Splish Splash: it’s time to update the bath!

Photo: Pottery Barn Kids.

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network-Florida

We’ve all had one. A bathroom in our home that we try to ignore.

It’s the one that was left until last to renovate and the day never came. Or you moved into a home that had builder grade everything and you just never got around to ripping out that huge mirror and long bar of big glass lightbulbs that top it off. Or maybe you moved into a new home years ago and it’s time for a major bathroom refresh.

What I’ve learned from helping interior decorating clients in the Southwest Florida area for the last 20 years, is that bathrooms are often the last in line for attention. Like laundry rooms. But the truth is this: if you aren’t ready for a complete top to bottom renovation, there is a lot you can do to give this (important) room a mini redo. Whether it’s a primary bath, kid’s bath, guest bath or powder room. Here are a few of my tips from the small-on-a-budget bathroom refresh to more of an investment, depending on your time and budget.

Bathroom redux: from drab to fabulous

There was a time when the bathroom was the most unmentioned room in the home. No longer. Today, bathrooms, as much as any room in house, reflect the style of the owners. It’s the most personal space in your home. It’s typically the smallest room and yet you begin and end your day in your bathroom. Next to the kitchen, it’s the most important room in the home.

Have some fun with your bath makeover with this jelly fish bloom wall covering from Thibaut Design’s summer house collection. Photo: Thibaut Design.

And honestly, it’s the most fun room to redo and with a little creativity, it can be spectacular!

Come up with a plan

If you have a bath that you’ve been thinking about redoing, you first need to come up with a plan and answer a few questions.

How long do you plan to stay in your home?

Are you planning to sell soon?

Will you be in your home for 10 years or more?

These are important questions and will help you decide the following:

What is your budget?

Does your bathroom need a little refreshing? Maybe just new hardware? Or a complete makeover?

Think about these questions and consider the following tips for your own personal situation.

Quick refresh

This is a quick mini redo and can be done on a weekend. It will make the room pretty and you will be much happier with the space.

Wall treatments and accessories play a huge part in a bath refresh. From Serena and Lily, Sealife wallpaper sets a coastal tone in blue and white with a Larchmont rattan mirror. The look is comp-leted with two raffia wave sconces. Photo: Serena and Lily.

What to do: Paint the room or wallpaper. This is a game changer that will transform your bath. For something different, paint the walls a bright white, paint the ceiling a blue and accessorize with sea glass colors. Recommendation: Benjamin Moore’s Aura® Bath & Spa paint. It’s mildew-resistant and is Low VOC/ low odor so you can return to using your room quickly.

But there’s more: If you have a large (outdated) mirror across the vanity, remove it and hang a single mirror (or mirrors, depending upon the size). If it’s not possible to remove the mirror, frame it. My favorite go-to source to make a large mirror look better is mirrormate.com. Simply measure, order a custom frame and install it over the mirror. Easy.

Finishing touches: New rug, yes a rug, not the small bath mats, new shower curtain, new piece of artwork, update accessories on countertops (but not too many), repair caulking and have tile and caulking cleaned. Purchase a set of hotel-style bath towels. Add candles or aromatherapy and you are all set to enjoy. Welcome to your new bathroom.

Bathroom makeover

Beautiful Pottery Barn Miller double sink vanity made of mango wood with shaker fronts gives the look of a custom built-in. Accented with pops of matte black in drawer pulls, widespread faucets and mirrors for a modern edge. Top is white quartz. Photo: Pottery Barn

Maybe you have builder’s grade finishes and fixtures. Or perhaps you are planning to sell your home in a couple of years. You don’t want to go overboard but it’s time to spiff it up for eventual resale and for your enjoyment until that time comes. Remember: When it comes to resale, a bathroom gives a potential seller a hint about the condition of the rest of the home.

What to do: Depending upon budget, replace flooring, vanity, lighting, countertops, mirror, hardware, faucets, showerheads, hand shower (kids and pets, not to mention cleaning) light fixtures, tile around tub and shower. Paint walls and trim or add wallpaper. Replace showerhead. Replace toilets if needed. If possible, leave all plumbing in place to avoid additional expense. You are replacing what currently exists with all new and upgraded.

Extras: Again, depending upon budget. Floor to ceiling glass-enclosed shower (makes the room look larger). Freestanding bathtub is an option is space permits. White quartz countertops. Shimmering tiles as accent around tub and shower. New sinks. Artwork. Fan or ceiling light fixture. Accessories. Plants.

Finishing touches: Incorporate a piece of furniture such as a chair, vintage cabinet for storage or basket of shells on the floor. There is no limit to what is available on the market and your decorator or designer can help you select every element for the style that you select.

