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Bathroom Remodel Update Farmhouse Style

Last September (has it really been that long??), we began gutting our solitary water closet for our family of 8. And you know that when you have 6 little bladders walking around that getting a job done quickly can become nearly impossible. Well, here we are at the end of spring and we’re finally wrapping up our farmhouse bathroom remodel. Mind you, we have also just completed our master bedroom remodel too. Time flies when you’re making a mess, right?

Here is where we left off last time…

1950's Bathroom Remodel by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

We replaced our worn out fiberglass tub with a new Kohler cast iron tub found on Craigslist for $250. This beauty only had a small nick in the bottom left corner of the skirt from transportation, which made it deemed unworthy to the owner. SCORE FOR US!

The one and only thing we were not replacing in this room was the commode because we had just replaced it a couple of years prior. Otherwise, everything had got to go! From the ceiling down the floor all was removed. (You have to read about our initial gutting to totally get the picture…I’ll wait.)

DIY TIME

First up (literally) was the ceiling. Since our bathroom is a tiny room, we wanted to one panel of 4′ x 8′ beadboard stuck up there with a sort of coffered effect.

Installing Beadboard Coffered Ceiling by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

With some basic pine and trim and a fresh coat of white paint, we have a new ceiling that is stylin’.

Once our tub was in, we used a classic subway tile for the surround. Some may say, “White? But white will get dirty.” I like to see where I need to clean and nothing beats a clean feeling of a crisp bathroom.

Installing White Subway Tile in Bathroom by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

For the grout we went with a gray color to make those tiles really pop. I must say this is my hubby’s first time tiling in this form (he did our faux stone facing on the front of our house the summer before last), and he’s rocking it!

Gray Grout with White Subway Tile in Bathroom by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

*post sponsored by eFaucets and Hickory Hardware  (see full disclosure)

Grouting sure can be messy, but is well worth the effort.

PLUMBING

When it came to our plumbing fixtures, we were a bit stumped. You see, the tub overflow set on an angle and we couldn’t just reattach the overflow with our current plumbing. That would be too easy, of course. So I contacted Kohler with our tub model number and they said we needed special overflow/drain kit that cost $250. Uhhh, NO. Our entire tub cost that much!

So if you know me, I’m off to find a more affordable option. Meanwhile, my family and I took showers while sitting in the tub for a few weeks because we had no overflow for a bath, and my hubby worked on tile in his “spare” time. No fun. Seriously though, this is a first world complaint. I was just happy to be able to get clean.

I searched all over online and found that there is a new invention for an overflow that has flexible joints, allowing it to meet the tub surface at an angle. Bingo. Now these didn’t come lost cost either, but ran around $150. Still not going to give in.

After searching eBay, I found someone had bought out a plumbing company and had the exact same kits for $35, minus the trim. YES! Once we got that kit in our hands we needed to find a trim kit that would fit (a trim kit would have the accessories like a drain plug, flange, etc. to match our fixtures.) I located the original overflow kit source and purchased a matching trim kit. Easy enough, right?

WHAT NEXT?

Well…when we got the trim kit, it was missing a part that would allow us to connect it all. So… I called and let them know my kit came without an essential piece. They happily sent out a new part, but that took a week or so. Bummer, more sitting and showering.

All in all though, we only spent $75 for our plumbing instead of the original $250 quoted by Kohler. A little patience and research pays off. I also found our tub fixtures on eBay sold through a company called eFaucets. I love the retro feel and my tub looks happy, don’t you think?

Vintage Style Bathroom Plumbing Fixtures by eFaucets on Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Since I liked what I saw so much, I went back to eFaucets and found the matching sink fixture too. I asked eFaucets if they had a shower head to coordinate with our current set up and they happily sent us a whole set up. Wahoo!

Shower Head Assembly in Brushed Nickel by eFaucets | Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Even though our old shower head rocked the water pressure, it was not going to match our new look.

Old Shower Head Assembly in Bathroom | Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

NEXT STEPS

Once that shower stall was finished, that was a stopping point for us for a few winter months because we wanted to get back in to finish our master bedroom. I had to stare at that hole in the wall for longer than I’d have liked.

