When Totty sent photos of her remarkable bathroom makeover, we knew we had to share the dramatic transformation. Below is her letter describing the project and the decisions that shaped the renovation.
My husband and I are fellow Richmond residents and have followed your blog for years. We wanted to share photos from our recently renovated bathroom. This small room has had two makeovers in four years. It hadn’t been updated since the 1960s, so it was long overdue for a refresh. Our first attempt ended up with poor tile work from an inexperienced contractor, which led to a second renovation this summer (I documented the full story on my blog). We worked within a tight budget but agreed that re-tiling the shower and floor was beyond our skill set, so we interviewed several contractors and chose one we trusted. My husband and I completed the rest of the work ourselves — painting, installing new trim around the window, updating lighting and electrical, and other finishing tasks.
For the shower walls and room floor we selected a basic bone-colored tile from a big-box store to keep costs down, and we found the shower floor tile on clearance at a local tile shop. The wall color is Valspar Natural WV37001 from Lowe’s, and the wallpaper is a commercial-grade design called Wolf-Gordon Wave in Champagne. The storage boxes are from IKEA and originally had plain white terry covers. I purchased half a yard of fabric from a neighborhood shop and reupholstered the boxes with my staple gun — a small change that made a big impact. Those re-covered bins might be my favorite part of the makeover! Hope you enjoy it — Totty
Below is the dated looking before photo, which highlights how much the room needed updating:
And here are the after photos that show the finished space, demonstrating how careful choices and modest investments can produce a polished, high-end look:
The final result feels cohesive and bright. Choosing neutral tile and a soft, warm paint tone helped modernize the space without overwhelming it. The Wolf-Gordon Wave wallpaper behind the sink adds subtle texture and visual interest while remaining understated. Simple updates like refreshed trim, updated lighting, and reupholstered storage boxes lifted the overall aesthetic and made the room feel intentional and well-considered.
This renovation is a good example of how thoughtful planning, selective contractor use for complex tasks, and DIY effort for finish work can combine to produce an impressive result on a budget. The couple prioritized professional help where it mattered most — the wet areas and tiling — and handled the remainder themselves to save money and personalize the space.
If you’re planning a similar bathroom update, consider these takeaways from Totty’s project:
- Invest in professional help for technical or high-risk tasks like shower waterproofing and floor tiling.
- Save money by choosing cost-effective, neutral tile for large surfaces and elevate the look with trim, paint, and accessories.
- Use wallpaper or an accent wall to add pattern and depth without spending extensively on expensive materials.
- Small, inexpensive details — such as reupholstering storage boxes with fabric — can make a big visual difference.
- Document each step and learn from earlier mistakes to ensure the final result meets your expectations.
We love the balance between budget-friendly materials and thoughtful design decisions in this makeover. The room now reads far more luxurious than the price tag suggests, and the personal touches make it feel warm and lived-in. Feel free to share which element you like best — the reupholstered storage bins or the subtle wallpaper accent — and congratulate Totty on a very successful bathroom transformation.