Before
Semi-After. Needs another coat but if you don't look too closely you won't notice (and you won't notice that Juniorette glued a paper ambulance on top.)
I really liked this and think it looks pretty in the bathroom. Need to work on the toiletscape this weekend. What does a person use to kit out a toilet? Can't be breakable (Junior.) I think I need a receptacle for fresh flowers.
My little bathroom is coming along slowly but surely. I found a wire rack to hold my bathtime reading materials.
I painted a gold frame white and put a Nathalie Lete postcard inside it.
I tucked another postcard of hers into the medicine chest mirror. If anyone has any creative ideas for this boring medicine chest I would love to hear them.
I was also thinking of hanging up this bird collage I did a few months back.
Now, I'm not sure what gets a girl to "Vintage peacock chenille bedspread" while browsing Ebay but I sure do like the results.
Wary Meyers could do something outrageously perfect with one of these.
Now Husband, don't worry - you won't have to sleep under peacocks. I haven't ordered one although a CERTAIN gift giving holiday IS around the corner, heh heh.
It's like this subculture I had no idea existed. I would definitely wear a t-shirt that says "I own a vintage chenille peacock bedspread." Good conversation piece (in and out of the sack.)
Abbey at Aesthetic Outburst decided she needed a portrait of Susan B. Anthony (this makes perfect sense to me) so she went to the mall and had one airbrushed. She thinks it's tacky - I think it's delightful!
I picked up this book at Ikea on Saturday. It is absolutely chock full of wonderful rooms and not too heavy on the Ikea product shots, thank goodness. Those Scandinavians really know how to decorate.
What more is there to say?
I got this painting (it's a reverse painting on glass from 1956) a couple of weeks ago while on an Artist Date. Do you guys know what that is? It's a suggestion from The Artist's Way and encourages creative types to take themselves on a date all alone once a week to do something FUN. I so highly recommend this book to anyone creatively blocked or creatively seeking.
Now, I love my shoes as much as the next girl but with kids they are NEVER stacked neatly (in our house at least.) I find it more productive to save my nagging for "Drop that knife NOW!" rather than PLEEEEASE line up your shoes neatly so I don't go insane."
Another trip to the good ol Salvation Army (affectionately known as "The SAL.") and now everyone (even little Junior) chucks the shoes in the basket.
After removing them, of course.
Do you remember that huge bookcase that our handyman made? Well, the only place it fits in our rental is the dining room.
I have been sooooooooooo unmotivated after having left my difficult job, a big move and a gray New England winter. Now, I'm pleased to say that I'm getting the home bug back again! I put some of Junior's toys on the top. That's my old Fisher Price phone and the abacus wheely thing is from the Salvation Army.
I'd been piling Juniorette's school papers in one of the cubbys (yeah, it looked just great) but I realized an $8 file folder (on the bottom) looks so much better.
I just discovered Paris based artist, Nathalie Lete. I would love to own one of her limited edition hand tufted wool rugs. Aren't they amazing?
Unfortunately, this is my sister-in-law's and not mine, but I couldn't resist. I am pink with envy. For the story click here.
I found this pink plate to hang on one of the little bathroom walls. I'm keeping it rather spare because I adore all the bright white with the hints of pink. Clearance at Anthro for $3.95. Actually, there was a lot of good Anthro karma about today. I tried these glasses on (anyone else finding the phonebook gets smaller and smaller?) a month ago and they were $58. Today, they were $9.95!
I got them because I'll feel adorable reading in the pink tub. : )
I had planned on leaving this tub curtainless and hanging a fabulous piece of art above it on the wall; however, I saw this shower curtain at Anthropologie last week. It is beautifully thick, white, ruffled cotton. This would mean no art would go on that wall and that it would be more difficult to see the sun coming through the window (which is to the right of the radiator.) On the other hand it would be like bathing in the most fabulous pink birthday cake! Any opinions? I promise to post more photos soon of the whole bathroom. And remember: If I do get the shower curtain and husband asks, IT WAS $19.99 AT TARGET, OK?
This laundry bag via Poppytalk would also be lovely to have for Srping, making trips to the laundromat feel glamourous and fun (uh huh.)
These clean white ruffles really me want a perfect white sundress for Spring like this one here.
My bathroom blind is now finished and I love how it goes with the pink tub.
I sewed these white ribbons on each side so I could roll it up if I wanted some sunlight (yeah, like I ever get to take a relaxing bath in the morning!)