Hole in Bathroom Wall During Remodel| Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

And this is what the other side looked like as well.

Unfinished Bathroom Wall During Remodel| Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

There was only a single wall medicine cabinet when we moved in with a single outdoor (yes, outdoor) light fixture as well.

Bathroom Wall During Remodel| Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

No worries, I don’t plan to trash the vanity. I have another purpose coming up soon. Nothing goes to waste around here!

1950's Bathroom Vanity| Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

When we got back at it, I was finally able to drag out a light fixture I had bought at a garage sale a year or so ago for a dollar. It came out of an old farmhouse bathroom that had been renovated.

Garage Sale Farmhouse Sconce for Bathroom Remodel| Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Outside of the original finish not being the color I’d choose, I really liked the design and the embossed sconces.

Vintage Frosted and Embossed Light Fixture for Bathroom Remodel| Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

So, of course, I paint it with my handy-dandy Rust-Oleum Antique Nickel. I love that stuff.

Antique Nickel by Rustoleum for Light Fixture in Bathroom Remodel| Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

WALLS

Next, we put up luan on the upper half of the wall, and beadboard wainscoting on the bottom. No.more.hole. YAY! And this bathroom remodel is on it’s way.

Installing Luan Panels for Bathroom Remodel| Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Installing Trim During Bathroom Remodel| Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

No, the light fixture doesn’t look like that finished, but is in transition mode at this point. 🙂

The color of choice for the upper panels is “Classic Gray” by Glidden. I wanted a classic look, so why not this color?

Classic Gray by Glidden for Farmhouse Bathroom Remodel | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

The bottom bead board would get a coat of white. We had to go for quite some time without our towel hooks so we could work on the room, and there’s nothing like 8 wet towels hanging about your house. tsk.

Once we were able to install our new ones from Hickory Hardware, I was quite the happy mama.

Towel Hooks by Hickory Hardware in Bathroom | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

FLOOR

Now onto the floor. Everyone in our family helped out in our bathroom remodel in some shape or form. Hands-on experience is the best teacher. You have to remember that when we moved in there was carpet in here – bleck. Then we had a green laminate, which was eventually changed to this current one.

Removing Old Tile in Bathroom | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Kids Helping with Bathroom Remodel | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

This time around for this bathroom remodel, I wanted a ceramic tile, one that I could scrub the dickens out of. A nice white geometric mosaic tile to compliment the clean lines of the subway tile was our choice.

White Hexagon Tile in Farmhouse Bathroom | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Again, this is our first time installing a mosaic. It is rather simple and we learn a bit while working with it. A matching gray grout to the shower stall was our color choice.

Gray Grout with White Hexagon Tile in Farmhouse Bathroom | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Again, imagine my poor hubby trying to get this laid down while 6 kiddos have to keep using the restroom. Fun times for sure.

DIY VANITY

Now the fun part…the vanity!   I had been looking for a year or so for a dresser that we could retrofit into our bathroom vanity. Do you know how hard it is to find a piece that would accommodate our teeny tiny bathroom remodel? God has a sense of humor you know. I found this gorgeous piece while online in the NICU with our last baby. It fit our dimensions to within a half-inch. YAY!!

Vintage Dresser for Bathroom Vanity | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Yes, it doesn’t look pretty now, but just wait till I get my hands on it!

Top of Vintage Dresser for Bathroom Vanity | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

It had come with a mirror, but I decided to use that for this dressing table makeover instead.

Our jigsaw became our best friend in this makeover for sure.

Retrofitting Vintage Dresser for Farmhouse Bathroom Vanity | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Cutting Back of Vintage Dresser for Farmhouse Bathroom Vanity | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Using Jigsaw to Cut Top of Vintage Dresser for Farmhouse Bathroom Vanity | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Farmhouse Bathroom Vanity | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

I even have a use planned for the cut out top piece coming soon. Since this is an antique dresser, the drawers were lacking in the ease-of-use department. So again, with the help of Hickory Hardware drawer slides and some unique designing by us, we were able to make the drawers slide like butter off of hot toast.

