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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: When It Rains…

| By John Petersik | October 18, 2012 | 83 Comments

Reader Redesign: When It Rains…

It’s not often that a before photo actually makes me laugh out loud. But I did so I’ll cop to it right now. Just check out the shower tile in Erin’s main bathroom for yourself. Thankfully the incredible overhaul that she and her husband did means that old tile is nothing but a (somewhat hilarious) memory. Here’s her letter:

Hi John & Sherry, we’ve been working on remodeling our foreclosure mess for just over a year now, and so far we’ve completed three bathroom remodels! I’m still doing a happy dance from how this last one turned out. This room started out as bad as it could get with dirty white tile & brown grout, a rain shower mural in the bathtub, and pink walls with a goopy, drippy texture applied to them.  

Erin Before

Every time I used it I thought, “I can’t believe we bought this dump.” Note the rain shower mural in the tub.

Erin Before Shower

We were going for a very modern and natural look – something that was minimal but not cold. The piece de resistance was a shoji style inspired sliding door that I custom built to fit the space (it slides to the right to close off the toilet/shower without blocking too much light). I’m still shocked that it fit and worked well in the space right away. Those moments when what you had in mind actually works out perfectly… yeah, those never happen to me, so score 1 point for the DIYers.

Erin After

The best part is that doing all of our own labor and using affordable items like the Ikea vanity and mirror (along with clearance 12” x 24” floor tiles for just $1.22 a tile!) made this renovation incredibly affordable. The whole project was less than $2k.

Erin After Vanity Shelf

We also added lighting underneath the floating vanity, which not only accentuates the open floor space down there but provides a really cool nightlight to the room.

Erin After Lights

The lights are plugged into an outlet directly under the vanity, and that outlet is controlled by a switch right at the door so it’s just a flick of the switch to turn them on. I hope you like it! -Erin

Erin After Through Shot

I just gotta give Erin another “bravo” for that door she built. I mean, the whole space makes me want to come over for a visit, but I’ve gotta hand over some serious props for making a door that fits on the first try. Erin’s got more photos (including a close up of that before shower!) on her blog, so be sure to check it out. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome bathroom, Erin! What do you guys think? Any favorite parts? Sherry’s obsessed with the mirror that also doubles as a shelf and of course that stripe of penny tile. As for me, you already know I’m crushing on that sliding door.

Psst- The latest round of Clara Conversations are up on Young House Life, including one exchange that’s probably our favorite of all time (it involves talk of a future sibling and what Clara hopes will come with the deal).

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Ginny @ goofymonkeysGinny @ goofymonkeys says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    Wow – such a great update!

    YHL – thank you for sharing these reader redesigns – they are always so inspiring!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 2:29 pm

      Aw, you’re welcome Ginny! We love to share the love- and the inspiration! Makes me want to go build a door… ha!

      xo
      s

  2. Avatar for AnneAnne says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    Love Erin’s blog, and this was my favorite remodel they’ve done! Check out her nursery too–they just had a baby who gets to live in a super cute space. I’m jealous.

    Reply
  3. Avatar for ali thompsonali thompson says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:21 pm

    seriously. that door is rather inviting. party in the bathroom?? i think so. well done!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Jaime @ Queen of the CreekJaime @ Queen of the Creek says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:27 pm

    Ohhh – she did it. It’s clean, but not cold at all! Lovely before (hehe) and after!!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for VivianVivian says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Love it all but the vanity and the undermount lighting has me swooning!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for FrancesFrances says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    I love it! Very clean looking, but still inviting.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Charlotte SmithCharlotte Smith says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    I thought the “sliding” glass doors on our old bathtub were bad, but the rain shower montage might have us beat. My daughter and her obsession with Harold and the Purple Crayon might disagree! Well done, Erin!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 2:30 pm

      Haha, it’s very Harold-esque!

      xo
      s

  8. Avatar for Jen MigonisJen Migonis says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    This is so impressive, Erin! I can imagine you must have wondered who in the world put in that rain mural. :) You did the modern look without coldness.. nicely done!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Mallory D.Mallory D. says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    I am in love with that mirror/extra shelf too!!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for CaraCara says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    LOL! The rain shower is hilarious. The whole thing is beautiful. I really like the penny tile strip.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for Nicole @ Liberty BellesNicole @ Liberty Belles says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    so awesome! well done Erin! Where are the tiles from?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 3:03 pm

      Here’s hoping she drops in with that info!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for Erin @ One Project at a TimeErin @ One Project at a Time says

      October 19, 2012 at 3:09 pm

      Thanks so much you guys, I’m totally blushing over here. :) The tile for the wall and shower was all found at Lowes, and the floor tiles were from Menards- although I found just a small amount left over in the clearance section, so they might be tough to find.

