never go wrong with a clean, mostly-white pallet.

    Reply
  13. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    What a HUGE difference!! Their bathroom turned out great :-)

    By the way, there might be a mistake in the last paragraph of this post when you refer to her as “Michelle”…Her name is Melissa, right? Both are lovely names, if I do say so myself :-)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 20, 2012 at 1:47 pm

      Thanks Michelle- all fixed!

      xo,
      s

  14. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Amazing what a serene and relaxing bathroom!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Karla@{TheClassyWoman}[email protected]{TheClassyWoman} says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    Their bathroom is totally pin-worthy!! I love it, light and airy is always what I want in a bathroom-especially one with a deep soaker tub!! :) They did an awesome job!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    That’s amazing! Insanely dramatic difference! bathtub – stunning! Great job!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for Gabriella @ Our Life In ActionGabriella @ Our Life In Action says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Still picking my jaw up of the floor. Just beautiful!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Gabriella @ Our Life In ActionGabriella @ Our Life In Action says

      July 20, 2012 at 1:38 pm

      P.S. – I want that tub!

  18. Avatar for StephSteph says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    Oh my gosh, that tub. I am so, so jealous. It looks like something you’d find in a fancy hotel room! I would love soaking in that with a glass of wine after a long day :)

    Reply
  19. Avatar for Meg @18 PrestonMeg @18 Preston says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:39 pm

    WOW this is just amazing!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for Jenny A.Jenny A. says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    Wow, that is just stunning!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for KatharineKatharine says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    What a beautiful bathroom!! The layout was already great, but the trasnformation they made is incredible. Looks like the perfect place to relax :)

    Reply
  22. Avatar for Crystal @ 29 Rue HouseCrystal @ 29 Rue House says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    I want to get in that tub!

    Reply
  23. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    Gorgeous room!

    Oh, and an editing note: you referred to Melissa as Michelle in your last paragraph…as a Melissa who’s been called Michelle by random people since about 4th grade, I picked up on it immediately.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 20, 2012 at 1:47 pm

      Haha- thanks Melissa! So sorry, my head is not in the game today!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

      July 20, 2012 at 1:48 pm

      ha! see, it’s a thing! Melissa: I hear you :) And John: you won’t be the first, or the last!

  24. Avatar for KLLKLL says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    The before pictures are sort of terrifying. I mean…someone CHOSE those circus-worthy curtains and they probably didn’t choose them ironically. Holy. Cow.

    Reply
  25. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    Just wanted to point out that you accidentally called Melissa ‘Michelle’ – I only point this out because my name is Michelle and people ALWAYS mistake me for a Melissa! It’s a thing, I swear.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 20, 2012 at 1:48 pm

      Thanks Michelle! All fixed. No idea how I missed that when I proofed it!

      xo,
      s

  26. Avatar for StephanieStephanie says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    That shower and tub are sexy. I have no other way to describe them.

    Reply
  27. Avatar for Karen FKaren F says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    Wow, that is gorgeous!!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    Glad I’m not the only one who’s been a victim of the Melissa/Michelle switch! :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 20, 2012 at 1:54 pm

      Haha- this is hilarious! The funniest thing is I get Sharon or Shari all the time (instead of Sherry) – I wonder if every name has an easily-mistaken-for other name?! The funniest one is John Petersik (he gets called Peter all the time, which makes me giggle).

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for StephanieStephanie says

      July 20, 2012 at 2:07 pm

      I get Tiffany sometimes if people mishear my name. But the worst offense for me is all the million ways people spell Stephanie wrong.

      I bet it happens to everyone!

    • Avatar for Melissa and Ian @ Living BeautifullyMelissa and Ian @ Living Beautifully says

      July 20, 2012 at 2:08 pm

      Ive been reading all these comments on the name, and it honestly happens all the time! Thanks so much for fixing it Sherry, although I might not have even noticed! lol!

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 20, 2012 at 2:44 pm

      Aw thanks Melissa! You’re so sweet.

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for MeredithMeredith says

      July 20, 2012 at 2:14 pm

      My last name is also a girl’s first name (Leigh) and to make things MORE confusing, my work e-mail is leighmeredith, so people always think I’m Leigh or Meredith Leigh (one name, like MaryAnne) and then ask what my last name is. I feel John’s pain!

