Fun with Vintage Dishes

I love vintage dishes...

I count them as art pieces.

I love how they add dimension 

and a feeling of variety.

  

I decided to do a random 

floating wall hanging 

in my daughter's room...

it felt less serious and more

whimsical for a little

girl's room.

 To arrange them,I played on the floor first and then started with hammering and stepping back.  I was inspired with lily pads to guide the look I wanted to achieve.

If you are looking to add some variety and one of a kind interest to any room...try this!

Bathroom Tour...Attic Renovation

Here is a tour of what I call a miracle bathroom.  

Renovating in an old home presents many obstacles.  

If you have an endless budget,

 anything could be done, 

but we were trying to work 

around the old house/attic obstacles in a 

natural way to keep cost down.  

One obvious challenge is the 

slanted attic ceiling.  

I had to do smaller double doors to 

get in just so we would not hit the ceiling.  

Then we had to "rehearse" standing at the 

toilet for head clearance.

We were also limited on toilet placement to keep it close

to the house plumbing stack.

In this case, we also had to order a special toilet that

is wall mounted rather than the floor.  

We had to have a cavity behind

the toilet to hide the plumbing. 

We did this because my 

contractor did not want to drill

into the floor joists, making the 

floor structure not as solid, so the plumbing 

sits on top of the floor behind the wall.

From a design standpoint, I added the 

granite ledge to make 

this feature feel like it was on purpose

...a feature and not hiding something. 

 Good lighting is so important and added this 

sconce that had a 

glass shade originally to the toilet side of the bathroom.  

I changed to a regular lamp shade...

also was happy.....got this from a 
lighting store tent sale for $30

 and the shade was $18.

 Next we wrap around to a built in bench...
was thinking it could be storage, 

but set it up this way and 
have kept it like this.  

I still have a preschooler 
so having a place to 

sit rather than the 
toilet is nice to have.

I added a bench cushion

...wrapped the foam with fabric 
like a present

using safety pins on 
the back side

(I can't sew) and some 
accent pillows.
You can use duct tape to cover 
safety pins if you are 
worried they will open 
or scratch the surface

Want to replace with a 
longer/thicker cushion, 

but had this one so using it for now.

 Then I had this little cubbie area for storage.

...so added some shelving.

I want to add a little 

piece of trim

to the front to hide the little ledge. 

 Added  a cute towel hook from World Market....

 For the tub area, I wanted to do a classic feature found in 

bungalows, so did a simple white subway tile

accented by little marble subway tiles.

I had the tiler space the tile so the grout lines would really show up and 

then used a darker grout 
color found in marble.

(I washed the tub before this photo was taken,

 so some of the grout 

looking darker in some spots 

where the grout is still wet.)

 Added a little shampoo niche...

 Another obstacle...had to order this jointed shower rod that is 

paintable hardware from Germany. 

Only thing that would work for a 
shower rod with going 
into a slanted ceiling.
Less expensive than custom glass shower door which I was thinking I would have to do.  
The piece was $12.

Added some sconces on either side of mirror....

 Carved mirror from Home Goods....from India

The vanity was from Home Depot

...came in a dark finish

but I painted it white.  

Could not find a white finish I liked in my price range.

I always tell my clients to look past the finish if the 

size and style is right, 

because it is the easiest thing to alter.

Also added different hardware.

Had a custom one priced like this for $900
...paid $325 for this one.

 Tried to be subtle but repeated the rectangle

 shape in sink, tile, and the 
wall sconce near toilet.

.....Big splurge ....and so worth it was.... 
this skylight.

 You can see how it reflects natural light in the mirror here. 

 This shows you how I had to use the 
double doors to clear the ceiling.

My husband added the stop hinge that 
keeps the door from hitting the vanity.

 Added this area rug for color and comfort...

 Had the tiler put the tiles on a 
running bond/brick pattern on floor.

Love this marble!
Found it at The Tile Shop

 The walls are a linen color...with all the 

in and out of walls and ceiling 

being slanted I wanted to 
blanket the walls and 

ceiling with the same color to keep it simple.