  12. Avatar for Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication[email protected] says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    Gorgeous! I love the door, and the mirror/shelf, and the light underneath, and well, I just love all of it.

    Reply
  13. Avatar for Karen FKaren F says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    that is one beautiful bathroom! it’s hard to pick a favorite part – it’s really all so lovely! and what a budget, too! nice job, Erin!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for ErinErin says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    Is it weird to think that bathroom is kind of sexy? ‘Cause that bathroom’s kind of sexy. That’s like the Alexander Skarsgaard of bathrooms.

    Huh. That made sense in my head…

    I’ll show myself out.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 3:02 pm

      Hahah!

      xo
      s

  15. Avatar for how2homehow2home says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    Love this bathroom! The color palette is so natural and calm. Great makeover! By the way….we totally love this “reader-redeisgn” series. So inspiring :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 3:01 pm

      Aw thanks! So glad you guys like it.

      xo
      s

  16. Avatar for AnneAnne says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    Wow, you did good, Erin! :) You pulled off a clean, modern look with added warmth owing to the wood furniture. Installing a slide door – and even a DIYed one – is such a great idea that I’ll defo keep in mind for any future bathroom renos. Very impressive!

    Reader Redesign is such an amazing section of the blog. Always inspiring and well-selected. Keep ’em coming!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 3:02 pm

      Thanks Anne!

      xo
      s

  17. Avatar for StephanieStephanie says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    Must. pet. penny tile. Muuuuustttt pet penny tile.

    Reply
  18. Avatar for korykory says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    OMG that door! that door! so beautiful, and the process… I’m in awe.

    Reply
  19. Avatar for AndreaAndrea says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:49 pm

    yeah, yeah, gorgeous, clever, stuff I could never do without putting a permanent hole in the drywall, whatever…

    **future sibling**, Sherry? Ie, is there news? You can’t go hiding that in the italics at the bottom!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 3:00 pm

      Nope, I promise there will be a big announcement when I’m prego (nothing hidden in italics)! Click over to YHL to see what I’m talking about. It’s just Clara dreaming about presents…

      xo
      s

  20. Avatar for AllyAlly says

    October 18, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    J-Boom, don’t knock the rain shower mural…it’s helping to keep the shower grass nice and lush and green :)

    Bravo, Erin! Love it all! :)

    xox

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 2:59 pm

      Hahah! True dat.

      -John

    • Avatar for IvyIvy says

      October 19, 2012 at 10:27 am

      The addition of the shower grass is cracking me up the most about that mural. Glad someone else pointed it out too.

  21. Avatar for LeahLeah says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    This is so great! I love all the touches, even the matching stool. Great one!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for Ashley @ LibertyBellesAshley @ LibertyBelles says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    Wow what a great idea with the door. Looks amazing!

    Reply
  23. Avatar for Ainhoa@ALittleBite[email protected] says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    What a great redo! We installed Ikea vanities in our bathrooms this year and we’re very happy with them so far.
    Also, I just wanted to mention it because I’ve read you don’t allow them, a pop-up ad for Scoreboard or something like that appeared when I came to check out this post…

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 3:05 pm

      Ahhh! Anyone else having that? They’re never authorized and we can’t see them so we don’t know they’re there (and can’t block them) unless we hear from you! I url to where the pop-up leads or screen grab is really helpful if you do see them, that way we can block them!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for ElizabethElizabeth says

      October 18, 2012 at 3:48 pm

      I got one a couple day ago to take some kind of survey but I don’t know how to screen cap on a PC!

    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 4:07 pm

      Boo! So sorry guys, we hate them! Always tell us so we can try to kill them.

      xo,
      s

  24. Avatar for careecaree says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    Eminem turned 40 yesterday, just so ya know. Feel old now? I do!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 4:15 pm

      Oh yes I whisper sung happy bday to Burgee in honor.

      xo,
      s

  25. Avatar for Ainhoa@ALittleBite[email protected] says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    Soo sorry, I didn’t realize that! I think it was something like a survey, it said Scoreboard Research, I think. Now I’ll know to do a screen grab if I come across another one.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 4:17 pm

      Thanks Ainhoa! You’re so sweet.

      xo,
      s

  26. Avatar for Gabriella @ Our Life In ActionGabriella @ Our Life In Action says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    What a fantastic job – I am still laughing over the rain tiles in the shower…..priceless!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for MonicaMonica says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    Somehow it brings me comfort to hear that other people say, “I can’t believe we bought this dump,” – I feel the same way!! But the “afters” make it worth it.

