Black, White and Gold

Just to refresh you, this was the furniture from my last post. After many coats of paint... I achieved the unifying black color I was hoping for.

I decided to do the faux marble treatment on the sink's countertop, painting the base with white chalk paint in several layers, sanding smooth in-between, then drawing on the marbling with artists chalk. I sealed and gave it it's shiny marble effect with several layers of sprayed on Krylon Triple Thick. Since gold was the metal finish of choice, I used the Krylon Gold Leafing pen to change the Falcon faucets from silver to gold, along with other elements of the accessories to tie everything together. I didn't have Iris, the French national flower, so instead I made white lilacs in a vase with water for the vanity. The candles can be found in my Tutorials tab.

Funny story with the bottom drawer being a basket now... I had finished the painting, let the dresser sit to cure for DAYS, then finally got to put the handles back on and reassemble. I had marked the drawers so I'd know exactly which slot they belonged in. Drawer #2 just didn't want to slide in, no matter how I coaxed it. I was a little wary of sanding, in case I ruined the finish. It almost fit, so I thought just forcing it in would work. It Didn't! After several moments of shock, because neither could I pull it out or push it in, I made the decision I would have to pull it out. No way to not damage it getting it out. So, drawer #3 became drawer #2, #4 became #3, and poor #2 got sanded raw and flush, painted black, and a "basket" cover was glued on. All is well that ends well, and I think I even like it better!

The side cabinets got filled with shampoo/conditioner/lotion bottles, glass jars with "bath beads", rolled towels, tissue, pottery, and various other decorative items. I adhered them to the glass shelves with Quick Grip (Elizabeth!) before inserting them through the back of the cabinets and re-gluing the mirrored backs. I did not have the patience to light the cabinets, as Elizabeth so smartly suggested. I also added legs to the bottoms to elevate them and help them coordinate with the sink cabinet. All were painted gold.

"Bath Beads" are tiny metallic micro beads and pearls.

Since there is no windows on the walls of the bathroom, I thought making the mirror out of a chipboard window frame would give it a more open feeling.

For the tub wall, I thought a collage of black and white bathroom photos and art would be fun. I bought about six vintage graphics through FrenchPaperMoon on Etsy. LOVE her graphics and am happy to pay for them periodically. Since I made them black and white for this bathroom, you are likely to see the full color versions in future builds! :O) The other ones I found with a Google search.

I like to use my cutting mat to tape off the wall space I am working with so I can play with the arrangement. Once I am happy, I take a photo so that while I am removing them to hang on the wall I have a reference of what goes where. I used all pot metal frames and sprayed them with the same black satin as the cabinets.

Getting them hung straight is another story altogether! The peek through the bedroom door into the bathroom is lovely, though!

I modified an Avalon toilet that I purchased on closeout by shortening the tall pipe from the tank to the toilet bowl and making the flusher gold. It looks a little more modern, now.

I love how the tub came out with it's black and gold, and the separate taps and spray wand. If only the tub was just slightly larger to match the scale of the other fixtures.

There's a little more accessorizing to do, but I'll finish that for the final dressing of the house once it's done. I am also still playing with the idea of a French style roof window to let the light in. It will have to play nice with the ceiling trims and chandelier, so we'll see if I can work out a plan. For now, though, my attention will turn to finishing the bedroom and stairwell hall.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing this fun and fulfilling (and sometimes frustrating) project with me!

xo xo,
Jodi