I pulled the color from the tile by 
using my paint fan on top of it.

 Fell in love with this granite
...a remnant from a fabricator.

Loved how it complimented the tile.

Besides the lighting near mirror and toilet, 
I also added a can light to shower area.

 Another obstacle was the bath/shower plumbing
...we added a drop in tub

 because.... once again..... we have the 

plumbing on top of the floor. 

Makes the tub a little higher to 

get into but still comfortable.

I thought this was a better way to do it rather 

than putting the tub on a little platform.

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

Showcasing a Collection

Going to try to get back into being better about blogging

.....I have been so busy 

with 3 kids...2 in travel 

sports and one busy preschooler,

keeping up with housework, 

lots of design jobs and 

keeping my antique space 

full and merchandised....

and then we decided to get a puppy.

Besides I am so technically 

challenged that every time 

I post it is truly a 

miracle that I do it.

  

As an example, 

I struggle each night 

setting my alarm clock and 

turning the alarm off

every morning....

not lying...sad

   

My husband actually ordered 

me the world's simplest 

alarm clock for Christmas.

I have some mental block 

with things that have buttons...

we all have or strengths

and weaknesses.  

Gets frustrating to download things

 so it stops me in my tracks

...especially when I see 

I need to tackle a big 

pile of laundry

or help a kid with homework,

cook dinner, 

or e mail a client back etc.....

So anyway...going to try to get 

back into it and also want to 

show the rest of the tour 

from my renovation.

Here's a little something for today....

I was given this sweet glass cabinet from a client.  She was tossing it and I took it and played with it all over my house. 

It was white and kelly green on the inside which I really liked, but I 

wanted to dress it up a bit, 

so I painted it cream and 

brown in the inside.

  

Then I added an orange 

glass knob from Anthroplogie. 

 I have a thing for vintage cream pottery and gathered up all my favorite pieces from around the house to put inside. 

I always tell clients to put like things together(frames, books, pottery etc)...feels less like clutter around the house.

I also like how the cream pottery would stand out against the dark background.

Think about what items you have 

around the house that could 

give you an instant collection.    

Sitting Area

Finally getting these up to show you all!!!

  

This is the attic sitting area 

off the master bedroom.

It is located at the top

of the stairs.

I added this chest bought at 

an estate sale... great storage too.

It was painted yellow 

and I distressed it

by scraping off the yellow

with a razor blade 

to expose the green paint.

Behind you can see we added a 

cubby for storage.

I have the dresser on slides 

in case I need access.

The windows are odd being so high,

but I wanted to draw your eye up.

Turns out the length is the same

as standard tablecloths.

I bought these plaid

tablecloths from Kohl's

and added drapery ring 

clips on rods.

 This is my temporary way to furnish the space...using things I had in my home.

I want to add a love seat

here so it could be a movie area for 

my husband and I.

There is cable all set to 

add a little TV on the 

shelf across from the chair.

I got this braided round 

rug from an antique store,

but have decided I am going 

to do something different

and sell this one.  

Want it to be a little 

plainer....nice to live 

with it though.

Helped to make up my mind...

the shape is perfect though.   

 This is the future home for the TV.

 This is framed rice paper 

for a little art.

Stole the bench from 

the front porch.

 Made sure when planning 

this area that a standard 

love seat would fit 

across from TV.

I have my eye on an 

IKEA one that has a slipcover 

when my cash flow improves. 

 These french doors lead into the master bedroom.  I added 

linen drapes that 

look good from both sides.

Being in a bungalow,

I wanted to add more of a prairie

style door...found all the doors at 

a builders surplus store. 

 The other side has bookshelves 

to mirror the other side.

 Just added things I have for now, 

but lots of tweaking to come.  

I have so much 

more space with 

this renovation...feel like 

I moved and settling 

in all over again...

My goal now is to SIT 

in the SITTING area!

Someday!