    Reply
  28. Avatar for CJCJ says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Wow! Lovely work!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for heatherheather says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    it looks awesome! The best part of the whole post: “I can’t believe we bought this dump” :)

    Reply
  30. Avatar for juliajulia says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    wow, i love this re-design! very zen-like feeling in the ‘after’ & that rain shower mural is too funny!

    xo julesinflats.com

    Reply
  31. Avatar for ColleenColleen says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    I LOVE nearly everything about this bathroom! Nice work!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for GinaGina says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    I can think of like 100 ways the prior owner could have done that shower mural that would have been less ridiculous, but that is what they came up with? I love this update. My house also had a ‘creative’ prior homeowner, so I feel Erin’s pain :)

    Reply
  33. Avatar for DeeJay ConleyDeeJay Conley says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    Such a wonderful bathroom redo!!!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    I agree with John- the sliding door is amazing! Gotta love a little extra privacy especially if it’s a shared bathroom!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    October 18, 2012 at 4:10 pm

    The door is awesome but I LOVE the mirror shelf!!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for Christina @ Homemade OceanChristina @ Homemade Ocean says

    October 18, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Oh wow….that mural is BBBAAAADDD!!!!

    But Clara’s new monthly picture….ADORABLE!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for SamSam says

    October 18, 2012 at 4:20 pm

    Love the colour! And the sliding door idea!! Love it!!
    xx

    Reply
  38. Avatar for LawrenLawren says

    October 18, 2012 at 4:21 pm

    hey $herdog –
    totally unrelated…but did you see eminem turned 40 today?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 4:23 pm

      Oh yeah it was yesterday. Die hard fan here. I even sang happy birthday to Burger in his honor.

      xo,
      s

  39. Avatar for EstherEsther says

    October 18, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    I think Shoji style doors are the answer to all of life’s problems, they are soo pretttty

    Reply
  40. Avatar for tjacktjack says

    October 18, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    They did an amazing job! That door is really nice. I love all the reader redesign posts, especially the gut jobs. We are buying a house and would like to gut it, but will have to live with it for awhile. It is a charming house though so we don’t mind.

    If possible can we see some reader redesigns that work with what they have and don’t do any major renovations? We need some inspiration/tips/tricks.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 18, 2012 at 6:12 pm

      Oh yes, we love those too! We try to do a mix of styles/budgets/projects so some are lighter and easier while others are more major!

      xo
      s

  41. Avatar for VanessaVanessa says

    October 18, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    That before is HILARIOUS! I definitely thought the green “grass” was mold in the very first picture… Questionable taste, for sure. The after is gorgeous though! Well done, Erin!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for AshleyAshley says

    October 18, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Maybe I can convince her to come do my bathrooms. I have dark purple wall paint still showing in some places AND pink grout. PINK GROUT!!!!

    Love her redo.

    Reply
  43. Avatar for RachelRachel says

    October 18, 2012 at 5:58 pm

    I too have a “can’t believe I bought this dump” foreclosure that I’m working on. I love this bathroom, totally want that floating vanity and hope Ikea makes one small enough for our postage stamp sized bathroom. Less stuff that touches the floor makes for easier-to-clean floor!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    October 18, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    I love the mirror shelf, such a good idea!

    This reminds me of my own inherited bathroom mural which is still there a year and a half after buying the house. It’ll probably never make it into a reader redesign though (it involves unicorns and rainbows and is really innapropriate!)…

    Reply
  45. Avatar for KateKate says

    October 18, 2012 at 8:40 pm

    that lighting is so cool! And the shower mural is SO WEIRD.

    Reply
  46. Avatar for KathyKathy says

    October 18, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    My dad says he’s sad they got rid of the rain shower motif — he likes (liked) it.

    Reply
  47. Avatar for TerresaTerresa says

    October 18, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    How strange – I just saw the exact same mirror-shelf thing in a bathroom redo on Designsponge today. I really like it too. It looks great in both bathrooms

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 19, 2012 at 12:01 am

      Such a small world!

      xo
      s

  48. Avatar for Amber at Love, Laugh, Live WellAmber at Love, Laugh, Live Well says

    October 18, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    Oh, I love this! The colors are great and it’s so calm. Great job on the custom door too!

    Reply
  49. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    October 18, 2012 at 11:56 pm

    To start with, i love it when you have a reader redesign! Its so fun to see what others are up to. Now, on the other hand, that tile is like the chia pet of showers! Yikes lol. Absolutely love the penny tile and sliding door.

    Reply
  50. Avatar for Barnabé dans lBarnabé dans l'atelier says

    October 19, 2012 at 3:35 am

    Ohh yes, the before photo is funny !
    This bathroom really needed to be remodeled and it is well done. Beautifull.
    Thank you for your blog, I love it.
    Mina

    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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