I'm trying to keep the decorations to a minimum but Juniorette keeps putting this My Little Pony inside because she thinks it matches the tub. I may lose out on this one.
I seriously think something like this could only happen to me. Husband and I went to a black tie affair which had a bunch of silent auctions. There were all of these golf vacations, spa holidays (the South Africa trip went for $17,000)...stuff the currently unemployed Pink couldn't even consider. All of a sudden, I noticed this group of people murmuring "Ewwww" as they collected around a table. Well, it was like the Blythe God had descended among the LEAST likely crowd to appreciate Ms. Blythe. NOBODY knew who she was, WHAT she was and why ANYONE would pay anything for something so strange. One woman told me they looked like a bunch of little cadavers.
So, I sneaked out and put my name on one of the silent auctions and broke it gently to husband that I'd just bid on a bunch of...DOLLS. I bid the minimum bids - $250 for one batch and I went back at the last minute and signed up for the batch that was $350 - I just knew they were worth a lot more and if they'd gone unpurchased I would have kicked myself because you cannot just walk into a store and get a Blythe - they are difficult to come by - Ebay being the usual option.
Well, he pretty much freaked out but eventually calmed to my, "Trust me, I've got an instinct on this one."
The people at our table thought I was completely bizarre (of course, one drives a Hummer and one was dead set on inviting us to her country club so I guess I wasn't too bothered when they thought I was strange...to each her own, right?)
Husband immediately calmed down and looked sort of sheepish when I showed him the above freakish doll which was being offered on Ebay for $799. Then he read the included sheets from the auction and saw one batch valued at $2200 and the other at $1400! Excuse me, hubs...I can't HEAR you. Ok, apology accepted. I know you wish it had been a pool table with a beer light to hang over it but this is the next best thing.
Now, the problem is that Juniorette has started sobbing at the idea of selling any of them.
So, what would you do - sell or keep in hiding? These could possibly be our kids' education in 18 years!
I swear I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone. Oh, it turns out Hasbro was the main sponsor of the event, hence the donation of Blythes.
This attractive soul was a limited edition of 1000 and ours is marked (on the heart ID tag) 0/1000.
A lot of them I couldn't even find for sale on the internet - they were unavailable and limited editions.
I'm trying to think if there is an attractive way to display them all in the boxes but I doubt it.
There were lots of little ones as well.
It was such a brilliant moment when we got to haul two boxes full of Blythes out of the venue. Everyone (even the organizers) thought we were crazy but I felt on cloud nine - and knew only my bloggy friends and readers could even begin to understand. Thanks for letting me share. I posted about Blythe dolls ages ago - they can be soooo cute - this is a difficult decision. This almost makes up for the time in Albuquerque when husband wouldn't let me buy the life sized metal donkey sculpture for $250.
I'm working on my blind now. This is the fabric which I got last year from Purl Soho. It's made by Liberty of London and is beautiful. The pinning and cutting is moving slowly (and that's ok, really!) due to fast moving children which keep grabbing my glasses, scissors and pins. Oh, and the toilet brush - must be a guy thing. I have some fun dresses posted at Pink Mohair if you're interested - maybe I'll hang it in the bathroom after I wear it!
What a difference the white heater has made! I got husband to watch the rugrats so I could do this last night. I used an oil based high temperature paint for the heater. I'm now sewing a blind and painting a small table to hold my electric kettle so I can have tea at my beck and call. I know the going is slow but with a very mobile 17 month old it's not quick work (as I was typing this I found him eating a calligraphy pen)! Plus, I've been trying to slow down and smell the roses after years at a very fast pace.
Thanks to all of you for helping me with this. Your comments and advice mean a lot to me.
While reading a back issue of House and Garden (March 2007) I saw the most beautiful pink which was recommended by Betsey Johnson as being a sublime color - Benjamin Moore's Springtime Bloom. I wasn't quite happy with my current bathtub color (diagnose me with what you like but this time I got it right!) A third coat of paint and white feet this time have made my bathroom happy happy happy.
Not such an attractive photo but I've painted the walls a lovely white - "Bridal Veil" from Behr and it has made a huge difference. As well as that, I've put a third coat on the floor and the faux blue is finally covered! More to come soon.
There is a radiator at the end of the tub. Should I just paint it white?
Here is the faux finished blue floor and some sanding I did on it. I've primed and put one coat of white floor paint on it - another coat to go.
