Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Society6. I have worked with them as an artist and customer for years, so it’s a pleasure to partner with them for this post.
If you’ve read my blog for a while you have probably heard about Society6. I have been selling my artwork and photography there for almost ten years. For those who don’t know what Society6 is, it’s a print-to-order marketplace for artists to share their work with a wider audience. Society6 makes quality art prints, canvases, framed wall art, stationary cards, and other obvious products for artwork, but they also offer apparel, furniture, home and office accessories, and their library of available items is growing each year So many new products like tapestries and bedding have been added since I first listed my work on their site.
In addition to selling wrapping paper and prints on Society6 as an artist, I have shopped from them as a customer. I’ve purchased stationary cards, totes, zipper pouches, notebooks, and more over the years and have always been pleased with their quality and service. (Their wrapping paper is one of my favorites because it’s the perfect weight. Not too thick, not too thin.) So, when they reached out to ask if I would be interested in using some products from their extensive collection of original artists, it was a no-brainer. I’ve already been talking about them for years!
I knew right away which room would benefit from some of Society6’s unique products – the boys’ bathroom. As I shared in THIS POST, we were hoping to do a full gut job on it shortly after we moved into the home, but we ended up having to use the bathroom renovation budget on the roof. We’re going to have to live with our 1970 bathrooms a while longer. Since we aren’t going to be ripping tile out anytime soon, I wanted to get this bathroom looking and feeling nicer. Other than the toilet, this room is entirely original, which is pretty impressive for a hardworking bathroom. I tip my hat to any room that can go 50+ years without even a partial renovation. But, as you can imagine, there are issues after 50 years. Some of the tiles are cracked and loose. The tub and sink are rusting around the drain. The paint on the ceiling was flaking and peeling and the wallpaper was lifting in the corners. If it wasn’t going to get a full renovation, it at least needed a refresh.
So, this is what the bathroom looked like before…
Let me insert here that I actually had affection for the wallpaper in this room. it was very pretty and definitely tied together the blue and beige. I can admire someone who made bold choices like these in a bathroom.
With the paper removed, though, the blue and beige tiles were looking a little lost. I wanted to add a temporary solution that would make the room feel like an intentional, cohesive space again. The kicker was that I didn’t want to install wallpaper to have to remove again before the renovation. (After all of the wallpaper removal in this house, I’m a little traumatized at the idea of doing that to myself!) But, Society6 offers peel-and-stick wallpaper in thousands of patterns. Not only could I stick up some wallpaper to enjoy until the renovation, but I would almost certainly be able to find a paper that would work with the tricky blue and beige color scheme.
I spent hours combing through their site and found a floral print by the talented Beth Norton. She understands patterns and created a paper that would have a seamless design when installed. The other perk to ordering from Society6 is you can usually find matching or coordinating products in the same pattern or by the same artist. I was able to get a small rug and hand towels to match the wallpaper. I could’ve even gotten a shower curtain, wall art, bedding, mugs, a tray, an acrylic box, and more. This room could’ve been done head-to-toe in this print! I didn’t want too much of a good thing, though, so I let the wallpaper be the star and just picked out a few accessories. Here is the digital mood board I created…
wall paper | checked towels | seagull art 1 | seagull art 2 | 2 x 3 rug
The limitations of the tile colors I was working with pushed me in an aesthetic direction I might not normally go, but I felt like it was important to work with what I had instead of against it. It would’ve looked out of place if I had picked a colorway in my typical blue and green palette. I also liked the idea of having fun with the 1970s vibe and intentionally found a paper that felt like it could’ve been from that period or an earlier era.
I worked on painting the ceiling and trim earlier in the week and then my mom came over to help install the peel-and-stick wallpaper. We make a good wallpapering team since we’ve done it together a few times. I do the hanging and cutting and she hands me the tools and provides an extra set of eyes and hands when needed. We also learned she had a real gift for peeling the backing off the peel-and-stick paper. I would struggle to get a corner started and she would get it on the first try. That also became her job – the go-to-paper-peeler-backer.
I’ve worked with peel-and-stick wallpaper from Society6 with great success before, but I have never tried to hang it in an entire room. Other than the tricky areas that are frustrating to reach and neatly apply a piece of sticky wallpaper, the project was an easy project. We had the entire bathroom papered in about two hours (not including a break for lunch.)
I’ll share a separate post with tips on applying peel-and-stick wallpaper. For now, let’s take a look at the refreshed bathroom…
We didn’t knock out tile, rip out fixtures, or pour thousands of dollars into a renovation. We didn’t even upgrade the 1970s basic faucet, paint the vanity, or replace the knobs. We just removed the old wallpaper, primed and painted the ceiling, walls, and trim, replaced the ceiling fan (because it broke), got a new blind, and added some peel-and-stick wallpaper and a few accessories.
It now looks like an intentional, cute, retro bathroom.
Now, you might be thinking, “Isn’t this a boys’ bathroom?!” Yes, yes it is. Until we have a 1/2 bath installed, this is also the bathroom all of our visitors and guests use, so I felt like I could take a little bit of liberty with the decor. It’s not just a teenage boy’s bathroom. I also told the boys that when the bathroom is fully renovated, it will be a bit more neutral.
