Tuesday 9 April 2013

Bathroom: before and after

We are happy with how our bathroom looks now. If we had imagined that painting the wall tiles would've looked this good we would've done it at the very start of our sojourn at the Sow's Ear. 

Although we are not really advocates of temporary renovations, sometimes it's just necessary... particularly if you are 'umming and ahhing' about whether you intend to stay in a home forever or planning larger long-term renovations where rooms may need to be changed to accommodate a growing family.

Painting the bathroom tiles was a quick and cheap fix of our bathroom. The old beige tiles and grey grout did no favours to the out-of-square room. Every flaw was noticeable. The higgledy piggledy grouting and dated feature tiles stood out like the proverbial - the white tile paint disguises it so well.

We would totally recommend painting tiles as a temporary measure if you are unhappy with how your tiles look...but Jason and I agree that white is the only colour we would consider for such a task (I'm sure others have had equal success with colours though). 

The total cost of the tile painting was less than $150 for the paint. We used a one litre tin of tile primer and two tins of white tile paint. The process of painting the tiles was quite easy. Prepping the walls is probably the most important step to ensure a nice even finish.

Bear in mind that painted tiles will never really be as nice as a good professional tiling job. It won't have the same longevity...but I guess we will find out as we live with it. But considering how dubious we were of tile paint, it is worth a shot if you are despairing of your tile situation!

Just to refresh everyone's memory, here are some photographs of the Sow's Ear's bathroom from about 2009 when we first moved in.

Before:

Our old bathroom was quite serviceable but just needed a freshen up until we decide what to do with a full bathroom renovation...
Beige tile, grey grout, cream painted wall, ceiling and windows. 

timber vanity, timber mirror and towel rails

Country style bathroom with beige and green decorative feature tile
After:
This mini bathroom makeover has really been a work in progress for the past few weeks but with the huge advantage of allowing us to still access the bathroom. It was never out of action for too long...which is important in a one bathroom family house.

white painted tile, white walls, windows and ceiling.
We also removed the bars across the windows which we think  were installed to stop small children from falling through the opening!

We started with painting the door white, it was originally cream. A traditional chrome hook on the door provides extra hanging space.
After the fiasco of the dodgy chrome towel rails that we purchased earlier, I went out and bought a towel rail ladder. We picked it up at the Bathroomwarehouse in Newstead who provided particularly nice service, hence the shout out. Nice is always good.

A towel ladder gives us more towel hanging space. This is the round profile Heirloom brand.
I also bought a couple of new dark grey towels that were on sale.
We still have some of the el cheapo fittings like the towel ring and toilet holder...we're hanging on to them until  they fall apart. Hopefully they won't, but we're not worried because we know where we can get new ones without too much fuss.

Painted white vanity.
An old Dickies towel from the 70s and makes a cool, yet substantial hand towel
Painting the vanity and changing the handles have made it disappear completely. It never really deserved to be a feature in the bathroom. We like vanities like this to just blend quietly into the background. We also painted the heavy timber mirror frame so that it blends right back into the walls.

I'm loving these new bathroom runners that are around.
It's really soft and will be nice over the winter months...before it  becomes a hot mouldy mess. Ha!
We've left the floor tile as they were.

Jason built new window architraves to match the rest of the Sow's Ear.
He's the details man. The rubber ducks have a nice spot in which to reside.

We still have a few small things left to do on the bathroom, but that's pretty much it for now. Yippee!  You can read all our bathroom posts here if you're not up-to-date with what we have been doing. 

Anyone out there tempted to paint over some ugly tile? Tell me because I know your pain.

29 comments:

  1. It's come up a treat! So clean and fresh - Jen.

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  2. Looks fantastic! Tile paint hey? Who would have thunk it. Although, to be honest, right now I'd give my left arm for your before photo in our place! x

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    1. Ha! Yes, I can imagine...you probably more than just paint for yours...xx

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  3. What a great result! Your tiles look fantastic.
    xx

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  4. Looks amazing! Good old white paint!! Everything just looks bigger and cleaner!

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    1. Thanks sweetness. Love a bit of white paint!

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  5. Tile paint is one of those surprises, isn't it?

    I'm painting my kitchen, you inspire me!

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    1. Go for it Tricia! You and DIY are a perfect combination. xx

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  6. So so so good. Glad to know that my inappropriate commentary was actually useful to get you motivated! mel x

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  7. It looks really nice! I see your house pic at the top has a split personality.

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    1. Thanks Deb. It's very Jekyll and Hyde, isn't it? xx

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  8. A wonderful change! I looks delightfully crisp and clean. It's amazing what a little paint can do! I have to say, I love the character of that window.

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    1. Thanks Jeanette. And yes the windows are a great part of owning a Queenslander house. xx

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  9. I cannot believe how much nicer your bathroom looks with a bit of white paint 'splashed around' The tiles look great, but it is your vanity that really caught my eye. It looks pretty special in that pic with that awesome orange towel. Really impressed Unfortunately it's going to take more than a couple of cans of paint to fix ours - if that's all it needed I'd be on my way to Bunnings now!

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    1. Thanks Kylie! I knew you'd love my Dickie's towel...it's so good. Yeah, I know what you mean about more than a couple of tins of paint helping...sometimes it just not an option and you have to go in hard with your renovations. xx

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  10. What a fabulous transformation! It looks so much better! You might be surprised at how long the paint surface lasts; 30 years ago I painted over my laminate kitchen counters (even though these surfaces are not recommended) to make them visually more appealing in my first home. They were still in excellent condition 5 years later when we went to sell. Amazing product! LOVE your new bath mat...would you mind me asking where it's from? x KL

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    1. Really? Well that's certainly good to hear. We have our fingers crossed. And that runner is fabulous. I bought it from a PillowTalk store and it's a Logan and Mason brand. Apparently they are new stock. xx

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    2. Looks fab! Another job well done!

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    3. Thanks Elizabeth! Shane it wasn't finished when you did the house tour post here. xx

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  11. It looks so good, Anita. And it's only paint!We rented a house when we first came to Sydney that had painted bathroom tiles. It was so serviceable too! Jason has done a tremendous job.

    Jennifer xx

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    1. The paint is like magic...we are so glad we did it now. Thanks Jennifer! xx

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  12. Fit for a Princess! Amazing work...and I love the new wheels too!

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  13. Amazing transformation,love it, what a pity boys have to use it now.

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  14. Love the towel ladder - we are renovating a 1950's post war Queenslander in Townsville and trying to find a suitable towel hanging option for the two bathrooms - thanks for a great idea.

    Cheers, Col

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