Retrofitting Vanity Drawers for Bathroom | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Next, I sanded down the top for a nice, smooth finish.

Sanding Dresser Top for Bathroom Vanity | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Just for the record, I always wear a mast, but took it off to tell my hubby how to take the picture. 😉

DRY FIT

A dry fit is always wise,. You want to make sure everything fits and and is ready to go.

Dry Fitting Vintage Dresser Top for Bathroom Vanity | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Lookin’ good don’t you think?

Sneak Peek at Farmhouse Bathroom | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

To finish the vanity for our bathroom remodel, I used a favorite new product to me, Waterlox in Satin Finish.

Oh yeah baby…you know, this stuff ROCKS!! It can be hard to get your hands on it, but man does it go on like a dream and give you the most durable finish EVER. No sanding between coats and self-levels like none other. I was so excited when applying that stuff. Just mind you that it’s stinky and should be done outside if possible. Here in Ohio, Waterlox is manufactured, but the EPA won’t let you buy it in Ohio. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

When my dad was building our home, he went into our local university and asked them what they used on their gym floor. Waterlox. He used it our home, and in over 25 years that floor didn’t need refinished. So, of course, that’s what I use too, but I choose a satin finish.

For the base, I want a dark charcoal gray. Thankfully, I have a color in my stash (of course) that was a seconds paint from Home Depot and would be perfect.

Charcoal Gray Dresser for Bathroom Vanity | Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Gotta love them casters!!

COMING SOON

Well, I’m going to stop at this point because I don’t have finished photos yet. However,stay tuned for next week’s final reveal! I’ll show you how I put these antique sewing machine drawers to use from my last project.

Repurposed Antique Treadle Sewing Machine Drawers by Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

…and these freezer baskets with a broken ladder. I can’t wait to show you!! (UPDATE HERE – You gotta see it!!)

Farmhouse Style Budget Bathroom Makeover by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Share if you love how we’re doing so far! ♥

Farmhouse Style Budget Bathroom Makeover by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces
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More DIY goodness like our bathroom remodel:

Farmhouse Style Master Bedroom with Sunbleached Gray Floors by Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Budget-Friendly French Farmhouse Master Bedroom Makeover Final Reveal by Prodigal Pieces | www.prodigalpieces.com

Comments

    • Larissa says

      I can’t wait to show you the finished room. We have worked so hard and everything is finally coming together – just had to wait on product. 😉 Thank you, Sonya!!

      • Julie says

        I can’t wait to see the final result!

          • Laura says

            OMG! ! This is EXACTLY what I’m doing to my bathroom now! I do appreciate the tips seeing how i don’t have my flooring down yet and after seeing the hole in the dresser it gave me an idea. I cringed a bit about cutting an antique but, using the cut out gave me an idea so, I’m debating yet. Looks great. Hope mine turns out as well also! Thank you.

          • Larissa says

            That’s awesome! I’m sure you will love it and it will feel so rewarding when you’re done. Have fun with it!

  1. Marie@The Interior Frugalista says

    You guys are such a Dynamic DIY Duo and Larissa you blow me away with how you can sniff out a deal! Your patience and persistence amazes me. I see another magazine worthy makeover in your future!

  2. Cheryl says

    OMG!!! I love it! What a great job. I can’t wait to see the finished result.

  3. Kimm at Reinvented says

    You, my friend, are a DIY genius. Your resourcefulness always amazes me! I can’t wait to see the final reveal!

  4. Jenny @ Refresh Living says

    Larissa, I LOVE what you’ve done so far! I saw the post image and did a double take – is that a pic of our current bathroom reno?? Maybe that’s why I love it so much – so many of the finishes are going up in our bathroom too! (Repurposed washstand turned vanity, white subway tile with gray grout, the same floor mosaic, beadboard on the ceiling, and I’m debating using my sewing machine drawers for a wall hanging.) Is that a little strange or what? Needless to say, I LOVE your bathroom! Nice work!

