My Claw Foot Tub Gets Frenchified

This weekend marks the third time this year that I’ve painted the bathroom. And I’m happy to say I think I finally found the right color and the right touches. Still a few more tweaks to be made but I think I’m on the right track now. Took long enough!

Here’s my beloved claw foot tub. It took me years to get up the nerve to paint her.
In my last bathroom post, I said I wanted to paint her, and ya’ll encouraged me to do it.
About 99% of you said I should paint it white, which I did. But I thought it needed something more.
I found this picture at Country Living Magazine and this became my inspiration.
Hubby was appalled at the flaking paint on this tub, but what does he know?
What caught my eye was the graphic on this claw foot tub.
After painting the tub with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White, I cut out this simple Fleur de Lis.
I taped the image to the tub and traced it lightly with a pencil.
Using ASCP in Paris Grey to match my cabinets, I hand painted the Fleur de Lis onto the tub.
I was sweating from nervousness at this point.

Then came the really nerve-wracking part. Getting that stripe just right!

I used Frog Tape, carefully measuring to get the stripe lined up.
I had to eye it while measuring due to the curve of the tub. You can’t go with a straight measurement.
The line will look crooked due to the curve of the tub so a bit of sweat-filled tweaking was involved.
I had to figure out that curve on my own … where the stripe meets the Fleur de Lis.
I knew if I screwed it up I could correct any mistakes by touching up with the Old White.
I don’t know about that toilet seat. Still deciding if I want to swap it out for a white one.
But I love wooden toilet seats – I think it fits in with a country decor better than porcelain white.
One of the challenges when photographing a small room with mirrors is staying out of the picture!
You have to shoot from specific angles unless you want your mug in the mirror. I still have paint on my wrist.
The walls used to be Linen but it felt way too yellow to me.
Before the yellow I had tried a tan, but it had this weird purple tint to it. It was really ugly!
I finally settled on Steamed White, which has beautiful gray undertones.
The Steamed White wall color blends better with the cabinets, painted in Paris Grey.
I’m on the hunt for new stuff for the shelves.
This is a stock cabinet painted with ASCP in Paris Grey.
I distressed it and gave it a coat of white wash to soften it.
Then I added this graphic from The Graphics Fairy to enhance the French feel of the room.
I used the tried and true Mod Podge transfer technique.
So there she is. My Frenchified claw foot tub next to my Frenchified old bucket.
A huge thanks to all of you who said Yes to my Distress and told me to paint the tub!

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75 Comments

  4. Your bathroom is absolutely gorgeous! I love your tub and how you painted the cabinet. Very French and relaxing. And, I’m totally with you on having a difficult time finding the right color for the bathroom. I have painted mine countless times and am still not happy with it.

    Angela

    Reply

  20. What a wonderful charming bathroom. I love your bathtub and the painting you’ve done on it! I’ve always thought it would be wonderful to have a claw foot bath tub! I could spend a lot of time in there and you’re just a pretty as a picture.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply

  21. The whole thing is cute. We used to have a claw foot tub at our old house, back when we sought out old junk before it was cool. Here I had to buy new stuff, shocking, and wish I had an old tub.

    ~Bliss~

    Reply

  32. What a fabulous bathroom! And who knew you could paint a tub with ASCP! Is there anything ASCP doesn’t work on? Next thing you know someone will be painting their car with it!

    And the frenchified Fleur De Lis and stripe is the perfect icing on the cake!

    🙂

    Linda

    Reply

  33. I love your whole bathroom, everything in it. Noticed the old brass doorknob also.
    Too bad people don’t like old people the way they like their old stuff. lol We lived in an old house in KY that was very conducive to vintage and older objects. Really enjoy your blog, you inspired me.

    Reply

  34. Hey, you cutie patootie! What a darling photo of you! 🙂 Eeeeek! I’m loooovvvvving your French loo, Jennifer! It looks like something out of a French decor book!!! The tub turned out beautifully, and the toilet seat is just perfect because it picks up the golden tone from the baskets in the room. Great job!!!!

    xoxo lauri

    Reply

  41. I’ve been wondering what was happening with your tub?? I’m so happy you painted it!! It looks amazing and the Fleur de Lis is an unexpected surprise. Tell you husband it will be perfect as soon as it gets a little chippy! ( Actually the whole room is just perfect as it is, great job!)

    Lynn

    Reply

  49. What a gorgeous bathroom, Jennifer–I’d never want to leave there! Your claw-foot tub is splendid. Painting always scares me a bit, too, but you did a great job! And I really like what you did painting your stock cabinet–so pretty! I have a stained cabinet and this might be a really nice solution for it, so thank you for sharing. It is always so nice to hear from you at my blog–thank you for stopping by for a visit!

    Reply

  56. Love that tub! I think you did an excellent job, and who cares if it took several tries, all that matters is that you got it right now! And I like the wooden toilet seat, very unique and it adds a bit of warmth in the room.

    Reply

  69. Did you white wash after the gray was applied? I want to do my kitchen cabinets grey but have the washed look. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply

  70. The tub turned out gorgeous and you’re inspiring me to do mine as well!

    May I ask how you applied the paint? Did you spray it on? Brush? Roll?

    Also, was the steamed white paint that you bought a specific lowe’s brand? Do you recall what “finish” you used? (ie., eggshell, semi gloss, etc)

    Reply

  73. I’m so inspired by the beautiful paint job on your claw foot tub, I’m going to try it myself. I love my claw foot tub, and have thought of painting it many times looking at other tubs painted with solid colors of various colors. I couldn’t decide what color would work that I wouldn’t get tired of, but your design really is “the one”. Thanks for sharing your vision.

    Reply