This guest bathroom of mine was perfectly fine—but fine isn't fun. The goal was a budget-friendly refresh that embraced my guest-bathroom philosophy: they're the place to go bold, get a little weird, and to transport anyone who steps inside.

The floor tile and vanity stayed, but everything else got a lift. Silver hardware swapped to brass, a new pendant above the shower, and a milk-glass vanity light replaced basic fixtures. To disguise the plastic shower insert, I added faux pink tile above it and constructed custom stained surround trim to give it a finished, intentional look—that stain carries to the door trim and ties into the wood throughout the home. Chair rail just below the ceiling allowed for a bold artichoke color on the upper portion of the walls and ceiling, adding relief and an impression of height.

The star is a scenic mural-style peel-and-stick wallpaper I'd been eyeing for ages. It's vibrant, varied, and decidedly not calming—but that's the point. Installation was tedious (just barely enough paper, carried seamlessly across walls, a door, and baseboards), but worth every cut. Vintage lace curtains add a collected, antique touch that doesn't fight the colors, just because they bring joy.