HALF BATH MAKEOVER

Right before the holidays I finally attacked and won a task I had put off for far too long. I painted our half bath! It needed it so bad. For several years now the walls have been a dark wine color. The color was actually called "red, red wine". It was!  Evidently, the walls did not receive a primer before this paint was applied because the walls had a chalky look to them.  Almost anytime you touched the wall it would leave a chalky spot. YUCK!



This picture makes the bathroom look really yucky. It wasn't quite this bad.  (close)

Isn't this an improvement?

I knew I wanted to lighten it up. I had to stay with the the light fixture which is this gold strip with the big bulbs. Not my choice at all but you do with what you have sometimes. Also, the spigout is a brushed gold. It's not too bad and I don't mind keeping it for now. The trim and cabinet are in white but I still painted the trim a fresh, bright, glossy white. It's so much better. Nice and CLEAN looking!

I always tell my clients that before they list their homes on the market to sell they usually need to spruce things up and paint is the best and cheapest way to do it. Also, I stress to my clients to go with a neutral shade of paint color whenever possible. It's a lot easier for a prospective buyer to picture their own decor in a neutral palet then some bright, or dark color of the sellers liking.

The new color is "sand sable".  I went to our local paint shop.  The owner, Gary, mixed the color into the primer too.  The paint is store recommends is Benjiman Moore paints.  I have to say it went so smoothly and it still took two coats even after using the primer but it was worth the time to make sure all the red wine is gone, gone gone!

The bathroom looks sooooo much LARGER too! 

I still haven't really decided how I want to decorate in there yet.  I've been trying different accessories from around the house.  That's the really fun thing.  With this neutral shade, I can use just about any color accessory I want. 

The best PARTS of this TASK are:

IT'S CLEAN AND FRESH LOOKING NOW

&

IT'S DONE!!!

I love these pictures and frames.  I picked them up at Marshall's.  The shabby frames and of course beautiful roses are just my thing.  I've moved these around to almost every room in my house. 

I love the beach!  Hubby bought me these wonderful starfish candle holders several years ago.  I'd love to one day have a cute, little home near the ocean.  These candle holders will be perfect in my little dream home!!

I'm loving it so much!!! It's so nice to pass by the doorway and go "awww!"  instead of "eewww!" 

I'm still new at linking to other blogs but if it works right, I'm linking to Cindy over at "Romantic Homes".  Check her beautiful blog out.

Have a great day!

Cindy

Some of My Favorite Things

Well, thought I'd share a picture today that shows several of my favorite things.  I love china patterns, especially with roses, anything PINK, and wicker!

This tea set is part of a large set I have had since I was young.  My Mom started collecting this china for me.  It was one of those sets you could buy a piece of each week at the grocery store.  I loved blue and knew even then that I wanted china!  Mom started out planning to only purchase the teapot, sugar and creamer but she got carried away.  She eventually purchased enough pieces that I have more than an eight place setting and several serving pieces too!  We had fun looking forward to each week to see which piece was the special of the week.  I have collected other china patterns but this one will always be closests to my heart.  It isn't extremely valuable.  We've picked up pieces at garage sales and such.  To me it's priceless because of how hard my Mom worked to save and buy each piece and of the fun we had.  Good thing I still love blue and flowers!

I got this topiary many years ago at a local florist shop.  I was hoping to get two just alike for my mantel but they didn't have enough of the roses or another planter like this one.  I have used it all over the house.

Don't these little ladies look like they're having fun at their tea party?  My oldest daughter, Kristi, gave me this little statue for a birthday present a few years ago.  I just love it.  I have several of these little ladies now, each doing something different.  They're so sweet and of course, I think of my sweet Kristi every time I look at these ladies!

I don't know if you can see it well in this picture but the lace table cover here has teapots and teacups made throughout it.  It's really made for one of those round cardboard tables as an overlay.  I've put it over lots of tables and used it many ways too.

Lastly, is this wicker chest of drawers.  I absolutely love wicker. It's so versatile.  This piece has been in a bedroom, the front porch and now in the dining room keeping extra placemats and tablecloths safe.

Well, that's a little about some of my favorites.  Let me know what your favorites are!

Until next time, have a safe and happy evening!

Cindy