AFTER: The color of the sconce shades compliments the yellow tile, rather than fighting it. Click photo to watch an audio slideshow on the new bathroom.

BEFORE: Wallpaper from the bargain bin at the Grossman's Outlet adorned the walls of the bathroom. Click photo to watch an audio slideshow of the new bathroom.

(Watch an audio-slideshow of the Bathroom Makeover Project)

Before, we were surrounded by the world (wallpaper). And it was dark, cold, and dingy.

After (our bathroom remodel), we are surrounded by more genteel times, Victorian era charm to be exact.

About three months ago we decided to give the bathroom in our 1848 home a makeover: nothing serious. We weren’t planning on gutting it. And we decided we didn’t want to spend the money to get rid of all that yellow tile. So we needed a plan that would fit the historic nature of the house and would also give the illusion that we actually chose that shade of yellow on purpose.

With your help, we picked out a wall color (a lemony shade of antique white) and made some adjustments on what fixtures we’d use.

The result: A Victorian-inspired bathroom that uses a bold shade of lavender to bring out the bright side of the yellow tile.

But you be the judge. Does this bathroom makeover make the grade? How would you rate it?

Read about some of the details of the makeover here and then watch this audio slideshow (be sure to watch it full screen by clicking on the four arrows in the bottom right corner). Don’t forget to turn up the volume. And then let us know what you think works, or doesn’t.

Read about the details of the Bathroom Makeover Project

Watch an audio-slideshow of the Bathroom Makeover Project

See “Bathroom Makeover Part 1“

See “Bathroom Makeover Part 2“

See “Bathroom Makeover Part 3“

Here's a peek at the new medicine cabinet against the freshly painted walls and next to the old wall sconces which will be ripped out soon.

The bathroom remodel is about half-way done and we couldn’t have done it without your help.

At your suggestion we painted the walls off-white (actual name: Corner Cupboard Yellowish White). And we took Marie’s hint that the original medicine cabinet we picked out might be too modern looking. Instead, we found an antique silver framed medicine cabinet on Hayneedle.com.

The vanity with vessel sink was installed. But the faucet that came with it didn’t go with the antique design, so we purchased another one.

Actually we purchased two. The first one we ordered online had an original retail price of a whopping $843 but we got it for $185. However, when it arrived, it was huge (about 18-inches high and about 5 or 6 inches thick).

We returned it and found this one from Delta’s Victorian collection. A local bathroom design shop wanted more than $350 for that faucet but we got it online at Faucet-Warehouse.com for $225.

We also started researching toilets but decided to stick with the old one for now. It’s got a big tank (in fact you can’t buy them this big anymore) and we worry that one of the new toilets with a smaller tank won’t work as well.

The new sconces to go on each side of the medicine cabinet as well as a new ceiling light, two glass shelves and four polished nickel towel rings were ordered from Rejuvenation Lighting and should be delivered sometime this week. The last thing we need to find is a cabinet to hang on the wall across from the bathtub that is 7-inches or less deep. We have at least one in mind, but we’re holding out for something better.

As usual, let us know your thoughts.

See “Bathroom Makeover Part 1“

See “Bathroom Makeover Part 2“

The medicine cabinet, sconces and sink will be replaced.

The wallpaper is off the walls and after living with sample boards painted various shades of green, brown and white we’ve decided to take everyone’s advice and paint the walls white.

Our RootsLiving friends didn’t like the shades of green we picked at all (I think this was partly due to the fact that the colors of the paint sample boards and tile did not render correctly online).  Our friend Marie commented that this being a “Micheli project” she doubted we’d go with her suggestion to paint the walls an eggshell white. (She knows we tend to like adding color to our rooms.)

I also posted the photos on HGTV’s “Rate My Space” site and everyone there also agreed that white was our best choice.

The paint we picked is made by Old Village Paint, called “Corner Cupboard Yellowish White.” Despite the name, the color is very much an antique white with only barely a trace of yellow undertones. It’s in the “Colonial Williamsburg Buttermilk” collection. I’ve used their paint before and it’s perfect for an old house: old-fashioned shades and the matte finish does a pretty good job covering up nicks in old plaster. I plan on keeping it simple and painting the trim the same color too.

Here are some photos of the vanity, medicine cabinet and wall scones we’re considering using. Let us know what you think.

Here’s the vanity:

And here’s the medicine cabinet that would hang over it:

Since the vanity doesn't come with a matching medicine cabinet, we thought choosing an all-mirror cabinet would solve the problem of trying to match the cherry finish.

And here’s the scones that would hang on both sides of the large mirror medicine cabinet:

This colonial revival style light has an historical style dating from 1917-1927. We chose an amber colored shade to match the tile color.

And oh, yes, here’s the ceiling fixutre we’re considering too:

This classic style dates from 1912-1922. The finish is the same as the sconces: polished nickel.

So are we crazy? Do you think this will work? Do you have a better idea? Please let us know what you think. This is a group project and so we’re open to any and all suggestions. Thanks!

See Bath Makeover, Part 1.

When we did this bathroom over it had a "world map" theme. Our shower curtain had a primary colored map of the world and so we chose wallpaper that also had world maps.

Fifteen years ago we bought our 162-year-old house and had to redo every room. It was mainly cosmetic work, but not in the sense of “Oh, we don’t like that color,” or “That room is out of style and needs to be updated.”

There were holes in the walls; a leak in the roof ruined the wallpaper in the dining room; broken windows in the cellar allowed stray cats to go in and out; a green shag rug on the back stairs (we have two stairways) was soiled by some of those cats; and the upstairs bathroom was filthy and had rust marks on the white and gold wallpaper.

We fell in love with this house because we could afford it and because we finally could stop sleeping on the pullout-couch in our 1-bedroom condominium (we gave our bedroom to our 2-year-old at the time).

We stripped the wallpaper in that bathroom and every room of the house (the living room had nine layers). At the time I couldn’t imagine having to strip wallpaper again, but 15 years later, here I am stripping the wallpaper off the upstairs bathroom: wallpaper we had picked out and hired someone to install.

I hate to replace this great sink, but it offers no storage. Does anyone like their sink skirts?

It’s time to do that bathroom over, again. Although the murky yellow tile is not something I would have picked out, we decided it’s not worth the cost of removing it so we’re just going to live with it. However, we desperately need storage space, so I’m planning on replacing the large wall sink and putting in a dark cherry vanity, as well as one or two other wall cabinets. We’ll also change out the medicine cabinet and the sconces. But our dilemma now is: What color should we paint the walls?

I think green would make a good compliment to the yellow, but which green is best? I went to Lowe’s and picked out four sample pots of paint (less than $3 each) and painted some poster boards to hang in the bathroom. Take a look at the following photos and let me know what color you’d choose. (And oh yeah: we threw in a turquoise color, which is actually named “Glass Green.”) If you don’t like any of these colors, please say so and let me know what color you’d choose.

Believe it or not, this bluish shade is called "Glass Green."

If you like this, vote for "Greentree."

If you like this, vote for "Apple 5."

If you like this, vote for "Olive Grove."