Hello everyone and happy Wednesday! As many of you know, at the beginning of the year, I shared our ambitious home goals, which prominently featured a significant home addition. However, life, as it often does, has thrown a curveball our way. It now looks like the grand addition project won’t be happening as planned, at least not this year. While it wasn’t the news we were hoping for, we quickly recalibrated our perspective, understanding that this isn’t the end of our home improvement journey, but rather a strategic pivot.

Navigating Unforeseen Challenges: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

We always knew that undertaking an addition would be a monumental task, both in terms of construction and financial investment. After consulting with several contractors and an architect, and receiving a few quotes, it became clear that the projected costs were significantly higher than what we are prepared to commit to at this moment. This realization, though initially disappointing, solidified our long-term vision for this house. We intend for this to be our forever home, and as such, transforming it into our perfect sanctuary is truly a marathon, not a sprint. This understanding allows us to approach renovations with patience, ensuring each step is well-considered and financially sound. With a deep breath and a dose of pragmatism, we’ve temporarily set aside the addition plans, choosing to channel our energy into other projects that will deliver immediate improvements.

Following a brief moment of allowing myself to feel the disappointment, I quickly put on my “big girl pants” and shifted focus. Our new priority is tackling several smaller, yet impactful, projects that will enhance the functionality, comfort, and aesthetic appeal of our home in its current footprint. Some of these will be the less glamorous, “behind-the-walls” necessities that, while unseen, are crucial for the long-term health and efficiency of the house. Others will be more visible and tactile investments, providing instant gratification and elevating our daily living experience.

The Urgent Need: A Bathroom Makeover for Four

Given that a new bathroom won’t be part of our lives anytime soon, one project quickly rose to the top of our list: transforming our single existing bathroom. This space serves all four of us daily, and while it isn’t objectively terrible, it definitely has significant room for improvement. The current setup, frankly, drives me a bit batty—it’s essentially a large white box, lacking personality, warmth, and the efficient functionality required for a busy family.

This image is from our home’s listing when it was on the market, and truth be told, it looks almost exactly the same today. The only differences are a white and grey shower curtain, and a few rugs which are, you guessed it… white! It’s an expanse of white that truly needs a dose of character and thoughtful design.

Our Vision for a More Livable Space

Despite its current lack of charm, the bathroom actually offers a great foundation. Considering the age of our home and the fact that it’s the sole bathroom, it’s surprisingly spacious. Over the past year and a half of living here, we’ve identified key areas that demand attention to make it a much more livable and enjoyable situation for our family. Our renovation plans include a thoughtful reworking of the space to maximize its potential. This involves taking out the existing shower unit and, in its place, adding much-needed linen and general bathroom storage. We also plan to raise the archway, integrate a shower system above the existing tub, and retile the floor to introduce a fresh, modern aesthetic. To combat the lack of natural light, we’re considering installing a skylight or a solar tube, which would dramatically brighten the space and create a more inviting atmosphere. Finally, a larger vanity is on the agenda, providing more counter space and integrated storage to streamline our morning routines.

Beyond functionality, my heart truly yearns to infuse visual interest and personality into this space, and I believe wallpaper is the perfect medium for this. I absolutely adore wallpaper and have been patiently waiting for the ideal opportunity to incorporate it into our home. So, when the wonderful team at Milton and King reached out to me about collaborating with some of their exquisite bespoke papers, I instantly knew this was the sign I had been waiting for. This was the perfect chance to introduce a captivating design element into our bungalow’s most hardworking room.

Discovering the Magic of Shibori: My Top Wallpaper Selections

Seriously, Milton and King’s wallpapers are incredibly impressive. As I explored their extensive collection, my heart practically skipped a beat when I stumbled upon their stunning Shibori line of papers. Those who follow my journey already know my deep obsession with Shibori textiles and patterns, so it was an absolute no-brainer that this would be the design direction for our bathroom. The artistic, organic feel of Shibori, with its roots in traditional Japanese dyeing techniques, offers a unique blend of sophistication and tranquil beauty that I believe will be perfect for a bathroom space. It’s perfect, right? I honestly fell in love with almost every single one of their Shibori designs, but after much deliberation and internal debate, I managed to narrow down my choices to three exceptional patterns. Each one offers a distinct aesthetic, promising to transform our “big white box” into a visually engaging and serene retreat.

Option A: Shibori Star

A: Shibori Star: I am particularly drawn to the bold, graphic quality of this print. The star motif, while distinct, retains the softened edges characteristic of Shibori, creating a dynamic yet calming pattern. This design is available in five beautiful colorways, offering a range of moods. The olive green, for instance, is absolutely gorgeous and would bring a wonderful earthy tone to many spaces. However, those familiar with our home know that Naomi (my partner) has a strong aversion to green – #ainthappening. For our bathroom, I would undoubtedly gravitate towards the indigo version. The deep, rich indigo hues perfectly capture the essence of traditional Shibori and would introduce a profound sense of depth and tranquility to the bathroom, creating a stunning accent against lighter fixtures and finishes.

Option B: City Scape

B: City Scape: Um, hello indigo! This pattern is likely my absolute favorite of the three. The intricate design, reminiscent of abstract city skylines or perhaps geological formations, is captivating. What truly resonates with me is the incredibly deep hue of indigo used in this design; it immediately brings to mind the rich, textured beauty of my cherished African mudcloth textiles. The depth of color and the organic lines would add such a sophisticated and artistic layer to the bathroom, making it feel truly bespoke and reflective of our global design inspirations. This pattern provides a sense of grounding and quiet elegance. While I am undeniably partial to the deep blue, Naomi surprisingly favors the lighter blue colorway of this option. This difference in preference adds another layer to our decision-making, highlighting how personal color choices can be within the same design.

This image provides a glimpse of the African mudcloth textile in our bedroom, offering a visual reference for the deep, earthy tones and unique patterns that draw me to the Shibori aesthetic.

Option C: Stalactite

C: Stalactite: I genuinely love this option as well. The Stalactite pattern has an almost geological, crystalline quality to it, creating a sense of natural artistry. It is currently only offered in black, which provides a dramatic and sophisticated look on its own. However, I can’t help but imagine how absolutely amazing this pattern would look if it were also available in a rich indigo. The combination of its unique form and the depth of indigo would be truly breathtaking, adding an element of organic elegance and modern flair to the bathroom space. Even in black, it offers a strong visual statement that could anchor the vanity wall beautifully.

Your Input Matters: Helping Us Choose the Perfect Accent

So, my dear friends, I am genuinely eager for your input. What would you do? Which of these stunning Shibori wallpapers captures your eye, and why? I truly feel that any of these options would look absolutely fantastic in our bathroom. One aspect I particularly adore about these Milton and King papers is their tactile quality—they truly look and feel like fabric, which I believe will create a wonderfully soft and luxurious texture on the wall. It’s important to note that I’m envisioning this wallpaper specifically on the vanity wall only. This strategic placement will create a powerful focal point without overwhelming the relatively compact space, offering a striking accent that defines the design direction of the entire room. Your opinions are incredibly valuable as we make this exciting design decision for our home. Alright, friends, I’m all ears for your thoughts and suggestions!

Until next time, with much excitement for our home’s evolution…

Xo-Shavonda

*Featured image via Vanessa Francis for Décor Happy Blog