I can't believe it's already been a month since we started this challenge! One month and $100 sure goes fast when you're remodeling a bathroom! Although I didn't get all the projects checked off my unrealistic optimistic list, I feel great about how much this room has changed in the last few weeks.
Be sure to check out the previous weeks if you're just joining the party: Week 1 ~ Week 2 ~ Week 3
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Before we delve into the reveal, I just want to say a big Thank You to Erin of Lemons, Lavender, and Laundry for organizing this challenge and for inviting me. It's been so fun participating, and I'm already thinking of what my next room will be...
But for now, let's deal with one thing at a time. This bathroom was the epitome of "builder beige" when we moved in. It was stuck somewhere in the late seventies/early eighties and desperately needed a makeover. I had assumed it would be one of the last rooms we'd deal with, since bathroom remodels are expensive and this is just our guest bath. (Our master bath is even worse, but that's a story for another day.) But when I realized I could make some real changes with $100, I decided to get down to business and make this a guest bath that I won't have to apologize for every time I point someone down the hall.
Here's a reminder of where we started:
And here's where we ended up:
This is what my to-do list looked like:
- Paint walls white - Done, for $35. I used Summer Gray by Valspar in a satin finish.
- Paint cabinets navy blue - Done, for about $6. I used DecoArt's Satin Enamels, my new favorite furniture paint, in Dark Denim. I had a Hobby Lobby coupon that I was able to use on the paint, which usually costs around $9 for a jar. It only took about half the jar for these cabinets.
- Update countertops with concrete - Done, for free! I used Henry feather finish, which I had left over from a floor patching project in another room. You can read how I did it in
- New faucet - Done, for $44. I found this faucet at Lowe's and was thrilled with the price!
- Curtains to hide shower - Done, for $20. I found these lovely white 96" curtains at Tuesday Morning and they are perfect for hiding the yellow cultured marble without taking over the room visually.
- Add decor and accessories - Done, for free, by raiding the rest of my house for unused decor. I'm always surprised that old pieces can look new again when you put them in a new room!
- Frame mirror - Sadly, as you can see if you add up the "Done" amounts, I ran out of money before getting to this part. But it's coming! I'll update you in a later post about that project.
- Come up with a cool way to cover/hide the medicine cabinet - This one is still waiting too, mostly because I ran out of time to solve this little conundrum. Any ideas?
- Optional: New light over sink, and new hardware on cabinets. These definitely didn't get done, thanks to the budget, but I expected that from the beginning and I plan to do them soon, once I have a little extra spending cash.
Bathroom Makeover Resources
DecoArt Satin Enamel paint in "Dark Denim"
Sink Faucet (similar to the one I used)
Curtains (96" if you want floor to ceiling)
Towel Hooks and Hanging Shelf (similar to the ones I used)
Next, I've got a bonus after-challenge post for you, on how to seal concrete countertops!
Patti @ Garden Matter says
Meredith what a great makeover. I love that blue and just painted our bar a similar color. Of course the concrete countertop is beyond cool. Great job.
Meredith says
Thank you Patti! I'm seeing this color everywhere these days, we must be on to something!
Deborah says
We were seriously considering do this to our sink too, but ran out of moolah. Maybe next time. Looks fantastic.
Meredith says
Thanks Deborah! You should, it's not too hard!
monica20039 says
Your bathroom looks fantastic! That blue is a great choice- so fresh and modern.
Meredith says
Thank you Monica!
Jeri Walker (@JeriWB) says
This challenge was a lot of fun and makes a person realize decor change can accomplish a lot on a budget 🙂
Meredith says
Thanks Jeri! I was surprised as well, especially when I saw all the other bloggers' transformations too!
Erin @ Lemons, Lavender, & Laundry says
I am now so intrigued by your DecoArt Satin Enamel... I'm reading all about your kitchen cabinets (which look amazing, by the way). Putting this on my list for our Master Bathroom (which I think might be my next $100 Room Challenge). This bathroom looks incredible. Your vanity looks amazing!!! Love it all. Thanks for joining me in the challenge. I have loved watching your room transform over the past few weeks!
Meredith says
Thanks Erin! This challenge was so much fun, I already can't wait for the next one! You should try the Satin Enamels, they will make your life so much easier!
by Brittany Goldwyn says
Um wow, I cannot believe you filled in the shell!! I would never know that it used to be a shell!
Meredith says
I kind of can't believe it myself! I've already started forgetting what it looked like before, thankfully!
by Brittany Goldwyn says
I hit enter too soon...I absolutely LOVE Americana Decor Satin Enamels...it is my favorite line of theirs!!
Tracy S says
It looks awesome! The blue is gorgeous and you did an amazing job transforming the countertop. I will have to try that in my boy's bathroom.
Meredith says
Thanks Tracy! It would be the perfect color for a boy's bathroom!
adawnpaxton says
OMG I can't get over those countertops! They look amazing!!
Meredith says
Thanks! I couldn't believe that it could actually be done!
twelveonmain says
Oh I love it! The counter top looks amazing!!
