The Bathroom : One Room Challenge – Week 5

Taping Out ArtworkWe’re halfway into Week 5 of the One Room Challenge and we’re making pretty decent progress. The bulk of the construction is finished and now most of the stress is on me (rather than Emmett) to tie up loose ends. Click through for the latest update and to see what’s ahead. There’s also a good shower curtain DIY within the post for anyone looking to add height to their bathroom!

In case you missed the first four weeks, no worries… catch up here: Week 1 (before images and the design plan) //  Week 2 (demo and prep) // Week 3 (tile) // Week 4 (bathtub resurfacing and electrical)

This week we focused on lots of smaller details… for starters, we put the first coat of paint on everything (we still have one coat to go) and began installing hardware.

Black Towel BarsThe towel bars are up, but they’ll come back down for the last paint roll. I’m happy with the high contrast look against the Sherwin Williams Origami White walls.

Speaking of hardware, we started swapping out the hardware on the bathroom vanity and ran into an issue.

Black Versus Chrome HardwareThe size is slightly different. The existing chrome hardware had dummy screws at the bottom, meaning Emmett is having to router the shape and add two additional screw holes per piece of hardware. It’s time consuming and not as easy as it should’ve been, but it will be fine in the long rung! It’s just taking more time than anticipated.

Trading Out HardwareI do like the black much better in this space. I’m all about mixing finishes and hardware, but we have so much happening in this small space, the last thing I wanted to do was throw in a touch of chrome. That would’ve been a surefire way to make it look busier than it needed to be.

Which do you guys prefer… the black or the chrome hardware? I really liked the shape of the hardware, it was only the color that was bothering me.

Swapping Hardware on a VanityLast week we also addressing the lighting. I finished painting my ceiling medallion and Emmett installed it this week, so you’ll also notice that addition!

Pendant with Black Ceiling MedallionThere’s something about ceiling medallions and pendants that really do it for me. This is the first time I’ve paired a medallion with a black ceiling and I have to say… I’m loving the drama it adds!

Also related to the ceiling, let’s talk about the shower curtain. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to mount the shower curtain to the ceiling on a sliding track. It makes the ceiling height look so much taller and elongates the space (the black ceiling also helps with that).

installing shower valence

Ceiling Mounted Shower CurtainEmmett added a plain black valence that will hide the curtain track and make it look a bit more tidy. Right now we only have the shower curtain liner on the track, but we’ll be adding the outer curtain as soon as I get them hemmed and ironed. You’ll notice there are two tracks on the image below and one is missing a curtain… that’s why!

Shower Curtain DIYThe ceiling track is from IKEA and was super inexpensive. I really like that you won’t ever see it because of the valence, and it works just fine. It didn’t need to be fancy, just functional! I toyed with the idea of spraying it black, but decided the valence was probably a better longterm / durable solution- especially in a shower setting.

Shower Curtain with ValenceSo if you’re wondering what’s left on our to-do list, this is what we’re looking at:

  1. demo
  2. new sub floor
  3. new plumbing
  4. new electrical
  5. new dry wall
  6. new toilet
  7. build shower niche
  8. tile
  9. add plumbing fixtures (faucet, shower trim, etc)
  10. add new trim
  11. install pendant light
  12. install ceiling medallion
  13. install flush mount fixture
  14. apply first coat of paint
  15. install towel bars
  16. swap register cover… white to black
  17. order & frame artwork
  18. install toilet paper holder
  19. swap vanity hardware
  20. apply second coat of paint
  21. trim out exterior bathroom door
  22. install back of door hook
  23. install artwork
  24. clean
  25. style space
  26. shoot

We’re definitely on the home stretch, but we still have a good amount of items to cross of the list. If you have any questions about our process, design, or the overall project up to this point, drop us a comment below!

Click the logo below to see the other talented guest designers participating:

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47 Comments

  1. Michelle @ And Then We Tried says:

    Could you spray paint the current vanity hardware instead of breaking out the router + drill?

    1. Along with the curtain track, I really wanted to avoid all spray paint in the bathroom. My main concern is durability and in a high traffic area, or with hardware that gets used a lot, I really want to make sure it holds up and withstands the test of time. I think using the router and spending the extra time will be well worth it! I was trying to think longterm instead of a quick fix.

      1. Yes! I love that you are taking the extra time on this…I think in the long run you’ll be so glad you did :) I think we need to step away from quick fixes in the blog world, its encouraging to see you lead the way in this!

