Since my husband and I moved into our 1950s ranch-style house in Birmingham, I’ve had a list of projects to tackle. One of the top priorities was adding character and color to our plain, all-white hall bathroom, especially since it’s a frequently visited space. Here’s how I transformed our bathroom using just paint, tape, and a lot of patience.
I decided to skip a full renovation of our powder bathroom and instead focus on making surface-level changes. Originally, I had wanted to use wallpaper, but it turned out to be more costly than I had anticipated. So, I turned to paint as a more budget-friendly option. However, I didn’t want a simple solid color; I craved a bold transformation akin to wallpaper. Inspired by a friend on Instagram who had painted vertical stripes in her own bathroom, I took the plunge to create a similar look in ours.
Opting for two-inch stripes, I meticulously marked and taped off each stripe using a tape measure and pencil. I then applied FrogTape along these lines and painted the stripes with Benjamin Moore’s Regal Select Waterborne Interior Paint in Satin/Pearl in Delaware Putty. It took less than a quart of paint and some touch-ups with a brush to complete the project. After two days of focused work, the transformation was complete, and the end result exceeded my expectations.
Looking back, I realize I took some shortcuts that may not be advisable for everyone. I didn’t repaint the walls with white before adding the tan stripes, and I didn’t sample the paint colors beforehand, relying solely on online images. Surprisingly, the color turned out exactly as I had hoped this time, but I wouldn’t recommend skipping these steps in future projects.
In the end, this DIY paint project taught me the value of patience and proper preparation, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome of our bathroom makeover.
During the course of a recent home improvement project, I found myself in need of more FrogTape. Approximately halfway through the task at hand, my supply ran dry, prompting a quick trip to the nearby ACE Hardware for a replacement roll. Unfortunately, upon arrival, I discovered that the store was out of stock on the 1.88-inch variety of FrogTape that I had been utilizing. Faced with a decision, and feeling the fatigue of the project weighing on me, I opted to select a different brand of tape in the same size and carry on with my work for the day. Looking back, it became evident that making the effort to visit another store for the preferred FrogTape would have been a wise choice. The alternative tape lacked the advanced paint-bleed technology that the FrogTape offered, resulting in noticeably less crisp and clean lines on the stripes I was painting.
Reflecting on the outcome of my efforts, it has now been nine months since I completed the weekend paint job in our hall bathroom, and my fondness for the transformed space has only grown. The once stark and impersonal white space now exudes a sense of warmth and welcome that was previously lacking. While I acknowledge that my DIY skills may not be flawless, and my design choices may not appeal to everyone, the project successfully satisfied my aspiration for a powder room with character. Additionally, I have been pleasantly surprised by the occasional compliments received on the wallpaper, and have chosen to graciously accept them rather than correct any misconceptions.
In conclusion, this experience has underscored the importance of attention to detail and the impact that quality materials can have on the final result of a home improvement project. Despite the minor setback of running out of FrogTape mid-project, the perseverance and adaptation displayed in finding a suitable alternative allowed for the completion of the task at hand. Moving forward, I will remember the lesson learned from this experience and prioritize the use of trusted materials to achieve the desired level of precision and excellence in future endeavors.
This account of my DIY journey serves as a reminder that even the smallest details can make a significant difference in the overall outcome of a home renovation project. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to approach their own projects with patience, creativity, and a willingness to adapt to unforeseen challenges along the way.
This article was originally published on Southern Living and is courtesy of Betsy Cribb Watson.
