A DIY bathroom/french country bathroom reveal…
Stature is not something I’m blessed with. I’m short. Short and sweet. Well, mostly just short. And usually sweet. You know who else was short? Napoleon. And I had Napoleon in mind when we designed this DIY bathroom/french country bathroom here at our little DIY blog.
For those who are looking for a specific item/source, lemme put it right here at the top so you don’t need to scour!
french country bathroom source list:
*We share the EXACT product whenever possible. If a product is no longer available, we have tried to provide a close match.
- Wallpaper – Thibaut “Piccadilly Cotillion” (no longer readily available) Here is a similar toile option from Waverly
- Basketweave marble floor tile (similar)
- Wainscot/Beadboard (PVC, NOT wood)
- 3×6 carrara marble subway tiles
- 12×12 carrara marble tiles
- Lugarno Triple Sconce vanity light (Restoration Hardware)
- Brushed Nickel “Pearl” Lavatory faucet
Now, back to Napoleon.
This bathroom is in our basement. And when we moved into this house out in the country, this is what it looked like down there…
See that hint of leopard shower curtain on the left? That’s the doorway to the old bathroom. As you can probably tell, this project was going to be a very TALL order.
Fortunately, I’ve never been afraid of a challenge, despite my height. In fact, I think my smallness has only fueled my drive to take on big things.
My nickname on the high school lacrosse team? “Huge”…which is kind of an awesome nickname, and probably gives off the idea I was actually good.
I can assure you, I barely made the cut, and spent most of my time there cheering on my teammates from the bench…that’s ok, more good life lessons learned.
Little “woman” syndrome? Sure. A “Napoleon complex”? Definitely.
Because you see, I think that anyone can do just about anything, if they have enough compunction and drive to do it. Where does this magical thinking come from?
Probably a lot from this guy. My Pop. Sorry for the bad pic, but he doesn’t like to have his likeness captured. He’s usually behind the camera (like me).
And this guy taught me that there are no limits to what you can do if you have the guts to try something.
And my Mom? Well, she’s a five-foot-nothing ball of energy in perpetual motion. Nobody messes with Mom, despite her size. “Small but mighty” is what she’d always say.
That and “good things come in small packages”. And I wholeheartedly agree.
Take this little bathroom, for example. When we bought the house, the footprint of this space was enormous. You walked in there and thought…pass me the 10lb. ball and lemme lace up my bowlers cause I’m gonna knock those pins flat at the other end of this bathroom.
It was a ridiculously large especially for a basement bath which undoubtedly won’t get a ton of use.
We wanted to open up the stairwell to make the basement feel less closed in when you walked into the space. In order to do that, we stole some square footage from the bath.
The new full bath tops out at a whopping 36 sq ft.
Here you can see how open it now looks as you come down the stairs compared to the picture up top of the same hallway. That blue table above is sitting where the original vanity sat in the old bathroom. So all that space was originally enclosed.
Some may think we’re bonkers for stealing space from a bathroom. I can understand that notion. But, I’d say this in response. A small bathroom does NOT have to be or feel cramped. And something that is small DEFINITELY need not feel short on style.
Take Napoleon, for example. Sure, he was small (allegedly), but he was not lacking in guts or gusto. An Emperor, and one of the greatest military commanders in history.
The Napoleonic code, which allowed for freedom of religion, and prevented privileges to be granted simply on the basis of birth was enacted in France under his rule. Clearly a big thinker, in a pint-sized body.
I’d like to think Napoleon would dig this throne room.
I mean, we’ve got the French toile…
and toilette!
Basketweave marble floors with herringbone marble subway tile in the shower…
and a DIY barnboard ceiling that seems very french country bathroom, no?
The door needn’t be closed on BIG style just because of a SMALL footprint!
In fact, quite the opposite. To me, small spaces just crave big patterns and bold choices because they want to stand out. If you’ve got a small bathroom you don’t know how to dress up, I suggest GO BIG OR GO HOME! Buy a huge wall stencil and go to town.
Order that bold wallpaper you’ve always gravitated toward, but been slightly scared of. Pick a big ol super glam chandelier. Choose a crazy paint color, like black! And then let me know how it goes. I love hearing stories about how the little guy or the underdog came out on top. It makes us small folks feel powerful.
And there you have it. Napoleon’s throne room. Good things do come in small packages.
Our Other Bathroom Makeovers & Ideas
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Grīdas Segumi says
Love the blue table in the hallway. The flooring in that image is just spot on.
Elaine says
What did u do on the hallway walls. I have paneling and to remove it is a jacked up cement board. Bottom line, if I remove the paneling, it’s a major drywall project … Unless I could put something else over it. What did u do?
Heather says
What you said is exactly correct. It was a major drywall project for us. Now, if we DIDN’T have the water damage that we did, I think I would have been inclined to try putting the drywall right over top of the paneling. Would lose a couple inches around the perimeter of the room, but would save a LOT of demolition/trash removal/etc. Good luck!!!
Mary says
Beautiful and lovely 😉
Heather says
Thanks so much Mary!!
Ivory says
OMG, you must visit my home and help me decorate my powder room, or at least help me make my powder room beautiful to. I adore what you did. Girl, you rocked that bathroom. You are so creative and talent. I wish I had have of your beautiful creativity. Thank you so much for sharing. WOW!
Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
I absolutely am in love with your new bathroom. The ceiling…LOVE!!!
Heather says
Really??? Thanks so much Brittany! That means a lot 🙂 Smooches!!
