Primary Bathroom

My Primary Bathroom Renovation Reveal

my primary bathroom renovation reveal. vintage modern traditional bathroom.

September 20, 2025

I’m Allison.
Design obsessed and self-taught DIYer, I'm so excited to share my journey with you, and be a source of inspiration as well as a resource.
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I didn’t plan to renovate my primary bathroom in 2025, but sometimes the best projects aren’t on the list. For my second One Room Challenge, I kept coming back to this space. My bedroom had just been transformed into a warm, layered retreat, but every time I stepped into the bathroom, it felt disjointed, sterile, and like a daily reminder of past design mistakes. That’s when I decided it was time to tackle a primary bathroom renovation—and to finally create a space that felt cohesive with the rest of my home. Today I’m so excited to finally be able to share my primary bathroom renovation reveal with you! All the details, the decisions, the sources and more. Lets dive in!

Why I Took on a Primary Bathroom Renovation

Seven years ago I renovated my primary bathroom but without realizing it, I fell victim to the “everything white with black trim” trend. While fresh at first, the novelty faded quickly. The bathroom felt cold and wrong for me. Instead of a space where I could slow down and enjoy my routines, it was one I rushed through.

When I set out to renovate this bathroom, my goals were clear:

  • Make it warm and inviting
  • Add traditional trimwork for character
  • Create a cohesive flow with my vintage-modern bedroom and the rest of the house
  • Correct past mistakes (goodbye mismatched metals and improperly installed vanity top)
The Primary Bathroom 1.0: post expansion / renovation but mistakes were made.

The Design Vision: Traditional Meets Vintage with a Modern Touch

My style is all about blending traditional design with vintage character and a modern edge. For this bathroom renovation, that meant layering in wainscoting trim, incorporating timeless finishes, and using materials that would age gracefully. I started pulling some inspiration on Pinterest and put together an initial moodboard.

click-for-the-primary-bathroom-design-plans

Some details I kept: the black-and-white checkerboard floor tile (a timeless choice I’m so grateful for) and the striped Farrow & Ball Block Print Stripe wallpaper in the toilet room. Both already leaned into a traditional-meets-vintage feel, so they became the foundation for the new design.

Trimwork and Millwork: The Foundation of the Primary Bathroom Renovation

Woodwork became the centerpiece of this renovation. I mapped out wainscoting with layers of poplar boards, chair rail, picture frame trim, crown molding, and new baseboards—all sourced from Novo Building Products and Ornamental Mouldings. Their profiles were exactly the classic, traditional detail I envisioned.

This layered trim transformed the sterile white box into an architectural, cozy, and intentional space. While crown molding tested my patience, it ended up being one of the most rewarding skills I’ve taught myself.

Choosing the Countertop and Finishes

The vanity countertop became a defining design choice. I selected a Calacatta Fiorto marble remnant slab with rich veining in deep green, plum, terracotta, and gold. This natural stone instantly warmed the room and inspired the rest of the palette.

To fix the mismatched metal issue, I committed to intentional mixing:

Kohler Artifacts Faucet | Kohler Artifacts Cross Handles
Crewe Knob | Backplate | Vanity Sconces

Vanity Transformation: From Black to Walnut Beauty

One of the happiest accidents of this project came when the countertop installers spilled chemicals on my black vanity, stripping its finish. While frustrating, it gave me the push to do what I’d always wanted: flip the vanity to a rich walnut finish.

Using Retique It Liquid Wood and a dark walnut gel stain, I transformed the vanity into the anchor of the bathroom. Paired with longer mirrors and the marble countertop, it now feels elevated and “grown up.”

click for my primary bathroom renovation reveal. a rich walnut vanity and calcatta fiorto marble countertops paired with brass and polished nickel fixtures.
I transformed the vanity from black to a rich walnut by using RetiqueIt Liquid Wood and a Dark Walnut Gel Stain

Paint Color Decisions

Picking the wall color was a saga. I tested samples for months, from Farrow & Ball’s Mouse’s Back to AI mockups. In the end, I chose Farrow & Ball’s Jitney, a warm, earthy neutral that ties perfectly to the veining in the marble and the walnut vanity. The patience was worth it—Jitney is the soul of this primary bathroom renovation.

my primary bathroom renovation reveal. farrow & ball's jitney paint, striped wallpaper, brass light fixtures.

