Navy Blue Cottage Bathroom Makeover
This article is all about taking a dated 1920’s cottage bungalow bath from tired to refreshed! Get ready for lots of budget decorating ideas, lots of paint and some simple, basic DIY home improvement projects – like changing out light fixtures, hardware and bathroom accessories to reflect a cottage farmhouse feel, with a bit of a coastal/nautical flavor. If like me, you can’t afford a full on bathroom renovation, I hope you’ll love it!
Hi guys!! I always love to share new crafts, projects and ideas with you… but when I have a room makeover to share, it’s the most exiting for sure. And I’ve been sitting on this one for a few weeks, because there was a little snafu with the shipping of an item. Everything is complete now, and I finally get to share our brand new look!
Welcome to our New Navy Bathroom…
Not the easiest color to photograph… but I absolutely love it!! (I just had to add that…. haha)
Over the years I’ve become drawn to dark, moody rooms and the depth you find in the deeper shades… and the mood they create. I’ve painted a large chalkboard section over my mantel, and done a lot of pinning and mooning over some of the amazing space I’ve come across… but I never went dark because over house and location aren’t really conducive to a deeply colored room.
And then my Boll and Branch Navy towels arrived, and I knew. I knew this was the perfect opportunity to go dark! I was pretty confident I could get away with a dark shade in the bathroom because of the vaulted ceiling, and the fact that we don’t spend any lengthy amounts of time in there. I felt like the impact could be really fun, without it affecting anyone’s mood during say, a long Winter after months of seemingly endless rain.
Once I decided on the bathroom, I debated between painting the vanity, and the accent wall. The accent wall won out. I’m so happy with my choice. I think it’s much more dramatic than the vanity would have been.
With the rest of the bathroom so bright and white, the navy towels look extra rich and luxurious.
Our yummy new towels were just the push I needed to update a few key pieces in the bathroom, without going full-blown renovation. Jim and I had agreed on doing a full gut remodel on the bathroom when Austin graduated (because we’d all be running down to The Little Cottage for showers) but ending up deciding to shift our budget to building the new workshop instead. We made the right choice, because everything functions pretty well, so we continue to hold off on a complete renovation.
However, it was really nice to give the bathroom an update… while still staying true to the “no big changes until we renovate” plan.
I couldn’t be happier with the new lighting, mirror and shelf. I got really lucky finding something I liked, that coordinated so beautifully with our existing faucet suite.
Concentrating on spending my budget on those 3 key items really made a big impact. I shopped the house and pulled in just a few things I already owned to finish off the space.
I decided to bring the marble cake stand back in, because I just love it in here. It keeps the counter from feeling cluttered too.
I picked up the navy & white curtains 8 months ago when I was down in California visiting my family. My mom asked me; “Where are you going to put those?” and I remembering say… I don’t know but I love them & I’m buying them! (and they’ll fit in my carry-on). A major shopping requirement when traveling.
Speaking of my mom… we were on the phone a few days ago and I was telling her the space really needed something on the wall between the vanity and the shower. I didn’t want to rush filling the space by just buying something. I didn’t want meaningless filler, and we don’t have a lot of shopping options. As we talked, I spied a lantern in my “things to take over to The Little Cottage” pile. Yes, I have piles… but enough about that.
So I see the lantern, and I think to myself, maybe that’ll work?
I hung it with a cool, old cast iron pulley… after I gave a quick paint job. It doesn’t overfill the space, and the candle will be perfect to light when bathing. I can’t wait to use it.
Between it, and my little bar stool/tray table, it feels just right. And see? I didn’t need that darn Target apothecary tower anyhow. (you’d have to follow me on Facebook to get that one) I couldn’t resist.
And that my friends, is the riveting story of our new navy bathroom makeover!
I want to thank Boll & Branch for sponsoring today’s post. It was a joy to collaborate with such a wonderful company. Not only did they send me beautiful, new 100% organic cotton towels, that aren’t only soft, but have a weight and denseness that speaks to their quality. But… they are a company with a fantastic heart & mission. I encourage you to [click here] to read about how Boll & Branch operates their business, how they change lives and how they give back.
Update October 2019 – I’m happy to report that our Boll & Branch towels are holding up beautifully – still, fat fluffy and soft! Definitely a purchase well worth it.
