Progress for progress’s sake happened around here*. And the jury is most definitely OUT.

(*Yes, that was a Harry Potter reference. Yes, I am a 27-year-old who still reads HP. What is your point?)

For those of you who are joining me for the first time today: welcome! I set out, as part of the One Room Challenge from Calling it Home, to makeover my master bathroom in just six weeks and with only $300. Every Thursday, the guest participants link up and have a chance to check out each other’s progress. There are some beautiful makeovers in the works!

ORC Guest Blue

In case you missed them, you can catch up on Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3.

So far, I’ve done well sticking to my budget and getting things crossed off my to-do list. Until now.

Trouble in DIY paradise! My One Room Challenge bathroom hits a snag in week 4!

I made a somewhat hasty decision about hardware for the vanity and I think I regret it. In my defence, I’ve lost a lot of time in this challenge because I was fighting pneumonia for three weeks! I’m struggling with what to do with this ugly brown bathroom and I may need to completely re-think some of my choices.

*silent sobbing*

Okay, maybe I’m being a tad dramatic, but this One Room Challenge is still kicking my butt.

So I bought some new pulls for the drawers and doors of the bathroom vanity. I thought I’d go with something contemporary but simple, to keep things clean and unfussy. I debated a couple of options before settling on these:

Trouble in DIY paradise! My One Room Challenge bathroom hits a snag in week 4!

They don’t look that bad when you ONLY look at the vanity. But when you see how the whole bathroom is shaping up… I’m not so sure.

One Room Challenge master bathroom makeover| Week 4 | Vanity Fair?

Perhaps it’s simply that I don’t have the art up (which will be in dark frames) or that there’s not much else to looks at yet, but those pulls just seem a little too… present? Obvious?

You must admit that the white vanity looks a whole lot better than the previous incarnation! Behold:

One Room Challenge master bathroom makeover| Week 4 | Vanity Fair?

I’ve also been working on creating my own knock-off of these gorgeous rose-gold hooks from Anthropologie:

Towel hook from Anthropologie

I don’t feel too badly about making my version, because they aren’t available for sale any more! I started off with these simple and inexpensive hooks from Rona:

The simple starting point for my Anthropologie knock-off towel hook!

I’m making two of these towel hooks, because, well, people need more than two places to hang their towels! I’ve already given them one coat of Krylon spray paint in copper (which is looking very rosy indeed). I can’t wait to show you the finished product (and a tutorial)!

Do-It-Yourself Question of the Week: Do you think I should put on some sort of sealant, over top of the new colour? I’m worried about the colour coming off on my towels when they are wet. Suggestions or tips? Leave ’em in the comments – I’d love to get your take!

And if you have any flashes of genius or clarity about those vanity pulls, I’d really appreciate hearing them. Maybe I’m not giving them enough time. Perhaps I’m just feeling tired and sulky? 🙂

So here is where I leave off for this week. I have so many things to accomplish in this space over the coming days. This weekend is going to be an extravaganza of DIY!

Master Bathroom To-Do List!

  • Prep walls for painting
  • Prime walls and doors (Free – thanks mom and dad!)
  • Paint ceiling white (Free)
  • Paint walls and doors Ben Moore’s “Pink Damask” ($46)
  • Buy shower curtain ($20)
  • Buy towels
  • Buy bath mat
  • Buy or make towel hooks (ALMOST DONE!)
  • Spray paint or replace hand towel rack
  • Replace curtain rod
  • Install short curtain rod and clear curtain over window in shower
  • Frame out mirror
  • Paint vanity
  • Install new vanity hardware (Hm.) ($35)
  • Paint inside of linen cupboard
  • Line shelves of linen cupboard
  • Organize linen cupboard
  • Organize vanity
  • Accessories (So far: $10)
  • Hang art (we have it all framed and ready to go!) (Frames $20)
  • Buy and install new light fixture

I can’t wait to update you on the mirror framing and the DIY towel hooks next week! Happy Halloween weekend!

*****

Here’s where I link up each week:

Mondays: Merry MondayMonday FundayInspire Me MondayShow & TellLou Lou Girls

Tuesdays: Tell ’em TuesdayTwo Uses TuesdayTutorials & TipsTuesdays with a TwistHit Me with Your Best ShotTickle My TastebudsTreasure Box TuesdayTasty Tuesdays

Wednesdays: Pin Worthy WednesdaysWork it WednesdayWow Us WednesdayWake Up WednesdayWordless WednesdayWhimsy WednesdayWelcome Home Wednesdays

Thursdays: Think and Make ThursdayHandmade HangoutWeekend Re-TreatFavourite ThingsArtsy Fartsy Link PartyWhat to Do WeekendsFriday Features (Thursday)

Friday: Fiesta FridayFeathered NestLink Party PaloozaFriday Favourites

Saturday: Share it One More Time

Sunday: Nifty Thrifty SundaySilver PenniesSundays at HomeThat DIY PartyFrugal Crafty Blog HopShare the Wealth SundayFood Stars

Monthly/Recurring: Great Blog TrainSunday BrunchBefore and After