Bathroom Renovation: From Dingy to Dreamy with Marble and Chrome

For years, we envisioned our perfect bathroom, a space where style meets tranquility. Countless hours were spent on Pinterest, curating a vision board of marble, chrome, and calming colors. Finally, the day arrived when we decided to turn those digital dreams into a tangible reality. Our mission? To transform a dated, uninspiring bathroom into a luxurious retreat.

If you’ve seen the “before” photos, you know we had our work cut out for us. This small bathroom needed a complete overhaul to bring it into the 21st century. But, we were determined to create a space we would love for years to come.

The amazing part of this renovation journey was discovering that we didn’t need to search far and wide for the perfect materials. Everything we needed, from custom vanities to elegant fixtures, was readily available at Lowe’s. We were genuinely surprised and excited to find such a comprehensive selection in one place.

Planning and Preparation: Designing Our Dream Bathroom

We started with the core elements: the vanity and countertop. Since the bathroom was relatively small, precise measurements were crucial. We opted for a sophisticated gray vanity to complement the overall calming aesthetic. Fortunately, we received exceptional assistance from a knowledgeable cabinetry specialist at Lowe’s. She guided us through the selection process, taking care of all the intricate details. We even shared renovation stories and puppy photos, making the experience surprisingly enjoyable.

The custom vanity options at Lowe’s provided the perfect balance of form and function. We meticulously considered every detail, ensuring that the final product would fit seamlessly into our vision. The ability to customize the vanity allowed us to maximize storage space and create a focal point that enhanced the room’s overall appeal.

Demo Day: The Start of Something Beautiful

With the design finalized and the materials ordered, it was time to get to work! My role as the designated shopper came to an end, and my husband took center stage. Demo Day was officially here! He eagerly embraced the task of demolishing every inch of the old bathroom, finding a surprising sense of stress relief in the process.

The demolition phase was undoubtedly the most challenging part of the project. Removing the old tile, fixtures, and walls revealed the true extent of the renovation needed. However, with each swing of the hammer, we felt closer to achieving our dream bathroom.

Over a single weekend, my husband (with the invaluable assistance of my amazing father-in-law) removed over two tons of concrete from our 70-year-old bathroom! Needless to say, the following Monday morning was particularly difficult. I made occasional appearances to deliver lunch orders and offer “helpful” suggestions like “a little to the left…”. Everyone needs a good project manager, right?

Rebuilding and Refining: Creating the Foundation

With the bathroom completely gutted, it was time to rebuild. The first step was installing green board, providing a moisture-resistant foundation for the new tile and paint. Once the boards were securely in place, we applied mud and primer, and the room began to resemble a bathroom once again.

The green board provided a smooth and even surface, allowing us to create a flawless backdrop for the marble tile. Careful attention to detail during this stage ensured that the finished product would be both beautiful and durable.

Marble and Chrome: A Timeless Transformation

After several weeks of hard work, our bathroom was completely transformed. We embraced a classic marble and chrome aesthetic, incorporating touches of gray and white for a calming and sophisticated ambiance. The result is a bathroom that feels lighter, brighter, and more luxurious.

The choice of marble and chrome was intentional, as we wanted to create a space that would stand the test of time. These materials exude elegance and sophistication, transforming the bathroom into a sanctuary of relaxation.

We are so thrilled with the outcome that we’ve joked about moving our mattress into the bathroom for a while. It’s truly become our favorite room in the house!

Tile Selection: The Perfect Marble Combination

Initially, we planned to use classic white subway tile. However, while browsing the flooring section at Lowe’s, the Venatino Polished Marble Tiles immediately caught our attention. Their elegant veining and polished finish were irresistible. To complement the wall tile, we chose a beautiful marble basketweave for the floor. The combination of these two tiles created a stunning and cohesive look.

The selection of marble tile elevated the bathroom’s design, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication. The polished finish reflects light beautifully, creating a sense of spaciousness and brightness.

Vanity and Countertop: Custom Elegance

Both the vanity and countertop were custom orders from our local Lowe’s store. We selected the Kraftmaid Gentry cabinet in Greyloft and a US Marble quartz top in Aspen. The combination of these elements created a focal point that perfectly complemented the marble tile and chrome fixtures.

The custom vanity allowed us to optimize the storage space in our small bathroom, providing ample room for toiletries and other essentials. The quartz countertop is both durable and beautiful, adding a touch of elegance to the overall design.

Fixtures and Fittings: Classic Chrome Details

We wanted classic-looking fixtures in chrome and found the Bancroft series from Kohler. These fixtures perfectly captured the timeless elegance we were seeking for both the vanity and shower. The chrome finish added a touch of sparkle and sophistication to the bathroom.

The Kohler Bancroft series is renowned for its quality craftsmanship and timeless design. These fixtures added a touch of luxury to the bathroom, enhancing its overall appeal.

Finishing Touches: Adding Personality and Style

To complete the transformation, we added a few carefully chosen accessories, including soft gray bath towels, a metallic pom-pom shower curtain, and a beautiful Lulie Wallace painting. These details added personality and warmth to the bathroom, creating a space that feels both stylish and inviting.

The Lulie Wallace painting added a pop of color and personality to the bathroom, creating a focal point that draws the eye. The soft gray towels and metallic shower curtain complemented the marble and chrome aesthetic, adding a touch of luxury and comfort.

The Final Reveal: Our Dream Bathroom

After five weeks of hard work, countless trips to Lowe’s, and a temporary shower hiatus, our dream bathroom is finally complete! We are incredibly grateful to Lowe’s for helping us bring our vision to life. Our bathroom now feels like a true sanctuary, a place where we can relax and rejuvenate.

This bathroom renovation has transformed our home, adding value and style. We are thrilled with the results and look forward to enjoying our new space for many years to come.

Materials Used: A Complete List

If you’re inspired to embark on your own bathroom renovation, here is a complete list of the materials we used:

• Tub: Kohler Villager
• Shower Fixture: Kohler Bancroft Polished Chrome
• Sink Faucet: Kohler Bancroft Polished Chrome
• Wall Tile: Venatino Polished Marble
• Floor Tile: Venatino Polished Basketweave Mosaic
• Pencil Rail: Venatino Polished Natural Stone Tile Liner
• Grout: MAPEI Warm Gray – Unsanded
• Vanity: Customer Order Kraftmaid from Lowe’s: Gentry Square Door stylein Greyloft
• Vanity Top: Lowe’s Customer Order US Marble Evercor in Aspen ( #700801)
• Vanity Pulls: Amerock 3-In Chrome Cup
• Vanity Light: Progress Lighting Archie
• Mirror: Gatco Tiara 32in x 24in Oval
• Toilet: Kohler Memiors
• Towel Ring: Moen Caldwell in Chrome
• Towel Bar: Moen Caldwell in Chrome
• Shower Rod: Shop Style Selections 72″ Adjustable Rod
• Bath Towels: 54″ x 28″ in Opal Grey
• Hand Towels: Woven Ombre & Tasseled Dayton from Anthropologie
• Shower Curtain: Metallic Pom Pom Trimmed from Pottery Barn
• Bathmat: Satori from Anthropologie
• Painting: Lulie Wallace

This post was sponsored by Lowe’s (they gave us a gift card to help us purchase our materials). However, all opinions are ours alone.