But before we get to the rest: an armadillo in the bathroom. Let’s talk about it. Everyone needs one, right?
Decorating rules can feel subjective, but can we all agree a bathroom looks better with a little personality—like a golden armadillo?
That print was a find from a local craft fair, created by an artist named Rachel. I finally framed it and hung it above the framed Instagram photo of Clara holding a doll (yes, oddly bathroom-appropriate). The burlap-style, grasscloth-ish frame—an old Pottery Barn Outlet discovery—gives the piece texture and warmth.
The linen-like fabric behind the Instagram photo pairs nicely with the textured frame above it. I also had a subtle plan: bringing cream and straw tones into the room to tie in the gold accents already present in our soap containers and that loofah on the toilet tank. Those shared tones help the older cream sink look less out of place.
It’s true the sink is an odd shape and probably won’t be permanent, but pairing it with similarly hued accessories—soap pumps, art, a loofah, frames—makes the whole space feel more cohesive. There’s a simple decorating lesson here: sometimes embracing an oddball color and repeating it elsewhere in the room makes the design feel more layered and intentional.
While the armadillo is stealing the show, we also updated the light fixture. We scored it for $9.99 at our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore—you can see a chrome figure hiding in the middle of one shot.
We refreshed the fixture with a few light coats of Rustoleum Universal oil-rubbed bronze spray paint, protecting the bulb sockets with tape. The paint is self-priming, so it was a quick one-step update.
Then we picked up two inexpensive frosted bulb covers and installed them. The result gives the room a cleaner, more updated look without spending a lot of money.
Since we plan a larger room makeover later—maybe a tiled accent wall or some grasscloth wallpaper—we wanted small, affordable improvements for now. Thrifted finds and minor updates can add charm while you save for bigger changes. (Side note: I later added red flowers on the sink for a pop of color, so imagine that little flourish in these photos.)
UPDATE: We’ve switched our whole house to LED lights. They save a lot of energy and money, and you rarely have to change them. For those who ask, we prefer warm, natural-feeling LED bulbs that avoid a blue cast and reduce energy use by roughly 90% compared with older incandescent bulbs.
* Note: the original post contained an affiliate mention.