Darby Conquers a Dated Orange Bathroom
And lives to tell the tale

Sometimes when you move into a new home you're excited about some of the decorative elements the former owners left behind. But sometimes, like in Darby's case, you're left with a room that practically makes your eyes bleed and your stomach turn. As her twin sister put it "there are not words clever enough for the atrocity." But don't worry - this story and this bathroom have a happy ending. Click through to see.

[cue Ode to Joy] Whew - so much better right? On a very tight budget, Darby totally updated and transformed this orange disaster into an orange delight. The bathroom is used by her three children, two girls and a boy, so in a sense the orange is a blessing since it so easily falls into the gender neutral category.

Although she would have liked to put in new (not orange) countertops and floors and replace the sink or tub her budget only had room for some (bargain, but fabulous) fabric, wallpaper which was painted over (fixing the walls wasn't in the budget), updated hardware and, of course, paint to lighten up the cabinets. All told Darby figures she spent about $500.

See more photos and read more about Darby's redeemed bathroom at her lovely, lively blog Fly Through Our Window.

Thanks, Darby!

(images: Fly Through Our Window)

Comments (23)

I rarely comment any more, but when I popped in today and saw this at the top of the page, I hit the refresh, twice even, because... because... this post has been written like it never appeared in both May and December 2009 over at the main site (yes, I went to check to make sure I'm not crazy). Now that I recall, I even read all 95 comments on the first post, way back then; though in AT years, that's like a generation ago. Sure, it wasn't posted here with a family-oriented bent, and I'm not one for negativity so I feel kind of rotten for saying saying so - but I'm also not a fan of recycled content. Yes, it was nice and I still feel it's nice even if I'm going to spend the rest of the day feeling like I have a slight senility hangover.

This is fantastic. I actually REALLY love the orange countertop (after, not as much before). Well done!

I think it's fair to recycle an interesting AT bathroom story, since the theme of this month on Ohdeedoh is "family bathrooms." But I guess i can see where you're coming from, Marla.

This is a pretty amazing makeover, and a nice use of the orange countertop. It works! (I just would have gone with a light mocha or warm gray on the walls instead of beige.)

I definitely love those two fabrics for the Roman shade/stool and shower curtain, though!

Yes, it's fair - when it's acknowledged. That's all I'm saying. And it feels strange to find myself motivated to post about it, and I didn't mean to sound peevish. I'm going to go back to lurking - but I do hope my comment was received as constructive in some way. It's a credit to the original author(s) when something like this is nice enough to re-post, and some mention of that should be included. As a regular reader, if not commenter, I just find that it's usually noted when this is done. And again, it's nice.

Hi Marla Good - that's fair enough and it's true that many readers visit all the other Apartment Therapy sites, but many don't and this fit in very well with our theme here this month. I don't have a photographic memory and don't myself remember this from the main site, but even if I had what I'm most interested in is sharing this amazing kids' bathroom makeover with other parents here.

Carrie

Wow - what a transformation and I think the orange countertops/sink work! Happy it was reposted - whatever that is all about - because I don't read all of AT or can easily miss something :)

I read AT regularly and don't remember this... and I don't think I could have forgotten it! LOL This is FANTASTIC! What a great example of what a little elbow grease, some fabric and paint can do. Bravo!

I remember this, but don't mind seeing it again! This is one of my all time favorite makeover projects. I was so inspired. Not all of us can afford (or even WANT for that matter) one of those ubiquitous spa bathrooms. This project was so ingenious and inspiring.

I think I may be the only one who likes the before photo too, haha.

The "after" makes me want orange countertops! Great, inspiring re-do!

I have to admit I miss the insane original curtain. You'd need a much more impressive house to "fit" something like that, though. What era/style is that thing from?

Wow this gives me hope I may be able to make something of my horrible bathroom after all. Very good 'vision' to see through all that yuk and come up with something so wonderful- Impressed!

What an incredible make over! Makes me think anything is possible. But come on people, you must admit that wallpaper was GROOVY!!!!!

they took that from hideous to super cute! I actually like the orange sink countertop now which is surprising!

Ok, you can all shoot me. But I actually think the original bathroom is rather fabulous. No, I probably wouldn't want it in my house either, but I can see it in some crazy photoshoot/commercial. Retro is the new cool you know!

And way to make those countertops work.

Love the orange counter, hate the 'before' blood-splatter curtains.

in the before, i instantly could picture very groovy people in there, it was kind of neat lol, i usually cant picture people in an old space like that. the after is great, it reminded me of that orange and i think vanilla ice cream on a stick type thing.

i love the before so much, that wall paper! and the mirror fabulous!.............dont like it now!

Marla. I have never seen it before since I am new here so I really liked seeing it. But I can see how for those who have been around for a bit recycled content can be a bore. I have already run into this. Found a post on a couple girls rooms and loved it and then saw it last week as if it was new again. It kinda bugs me. It might be nice if they at least said here is a recall of a fab room from back in 2009 or something.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the original. The makeover is ridiculously boring.

And I'm with Marla. It really peeves me to see the bottom of the page story at the top of the next page...what is up with that?

I remember it, not easy to forget! How awful! Looks great now though, good job on such a small budget. But yeah, I knew I had seen it before.

The original bathroom had style and was memorable. The make over took a really remarkable room and turned it into a "meh". Not really something to be proud of.