Before Bathroom
"I don't know what the old owners were thinking when they 'renovated,'" says Country Living contributing editor Ryan McPhail of his little loo in upstate New York, which came with Pepto-pink walls and a minuscule, institutional-looking sink that only emphasized the room's cramped 35-square-foot layout. Despite an equally tiny budget, McPhail envisioned a bright, airy all-white space. Undaunted by the physical — and fiscal — restraints, he saved big by sticking to the original floor plan instead of relocating the tub, sink, and toilet. He also turned to standard-issue fixtures from Lowe's, inexpensive materials, and his own sweat equity. The result? A room that went from pink to posh, while keeping costs in check.
After: Bathroom
Medicine cabinet: Rather than spend big on something new, McPhail refreshed this $15 flea market find with a coat of white latex semigloss.
Art: Framed in black, Audubon-style snake prints add graphic impact to an otherwise all-white room. (Similar prints start at $30; digitalgallery.nypl.org)
Curtain: A petticoat-pretty cascade of cotton ruffles softens industrial, heavy metal elements. ($98; anthropologie.com)
Hardware: The chrome on this 1950s toothbrush holder and towel-hook set — which McPhail found at a junk shop — was restored with steel wool. Just rub gently, no water required.
Sink: At a slim 19 inches wide, this Jacuzzi pedestal basin fits the room's small footprint perfectly. McPhail put it in himself, but says a plumber should be able to install a sink and faucet in a few hours for $200 to $350. ($112.26; lowes.com for stores)
Trash can: McPhail's vintage sap bucket, scored for $10, adds a lot more character than a standard-issue wastepaper basket.
Floor tile: The existing linoleum was impossible to remove without ripping out everything down to the rafters, so McPhail installed this no-frills octagonal pattern right on top. To avoid adding too much height to the floor, he used a thin foam underlay, which McPhail says was "easier and 10 times faster" than traditional backer board. (Dal-Tile ceramic tile, $2.57 per square foot, and VersaTile Easy Mat Underlayment, $59.99 for 40 square feet; homedepot.com for stores)
After: Bathroom
Chandelier: The original ceiling light sat above the tub — the wrong place for the glamorous low-hanging fixture McPhail had in mind. To avoid electrical work, he used a $2 hook to shift the chain of this fancy-looking (but plastic) chandelier. ($99.99; urbanoutfitters.com)
Showerhead: One small change that pays luxurious dividends (and requires virtually no skill)? An extra-large rain showerhead. ($162; homedepot.com for stores)
Tub surround: For just $21 total, these sheets of corrugated metal (available at most Home Depot stores) make a stylish statement. After removing the plastic tub surround, McPhail cut the galvanized sheets to fit (ask a carpenter for help) and finished the panels with Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear Enamel before screwing them in place. To prevent leaks, he used self-sealing roofing screws and filled the seams with metallic caulk (available at hardware stores for about $6).
Custom door: A glass insert, reminiscent of an old washroom, lets light filter into the bedroom beyond. McPhail cut an opening into the door with a Skilsaw, then added a frosted piece of safety glass that he fixed in place with two frames of half-inch trim.
Flusher: McPhail found this handle — called a cross tank lever faucet — for under $15 in the plumbing department at Lowe's. A five-minute upgrade, it gives his brand-new toilet an antiquated feel. (Aquasource toilet, $54, and Moen flusher, $14.98; lowes.com for stores)
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