Meredith says
Thank you! I'm loving the new countertops!
Zografia | Bisozozo says
I love it all! The vanity and countertops are fantastic!
Meredith says
Thank you Zografia!
Carole West, Garden Up Green says
Love it Meredith - fantastic results.
Meredith says
Thanks Carole!
ashley@biggerthanthethreeofus says
We had the same idea with the vanity! Looks so good.
Meredith says
Great minds think alike! 😉
simple nature decor says
Love the reveal, I am in love with the concrete counter top. I have a thing for concrete. The black cabinet bring out he concrete color. Maria
Meredith says
Thanks Maria, I think I have a thing for it too now!
maureenreynolds says
That concrete countertop is amazing. I want to do them for our outdoor kitchen this summer! Wish we had a Tuesday Morning here in Canada. Such pretty shower curtains at an amazing cost!
Meredith says
Oh my gosh, the concrete would be so perfect for an outdoor kitchen! I can't wait to see that!
Colleen Stevens says
Yes! It looks so good! I keep hearing about that paint, I'm going to have to try it. It's the perfect navy color. I love how the white curtain hides the marble and softens the whole space. SO smart!
Meredith says
Thanks Colleen! I think navy and white look so pretty together. You'll love the Satin Enamels!
Amy | Stow and TellU says
It's just remarkable what a difference you have made for $100. Wow!!! You really showed that gold marble who's boss. Thank you for the tip on the cabinet paint and concrete counter tops tutorial, I plan on attempting both some day soon. Absolutely love your update!
Meredith says
Thank you Amy, your comment made my day, especially the part about showing the marble who's boss! 😉
Karen says
The whole concrete countertop idea is new to me, and you've really inspired my imagination! I love this so much and think it made a huge difference in the look of your bathroom. Thanks so much for sharing your journey!
Meredith says
Thanks Karen, I'm so glad! I've been wanting to try concrete for a while now, but I just didn't know where until this challenge...
Kim says
Fantastic job on that vanity - I'm really excited to try that myself and I'll be using your tips to do so! Everything came together just beautifully! So, so pretty.
Meredith says
Thank you so much Kim!
SuziesView (@SuziesView) says
great job! I love the new bathroom 🙂
Meredith says
Thank you Suzie!
Kathryn Baugher says
Whoa!! The concrete counter is amazing and it looks so great with the freshly painted cabinets! Love all the little details you added and it sounds like you've got some great ideas for the future. I think your medicine cabinet will look really pretty once you frame out the big mirror. I wonder if you could remove it and put in open shelves?
Meredith says
Thanks Kathryn! I LOVE the idea of open shelves instead of the medicine cabinet. I'll have to see if I can figure out how to do that...
Kristen says
Love the color of the cabinets, it is so pretty. And I just still can't believe how well that countertop worked out for you! So cool!
Natalie says
I'm a huge fan of navy and love it in this room! My jaw is in the floor with your countertop! I can't believe how great it looks!!
Jillian says
I am a sucker for painted cabinets! I love the transformation. Those concrete counters are such a crazy good DIY. Great job 🙂
Erin says
This makeover turned out great! I love that you did the concrete counters. Looks awesome! I need to do that to mine now!
Mona says
I changed my mirrored recessed cabinet to one from concealedcabinet.com.
They aren’t cheap but very good quality and the outside is a picture frame with glass. You can insert a photo or other picture.
I love it.
Meredith says
Oh that's a cool idea, to use a photo or picture instead. Thanks!
Cameron McBride says
Meredith, blast to the future 5 years and concrete counters are super in! I am moving into a house with three of these clamshell sinks and want to try this out on them. I was wondering, how has the concrete held up after a few years of use? Thanks in advanced - hopefully you still check comments on these old posts!
Meredith says
Hi Cameron, yep I'm still checking comments! I loved my concrete countertops, but I did eventually redo them with quartz last year, once I could afford it. They worked great for several years before that and I'd say go for it! The only thing is, you might want to reseal the concrete about once or twice a year if they get heavy use. You can see more about how they held up in this post: https://thepalettemuse.com/diy-concrete-countertops-frequently-asked-questions/
Sophie says
Hello. It's been a while since you posted this but thank you for it. My husband and I just purchased our first home. The bathroom sink is/was the same style. I'm on a budget and desperately wanted to get rid of that eyesore. Until finding this website I was at loss for a solution. I just finished the first layer of Feather Finish and it's remarkable how much it's changed already - I can't wait to see the final product! How did yours hold up over time, just curious? Thanks again, Sophie
Meredith says
I'm so glad, it sure made a big difference in my bathroom! It held up well over time, but I do recommend resealing it about once a year. The concrete around the drain did get a little wear and tear after a while, but it was still better than the old sink!
Kaley says
So the seashell shape of the bathroom sink just magically changed with the new paint?
Meredith says
Yeah, If by magically you mean lots of hard work! You can see that process in this post: https://thepalettemuse.com/100-room-challenge-concrete-countertops/