Once upon a time there was a lonely, dejected black bathtub with bright orange peeking through.
Surely no landlord meant for THIS to happen, so a coat of primer was applied...
And then a nice coat of paint. And the bathtub lived happily ever after (well, after the faux blue floor was painted white but that's for another day.)
Actually, this was the first coat - I accidentally got the "Harmonious Rose" instead of the "Soft Rose." A bit too Pepto for my peaceful bathroom.
I hate the old black dishwasher but I think this vintage tablecloth improves things. Thanks to all of you for your color advice - I think I'll paint the light cherry red!
I have this little chandelier that I brought from Casapinka. I'm going to hang it in my kitchen but need (want?) to paint it first. Any suggestions?
It's a difficult space to photograph but the light will go over the stove (which I tried to gift wrap but was intercepted by husband with talk of fire hazards.)
I've never bought a paint by numbers painting, sort of forgoing the trend, although they do look cool as a collection. I saw this painting in a junk store several weeks ago and knew we belonged together. Unfortunately, there was no price and the dealer didn't come in for three weeks to set a price! I checked back twice a week and there was a waiting list - the first one to make it to the store after the quoted price got the painting. Well, it was my birthday and I got a call while in the mall with husband: $24. Luckily they took Visa and the deal was sealed.
I think I'm going to make a terrarium from the Chinese jar which I got at a flea market last year.
Art over the couch. Abstract art on the bottom by Juniorette.
I originally had a map above Nancy Drew but my friend Laura suggested the above change.
STILL waiting for motivation to make new cushions!
I found this absolute treasure of a painting over the weekend while shopping in a junk shop with my friend, Laura. We came home and made it the center of attention in the living room.
I love when it feels like something has been waiting for you to come along and rescue it. This painting was hanging behind a statue of a man, with brass floor lamps in front of it.
I moved Frida/Salma to the corner and managed to display my Princess Grace coronation ashtray along with it.
I draped the Urban Outfitters bedspread over the brown couch and made a cover for the old Hemingway Room end tables. Ok, I bought a couple of yards of fabric and plonked it on top of the table.
I'm sure there will be time to hem the edges, like a hundred years from now.
In the living room, the Amelie paintings have been hung - Clooney seems to approve.
This is the beautiful scene outside this morning.
And in the kitchen, a wee little cuckoo clock has found its place over the pantry door. We've spent the weekend with a stomach bug...sick kids are very pathetic. I hope you all are healthy and enjoying your winter.
I was in a thrift store in Cambridge, MA this weekend and was just complaining about how picked over it was. I should know better. Suddenly, this vision of beauty looked up at me from a mustard Tupperware graveyard like we were born to meet. It is moments like this (no husband, I know you don't understand) when the thirft angels sing from on high and the pricetag of $1.99 feels like Clooney arriving with a 2 carat Tiffany diamond. In fact, I shall call him Clooney.
Instead of saying "Slowpoke" like the rest of the USA, husband insists on saying "Slow Coach." Well, I am truly a Slow Coach and am taking my time stacking things in my cupboards. I love being able to see my fun pottery and tins.
I love this book by Donna Hay. I have been cooking from the "Chili" chapter for the past week. Other chapters include "Citrus," "Ginger" and "Chocolate." Cooking in this happy kitchen is pure joy.
Here is the Chili Tofu in Coconut milk with sweet potatoes. Kids loved it.
This is the secret to my being able to cook in peace with kids - a Rugrat Drawer. Every house with kids should have one. I put all their dishes, bottles, sipping cups etc. in it and they can haul them out while I cook and the cleanup is easy. It helps to have a little kiddo pink fridge nearby, too.
Husband and I were working on the front of the fridge tonight when our landlord dropped by. I told him what I was doing and he answered, "Yeah, I saw it through the window." Then I offered to do the fridge in his camper and he turned me down. He was completely fine with ours, though! The empty space on the far right will be taken up with some cool trim - not sure what sort.
We attached the paper with double stick tape and it is $1 wrapping paper from the Target Cheapo Aisle. I might just do what I did with the butterfly file cabinet and seal it with decoupage glue. Any other ideas (other than husband's suggestion of using Saran wrap)? When it comes off it's just another good excuse to change out the paper for something different.
Here's a little peek at how I'm disguising the awful refrigerator.
Shouldn't everyone have a polka dot fridge?
