Kids’ Bathroom

Since I’ve joined the “Show Us Your Bathroom” fun at Thrifty Décor Chick with my half bath and master bath, I thought I’d keep the ball rollin and give you a peek into the kids’ bathroom.  If you’ve been following along for a while, you first saw part of it here when I took all the doors off the vanity.

Once again, I was working with what I’ve got in there and rolling with that awesome faux marble countertop.  I bet you are all getting really jealous by now seeing that I have that counter in not one, not two, but THREE of my bathrooms!

Anyhow, I really didn’t want to go too cutesy so it could grow along with them.  However, I did want it to be a more relaxed atmosphere, so I went with a natural beach theme.  It’s one of our favorite places to go as a family and it just works perfectly in there.  So you’ll find treasures from our beach trips and pictures of the kids at the beach.

Speaking of those pictures…ummm, yes, I do have three kids and I’m not leaving one out, but Jake’s frame mysteriously fell and broke.  Still need to fix that.  Have you noticed lots of mysterious things happen at my house?  Anyhow, the plan is to change out the photos after every summer vacation, but I think it’s only happened once, maybe twice.  I also love to incorporate treasures from our trips like the rocks on the shelves.  It holds meaning for us, plus, it gives a chance to do something with all the rocks we collect every year.

Here’s the view approaching from the hall.  Besides that horrible sea shell sink and faux marble counter, we were lucky enough to have plain white tiles in there.  Because I was lazy, I mean because I thought white would play off the beach theme, I didn’t bother painting the walls.

I just love this black and white photo of the boat sitting on top of a bed of rocks…kind of beachy chic, I think.  Found it at IKEA a few years back.  And I love the warmth and casual element the wooden pegs add underneath the boat photo.  Unfortunately, we may have to replace it for a different hook system.  The pegs continue to fall out even after gluing them in.   Hanging off the hooks, I actually use our beach towels for a bit of color and playfulness.  I like that it gives them a life beyond three months of the year.  And I just used a simple white terry cloth shower curtain that we’ve had since we were married.

Never thought I could incorporate pink with the two boys, but the pink rug was one of my oops updates again.  I bought it for a different spot, but it was too small and I didn’t return it in time, so I thought I’d give it a try in here.  The boys never said a word.  I love the color combo of turquoise, pink and lime green.

There’s that awesome counter again.  Once, when my niece was visiting, she actually asked her mom what was all over our counters.  Hilarious.  On the counter, you may recognize those striped cups from Target’s summer line this year.  Functional and cute.

 

And of course, there are more rocks and sand from our travels.

On some of the jars, I added little tags indicating the place it came from.

 

I scattered some of our rocks on the window sill too.  Can’t get enough rocks over here.

Working with what I’ve got, I think it came together pretty well, buuuuut…..

here are few more ideas brewing in my mind:

 

• Frame out that giant mirror with rustic wood, possibly a driftwood look
• Replace counter with 24x24 cement patio tiles…but don’t know if it’s too heavy for an upstairs bath???  Anyone know????
• Do I just replace counter or whole vanity unit, that is the question???
• Board and batten with a hook system??
• Take down linen closet doors for open shelving system like my master

So there you have it.  You’ve seen them all.  Hopefully next time you see them, it will be a picture of me ripping out those counters!

Master Bath Lipstick Fixes

One thing I like about living in an outdated space and just doing a lipstick fix is that there is no commitment.  If I don’t like it, no biggie.  I’m not out thousands of dollars and I can just change it again.  The hubby and I have have been thinking about taking the plunge on a master bath reno this year.  A real one.  I have to say, it kind of scares me.  I have a hard enough time making decisions on my lipstick fixes, let alone ones that will cost me some big bucks.

The choices we make have to be timeless, yet timely.  I don’t want to spend a pile of money for a trend that will pass in minutes, but I do want to add a little personality in there.  Anyhow, until I figure that balancing act out, I’ll share some of the lipstick fixes we’ve done in there…

…starting with my favorite, taking down the bifold doors on this closet!  Ahhhh!  So much better.  So easy and basically free.

My vanity took a couple tries before I was satisfied with the results.  It all happened by accident really.  First I painted it espresso and it just wasn’t working for me.  So I gathered up paint samples of greys and taupes and just started layering it ending up with sort of an aged wood effect.  I’m telling you, keep your eyes open in the sample or returned paint section…for a couple bucks or even cents, you can do a little project.  Love sample sizes, they take you a long way sometimes.

I bought glass knobs to dress it up, but that required drilling holes.  So guess what…it never happened.  Using those knobs on another project because if we actually go through with the master bath reno this year, why bother?  Right?  Right.

Updated the light fixture with a cheapo from Lowes that you could mix and match shades and light bars.

Actually bought a new mirror that’s been living in my closet for I don’t know how long now.  Don’t think it will find a home in the updated bathroom because I want a double sink next time around, but I’m sure I can figure something to do with it.  Have an idea or two.

My DIY sea fan art.  Go here, to see how I made it – too easy.

Accidental update number 57…a shower curtain to replace the glass door.  Mysteriously there was a crack in the glass door one day.  Actually glad to be rid of it.  It was kind of gross.

Some chrome hardware and pretty towels.

Threw in some beach inspired items including rocks from our vacations and a jar from my mom’s basement…one of the many treasures from her basement.

