Morning routine.....

My morning routine most often starts here in our newly redone bathroom. But it did not look like this when we moved in...

Here is the before picture (see photo below) from the sales brochure. Now this photo actually made it look nicer than it was. The two round sinks had rounded cabinets under them that were totally rotting, all the faucets (sinks, bath and shower) were calcified and unable to be cleaned, drains in both sinks were totally clogged and the copper pipes were green from leaks which we only discovered after we removed the mirrored wall. It took ages to get this mirror and sink construction from the wall but we are so glad we did it. The entire room needed a good deep cleaning as there was mold on the tiles and the shower door was so filthy it looked like it was frosted glass.

What was the mirrored wall is now covered with a slate tile. We added silver accents to bring the slate color out even more. We bought a traditional sink with a retro 30s look and faucet to match. I had been searching for a nice vintage small chest of drawers but have not had any success. I decided to try the little chest of drawers from the bedroom for now. We like it there.

We bought more vintage looking faucets to replace those here at the bath and also the one in the shower. I always keep a book by the bath on a little table as I start off my day relaxing in a hot bath with a good book whenever I have the time.

We had damage to the floor tiles due to the leaking sinks being left for so long. This is a Belgian blue stone floor which is porous and the leakage has eaten marks into the floor. But rather than having to immediately replace the floor, I bought a very large shag bathroom rug which was just the right size to cover the two spots on the floor. I love this rug as it is nice and cozy warm to your feet in the morning. I have little throw rugs for right at the shower and bath also.

The window has been painted in a nice creamy white which looks much cleaner and fresher than the dark blue paint. The radiator had to be removed and repainted as it was rusted. A few accessories on the window sill finish it off.

My step father made me this shelf about 15 years ago and I stitched the sea shells about 24 years ago. Good items never go out of style.

I love glass and there is nothing like placing glass in the bathroom just for the pure luxury of it! Perhaps you noticed from the first photo, our chandelier is now hanging in the bathroom. I love the way the light glimmers in the morning while I am relaxing. I also placed a tray with a piece of handmade lace and crystal carafes on the little dresser. We no longer use these but I think they are so pretty just as they are. You could use carafes like this to hold your bathfoam or other things like this.

The silver hooks are waiting to be hung by Jos. They used to be hanging in Cranberry Cottage to hold a quilt but we made a shelf for the living room there (click here for the post about the shelf) and these hooks are perfect to bring here to use in the bathroom.

We are very pleased with how this bathroom has become a very relaxing space to start our day with a minimum amount of money spent. We bought a sink, faucets and a mirror. Everything else are items we already had. Other than that it has been a question of a good deal of elbow grease.