We don’t have a dramatic bathroom transformation to unveil today — we’re in that middle stage where the big items are done (building a shelf, painting the walls) and a handful of smaller updates are being tackled while life has us on the road (ten flights in eleven days!). Now that we’re finally home, the next installment will be more substantial — we’re deciding between framing the mirror and sewing a window shade from an amazingly bold fabric I’m obsessed with — so here’s a little progress report to tide you over.

About that fabric: I spotted it before and was excited to find a yardage deal. The print (Ubud by Iman Home/Waverly) brings a vivid burst of color that I think will be the perfect counterpoint to the mostly white, slightly plummy-gray bathroom. I picture it as a “punch of color” that will lift the room without overwhelming it. It’s waiting on the counter to become a shade — if only it could sew itself while we were away!

In the meantime, one quick and satisfying update was swapping out the cabinet knobs. The painted wood knobs that were there felt too country and too understated. We found new ones at a craft store during a sale — they were inexpensive and have an irregular, jewel-like quality that feels modern and a bit organic. The faceted shape reads like green jade or dyed bone and has enough depth to be interesting without sticking out too far, so they won’t catch knees or snag towels.

I like how these knobs pick up the darker tones in the floor tile and help pull that color up to the vanity. I’m hoping to get one more for the faux drawer above the sink; they were out of stock the day I bought them, so I’ll check back soon.

We’ve had a few questions about whether we’ll paint the vanity a darker color like charcoal or black. It’s something we’re considering, but we’re not committed yet. The room is smaller than photos make it look, and right now the white vanity, tub, and wall tile keep the space feeling light and balanced. A single dark piece could make one side feel heavy, so we want to let the rest of the room come together first — the shade, the mirror frame, and any other finishes — before making that call. We’ll share photos and updates as we decide.

Also in the “keeping it real” department, our dog Clara photobombed a picture during the shoot. She’s impossible to resist, and we’re not even trying.

Another practical upgrade we squeezed in between flights and lots of reunited-pets smooching was frosting the bathroom window. We finally retired the old accordion-style paper shade we always had to keep closed for privacy, and installed a modern frosted treatment instead. The frosting provides full privacy — even with the bathroom light on at night, you only see soft shadows from the outside, not details. It’s a clean, low-maintenance solution that instantly reads more contemporary than the paper shade did.

We applied the frosted film using a straightforward, do-it-yourself method that many homeowners will recognize: measure and cut precisely, apply soapy water to position, squeegee out bubbles, and trim the edges. If you want a closer look, we also recorded a short video demonstrating the steps; it’s a great way to see the application in action if you prefer a visual walkthrough.

So that’s where things stand: small but meaningful updates that make the room feel more finished and more ours. The old brassy doorknob is still on the list to replace or refinish — one more little thing to tidy up.

Here’s the current hall bathroom to-do list:

• Rehang a shower curtain at ceiling height
• Trim out the unbalanced window (details were shared earlier)
• Switch out the light fixture (we wrote about that change)
• Add some meaningful art (we covered the art choices)
• Build in a shelf over the toilet for leaning art (project recap available)
• Paint the walls a fresher color to help the original tile pop (we took inspiration from vintage colors)
• Upgrade the vanity hardware
• Frost the window
• Frame out the mirror over the vanity for a less builder-basic look
• Refinish or replace that brassy gold doorknob
• Make a bold fabric shade for the window
• Possibly paint the vanity (still deciding)
• Add finishing touches and accessories and share a budget breakdown

Can’t wait to cross more items off. For now I’ll keep fussing over the fabric and the knobs — they look great together and the fish canvas we already have ties the scheme together in a quirky, unexpected way. Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the small details: a new knob, a fresh shade, or a frosted window can transform how a room feels.

What did you work on this weekend? Any mid-point updates or finishing touches that made all the difference in your space? It’s always fun to hear which small changes had big results.

P.S. We finally shared a playful little video featuring Clara’s hidden talent on our family site — a reminder that home projects are more fun with pets around.