This blog post is sponsored. All opinions are mine.
I am so excited to reveal our bathroom refresh! We’ve been working on this project for a few months now, and we are so happy with how it turned out, both aesthetically and functionally.
You know you’ve made the right choices for a space when you smile every time you walk into it, and that’s exactly what both Alain and I have been doing.
Today, I’m walking you through the entire process, from product selection to design and DIY, but first, a bit of background.
When we moved into this home two years ago, we made some quick changes to this bathroom mainly because the old vanity was so outdated and not very functional. However, I knew I’d want to revisit this space later. So, it finally happened!
I had the opportunity to team up with GROHE Canada for this project, and I couldn’t be happier! I partnered with them last year when we upgraded some areas of our kitchen. We’ve been using their GROHE Zedra Single-Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet with Triple Spray Function since then, and we love their products for their quality and modern design as well as for their eco-friendly features. Their mission to offer advanced technology, sustainability, quality, and design align perfectly with my own personal values.
A look back since move in day
So, while the bathroom did not need a full renovation per se, I certainly wanted to add more warmth and a spa-like vibe to it. One of my favourite ways to do this is by combining modern and classic design. So, I started brainstorming and writing down the design elements I liked.
I first determined what I wanted to change in the current bathroom and what I wanted to keep. Since we had already changed some elements such as the vanity, the light fixtures, and the addition of a built-in closet, I decided to work from there.
The selection process
I knew I wanted to keep the black accents and subtle gold touches, so my first step was to browse through GROHE Canada’s website to choose what would fit appropriately in this space. Looking through the bathroom faucets, I found their Essence™ Bathroom Collection to be just what I was looking for. I chose the Essence™Single Hole Single-Handle Bathroom Faucet for the vanity and the Essence™ Single-Handle Freestanding Tub Faucet with Hand Shower for our freestanding tub, both in their bold yet sophisticated Hard Graphite finish.
Both faucets have modern, timeless, and organic aesthetics and the Hard Graphite finish perfectly complements the black accents that I had previously, while adding originality to the space. Both faucets are also extremely easy to clean thanks to GROHE’s StarLight® coating, which offers a flawless, long-lasting surface designed to be extremely resistant to dirt and scratches. They also reduce water usage without sacrificing performance with GROHE EcoJoy™ technology. Other amazing features that I love about both faucets include:
● Curved spout design
● Adjustable water flow that eliminates splashing
● Very smooth operation
I paired the Essence™ faucets with the sinks and toilet from GROHE’s Eurocube® Bathroom Collection. I picked the Eurocube® Wall Mount 24” Bathroom Sink, a white above-counter sink with sleek lines that enhances the spa-like oasis vibe I was aiming for. I absolutely love these sinks for the modern aesthetic, butthey are also large enough to avoid water from being spilled and splashed on the counter by the kids. As for the toilet, I went with the Eurocube® Two-Piece Elongated Dual Flush Toilet that also has a water-saving feature with 3.8 litres for a half flush. Its skirted sides make cleaning a breeze which I love, and its InfinaBright™ surface coating reduces dirt and bacteria build-up!! What’s not to love, give me anything low maintenance!
Now that my main functional pieces were chosen, it was time to add warmth to the space. To me, nothing equals an antique piece, rustic wood, textile and such materials. I stumbled on a design by Studio McGee using a wooden beam above the bathtub window and immediately fell in love! I also wanted to transform the vanity to include more appeal and after looking into several options, I opted for cane webbing which, I find, ties in so well with the rest of the classic elements.
My moodboard
After finalizing all the elements, it was time to get to work!
Let’s get it done!
We started by having someone come in to polish the granite vanity countertop.
Since granite is a natural stone, it’s important to seal it once or twice a year. By giving it a good polish prior to that, it got back its luster.
Then, using a router, we cut out all the vanity’s facings to replace them with cane. I chose the radio cane design since it’s more tightly woven and less see through than the more common hexagonal shape.
Prior to installing the cane, I primed the vanity and painted it with Benjamin Moore Creamy White. This color versus the previous white is richer and warmer. We also painted the walls with Benjamin Moore Simply White like most other spaces in the house, and the built-in shelves with Sherwin Williams Iron Ore.
I also decided to add a backsplash since I wanted the sinks and faucets to stand out. Because they gave an elevated look and contributed to the spa-like feel I was looking for, I wanted them to be a focal point along with the vanity. In addition to the black framed mirrors, they don’t go unnoticed when you walk into the bathroom, and I couldn’t be happier.
Next up, the bathroom toilet. And oh boy did it change how the bathroom looked! I never thought I’d pay so much attention to a toilet, but the sleek elongated design makes such a statement. Just see the before and after right below! Am I right? Let me tell you that moving forward, the toilet design will be top of mind when designing a bathroom because YES, it does make such a difference!
Last but not least, we installed the new gorgeous Essence™ Single-Handle Freestanding Tub Faucet with Hand Shower, also from GROHE Canada’s Essence™ Collection in Hard Graphite. The sleek, modern design combined with the rustic elements of the beam and texture of the curtains really elevate this bathroom space. The installation of all the functional elements was very easy, you can do it yourself by following the thorough product installation instructions provided online if you’ve done similar work before.
All that was left was installing the new added light fixture above the tub, the beam, curtains and styling! For the beam, we went with a centennial barn wood faux beam that we DIYed. The wood is rustic, beautiful and provides so much warmth.
Furniture flips & styling
Now onto styling! A while back as I was working on the design, I scored two beautiful antique tables that I flipped. The half-moon shaped one was an easy flip, as I simply sanded it down and applied Polycrylic. I wanted to have a place for a vase for fresh flowers and a candle. The other one took a lot more time and I had to pivot from my initial idea because the top was too damaged to salvage. So, I swapped the top for a marble one, painted the legs and it’s sitting right beside the tub to display soap and other such products.
Finally, I got to styling… my favorite part! A few vintage prints, a large plant in an antique pot, a vase for stems and flowers and a candle. Voilà!
I wanted a modern spa-like vibe with a warm, authentic feel, and we all love how this bathroom turned out! It’s amazing how choosing the right elements and combinations contribute to creating beautiful, elevated spaces without compromising on functionality. I can confidently say that this design is here to stay. Choosing GROHE’s beautiful, modern, and quality products have allowed us to add so much value to this bathroom.
SOURCES
Washable rug: Ruggable
Small prints: North Prints
Sketch art print: Circa Art Collection
Sconces: Amazon
Pendant light: Lowes
Mirrors: Ikea
Bathroom accessories (waste bin, toilet paper holder): Umbra
Towel hooks & ring: Amazon
Curtains: Amazon