For now, we are going to embrace the quirk.
I hope this bathroom refresh is a good example of how you can work with something that is dated and might not be your typical style. It’s very common to have spaces in your home that could use a full renovation and there are simply higher priorities. I wish we could do everything to our house that we wanted to right away, but we work on a budget and have to take things one step at a time. This refresh makes the waiting a little easier.
There are thousands and thousands of artists and products to choose from on Society6, including some of my paintings! If you need a unique gift, a statement art print, or peel-and-stick wallpaper to refresh a space, do yourself a favor and check out Society6.
And, just so you know, Society6 is running a Mother’s Day sale from April 19 – 28, 2024. This includes 30% Off Wall Art (excluding Posters), 20% Off Everything Else & 10% Off Furniture.
Love your work on this bathroom. Great idea to work with what you have. You are a great inspiration to me!
I have removed enough wallpaper to last me until I die (even nixed buying a house once because of the wallpaper), but this wallpaper is great (not enough to make me change my mind though)!
Wow. Looks adorable. Great save. I love how you worked with what you had and didnt try to use modern finishes. I also love how you did a mini update so you didnt gringe every time you used it. Looks so cottagey. Great job Marian.
Wow, that is just incredible how much better the bathroom looks with those minor changes! It is very cheery too.
It looks fantastic! Great way to tie existing elements together with beautiful results!
Looks great!
Although my daughter is at UVA, I gotta say, other than a sports jersey, orange and blue together don’t do it for me. But you did a great job! Gosh what a good lesson…Im one of those that wants it done my way, and now, when it comes to decorating and furnishing my home. You reminded me what a little creative thought and patience can do! Great job, ONCE AGAIN, Marion!!!!
What a terrific makeover. You picked the perfect wallpaper. It’s a fitting example of how a single element can make all the difference in a room.
This is adorable, Marian! I love how the new wallpaper plays off the turquoise sink and tub. No rush to renovate now! And kudos to your mom for her peeling prowess.
It’s so cute, I’d be tempted to just call it a day! I adore the floor tile. I’d definitely struggle to replace that.
The wallpaper is perfect. It looks fantastic.
I think I’d struggle with the toilet so out in the open. A teeny little screen would probably ease my modesty. You’ve probably already thought of it and ruled it out knowing the space.
Yeah, the toilet is very prominent! 😂 When we renovate, we might look into turning the tub under the window so the toilet can be tucked in a bit more.
Hi, Marian!
Did you decide not to use the sea gull prints?
Excellent choices and beautifully done! It does give the retro vibe. As one who saw it firsthand, I can assure you that back then *everyone* lived with flowered prints, including teenage boys. It was groovy then and it’s groovy now!
This turned out better than great! It’s looks deliberate and intentional! You did a beautiful job and kudos to your mom for her help. What joy to work together to turn this bathroom around from sad and dated to fresh and fun!!
Can you help me figure out why I have a difficult time reading your postings. I’m in the middle of reading and the screen keeps jumping and ads continue to pop up. Then the posting reloads at least 2-3 times. It’s so frustrating. Thanks Marion.
Sorry about that. It’s apparently an IOS problem that causes the site to jump and it’s affecting more than just my site. I hope it will be resolved soon!
I like the matching rug and towels. I also think the floor is pretty.
You did a great job! I do wonder how the “before” might have looked with the same sunshine/lighting though.
Have been thinking of doing a small space of my own with peel and stick paper. Thanks for the inspiration!
Great outcome! The wallpaper is a wonderful ‘anchor’ for the rest of the fixtures. That bright blue sink now looks like it was selected just for that room!
What an excellent job! I wouldn’t change a thing.
Still recovering here ;0 from a failed peel and stick episode. It took forever to do correctly and then completely fell down overnight. My husband said never again and now you have me wanting to try against my better judgement. I still think traditional paste wallpaper may be the way to go.
Can I ask what finish the paint is in under the paper?
I have wanted to try peel and stick wallpaper but have heard it is difficult to remove. The paste is hard to come off. Has anyone had this experience?
Bravo!
This looks fantastic. You are so talented.
It looks great! Love it.
I love Society 6, and I love this project! I’ve been curious about their wallpaper and rugs. I discovered them when I wanted to update my daughter’s bedroom to a teen bedroom. She’s quirky and artsy and I didn’t want the typical popular items you find in stores. Since that initial discovery, I’ve purchased other things from them as well, and they are always well-made, and the artwork looks good.
I SO appreciate that you opted to update the space without doing any major renovations (at least for now!). I live in an older house, too, and sometimes ya gotta choose between replacing the roof (or the furnace …. ) rather than making expensive cosmetic changes. Thanks for sharing this!
The perfect wallpaper choice to tie all the colours together! Love how it turned out.
as a temporary solution, I could totally live with that! the colours go well together, and it is ever so kitschy!!! Good job!!!
It looks great! Your refresh made a huge difference.