Splurge vs Save: Where the Budget Went

Like every DIY project, this renovation had moments of balancing investment and savings:

Splurges

Consolidating this electrical and flipping it to a vintage toggle inspired light switch has been the best upgrade!

Saves

This balance allowed me to elevate the bathroom without breaking the budget.

Primary bathroom renovation reveal. A toilet room with black and white checkered tile flooring and striped wallpaper.
Brass Toilet Paper Holder | Striped Wallpaper | Walnut Toilet Seat | Checkered Tile Flooring

Lessons from This Primary Bathroom Renovation

Every project teaches me something new, and this bathroom was no exception.

  • Take your time with design decisions. Rushing to meet an artificial deadline isn’t worth sacrificing the right choice.
  • You can always learn new skills no matter any age. During this project I learned how to cut and install crown molding, and how to not only change but move an electrical outlet!
  • Sometimes mistakes (like a spilled chemical on your vanity) are really blessings in disguise.
Same vanity, new stain and new top.

My Favorite Details of the Primary Bathroom Renovation Reveal

Two features make me smile every time I step inside:

  1. The vanity wall: cohesive, warm, and grown up. It’s now a space I linger in instead of rush through.
  2. The vintage pendant above the tub: an antique store find from Pittsburgh that not only completes the bathroom but also holds sentimental value, reminding me of the last visit I had with my grandfather.
my primary bathroom renovation reveal. vintage modern traditional bathroom.
Walnut Mirrors | Vanity Sconces | Vanity Hardware | Hand Towel | Floor Tile | Brass Vintage Light Switches | Vanity | Vase

My Primary Bathroom Renovation Reveal: Closing Thoughts

This primary bathroom renovation was never part of my original plan, but it ended up being one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever taken on. From fixing past mistakes to layering in timeless details, the bathroom now feels like a true extension of my home and my style: traditional, vintage, and just enough modern to keep it fresh.

I love how the color palette works together (bathroom: Jitney by F&B) (bedroom: Treron by F&B)

It’s not fully finished (a window treatment and shower makeover are still on the horizon), but for now, it feels like pure magic, and my primary suite finally feels complete. Just a reminder of where we started and where we ended…

Cast Iron Clawfoot Bathtub | Clawfoot Tub Faucet & Hand Shower | Ceiling Medallion

Shop The Primary Bathroom (finishes)

Paint Color: Jitney by Farrow & Ball

Toilet Room Striped Wallpaper

Brass toilet paper holder

Walnut Soft Close Elongated Toilet Seat

Kohler Artifacts Double Wall Hook in Polished Nickel

72 in Vintage Cast Iron Clawfoot Bathtub

Clawfoot Tub Faucet & Hand Shower

Walnut Mirrors

Vanity Sconces

Black & White Checkered Floor Tile

Crewe Cabinet Knob

Knob Backplates

Kohler Artifacts Faucet in Polished Nickel

Kohler Artifacts Handles in Polished Nickel

Brass Vintage Toggle Light Switches

72″ Vanity Base

Ceiling Medallion

Chandelier (vintage): similar option 1, option 2, option 3

Arched Armoire Storage Cabinet

Bath towels (in Oak)

Brown Vase

Shop The Primary Bathroom Wainscoting + Supplies

Ornamental Mouldings Colonial Backband Moulding

Ornamental Mouldings 3.5″ Poplar Hardwood Board

Ornamental Mouldings 2.5″ Poplar Hardwood Board

Ornamental Mouldings Charlotte Baseboards (5.5″)

Ornamental Mouldings Crown Molding

Ornamental Mouldings Picture Frame Molding

Ornamental Mouldings Chair Rail

Sashco Big Stretch Caulk

Bosch 12 in 15 amp dual bevel compound Miter Saw

Ryobi Brad Nail gun

2″ Brad Nails

Nail Punch Set

DeWalt Drill Set

DeWalt Orbital Sander

Franklin Sensors Laser Level

Kreg Crown Jig

Ladder

Mor-Flexx Grout

Handy Paint Pail Products

Miniwax wood filler

9″ Paint Pad

RetiqueIt Liquid Wood

Varathane Dark Walnut Gel Stain

Polyurethane (Satin)

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  1. Janet says:

    Beautiful and worth the time and energy!

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