Bathroom Confusion

When family visits, blogging stops. I apologize.

I did, however, get to show the fam the house-to-be. It was pretty interesting since the seller was there setting up for an estate sale. I always think it's awkward running into her. I mean, we've argued back and forth over money before. Doesn't that make everything more uncomfortable? The plus side (hopefully) is that there were actually a couple pieces of furniture I'd like to buy from her. We'll have to wait and see how those negotiations go. She's a little stubborn.

I of course wanted to let everyone see our new home, but I also had another, more selfish  reason for stopping in again. I previously posted a picture of the totally green tiled bathroom that we are about to own and as you can imagine, it's a design challenge. I had purchased a possible shower curtain that I was DYING to try out. So I excitedly entered our future bathroom on Saturday, pulled that perfect shower curtain out of my bag, laid it down on the counter and instantly...

realized it sucked. It wasn't even close. Regrettably, I was back to square one. 

I've been wanting to find a shower curtain that would incorporate at least a tad bit of green so it would appear that I'm embracing the tile rather than trying to hide it, but I've really had no such luck. We've got about 4 different shades of green to deal with between the walls and floor and the main tile is very, very pastel in color. There just isn't much out there that can rock it out with that tile. As a result, I gave in to the neutral shower curtain option. 

Today, I purchased (with the approval and support of my mom and little sister) a shower curtain from Target along with a couple accent towels. Check it out.

Simple. Neutral, but at least a bit of pattern. We are going to add a brown fabric panel to the bottom of the shower curtain so that I can mount it higher up on the wall. It also helps by combining our color scheme of the grey and brown on one specific item in the room.

So the general game plan to "modernize" the bathroom is this:

• Grey Walls
• Brown Roman Shade in the window
• Brown frame added around the existing mirror
• Floating shelves above toilet
• Grey or Brown Bath Mat
• Modern art work - TBC ( "To Be Created")

I can't wait to get started! Hopefully the hubby and I will be tackling this room the last weekend of February. I'll be sure to post all the amazingly fantastic photos later.

Until next time...

"That's So Wrong" Wednesday Vol.2

Here is an interior from the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, Californi. Thank you SO much to the Ugly House Photos website for posting these. Check out this Inn's "Sugar & Spice Room." Amazing.

http://uglyhousephotos.com/wordpress/?cat=85
Check out the website for more amazingly bad photos. You won't regret it.

Wow, That's So Wrong. 

Until next time...

LOVE IT! Inspiration

Although this isn't something I would necessarily duplicate in my own home, I absolutely LOVE IT! Check out all that pattern and color. (This is from HGTV's Sarah's House with designer Sarah Richardson.)


What do you think, Goldilocks? Is it too much, too little or just right?

Talk about creating a bright, bold, active space. It's super happy. I mean, what a room to wake up to! It reminds me of how scared most of us are to use lots of color and lots of pattern in one space. How many of us live in solid color rooms with solid color furniture accented with solid color pillows plus maybe one patterned one? It's sad and yet we all do it. What are we all afraid of? 


I think this room is beautiful and I want to keep it as an inspirational reminder to be bold in our new home. Obviously not every room needs to be this intense in pattern or color, but in the right area it can really bring a house or room to life. 


It just makes me wonder...how can I mimic this in my home on my scale with my budget? I'll let you know when I figure it out.


Until next time...

My Broken Heart

I've never been one to really focus on Valentine's Day. Brent and I haven't ever really gone all-out for that particular holiday. It just doesn't really seem necessary. And now I feel like  the universe it telling me I need to keep it that way. 


I had decided to make a Valentine's Day themed wreath for my front door. I found a heart shaped wreath form and eagerly got to work on my new creation today. It was all going well until...well, take a look.

Apparently I don't know my own strength. I broke my heart. Ugh, and it would have been so cute. Don't worry, I didn't cry. (But only because Brent was here and I didn't want to be judged.)


I guess Valentine's Day decor is not in my future. When the universe tells you "no," you have to listen. Let's just hope for better luck on the next project. 


Until next time...

