Hello Lovely Bathroom Refresh: DIY Herbarium

We all have a room at home that feels incomplete, and when you’re a slowwwww decorator like moi, well, the unfinished business can stretch long. Here’s a bathroom refresh where I shopped my house and yard. Yep. TOTALLY FREE feels liberating and gratifying! You’ve heard it a thousand times, but it’s true: infusing a room with a bit of earthy nature brings it to life.

Hello Lovely's DIY renovated classic white bath with clawfoot tub and marble herringbone tile floor. Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray on walls. #sherwinwilliamsreposegray
Handmade herbarium on a ledge in our bath (Ever snap photos at twilight? This was fun!)

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Hello Lovely Bathroom Refresh: DIY Herbarium

Here’s an easy DIY herbarium I made and framed for our bath along with the story of the bath’s transformation (now that DIY wasn’t easy!) New here? I’m Michele, and I’m passionate about creativity. My husband and I are emptynesters and real life renovators in Chicagoland. We moved into a 1990s Georgian in 2022, reimagining our primary bathroom in 2023.

Michele on husband's shoulders painting in dining room with mural over fireplace - Hello Lovely Studio.
Forgive me for this expression…I promise I’m not nearly annoying in the flesh.

Onward with my first rendezvous with the beauty of preserved botanicals under glass!

Simple DIY Herbarium for a Bath Refresh

My video isn’t a step by step tutorial. I wanted you to see my gathered specimens up close and a glimpse of our property on the edge of a forest preserve.

DIY Framed Herbarium Art

I actually collected enough stems to create four framed pieces. Here’s one of them on a shelf in the bath:

Hello Lovely's DIY renovated classic white bath with clawfoot tub and marble herringbone tile floor. Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray on walls. #sherwinwilliamsreposegray
Wooden Roman numerals from Michaels were painted white and reflect the year we were married (’87).

After gathering an assorted lot of botanica growing wild out back, I pressed them.

Dried wildflowers and herbs from my backyard - Hello Lovely Studio.

No fancy flower press here. I sandwiched them in paper towels, weighted them down with heavy books, and allowed to dry for two weeks. Then I arranged them on beautiful handmade Lokta paper (made in Nepal) collected years ago.

Botanical art in progress on antique dining table at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

Arranging them was fun!

Serene bath with clawfoot tub and white Turkish muslin robe (Loom.ist) from Aware House. Wall color is SW Repose Gray - Hello Lovely Studio. #reposegray
Bathroom Refresh and Decorating With Botanical Art

I intended to handstitch them with linen thread to the paper to secure them for a unique look without glue. Then I quickly realized this was beyond my skill set (dried specimens are fragile!) and opted for a bit of craft glue.

Dried wildflowers and herbs from my backyard - Hello Lovely Studio.

The inner frame is a simple, inexpensive, white 12×16 Ribba from IKEA. I commissioned my husband to build a larger wood frame from salvaged maple flooring to surround the readymade frame. This was my first attempt at hacking an IKEA frame and won’t be my last!

I painted the maple frame Sherwin-Williams Eider White (satin).

Hello Lovely's DIY renovated classic white bath with clawfoot tub and marble herringbone tile floor. Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray on walls. #sherwinwilliamsreposegray
Thinking about hanging this second completed piece here near my vanity.

Ready-made IKEA Ribba frames may be discontinued in this size…Find inexpensive white frames the same size from Amazon HERE.

Pressed botanical to frame - Hello Lovely Studio.
Love the little specks of seeds/herbs incorporated into this handmade paper!

As for the paper, check Etsy for beautiful examples or try your hand at making your own! While I have made handmade paper in the past, I now enjoy hunting for beautiful examples instead! Hahahaha. BONUS TIP: Choose a handmade paper for your base that has plenty of natural specks in it. This gives the composition a cohesive look and adds texture to the piece.

Psst. Humidity is obviously not great for art with real botanicals. One option is to take a photo of your herbarium to create a print to frame for a humid area like the bath. However, since I didn’t spend hundreds of dollars, I’m okay with assuming the risk.

