Monday, July 5, 2010

Beach Cottage Project

Our cottage bathroom is everything I just wouldn't do in a bathroom if I was designing it myself.  No tub, corner shower (I absolutely hate corner things), a vinyl floor and new white sink unit with integrated sink, plus all the walls have been covered in a vinyl "faux tile" product.  The ceiling has a shiny white vinyl.  I would love to rip it out however, I have decided not to for the following reasons.

  • It is fairly new and clean and fresh

  • The workmanship is good

  • The materials are good quality

  • It is practical, easy to clean and tidy.  I don't want renters to have to worry about what cleaners to use on the tiles.

  • I don't want to toss it all into a landfill.  My rule for this cottage is ReUse, ReCycle.

  • Not in the budget
So, I am going to live with it and embrace its good qualities, adding a few vintage touches here and there. We really needed more hooks to hang beach towels and jammies and things, so I took on a little project using this old window shutter to make a peg board.
I was inspired by Lori's post at Frugal Farmhouse Design where she aged a gorgeous table.
Here's what I did.
I started with an  dirty old brown shutter. $10.00 thrift shop. After a good scrubbing I gave it a very rough coat of Farrow and Ball's Arsenic. (I bought the little sample sizes of Farrow and Ball.  They are a good size and you only need a little)  I Love that for a paint name.  I knew one day, I would have to use Aresnic, solely because of the name.
The Arsenic was applied in patchy areas.(left).  I then applied a 4-1 water to paint mix of
 Cornforth White and splashed it on all over, front and back.
After the white paint was dry I rubbed it down with sand paper to reveal the green and the underlying wood.
On the left is the finished shutter.  However when I hung it, I found it too light and not enough weight against the wall.  So I "Grubbied" it up a bit.  I dry brushed on some Tanners Brown to make the exposed wood darker.  Then a quick very thin dry brush of Green Blue.  You can add more, rub more off and play around until you like the finish.
Once I was happy with the finish, I added a few very simple, inexpensive wardrobe hooks.....
I left on the original Shutter hardware for extra hooks.
Now there's lots of room for towels and Bits................

I am participating in Metamorphis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.

23 comments:

  1. Clever use of those old shutters, I will keep this in mind when I see these! Thanks for stopping over, glad I surprised you with my Before and After...I love the element of surprise! Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is such a great idea to add charm and usefulness. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello! Thank you for signing up to follow my blog.I absolutely love your blog. You have gorgeous taste!! I will read it with great pleasure! Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  4. LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Now I want a shutter.... :)

    You are one creative gal! I just love all your ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great idea and it looks wonderful although I think I would struggle to find an old shutter around here.
    Ann x

    ReplyDelete
  6. This looks fantastic!!! I would love to do that in my upstairs bath..just have to find a shutter.
    Looks so beachy!!!!
    Debbie@houseatthelake

    ReplyDelete
  7. good job, chania! the shutter turned out great and i like that you are "using what you have".

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's a great counterpoint to modern, utilitarian, plastic-based design. I bet it warms the whole room and gives it character.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great way to use an old shutter. I love old shutters!

    I hear ya on the bathroom. In our house, we have a clawfoot tub but no shower but someday when the budget will allow we will add a shower, put in a new floor, sink, toilet, etc. SOMEDAY!

    xo
    LeAnn

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just love this piece and what you did with it! I would never have thought of it myself, but it looks fantastic.
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  11. It looks fabulous! I have an awful bathroom and have been thinking that a few nice touches might help until we can fix it up properly.
    ps thanks for your comments about the boat. Lyn was very chuffed with your comment :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love your philosophy of re-using and recycling Chania. Your shutter looks fantastic, and what a difference it makes to personalising your bathroom. Love it! K xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Chania I love how you turned that old shutter from drab to fab! The color is beautiful and it looks perfectly aged!

    Kat :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think there will now be a run on shutters across the nation, and it's all your fault. : 0

    Suzan

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love you beach cottage project! Very clever and authentically worn. Love the colour. I cannot believe the chair - what a find, it has a lovely, elegant shape.

    Tracey x o

    ReplyDelete
  16. You are so clever Chania, I love the colour you have used and the aged effect you finished with. I am inspired to create my own. xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Chania. I absolutely love this! You have done a fabulous job with painting this shutter, it looks fantastic! Hope you are having a great start to your week ~ Tina xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Chania you NEVER cease to amaze me....!!! I LOVE how you've transformed this shutter from drab to Razmataz FAB....!! Now that's ONE thing I NEVER see in the HR & that's shutters....hmmmmmm....Where can I get me some shutters....??

    Cheers for now,
    Tamarah :o)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm loving this, very beachy!! And I'm all for re-using!

    ReplyDelete
  20. That looks amazing..I just love it,imagine what you would pay for that in a poshy shop?! Hope your keeping well,Chrissy

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a great use for a shutter! I am totally in love with the colors you used also! So pretty!
    Health and happiness,
    Angela

    ReplyDelete

I love to read each and every comment and are thrilled that you take the time to send one. Thank you so much. Chania