You can visit Boll & Branch online [here]
And find their gorgeous, lofty, luscious towels [here]
When you buy from Boll & Branch, your order arrives like this…
and you’ll know, you’ve purchased something very special.
PS: I promise to share all the DIY details and the sources for everything else in the room like I always do, very soon!!
Find the budget breakdown & source post with all the direct shopping links [by clicking here]
If you’ve never visited Fox Hollow Cottage before, you can see the before bathroom with it’s light, coastal cottage look [click here].
…and to keep me extra thankful & appreciative, I always like to remember what I started with…
Need more information? Get the complete BUDGET BREAKDOWN; paint colors, item sources, etc…
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your bathroom makeover!!!….Love the wall color and all of the beautiful accents….and yes, great that you bought those panels as they are perfect in the bathroom!!! Beautiful job Shannon!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Happy Fall to you Shirley, Oh I am so glad I bought those. I sure love them.
Becca says
Girl, you truly outdid yourself! I absolutely love this! Such a classic look that needs to be featured in a magazine (better yet, a book … YOUR book that I really need you to pen)! The new wall color is fabulous … love the accents … the lantern on the pulley is too cool, and you know I still have a crush on your mantel above your tub. Your vision never ceases to amaze me!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
You are seriously cracking me up! Stop… a book… hahaha. What am I going to write about. I love you though!!
I am so glad the lantern idea popper into my head, I really do like that and I knew we needed that little metal pulley when out junking.
I just didn’t know what for at the time. 😉
Barbara Ann says
Haa. I like the idea behind your curtain purchase. My husband used to think that I wouldn’t buy so much when we travel the South thinking I couldn’t get much home in our luggage. HA! I SHOWED HIM. I shipped everything home via Greyhound bus. When driving state to state you can always go on line and find a bus depot. And I have a depot in the next city where I live. Last year he tried a new tatic, rent a smaller car. Did you know those Mini Coopers really hold a lot?.
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Oh you are good! I’ve been known to ship my clothes home in a flat rate box, and use my luggage to bring home my haul. lol. That trip was short, and I was very restrained. I knew about the bus trick, but I’ve never done that one yet.
Debbie Manno says
What an extreme makeover Shannon! This could be on the show lol. I love the navy. It really makes the ceiling stand out. Nice job girlie!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
It would have been done a lot faster & had better photography lighting!! hahaha
Debbie says
Gorgeous ! Looks airy and sophisticated. I love your rug ! Where did you find that ?
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Hi Debbie! Coming soon. I’m working on the paint color and source post right now 🙂 I’ll be up Monday.
Liz @ Infuse With Liz says
Wow Shannon- this is an amazing transformation! I love the navy wall and the white cabinet playing off of it is perfect. The towels are beautiful and look so thick and plush. The pulley with the lantern filled that spot so nicely and I like the presentation on the stool under it. The light fixtures are cute too! Wonderful job 🙂
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Morning Liz! I should weight them. I swear they are heirloom quality. I didn’t want to brag on them too much, but I think they will last till I’m 80! lol. Thank you so much. I’m really pleased with how it turned out, and that I was able to refresh this old girl yet again 😉 Happy Fall!!
Martha says
Shannon, the bathroom makeover is divine ✨
Splendid job! Love the navy wall and accents.
I painted our oldest daughter’s bathroom a dark slate gray a few years back and accented with orange and still absolutely love it.
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Oh that sounds really cool!! What interesting colors.
Judith Polcari says
Hello Shannon, Well where do I start. Thought the navy would be do dark, but it is great on one wall. Love the pulley on lantern and where did you buy the blinds, love them and could use some . I hate the normal type of blinds in the bathroom…..You did a great job…….
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Hello dear lady!! Thanks. I know… it looked scary at first, didn’t it? I’m working on a source post right now and I’ll share as soon as I can!! It’ll be up first thing Monday morning. Maybe Sunday night 🙂 I’ve got 2 more projects to finish first. It’s been a lot of late nights at my house this week. Take care now. Shannon 🙂
Debbie @ Refresh Restyle says
I love, love, love the navy!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Thank you so much Debbie!!
Kim - Today's Creative Life says
LOVE it!!!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Thanks doll!! xo
Holli says
Shannon It is absolutely gorgeous!! Better than I imagined! All the details are just perfect!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Thanks sweetie pie!! Luv ya!! xo