Resources for Botanical Art

If you have shopped for vintage herbarium studies or even botanical prints, then you know how expensive they are. Here are examples to get the look:

Hello Lovely’s DIY Bath: Before & After

Our primary bath has come a long way. And yes, we added this very old arched window in the shower in order to both bring in light from the window and for timeless architectural interest.

Hello Lovely's DIY renovated classic white bath with clawfoot tub and marble herringbone tile floor. Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray on walls. #sherwinwilliamsreposegray

There’s a wonderful view of our backyard and the forest preserve we border from the windows.

Modern French renovated bath with Louis style arm chair holding basket of towels, column side table with plant, and vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are SW Repose Gray. #swreposegray

Very serene, tranquil, and light in here. Walls are painted Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray. But where did it begin?

Hello Lovely's DIY renovated classic white bath with clawfoot tub and marble herringbone tile floor. Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray on walls. #sherwinwilliamsreposegray

Who doesn’t love a sweet transformation?

BEFORE bath with cherrywood vanity, brown granite, brown tiled walk-in shower, and tiled platform with Jacuzzi tub - Hello Lovely Studio
BEFORE

From dated and dark brown tile and granite to demo…

The primary bath before renovation - dark brown vanity, dark brown granite top, and tons of brown tile - Hello Lovely Studio.
BEFORE

of the floor tile then the wall tiles.

During demo of our primary bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.
BEFORE

Not terribly fun for these intermediate DIY renovators (in case you were thinking it sounds exciting to toss a Jacuzzi from a third story window or release pent up aggressions with a sledge and attitude).

Vanity wall with medicine cabinet cutouts during primary bathroom renovation and construction at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio
DURING

But eventually things truly can come back together.

Clawfoot tub area during drywall stage of renovation of primary bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio
I asked my husband to create a ledge which we then trimmed out as a shelf.

and finally something a bit coastal and classic.

SW Repose Gray on walls, Shaker style white vanities, modern LED medicine cabinets, and white marble mosaic herringbone tiled floor in our modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.
AFTER – so much better but I need to hang the framed art I created on the wall next to my vanity.

Vintage clawfoot tubs are my favorite for bubble baths. Cast iron means the water stays warm a long time. Psst…the other day, I mentioned this muslin robe (Loom.ist) from AwareHouseShop, and it’s yummy.

Hello Lovely's serene modern French bathrom with clawfoot tub, white muslin robe (Loom.ist from AWAREHOUSESHOP), and SW Repose Gray walls. #serenedecor #sherwinwilliamsreposegray

I didn’t love the idea of downward vanity lights since that type of light is less flattering than sconces on either side of the mirror to light the face. There wasn’t enough space to fit sconces without a whole lot more fuss. However, our medicine cabinets have built-in lighting all the way around the mirrors so it all worked out.

White Shaker style bath vanity with Edwardian style polished nickel faucet and modern mirrored medicine cabinet in our modern French renovated bath - Hello Lovely Studio.

And I love that I designed the new shower to accommodate the existing custom glass shower door since that can be a big ticket item. Score!

More Details from Our Bathroom DIY Renovation

Where there was once a glass half wall at the end of the shower…

BEFORE Jacuzzi tub and brown tiled platform in the Georgian primary bath - Hello Lovely Studio.
BEFORE

there is now a tiled wall with the aforementioned window. I just love this custom look that won’t likely look out of place 10 years from now.

Vintage salvaged arched window with original hardware installed in our renovated shower with marble look porcelain at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.
AFTEr

It’s as if we went from the 1990s to the 1920s.

White Grecian herringbone marble mosaic tile floor, vintage clawfoot tub, and Louis chair in our modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.
AFTER

We designed the custom shower in the same footprint as the original…mainly since we decided not to modify the ceiling soffit (potential surprises and headache!).

Modern French renovated bath with Louis style arm chair holding basket of towels, column side table with plant, and vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are SW Repose Gray. #swreposegray

New bathmats and towels were in order with all of the new, and I’m so crazy about options from Cozy Earth.

It was a challenge to find the most basic, quality, cushiony bath mat until I landed on this one from Cozy Earth:

Cozy Earth waffle weave washcloths and bathmat detail - Hello Lovely Studio.

Definitely check them out if you aren’t familiar with the brand.

