Thanks everyone!  Both Mia and I love the quick fix on yesterday’s budget bathroom makeover.  Be sure to check out all the links over there too, over 100 bathroom remodels from around the blogosphere, so inspiring!  I’m so ready to tackle my own hallway bath thanks to all of your ideas!

A few questions came up on Mia’s vanity so I’ll give the quick answers below. 

Paint color on the vanity: That rich espresso color is Valspar’s latex ‘Betsy Ross House Brown’ #6011-2 in the soft gloss Kitchen & Bath formula.  See yesterday’s post for the step by step application.

I’m still going to give the vanity one coat of Polycrylic for durability and easier wipedown.  The formula states it’s easy to scrub, but because this paint is a soft gloss in latex, I think it could use one more protective coat. 

Hardware on the doors and drawers:  Atlas Alcott square knob and square pull, both in polished nickel. 

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Spray paint on the faucet handles: I highly recommend using an outdoor formula, designed to repel moisture.  These RustOleum metallic formulas are the most durable and work best for this project.   I love the ‘Matte Nickel’ ! 

Mirror frame by Mirrormate: That’s the Cherokee style in Dark Walnut.

Here it is up close!

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Heads up all, there’s some home improvement related contests going on right now that I wanted to share with you!  First, some creative friends have formed a new blog called the CSI Project:

This week’s CSI Project contest is the ‘Hardware Store Challenge’ and I’m the guest judge this week, oh yessss.  Your project need only include one element from a hardware store such as nail gun or staple gun, lumber or wood trim, gardening supplies, tools, paint projects, anything purchased at a hardware store.  

Be sure to add the CSI button to your post to be eligible ! 

For all the requirements, look right here.  

This week, the winner will receive a $50 dollar gift certificate to Sparkle & Metal. 

You have until Thursday at 12 p.m. EST to link up. 

One Project Closer is hosting their annual summer Before and After Contest 2010 benefiting Habitat for Humanity.  Last year, I was one of the weekly winners for our staircase redo.   This contest is a fantastic opportunity to show off your best Before and After, win a little dough, and help out a worthy cause.

You submit your renovation project that you worked on yourself, and then a winner is chosen once a week and featured on the site.  The weekly winner also receives a $50 dollar gift certificate to either Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Amazon.com !

Best of all, the OPC gang donates $100 dollars to Habitat for Humanity in your honor (and for each weekly winner). 

At the end of the summer, the community votes, and the winner receives a bonus $150 dollar gift card. 

Check out all the details right here. 

Finally, you know I’m a huge fan of MirrorMate having successfully transformed my own hall bath mirror with their product.  MirrorMate is hosting a MirrorMate Makeover contest for anyone who has purchased a frame and installed in their own home. 

The best makeover winner will receive a $500 dollar American Express gift card – you can find all the rules right here.   And if still haven’t spruced up your bathroom space with a MirrorMate frame, you can use the code CENTS to receive 15% off your purchase !

Know of any other DIY or home improvement related contests going on right now ?  Do share! 

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Sometimes a girl like me just needs a good kick in the pants to motivate her to finish a remodel project she’s had on the back burner, but has been ignoring for quite some time.  Such is the case with my hall bathroom.  Our hall bath is your basic contractor style1990s bathroom, with plain honey tone cabinetry and cultured marble counter tops.

So when the folks over at MirrorMate contacted me with the low down on their product and a coupon code, I was completely intrigued.  I emailed them back.  You mean there’s a solution for that plain wall mirror in my hall bath that doesn’t require me to purchase and install a brand new mirror?  That same hall bathroom I’ve been meaning to makeover but just was avoiding for the longest time because it’s ‘just the kids bathroom’  ?  Or so I kept telling myself. 

After a few email exchanges, those same kind folks over at MirrorMate offered to send me a complimentary custom mirror frame for my space.  Yeehaw !  Yes Ma’am !  Sign Me Up !  I filled out their user friendly form, faxed it to the company, and three business days later, I had my custom MirrorMate frame Fed Exed to my doorstep. 

What a difference it makes!  Here’s a peek at my hall bathroom before and after my custom MirrorMate was installed. 

What a difference ! 

Such a difference it puts the rest of my *ahem* outdated bathroom to shame.  This custom frame was just that kick in the pants I needed to get motivated on this bathroom remodel.  So I’ve got a plan to makeover the entire bathroom this summer (see below), but first, let me tell you how easy this MirrorMate product is to put together and install.

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