Quick tips and trends

Take a photo of the room before you begin and look at it with an open mind.

Make a vision board as you decide on walls and sources.

Frameless mirrors are a huge trend and offer a minimalist look.

If vanity is still good, paint it a color.

Add feet to a basic vanity to update the look.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on vanity lighting.

Black fixtures are having a big moment. Proceed with caution. Will you love it in 10 years?

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. Based in Bonita Springs with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and color palettes. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

The soul of a home: telling your story

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network September 3, 2023

Since Hurricane Ian swept through our area last September, I’ve been privileged to be invited into homes to help homeowners with many different types of projects. From rebuilding and deciding what comes next, renovating, painting, making changes for a new look, downsizing, new color palettes. One thing has become clear: everyone wants a home that makes them feel happy and safe.

As Southwest Florida interior decorator with a passion for design and writing about design, I’m reminded daily that there is very little about the process that is quick or easy. It takes a lot of effort and planning to create a happy home without making mistakes.

When you see a room that you love, there is usually one big reason: the room is designed with the appropriate scale and it flows. A lot of planning and thought went into pulling the room together. It didn’t just happen.

No matter what your style, the sofa is the most important purchase you will make. This Chatam sofa in sky cotton velvet by Serena & Lily with two swivel chairs is the perfect arrangement for seating and comfort. Photo: Serena & Lily.

If you’re thinking about making a few changes to your home or a lot of changes, there are some basic ideas to keep in mind. These are my top 10:

Forget perfection. When it comes to your home, it doesn’t exist. Creating a happy and beautiful home is an ongoing project that evolves over time. So, relax, enjoy the process and don’t stress out!

Have a plan. Before you head out to every furniture store in the area and return home exhausted and confused, make a plan. Include inspiration photos. List your priorities. Put them in the order of importance and check them off the list as your schedule and budget allow.

Have a budget. Everyone has a budget. There are very few of us who have the luxury of doing absolutely everything at once. Once you determine your priorities and have a plan, assign some dollars to each room on your list. It’s all part of the plan that will keep you from making mistakes.

Rule #1. Stop rearranging clutter. It’s still clutter. You can create the best plan with all of the right guidelines but if you don’t get rid of the clutter, your home will never be yours. Which brings us to rule #2: your home is not a storage garage for other people’s memories. If you don’t love it, donate it. Is it easy? No. But it will give you space for new memories and that is worth something.

Tell a story. Your home should tell a story about who lives there. What you love, where you have been, what gives you peace, calm and happiness. What’s important to you. Your story is what gives your home a soul.

Do it once and do it well. Don’t make the mistake of grabbing furniture just to fill a room. If it’s worth having in your home, it’s worth the time and investment to be sure you’re not making a mistake. Ask the questions: is it timeless? Will I still love it in 5 years?

Your home should tell a story about who lives there. What you love, where you have been, what gives you peace, calm and happiness. What’s important to you. Your story gives your home a soul. Serena & Lily’s Brookings floor lamp, Mirimar chaise. Photo: Serena & Lily.

To make a change, you have to make a change. I see this all the time. A client wants to do a refresh or update their home. But when it comes time to actually replace a piece of furniture or try a new paint color, they just can’t do it. They want a change but just can’t make the change. Solution: establish your priorities and move forward.

Create a focal point in every room. This can be an architectural feature, view, mirror, accent piece of furniture or something eclectic. It should be the first thing someone notices when they come into the room. Shown: Serena & Lily’s Pimlico chair and Breakers rattan floor lamp. Photo: Serena & Lily.

Create a focal point in every room. This can be an architectural feature, a view, mirror, accent piece of furniture or something eclectic. It should be the first thing someone notices when they come into the room.

Your sofa is the most important purchase. When it comes to budget, this is where you don’t want to skimp. Make sure you sit on it. Don’t buy it online. And be bold. Try a beautiful new color. Select a style that fits your space. A sectional, two sofas facing each other one sofa with two chairs. Make sure your feet touch the floor.

Blend old with new. This is one of my favorites. A blend of vintage and contemporary gives a room the feeling of having evolved over a period of time. If you have ever been into a designer show house, this is done very well because designers only have a couple of days to create a room that looks like it has been there for a long time. A room with character takes time. Don’t rush it.

Go easy on the accessories. They are the jewelry that complete the look of a room and transform the space. Adding accessories to your interiors gives it a splash of style and personality. Select carefully, edit your collections and only use what you love. If you love too much, put some away and rotate them.

Wrenda Goodwyn is an ASID associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit her blog at spectacularspaces.com/blog