    • Larissa says

      Hahaha…great minds think alike, right? I’m going to head over to see our twin. Thank you for stopping by!

  5. Sweet Auburn Life says

    Oh, it’s looking amazing! I love it all. Can’t wait to see the finished vanity and what you’re planning with those baskets and the ladder, hmm!?!

    • Larissa says

      Thank you! I’m excited to not only reveal, but just have my bathroom back to a new normal. DIY can take DGF (Dog Gone Forever!) 😀

      • Lauren says

        Where did you get the tile for the floors? It’s exactly what I’m looking for.

    • Larissa says

      I’ve been enjoying all you work too, Heather! Thank you for stopping by. 🙂

  6. Anne says

    You are rockin it girl! It looks incredible!

  7. Sara Jo Floyd says

    I love what you’er doing in your bathroom! Beautiful farmhouse style choices! I am also a christ-loving, artsy mommy who is having fun blogging about fixing up our 1893 farmhouse. We lived for 9 months with a crazy bathroom situation. We had to walk out the front door and then back in a closed off side of the house to use a half gutted bathroom. We even had to bathe our baby in a bucket. I defiantly have sympathy for any family who are working hard to renovate on their own, but I will say it is so much more rewarding in the end. I am so glad I found your blog! I can’t wait to see more!

    • Larissa says

      Yay! I’m not the only one nutty enough to take this on. 😀 Really though, like you said, it’s so well-worth it when you’re all through, and for me, knowing the job was done right is worth a it. So glad you stopped by, Sara!

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Anne. I’m so excited for the reveal this week. 🙂

  8. K A Borg says

    Wonderful & I think the depth that you go into affords the reader to ponder other ideas at the same time. My wife and are with you on the spray paint. I have refinished a couple of chandelier type fixtures and one lamp. We get lots of complements about them. It always fun to read the various blogs and at times it makes me want to do a blog. But a little thing called ADD seems to prevent me from having the discipline to do it. The comment about (Big Brother) EPA allowing that product to be manufactured, locally, but not for sale to the GP is maddening. Nothing politicalhere, but a bit of run of the mill Common Sense. That’s all I’ll shut up after that.

    Thank you for the ideas and the various applications we would have thought of.

    Jan & Keith
    North Texas

    • Larissa says

      You are awesome! Sound like you have the right idea with making do and reusing what’s already found. Yes, our states laws are crazy and can be so utterly annoying. Keep up the good work!

  9. Brittany says

    We are purchasing a new house and planning our bathroom Reno! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂

    • Larissa says

      Completely my pleasure, Brittany! Thank you so much for stopping by and I wihs you the best in your new home. 🙂

  10. Vicki says

    love love love your ideas!!!!!!!

    • Larissa says

      Thank you so much, Vicki! It’s always fun with the flea market, eclectic style to mix and match your finds. 🙂

  11. Crystal says

    Great transformation! Do you have a tutorial on how to add slides to the antique drawers? I have been looking for a way to strengthen them. Thank you!

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Crystal! I wish I could say it was easy, but we basically cut into the sides of the drawers a notch the size of the slide and reinforced it from the inside. It was the only way to make it work. Hope that helps! 😉

  12. Nuri Josephus says

    Larissa I wish I lived near you to come and browse and buy at Etsy and ask for advice – Im such a scaredy unimaginative cat – when I look at your wonderful ideas I thnk why am I not wired like that???? I am going to google for the end result of this makeover – I know its going to be a stunner!

    • Larissa says

      hahaha…you need to talk to my husband. I think he thinks I’m looney half of the time. Ha! Thank you, Nuri!

  13. Hope says

    Looks great and thanks for the motivation. One question I have is the shower corner tile caddies did you put those on over the subway tile or did you cut out the tile? How do you like them?
    Thanks

    • Larissa says

      We laid the tile on first and then adhered the shelves to the tile. We love them!

  14. Tracy says

    Is there a finished picture somewhere?

    • Larissa says

      In the post above there is a link to the reveal. 🙂

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