Nancy says
It’s perfect! Where did you get the wallpaper?? Love that! And the barn door is the perfect final touch….very cute room….great, great job overall…..
Nancy
Heather says
Sadly, I think the wallpaper is no longer being made 🙁
Pamela-FromMyFrontPorchToYours says
Love how your bathroom turned out. I am quite smitten with the toile wall paper. I wish we could use wall paper in our home but our walls have way too much texture on them.
Lucie says
Thank you! It’s really nice and it’s giving me ideas.
Heather says
So glad to hear that Lucie! Looks like you have some major projects underway yourself!!
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hello! The bathroom turned out gorgeous! I love it!
Lauren says
You are too cute, girlfriend. The only thing better than your designs is your sense of humor. I never get tired of seeing this gorgeous bathroom!
Terry says
I am drooling over that door! The whole makeover is stunning! Please come share this masterpiece at my Making Broken Beautiful party! It’s Beautiful! Well Done! The party has started and goes until Saturday evening! I hope you will join!
Smiles!
Terry
http://thecuratorscollection.wordpress.com
Wendy E. Clarke says
Amazing job! FYI the floor tile is a basketweave pattern, not herringbone.
Heather says
Yep! Basketweave on the floors…I was talking about the herringbone marble pattern in the shower 😉 Glad to know someone is reading though! Thanks for the kind words, Wendy!
tina says
Where did you get the roller to make the door slide? I need to do this for a pantry door but have no idea where to find that.
Tamara Nelson says
heather where did you get the barnboard ceiling omg love it your house is great i am new to your site
Peggy Zortman says
Stunning! Absolutely stunning! Love the ceiling, love all the tile and love the barn door! You are amazing! And let me say the open feeling when you come down the stairs is wonderful! I love it when a reveal is just beautifully inspiring!
ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says
love love love!!!
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Everything that you guys do is just amazing 🙂
Amy @ 11Magnolialane says
Love, love it! That bathroom is just awesome and good for your for just jumping in and tackling it. It's all fabulous but that tile is the icing on the cake! Thanks for sharing at the Pretty Preppy Party!
XO
Amy
Wild Oak Designs says
Absolutely amazing! What a great eye you have! Stunning….Makes me want to do my old bathroom over!!
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Shelly says
LOOOOVVVEEEE! I love the depth and textures of it all!
Shelly@minettesmaze
Susan says
What hardware did you use for your barn door?
Snickers says
Love it. Especially the old door on barn door roller hardware. I wish I could do that somewhere in my place but Can you believe that I don't have the wall space by any of the doors to roll a door open? Bummer. I love it all except the wallpaper but then I'm not a fan of toille for me. Going to have to sign up for emails to see what all you accomplish because as you said short people need friends and I'm a shorty so here comes a friend.
aimee says
Amazing! I am 5ft nothing too and you are right mind and body set in the right direction and we can move with the best of them!
Blessings,
Aimee
NancyLEE says
Heather, I really like it. I wonder: what's up with that black square on the ceiling in some of the pictures?
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
Love it Heather. Great ceiling again and love the toile and beadboard!
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
Featuring this tomorrow night at Wow.
Heather says
Thanks so much, Kim. You are the sweetest.
Austin & Shawnee says
Where did you get that amazing long runner for your hallway??! I'm in desperate need of a long runner.
Nicole says
What a spectacular design! I love bold choices in a small space.
Kate Crossley says
Wow! What a transformation. You have such great style. You've done wonders with that whole basement. Go small people, I say! (from another shortie)
On Being Bianca ... says
Now why didn't you just leave it like it was??? Kidding. This is absolutely stunning. The distressed wood with the toile is absolute perfection. The entire basement looks wonderful – what a makeover!!! xx, b @ being-blanca.com
Dorris says
WOW. What an absolute incredible transformation!!
Pinky at Designs by Pinky says
OMGoodness, what an amzing transformmation not only for the bath but the whole area!!! Gorgeous! Love everything you did. I am also 5 foot nothing and am going to go down fighting:):) Right now we are painting our house, inside. We are doing some bold color, and I know not everyine will like it as everyone seems to be on the big WHITE kick. But I always say, do what makes YOU happy in your home, and these colors are making me very happy!!
Anonymous says
That room is just beautiful and I LOVE that door. I ironed my living room and dining room curtains today and thought of you. I truly did enjoy it. It is a sickness.
AshleyJenkins says
Love how open you made it. And especially love the ceiling and door. Does the door have a way to latch or lock when closed to ensure privacy?
Anonymous says
gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!!
Pam Kessler says
Bigger is not always better 🙂 Love the new space. Love how much character you put into the bath too. The tile flooring is AMAZING!
Sonya~At Home with The Barkers says
Ummmm….AMAZING makeover my friend!!! Seriously in love with it! I'll be pinning!!
Jen @ Fresh Crush says
Umm… I could LIVE in your bathroom. It's amazing. It makes me want to have smashy-time in my own basement to get things going down there. Incredible job — and, I love that you made it more cozy, and added that pretty landing, by your staircase. So. Good.
Amy | Canary Street Crafts says
Love every inch of this bathroom, Heather!! Especially the ceiling and door!
Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods says
Absolutely AMAZING transformation! I love the wallpaper and the tiles!
So much better than the leopard!
xoxo, Ashley
The Rozy Home says
Any bathroom with Toile is a winner in my book!
DD's Cottage says
What a gorgeous bathroom and I love the door! I am short too–go shorties!
Kristen @ Pursuing Vintage says
What a great space! I think bathrooms are so fun to decorate – they're small but can handle a bunch of personality. That door is AWESOME!