        1. Thanks Courtney! I totally agree. That’s usually always my goal. I’m so glad to hear you also appreciate that! xox

  2. I’m with you – I like the black hardware. And I love that your shower curtain goes all the way to that stunning black ceiling!

    1. Thanks so much, Jeanie!!

  3. What a neat idea to install the track for the shower curtain! And I love the medallion light.

    1. Thanks, Mary! This is the first time I’ve installed a shower curtain on a track, but I have to say- I’ll be doing it more often. It’s really a clean look… I’m into it. Thank you! xox

  4. I love the black hardware. And that ceiling and medallion – wowza! So pretty!

    1. Thanks so much, Robyn!!

  5. Christina / The Water Tower Project says:

    I never would have thought that a black ceiling would elongate the ceiling but that with the vertical tiles it really does the trick. Looks fab! xx

    1. Thanks, Christina! The black ceiling definitely eludes to more space that isn’t actually there. So glad to hear you’re also into it. Tricks of the trade ;)

  6. Wow! Totally love your vision. The ceiling color! Swoon! And that light! So seriously awesome! And the shower curtain track…So happy to learn about this little gem. Thanks for sharing! Your bath looks great!!! XOXO ~~~Susie from The Chelsea Project

    1. Thank you so much, Susie!! xox

  7. Craig Kellmann says:

    I’m all for the black hardware! And I’m already so jealous of that space. Can’t wait to see the final shots.

  8. Tee @ Beauteeful Living says:

    This bathroom is looking so gorgeous already! Love the lighting and those tiles!

  9. Nicki Parrish says:

    That light against the black ceiling is a show stopper!

  10. tim@designmaze says:

    I vote on the black hardware … look so sophisticated against the white vanity. BRAVO on the shower curtain tracking solution! I have never seen it before and it think it’s a brilliant idea!

    1. Thank you, Tim! The shower curtain track definitely helps to make the ceiling / room look taller.

  11. Tash @ The Dreamhouse Project says:

    Wow! This bathroom is going to be fantastic!! Drama and sophistication. LOVE the black hardware for sure. And the ceiling track is sheer brilliance! Can’t wait to see this one come together.

  12. Hi Sarah! I love how this room is coming together, so much drama! Would you mind sharing what the valence is made out of and how it’s attached to the curtain track. Thank you!

    1. Thank you! Absolutely… the valence is made out of solid wood (poplar, I believe). We just primed and painted it. It’s attached to 4 little studs on the opposing side of the track. You can kind of see it in the image!

  13. I love the “hidden” shower curtain, but will the tracks get rusty from all of the steam?

    I can’t wait to see the finished bathroom!

    1. Good question! Nope, it shouldn’t… because the majority of the track is plastic and the metal parts are powder coated. It’s really lightweight. Thanks, Kate!

  14. Kim @ Yellow Brick Home says:

    That hidden shower curtain – and black ceiling and medallion and hardware – are a DREAM.

    1. Thanks so much, Kim!! xox

  15. Your lighting and hardware are all beautiful!!!

    1. Thank you, Libbie!! xo

  16. Sarah that ceiling and medallion are show stoppers!! I am loving everything about this bathroom and I love the black hardware for your vanity :) I can’t wait to see it all finished!!

    1. Thanks so much, Susanne! xox

  17. Tana - Your Marketingbff.com says:

    I really like the black hardware! The bathroom is looking amazing!!!

    1. Thanks so much, Tana! xox

  18. Julie Nichols says:

    I love the black hardware it looks great with your gorgeous black painted ceiling. I love the origami white paint too! it’s a funny thing it happens to be the same paint color I picked for my living-family room makeover. I am loving it all and can’t wait to see the reveal!

    1. Thanks, Julie! Great minds ;)

  19. Colette @ restyle it wright says:

    Ceiling Medallions and Pendants ARE MY JAM! Looking fab!

  20. kate smith says:

    The medallion looks AMAZING against the black ceiling!

  21. Dannyelle says:

    Wow this bathroom is going to be amazing, you guys are doing an awesome job. Love your attention to detail! Can’t wait for the big reveal.

  22. Jessica | Petal + Ply says:

    Gah! I am getting so excited for the reveal! Everything looks amazing!

    1. Thanks, Jessica! Fingers crossed the art arrives in time.

  23. Hi! I love the neutral colors of the walls and trim. What color did you paint the trim and valence, if you don’t mind sharing??
    Thank you :)

  24. Caroline Harrison says:

    Love this and want to do the ceiling in my powder room. I’m what color black paint did you use?

  25. Could you share the link to the track system? IKEA has a ton and I like the way yours functions!