Way back (like over 5 years ago) the first big renovation in our house was the upstairs bathroom. Since this all happened before hello sunshine, let me rewind and fill you in…

The bathroom, although charming with an original clawfoot tub, was pretty grimy. Plus, the clawfoot was hidden and its condition matched its age. It was (and still is) our only full bathroom (there is an itty bitty powder room downstairs) and with a baby in the house, we felt it needed a facelift. David was about seven-months-old and now looking back, I see this renovation as major foreshadowing to the renovation we endured a few short years later.* You see, here’s the thing, as it was our only bathroom with a shower/tub and we survived several weeks without. I lugged baby David to my parent’s apartment for daily washing and Mike boycotted showing altogether during the duration of the renovation as solidarity to his project (he sponged bathed in the sink).

We worked with our friend and designer Erica on the design and made the most of our small space. Mike and his dad did everything on their own and although tiling was a bit of a learning curve, I think it turned out well! 

I loved my little bathroom and still love it but as David has grown into an independent messy boy, I feel like a refresh is in order. The walls and trim need painting plus, when we replaced the window, the mess around the frame was never fixed. I like the colour but I think it’s too magazine.

Note: Magazine is when it looks good in a photo but in reality, it shows the filth of everyday life. 

So with all the being said, I have some ideas. Before Mike freaks out, the good news is it is almost all cosmetic. I am keeping the sink, toilet, tub, cabinet and tile but just want to update the decor.

My first thought was wallpaper! I am itching to hang wallpaper somewhere in the house and this one has been on my radar for years: 

However, I am saving it for the powder room. It will be mine.

I also love these: 

But with a shower, I think paint is the smarter choice and I’ve been wanting a kelly green room for awhile. There’s something about kelly green and navy that just screams bathroom.

Then I saw this: 

Again, wallpaper but isn’t it amazing. It’s Scalamandre Zebra in Kate Spade’s bathroom so of course it’s amazing.

So back to Kelly. I can still use the shower curtain above and update my linen. Then the only other thing I would like is a new shower head. I regret not getting the rain shower / handheld combo and am trying to convince Mike it’d be a good investment. 

While I work on convincing Mike to move forward on this … we are also finishing David’s room. An old house (or at least my house) is never done!

A. Marimekko Pieni Unikko (Red) / B. Hygge and West Peonies (Mint) by Rifle Paper Co. / C. Hygge and West Daydream (Blue) by Julia Rothman / D. Waves of Chic removable wallpaper / E. Whitby Wallpaper – Washed Denim / F. Flamingos wallpaper by Albany / G. Anchors Aweigh removable wallpaper

H. Zoe Atlantis Rain Shower Head  / I. Ikea Godmorgon Mirror Cabinet (our wall cabinet already installed is Godmorgon) / J. Anthropologie Monarch Mercury Jar / K. Threshold Color Block Shower Curtain from Target / L. Casa White Tissue House from CB2 / M. Anthropologie Medora Bathmat / N. Stripped Dobby Waffleweave Towels from Pottery Barn / O. Kelly Green by Benjamin Moore

*The renovation that followed this left us seven months without a kitchen!

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