Didn’t do anything with the fabulous faux marble countertop with the awesome seashell sink.  Couldn’t bring myself to spend money on a short term counter.  Although, looking at these photos, I can’t believe I stuck with them this long.

 

Wish List for the Real Reno

• Pretty much the reason behind the reno – a BIGGER shower.  The current one is about the size of a phone booth and we’ve recaulked the base about three times and it never seals correctly.  Let’s just say It’s gross.
• A shower seat – my husband’s dream
• Frameless glass doors
• Rectangular undermount sinks (really want REAL marble counter, but scared of staining)
• Enlarging the space by walling up the hallway linen closet and making it a part of the bathroom.
• Enlarging the space by using what was once a vanity area outside the bathroom between the bathroom and closet as a part of the bathroom.

Just look at this wasted space where the shower could be extended!  To the left is the bathroom and to the right is the closet. (there was a vanity and mirror there, but we already took it out and replaced it with this armoire)

• That would cause a change in door placement …speaking of doors…mini frosted glass French doors with glass knobs.
• Oh, and wouldn’t it be nice to update the closet system while we’re at it?

So really the guts of our bathroom aren’t that horrible with the white tile and all, but if we are changing vanities and enlarging the space, there won’t be any tile to match for those spots, thus making this a total gut job.  There’s that domino effect again.  It always comes into play doesn’t it?  If we pull the trigger on the whole reno thing, you know I’ll be sharing the adventure.  And if any of you have gone through the process, please pass along any advice you might have.

 

Linking up here and of course at Thrifty Décor Chick’s show us your bathroom…which is what prompted this post.  I think I’ll continue to follow Sarah’s schedule for highlighting the rooms in my house.  It keeps me on track and focused.  Thanks, Sarah!

Summer Fun on the Big Lake

Just got back from one of my favorite places to vaca – South Haven, MI.  Anywhere on Lake Michigan, really.  In the winter I don’t mind getting out of my fair state, but summers in Michigan are too good to leave. 

Sand and surf – unsalted.

Gorgeous sunsets.

Bonfires on the beach.

Blueberry picking.

Me trying to prove that I was a 2nd place winner of a limbo contest back in college.

I proved nothing…except the fact my body can’t do what it used to.

And provided a little live entertainment for all to see.

Launched a lantern.

More breathtaking sunsets.

A chance to paint your toes blue.

Good times, my friends.

Good times!

Good-Bye Project #237

Sometimes my creative visions get in the way of clearing the clutter, both in my mind and in my house.  You see, I have these two changing tables leftover from baby days.  I couldn’t simply get rid of them…I knew so much more could be done with them.  A bar cart, a buffet table on the deck, laundry room shelves.

The problem with these great ideas of mine is that it takes me forever to do them leaving me with a neverending to do list.  It weighs me down.  My brain and home remain cluttered.  It leaves me deflated with the fact that I still haven’t checked it off my list.

So when my sister texted me to ask if I had an extra changing table for my nephew to make a lemonade stand, I was more than happy to let it go.  Pass the torch for yet another great idea….one for someone else to do!!!!

The lesson from this.  I need to let it go.  I don’t have to DO every idea that pops in my head.  Know that something can find a new life in someone else’s home.  I don’t have to reinvent everything.  I need to make my to do list realistic so I can feel a sense of accomplishment rather than having the weight of 237 projects waiting and waiting to get checked off.  It was so liberating to put that changing table in my car.  A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.

Good-bye Project #237!!!!

Status Update on Homemade Laundry Detergent

Sooo, I’m very close to the end of my supply of homemade laundry detergent.

Yes, the one I told you that would last a year.  I did give away two mason jars of my stash so I guestimate that I probably would have made it to September, which would have given me about 7 months.  And I probably used more per load than I needed to.  I used just about two scoops per load, but I’ve read that you could use between 1-2 scoops…so that said, that would give me enough to finish out the year had I done only 1 scoop per load.

But I will say that it has proven to work great.  I’m not sure if I was imagining things, but it seemed like my clothes were extra soft when I used this homemade laundry detergent.  I have to admit that I did break down and buy a bottle of detergent as back up when I run out because although it really doesn’t take long to make, my time has been super limited these days.  It’s just the shredding of the bar soap that’s a time sucker for me because I don’t have the right tools to make it quick.  I will be making another batch soon though.  I may even get crazy and add a little essential oil for a stronger scent, not sure yet.

Just wanted to give you a heads up so you all wouldn’t be after me if your detergent didn’t last you an entire year.

Half Bath Vanity Update: Another One Bites the Dust

I mentioned in my post on the Wall of Awesomeness, that I would probably have two more vanity doors to do something with soon.  Well, I’ve got them now.  The door finally bit the dust after hanging by a thread for about a month.

Yep, I lived with this for a month.

Don’t judge.

If you kept it shut, you could barely tell.

Wait, I take that back.

This was the state, when I finally said enough is enough and took it off.

Sure, it only took 5 minutes to finally take it off.

Things were a little busy at the time.

So here’s my latest and greatest accidental update…no doors and more baskets just like the kid’s bathroom.  And once again, this accidental update adds a little more character to the space.  Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself until we do a total redo.

 

Oh, and these two doors won’t be added to the Wall of Awesomeness.  I’ve got a different plan for these ones.  I’ll share it with you soon.

To see more of this bathroom, click here.

Linking up to Thrifty Decor Chick.