    • Avatar for KLLKLL says

      July 20, 2012 at 6:58 pm

      I’m Kristie, which messes everyone up because my name contains neither a Ch or a Y. I get Kristen, Chrissy, Christina, etc. Drives me bonkers.

  29. Avatar for NicoleNicole says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    LOVE that tub! The whole thing is beautiful!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for Megan CircelliMegan Circelli says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    Yay for Canadian makeovers! This made my day!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for KellyKelly says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    It’s BEAUTIFUL! But that chandelier over the tub makes me uneasy even though it’s beautiful where it is.

    Reply
  32. Avatar for Jenn LeighJenn Leigh says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    They did such a good job!

    FYI – Joss & Main has a Greyhound statue in their Urban Trends collection!

    Have a good weekend!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 20, 2012 at 2:42 pm

      Love that!

      xo,
      s

  33. Avatar for Jess@hillcountryhomebody..blogspot..com[email protected] says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    Wowza! We ate building and at times I’ve wished I’d planned for a stand alone tub. This is one of those times!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for SabrinaSabrina says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    That bathroom is beyond gorgeous. We are doing tiny repairs to ours (we are selling soon) we need to retile our shower and I am scared because I have the distinct feeling they tiled over paneling. I am def reading your guys bathroom demo entries. I am still scared *hides from moldy cracked shower tiles*

    Reply
  35. Avatar for victoriavictoria says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    totally unrelated comment, but target has ceramic owls in the dollar section right now for $2.50. super cute and totally your style. check ’em out!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 20, 2012 at 2:44 pm

      Fun!!

      xo,
      s

    • Avatar for SabrinaSabrina says

      July 20, 2012 at 3:39 pm

      They have a lot of ceramic animals in the dollar bins. I thought of you when I bought ceramic horsehead salt and pepper shakers! lol

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      July 20, 2012 at 5:10 pm

      Cute!

      xo,
      s

  36. Avatar for Jenelle Ricci @ Del Mar DesignsJenelle Ricci @ Del Mar Designs says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    That bathroom is absolutely beautiful! I am definitely taking notes for when I one day will have to do new home remodels!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for Jill StigsJill Stigs says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    Speechless and drooling here. The after is so gorgeous, Love EVERYTHING about it. They did a great job!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for Melissa BreauMelissa Breau says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    LOVING those curtains and I have a serious crush on the tile in that shower. Gorgeous!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for JamieJamie says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:21 pm

    I have a bad case of bathtub envy!
    Beautiful job!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for Jodi T.Jodi T. says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    I just drooled a little when I saw that bathtub, and those colors ARE GORGEOUS.

    Reply
  41. Avatar for StephanieStephanie says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    Um, okay, when did Candice Olson start sending you her redesigns?! This is pure awesomeness!!!!!! Just beautiful!!!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for MellissaMellissa says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    The before and after is so dramatic. But the before? Who would have thought that was ever a good style decision? Ick. As a Mellissa I have been called Michelle at least once a week my entire life!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for TerravitaTerravita says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    Wow, this is truly breathtaking!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for KimKim says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    WOW!! I think this is the best reader redesign ever!

    Reply
  45. Avatar for The Mrs @ Success Along the WeighThe Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:34 pm

    Absolutely breathtaking!

    Reply
  46. Avatar for KatyKaty says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Clearly this is beyond lovely. It would be my pride and joy as well were it not for the skimpy curtain panels. As a fabri-holic I notice things like this. I know it is petty, but I am weak. Sorry pretty bath people!

    Reply
  47. Avatar for HannahHannah says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    What a stunning transformation. Huge Kudos!!
    And thanks so much for the tub tip. We are building adn I have been covetting a japanese soaking tub but at $3-5k we thought we would wait and just have an empty spot for a while BUT Costco – how fab. For $1k a gorgeous, simple lined japanese soaking tub. I am in love, thanks so much for the resource….Yeh!!!

    Reply
  48. Avatar for Julia @ Life on ChurchillJulia @ Life on Churchill says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    the bathtub’s lines are gorgeous, and with that vanity + flooring….dreamy!

    Reply
  49. Avatar for SingleMamaSingleMama says

    July 20, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    This is absolutely stunning! My favorite room yet!

    Reply
  50. Avatar for JanineJanine says

    July 20, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    can’t get over the difference!! I think for sure you could give the Shining a nod ,”REDRUM” remember?! scaaaaary…

    Reply
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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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