Our First Purchase for Our First Home

We have officially purchased our first piece of furniture for our new home. Yay! I'm pretty pumped about it and I was able to convince the hubbie that we should purchase it now rather than waiting until we move in. (What girl wants to wait to purchase home decor? Not this one.)

Wondering how I managed that? Well it was on sale at World Market, I had a coupon and we had a $50 gift card from some wonderful God-Parents to use. (Yes!) And much more importantly, it relates to what my man really cares about...the T.V. and the Xbox. (Both of which is he using as we speak.) These are two every important items in his world so he was easily convinced that it was necessary to get are media cabinet ASAP.

Here she is for your viewing pleasure.

Sadly, she's still in her box and is now ruining the look of my dining room, but she'll be the perfect fit for our new living room. I just have to figure out a way to hide her when all my small group ladies arrive in the morning. (That's probably my best tip for keeping your house looking good for guests...close some doors and hide some crap. Works like a charm.)

I'll keep you updated on all the purchases to come.

Until next time...

"That is so Wrong" Wednesday Vol.1

I'm pretty sure that I love really terrible design just as much as I love great design. It's so fun to see the things people create and are actually willing to live with. It's comical and has led me to believe that it is 100% necessary to have "That is so Wrong" Wednesdays on my blog. I will be finding a delightfully hideous photo to present each week and together we can all enjoy that moment of, "What were they thinking?" 

My first "That is so Wrong" Wednesday really isn't that terrible, but it features a room we have to tackle in our soon-to-be home. It is the very green 50's bathroom, but it's not the green tile all over the place that I have a problem with. (I mean, come on, it was the 50's. They were keeping up with the Joneses.) My issue lies with the dreadful shower curtain, matching window treatment, and plain white walls. I mean, really? It's 2011. Try a little.

Let's see what you think.

I'd like to add that this is the same seller that wanted to be sure that we understood that we were not allowed to keep the martini glass light-switch cover in the laundry room. It took me a while to let that one go. Obviously we are buying the house because of her tacky light-switch cover. 

(I hope the seller doesn't ever stumble across this blog. That could be awkward when she stops by the house to take her strawberries in the Spring.)

Until next time...

My New Friend, Ester

After debuting my first yarn wreath, I got the urge to keep my wreath-mojo moving. For those of you who don't know, Hobby Lobby is a crafter's Disney World. (OK, maybe that's too strong of a comparison, but you get the idea.) Basically, I could unknowingly spend hours in a Hobby Lobby. There are so many craft ideas just waiting to jump into your head as soon as you walk in the door. It's oh, so exciting. The hard part is deciding on one idea so you don't end up overspending and making your husband mad.  

I haven't been married long, but it's been long enough for me to learn that men do not understanding the need to spend money on craft projects. They just don't seem get that excited about the perfect fabric or the adorable stamp you found in order to make the perfect magnet. Strange, I know.

Anyway, I entered Hobby Lobby the other night and was instantly inspired for my next wreath.   I would now like to introduce to you, Ester. (I named her Ester because it looks like Easter...get it? Ester? Easter? Yep. That's it.)

This wreath is also super budget friendly.  Here's the breakdown for those interested:

• Wreath: $2.99 @ 1/2 off = $1.50 (only about 10" size)
• Full Bag of Mini Clothes Hangers: $2.99 (but only used 7 - plenty left for another project)
• Patterned Fabric: $1.22 x 3 = $3.66 (1/4 of a yard each - again, plenty left over)
• Burlap Fabric: $3.49 (1/2 yard)
• Twine: $3.47 (more twine than I will EVER use)

=$15.11 Total

But only the $1.50 wreath cannot be used again. Everything else is sitting in my craft bag waiting for their next project. Pretty awesome if I do say so myself. Here are a couple close ups for you kids.

Don't they look like little Easter Eggs? Oh, Ester. You're so sweet.

TIP: Purchase items you really love so you can be sure you'll want to use it again. That fabric can be used on another wreath or it could be put in a frame and used as art. I'm sure you'll see them again.

Until next wreath...