Here’s a glimpse of the bath from just outside the pocket door, and it truly is a dramatic change in spite of the fact that we left light fixtures in their original places. We did have to modify the plumbing a bit to line up properly with the vanities and tub.

View from pocket door of vanities and herringbone marble mosaic tiled floor in our modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are SW Repose Gray.

So happy to be living with carrera marble again after so long with dark counters that felt dirty.

Modern LED medicine cabinet, carrera marble topped vanity, and Edwardian polished nickel faucet in our modern French renovated bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.
Bathroom Refresh with DIY Framed Herbarium Botanical Art

Here’s a before shot where you can see the soffit over the tub area. It’s not my favorite, but it’s one of those compromises you make with so many changes to make.

BEFORE bath with cherrywood vanity, brown granite, brown tiled walk-in shower, and tiled platform with Jacuzzi tub - Hello Lovely Studio
BEFORE

And I love how the polished nickel faucets are similar to the Perrin & Rowe kitchen faucet we chose for the farm sink but way less expensive. You can see detail of it here:

Detail of Edwardian bath faucet and carrera marble vanity top in bath at the Georgian - Hello Lovely Studio.

Before & After Botanical Art Decor

Here’s where that ledge began…

SW Repose Gray walls in modern French renovated bath with vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. #swreposegray
BEFORE

And now it is a more charming view. It’s still not done. This area needs more texture…maybe shiplap, tile, or applied trim next.

Hello Lovely's DIY renovated classic white bath with clawfoot tub and marble herringbone tile floor. Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray on walls. #sherwinwilliamsreposegray
AFTER

But much better!

Modern French renovated bath with Louis style arm chair holding basket of towels, column side table with plant, and vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are SW Repose Gray. #swreposegray
Bathroom Refresh with DIY Framed Herbarium Botanical Art

Need a quick refresh idea? Bath linens!

Thanks so much for visiting! Find more savvy ideas from Cindy Hattersley, Mary Ann (Classic Casual Home), and Annie (Most Lovely Things) for inspiring bath goodness.

Modern French renovated bath with Louis style arm chair holding basket of towels, column side table with plant, and vintage clawfoot tub - Hello Lovely Studio. Walls are SW Repose Gray. #swreposegray
Bathroom Refresh with DIY Framed Herbarium Botanical Art

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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8 Comments

  1. annie
    September 12, 2024 / 8:22 am

    What a stunning before and after! I love your dried flower art. I think I may have to try that! Especially if glue works…that I can manage! Really gorgoeus Michele!

    • Michele
      Author
      September 12, 2024 / 10:07 am

      Thank you, Annie. You run circles around me, so this is definitely in your wheelhouse. I’m an abstract painter with limited fine motor skills. 🙂 i didn’t use a ton of glue since I knew the glass and frame would secure them…just a bit with a q-tip. I love your house, aesthetic, attitude, and joie de vivre so much and am honored to be in company with you today. xox

  2. cindy
    September 12, 2024 / 9:34 am

    Can I just say Wowza!! I am way behind catching up on your blog. You two worked magic in those bathrooms! And the herbariums fabulous! I need to try them with my granddaughter. Thank you so much for joining us Michele you certainly did not disappoint!

    • Michele
      Author
      September 12, 2024 / 10:04 am

      Thank you for including me, Cindy! It would be a fabulous project with Summer. Thanks so much for the nudge to refresh the bath – will it ever be done? Hahahaha.

  3. Mary Ann Pickett
    September 12, 2024 / 11:11 am

    Spectacular, Michele. I am so inspired. Our primary bath feels like such a big, messy job but I want the outcome that you have!!!

    • Michele
      Author
      September 12, 2024 / 1:09 pm

      Thanks, Mary Ann. I know yours will be incredible and classic! So happy with the outcome, and buh-bye hazardous jacuzzi platform and dark brown everything. 🙂 Loved collaborating with you pros!

  4. September 14, 2024 / 4:02 pm

    Hi Michele- your herbarium art is wonderful! Especially originating from your grounds and hand-prepared by you… simply beautiful.

    • Michele
      Author
      September 15, 2024 / 10:29 am

      Thank you – my husband had the hard part of the DIY with the frame construction, but now that he has experience, it’s game on!

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing