Main Bath: "Before" & "Now"

Whew.  99.9% of this bathroom is done.  Woot woot.  My hubby just made a door for the medicine cabinet, so I fianlly took some pics.  Still to do: change the light switches, paint touch ups, some art above the towel bar (?), and new light fixture (this one is being demoted to the guest half bathroom).  If someone has an idea for a cute light fixture, I'd love suggestions.  The mirror is a place holder.  At some point, I'd like to make a grey-stained wood frame for the mirror with a Scandinavian vibe. Scroll down for info on what was changed.  In a nutshell: all of it.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib2bclJ3fMj81V9DxduzncOZHYJMz0GK3Q2OTgqOwmJqUea9O8M2GhBMgY8re0tzsgexl__gjsJMfDJOQOdnPI9dRm4m4AMjlAJwj65MMiU5b_48j-wVMZ1mjOev0VixHTO22Rp6Ixcw/s1600/P1030165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhib2bclJ3fMj81V9DxduzncOZHYJMz0GK3Q2OTgqOwmJqUea9O8M2GhBMgY8re0tzsgexl__gjsJMfDJOQOdnPI9dRm4m4AMjlAJwj65MMiU5b_48j-wVMZ1mjOev0VixHTO22Rp6Ixcw/s640/P1030165.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Before"<br />Take a nice long look . . . </td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S3LbItNYi5hWUzd1um2QYdcYmHZ_vrJ81-cQcbR7WFEKl0hPSLuXdMlNkEZHhXZOBxt9I91i2Eu52veHbxYn_kiGFXNlNM13nkvmsgzfui5KSU0-M-1agckx6_UX2uKNMM_6cqnlVWE/s1600/P1030269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S3LbItNYi5hWUzd1um2QYdcYmHZ_vrJ81-cQcbR7WFEKl0hPSLuXdMlNkEZHhXZOBxt9I91i2Eu52veHbxYn_kiGFXNlNM13nkvmsgzfui5KSU0-M-1agckx6_UX2uKNMM_6cqnlVWE/s400/P1030269.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Before"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG3BH4Win89POAKX5-aK3on_eBU4MA9MHnJNUotwN1xBt9DtLsY9hhpI34-M785csSMjLG5yUnLsaezgPrhVZyXGOAU56EGGdddDOlQXnBsSrMIIgODteTrvZrWFDrRJT8O9nhV1dXs4/s1600/P1030286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG3BH4Win89POAKX5-aK3on_eBU4MA9MHnJNUotwN1xBt9DtLsY9hhpI34-M785csSMjLG5yUnLsaezgPrhVZyXGOAU56EGGdddDOlQXnBsSrMIIgODteTrvZrWFDrRJT8O9nhV1dXs4/s400/P1030286.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ewwwww</td></tr></tbody></table>                                                                                                                                                                         <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjMj0Re50vk1tvUwq6deOxcFShOP7i2_70Ff8DcqT3_ikOM5BkcxVeXzpUxrK3-Q5ZFUCFs9soKeY8nFlExReHMMIfBcpGVb6Ua3ADTWY3ejxNDAc7hRfCyx2iFViLrng_1UtX9dvovg/s1600/P1060466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjMj0Re50vk1tvUwq6deOxcFShOP7i2_70Ff8DcqT3_ikOM5BkcxVeXzpUxrK3-Q5ZFUCFs9soKeY8nFlExReHMMIfBcpGVb6Ua3ADTWY3ejxNDAc7hRfCyx2iFViLrng_1UtX9dvovg/s640/P1060466.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4lggu-oeQLozPrVmfWEesjfLC-d9gI5jwWzbynRqI7PkhmYZ1dy15R7zMptoCFhfaTkCPWHnj421yjJpe2TV5Va6hrY_Q7SXW1urLnmCC1-_i35z9n0DXzrQUdRPTXEto0Hztpu8ba4/s1600/P1060471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4lggu-oeQLozPrVmfWEesjfLC-d9gI5jwWzbynRqI7PkhmYZ1dy15R7zMptoCFhfaTkCPWHnj421yjJpe2TV5Va6hrY_Q7SXW1urLnmCC1-_i35z9n0DXzrQUdRPTXEto0Hztpu8ba4/s640/P1060471.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wl6mkn_ALbbmt86MkGauWfK4aCTDCLvb3o1_SD_27eTVe26S_UY_36bLsY4uhJFJ9X85hLbUuzvY9-jWjlGlmT3lSqq5jmiYQSBaED6eX56HaIm_cx3GeRIMhaL5qWkgGCiHp55rOWU/s1600/P1060485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wl6mkn_ALbbmt86MkGauWfK4aCTDCLvb3o1_SD_27eTVe26S_UY_36bLsY4uhJFJ9X85hLbUuzvY9-jWjlGlmT3lSqq5jmiYQSBaED6eX56HaIm_cx3GeRIMhaL5qWkgGCiHp55rOWU/s640/P1060485.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNj594wIZKuGhw2H3wwQuBzFmQ9fKYKSXXmKmAkcTovxjUCORNZbg7ryf2q2y-4yvXDtQ7C-fz7bm8Yw-U8xUWrTvR5ByxNN9D_dnnFCiAsh8a_i0v-hE0RA70VKZ5giNBRu1Rpqc2ThI/s1600/P1060480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNj594wIZKuGhw2H3wwQuBzFmQ9fKYKSXXmKmAkcTovxjUCORNZbg7ryf2q2y-4yvXDtQ7C-fz7bm8Yw-U8xUWrTvR5ByxNN9D_dnnFCiAsh8a_i0v-hE0RA70VKZ5giNBRu1Rpqc2ThI/s400/P1060480.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture my mom & I took in Hungary</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A_pqBDrkeABPea5jqPKIGyqt71Vm6xrV8xRDyHW2ICQ40JqzwoyDHFgSDp75lR-riJl06We5f06SzgQefxr5ao9ThhWk_Se5MBMfrA8q11G65SB-3Nkv46bIUSQQUHCF3iIjb6SuN-8/s1600/P1060473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A_pqBDrkeABPea5jqPKIGyqt71Vm6xrV8xRDyHW2ICQ40JqzwoyDHFgSDp75lR-riJl06We5f06SzgQefxr5ao9ThhWk_Se5MBMfrA8q11G65SB-3Nkv46bIUSQQUHCF3iIjb6SuN-8/s400/P1060473.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom thinks our tray looks like a fast food tray.  We bought it in France, to<br />set metal hairspray and shaving cream cans on.  <br />Marble can stain easily and a rusty can is its worst enemy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUcRPLwzc8-u5b8GO57Cai7IJqtpo4xRRE9pQFDz-JdcMDNYQRbz42nETC8G1nbfZQPIZYE4244gb-F6VX4F62SNAgoD9J0gvXGFo662CnxrK_UW33NANsY8tN3VpUnBdxkPhSmXPyDE/s1600/P1060476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUcRPLwzc8-u5b8GO57Cai7IJqtpo4xRRE9pQFDz-JdcMDNYQRbz42nETC8G1nbfZQPIZYE4244gb-F6VX4F62SNAgoD9J0gvXGFo662CnxrK_UW33NANsY8tN3VpUnBdxkPhSmXPyDE/s400/P1060476.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade in Finland, <br />nobody in my family wanted it but I thought it was cute . . . </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMzKuGNrmz3IrnePEAesSX7otEt6VY4pTH7oE-sy00qFHZPLzqCPqZ3pT2IqWFzukyWh4Tbf05W1JSHKUCBEyNKmjeW3mdLoGOWq8brctAaHR4qgpeoDEhVz0I_KZNvnXEVlpxfkgxOg/s1600/P1060493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMzKuGNrmz3IrnePEAesSX7otEt6VY4pTH7oE-sy00qFHZPLzqCPqZ3pT2IqWFzukyWh4Tbf05W1JSHKUCBEyNKmjeW3mdLoGOWq8brctAaHR4qgpeoDEhVz0I_KZNvnXEVlpxfkgxOg/s640/P1060493.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye light fixture.  Soon.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>What we did:</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hired pros to remove the old tub (I pictured it tumbling down the stairs with me running ahead of it like in the cartoons), install the new soaker tub and white tiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It was a package deal which saved money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We were “upsold” on the soaker tub—it is, apparently, a good feature for resale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>But I wish I had also splurged on more unusual tile—even just subway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The plain rectangular tile we have was oodles cheaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>At the time, cash was tight. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I at least wanted the plain tile installed in a brick pattern, but the salesmen talked me out if it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Sarah Richardson just recently installed the same kind of tile in an unusual pattern on “Sarah’s House” and it looked great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I have vowed to trust my own judgment from now on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It was hard, being so green at renovating and having an expert tell me something won’t look right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Has anyone else been talked into/out of something they really loved?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Live and learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The rest we did ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We removed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>everything</u></b>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It was grubby, gross work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The cabinetry and floors and toilet were filthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>But we didn’t do the sledgehammer demo people tend to like on television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We carefully disassembled everything which made cleanup easier.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With everything gone and the tub and tiles in, we installed vinyl flooring (removing the old stuff first), a new vanity with marble countertop, new toilet and everything else (if it looks really similar to the guest half bath, that’s because it is).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>We recently made a new door for the medicine cabinet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I’ll post more specific details about that project later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Couple more things to do, but I don’t even care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I just love a bath in a brand spankin’ new and CLEAN tub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span><br /><br /><strong>The Nitty-Gritty:</strong><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZ9w3_nYsEt8qAmyN5DLNFDATLyu_lwNeFozSEOGAekwilyk99PGwzQ8US03TA81dAIQMsB-suu4cUVPMaHEJoTLfJS9gAt47etIpwKDaCe7Q7SWgZ552jmlxswmH-8nRoy296JWa5DQ/s1600/P1030640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZ9w3_nYsEt8qAmyN5DLNFDATLyu_lwNeFozSEOGAekwilyk99PGwzQ8US03TA81dAIQMsB-suu4cUVPMaHEJoTLfJS9gAt47etIpwKDaCe7Q7SWgZ552jmlxswmH-8nRoy296JWa5DQ/s400/P1030640.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFim7aTcOhCchAyKp86WbagF6It7wKG9G-4r7q1s_VQcvAEmnzaT7eZIui4R4wZz-gMu3GTI0jRcvtTjlx8zJaVIPxCiePzwYJGy4BvNnwkhn7OgN35U80bx6UXrBT_3pF2uP7-YxV1M/s1600/P1030630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFim7aTcOhCchAyKp86WbagF6It7wKG9G-4r7q1s_VQcvAEmnzaT7eZIui4R4wZz-gMu3GTI0jRcvtTjlx8zJaVIPxCiePzwYJGy4BvNnwkhn7OgN35U80bx6UXrBT_3pF2uP7-YxV1M/s640/P1030630.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Removing floors first = bad idea.  <br />It was super sticky, so we abandonned ship until we were closer to installing the new floors</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXoGReFL4wsw9_wqc-ojO_XiZUup7WN3wssXt004WdxYbrjxXhOLoEadmG6Yw694Q7AiY9tA8fx1GJthEj8dA8A92FfDpQticKwE9KLbCsi9JZwy9zdNarSa4YRLTYBr7LJFhTr-eQ0s/s1600/P1030657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXoGReFL4wsw9_wqc-ojO_XiZUup7WN3wssXt004WdxYbrjxXhOLoEadmG6Yw694Q7AiY9tA8fx1GJthEj8dA8A92FfDpQticKwE9KLbCsi9JZwy9zdNarSa4YRLTYBr7LJFhTr-eQ0s/s640/P1030657.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwEVNKoSEy_onolPwcw1fUbIh8ClWuCJ5u_9nwnhijhIojnUgZNbyZsXFvVZTA7UWBx0G2wH2czcO244qxBUAn4JMfmpy_JxbW_YBP2DthbRH6VFDHD0kLTM-e4BKI9IX0nKTPY1f9ak/s1600/P1030661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwEVNKoSEy_onolPwcw1fUbIh8ClWuCJ5u_9nwnhijhIojnUgZNbyZsXFvVZTA7UWBx0G2wH2czcO244qxBUAn4JMfmpy_JxbW_YBP2DthbRH6VFDHD0kLTM-e4BKI9IX0nKTPY1f9ak/s400/P1030661.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bLdm7eAYPpNveHa4vvTuGxpi6huG7nwKjRpXV9juTJcEbsNwgpZOXDHI8c3uYMknw3yDZrwXMt1F1Rx4vtnThsiNV6N5zQuj-bMXOTAQKJIioZn89kS8p3_8-fxJrPgChYARUOw2oWM/s1600/P1030674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bLdm7eAYPpNveHa4vvTuGxpi6huG7nwKjRpXV9juTJcEbsNwgpZOXDHI8c3uYMknw3yDZrwXMt1F1Rx4vtnThsiNV6N5zQuj-bMXOTAQKJIioZn89kS8p3_8-fxJrPgChYARUOw2oWM/s640/P1030674.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuZ2I7kJYhCS6lbRHWVMZAfqPLDCsPExKMdV5U6Uy9tUspK791J-bsYFMkeBCEmLKFeDbsdsdDwGCsebHeQTYqeJYvQn6dOU6hWYtqMYmY6Kdfi6lM83AYDTfkGbiI4zy7V0lWOPhrjs/s1600/P1030740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuZ2I7kJYhCS6lbRHWVMZAfqPLDCsPExKMdV5U6Uy9tUspK791J-bsYFMkeBCEmLKFeDbsdsdDwGCsebHeQTYqeJYvQn6dOU6hWYtqMYmY6Kdfi6lM83AYDTfkGbiI4zy7V0lWOPhrjs/s400/P1030740.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPrUPVNqrzZMn_hUcx7jEJAYRpdrtBclIgGYE-JizJBAo0Z8Gw78y6Dkm7yhZkWboA4-xgeP-9RsI3r5wvQv9Euy1LTxv8yN-IgpG_H1j0KQ1FwLPbwoOEScUsaO0b2ksLnjLKcvDXiI/s1600/P1030733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPrUPVNqrzZMn_hUcx7jEJAYRpdrtBclIgGYE-JizJBAo0Z8Gw78y6Dkm7yhZkWboA4-xgeP-9RsI3r5wvQv9Euy1LTxv8yN-IgpG_H1j0KQ1FwLPbwoOEScUsaO0b2ksLnjLKcvDXiI/s400/P1030733.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>

Main Bath: "Before" & "Now"

Whew.  99.9% of this bathroom is done.  Woot woot.  My hubby just made a door for the medicine cabinet, so I fianlly took some pics.  Still ...

Read more »

Hejdå, Ikea Chair!

<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Please tell me if “</span><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Hejdå” does, in fact, mean “good-bye” in Swedish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>If it doesn’t, then darn you wikipedia.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, I found a perfect chair for the guest room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I couldn’t find one I wanted (for the price I wanted—truth be told I found many I wanted) in the classifieds or in shops, so I posted a “want” ad with a pic of a chair I liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>A super stylish woman replied (who gave me a tour of her home and I am green with envy).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>She had a chair that met my description and hadn’t wanted to sell it, but it wasn’t being put to use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>She didn’t have the time to give it the TLC it wants (needs).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Knowing someone wanted it and would give it a loving home helped her say good-bye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>She was also jazzed it wasn’t being scooped up by a vendor—they’re like hawks here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>This is the second time I’ve had success posting a want ad, as opposed to clambering for an item already posted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">I’m headed to my favorite upholstery fabric store to pick something out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I’m going to pull a colour from the artwork (see below for close-up pics).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I remember a beautiful bright green houndstooth last time I was there, that I’m hoping will still be available to order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It will take a few weeks for the fabric to come in, so you might not see this chair until the New Year, but I promise to post pictures!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out the "before" & "after(ish)" of this room, </span><a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/guest-bedroom-before-after.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, if you haven't seen it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31Z1ybwew7QqFd2XJO78sBnw3ov9Jtbxdd9uSnOqu_IOMWZgvD997fEMqhMTqfKHfEgKoIhsRGZF0LVG03LIJbyDHa9YibMNCa2l3QnkUaXrc34eK3sUy8UDAvSxcFuyglU0EfVT9v-M/s1600/P1060102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31Z1ybwew7QqFd2XJO78sBnw3ov9Jtbxdd9uSnOqu_IOMWZgvD997fEMqhMTqfKHfEgKoIhsRGZF0LVG03LIJbyDHa9YibMNCa2l3QnkUaXrc34eK3sUy8UDAvSxcFuyglU0EfVT9v-M/s640/P1060102.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So long . . . </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkPv8GfWOZrmDt3Z8rJgoyTcX5ftRKPWHFaYL6OMyhxoqr_Hy6-5erbLCMc7jsq9bdGQWuKzorVvDBxx3jEZX0c4LW5FsjNrDTAYl5odsu7PCqa_C-2Iuqhl_m6OyrW3UCrDKv_IWmY4/s1600/P1060443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkPv8GfWOZrmDt3Z8rJgoyTcX5ftRKPWHFaYL6OMyhxoqr_Hy6-5erbLCMc7jsq9bdGQWuKzorVvDBxx3jEZX0c4LW5FsjNrDTAYl5odsu7PCqa_C-2Iuqhl_m6OyrW3UCrDKv_IWmY4/s640/P1060443.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm going for the deconstructed look</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuLOCh3SGg0vksEHEQpPSHaKtTzoK32ZdsiB_WIVfQk83ET7SO0-o-C2ZecbDGXDhjacz7Olnd2UIY7FwZkq3HiSgiNqsJaGDhDUbQ2m6MPlM9Q7KexnVqWFIap-o8SABKArGtkJeHQA/s1600/P1060103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuLOCh3SGg0vksEHEQpPSHaKtTzoK32ZdsiB_WIVfQk83ET7SO0-o-C2ZecbDGXDhjacz7Olnd2UIY7FwZkq3HiSgiNqsJaGDhDUbQ2m6MPlM9Q7KexnVqWFIap-o8SABKArGtkJeHQA/s640/P1060103.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzylxWeSvAUXF0683v1_25ZLqmfeHpiVXzcnBrux79eEQN2FKBnjUhhMiNrroZzwhus2OpjD7LAAwK2xM9qd0RqPjwdm0QFtOhowV2yvzOx454OiUc9jp7MuVMQ0hC3frdjT-U7Zgbn0/s1600/P1060444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzylxWeSvAUXF0683v1_25ZLqmfeHpiVXzcnBrux79eEQN2FKBnjUhhMiNrroZzwhus2OpjD7LAAwK2xM9qd0RqPjwdm0QFtOhowV2yvzOx454OiUc9jp7MuVMQ0hC3frdjT-U7Zgbn0/s400/P1060444.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFaPefpVn6PnL_5pP7sdgO-cPpHxfCTtOfEgJrjNl-Nc_BZRxF_w8SQfKAl9WErHUcZahqmcMjq__0bSdPyWEEqXVCJ-yZoUjrVd8rSIr3BImzxq1PTNsL3ofgwVAphVXuod8-KyMm7s/s1600/P1060445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFaPefpVn6PnL_5pP7sdgO-cPpHxfCTtOfEgJrjNl-Nc_BZRxF_w8SQfKAl9WErHUcZahqmcMjq__0bSdPyWEEqXVCJ-yZoUjrVd8rSIr3BImzxq1PTNsL3ofgwVAphVXuod8-KyMm7s/s640/P1060445.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>

Hejdå, Ikea Chair!

Please tell me if “ Hejdå” does, in fact, mean “good-bye” in Swedish.   If it doesn’t, then darn you wikipedia. Anyway, I found a perfect ch...

Read more »

Living/Dining Room: "Before"

<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Click on a pic to see a bigger version (not necessarily recommended!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LZbnLp-ES_KZOImoUFdXebhv18_GSMnOdLw2jbMkCnZVgv66-uD-niO0YX98wPeaTleOp9e0Q-mROILSjr9UtRy2kW1vG-_dCEevKpEGlfjvG7kfIYvjpO8Y20FUJRJSi1MOXvksLiI/s1600/P1030150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LZbnLp-ES_KZOImoUFdXebhv18_GSMnOdLw2jbMkCnZVgv66-uD-niO0YX98wPeaTleOp9e0Q-mROILSjr9UtRy2kW1vG-_dCEevKpEGlfjvG7kfIYvjpO8Y20FUJRJSi1MOXvksLiI/s400/P1030150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ03db4q85S_G5IFs5ayFWkp4oSlF0nekstTwvHMb6ISGtSBgdxd5ydwrcvl-AIcklone2SxhvBkm99p94Jc0EljjCgfpNR6RBntxV_c4kH4HSn1TeASMvUX7h4GLsfIeNd35jTNO4rWo/s1600/P1030151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ03db4q85S_G5IFs5ayFWkp4oSlF0nekstTwvHMb6ISGtSBgdxd5ydwrcvl-AIcklone2SxhvBkm99p94Jc0EljjCgfpNR6RBntxV_c4kH4HSn1TeASMvUX7h4GLsfIeNd35jTNO4rWo/s320/P1030151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefMtDx4ANH8TnsqDYUaeeCiTNbj-h65O2hSxYo2LSpK82r2NpF2319SnlAntvQx53AcgfX1rL32kNTrxwpKkpgJKxU2cvEGFn2ywp4_QJEU_DMBAJdoLHrCDzTcgKWGK549Y1EsESZiA/s1600/P1030228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefMtDx4ANH8TnsqDYUaeeCiTNbj-h65O2hSxYo2LSpK82r2NpF2319SnlAntvQx53AcgfX1rL32kNTrxwpKkpgJKxU2cvEGFn2ywp4_QJEU_DMBAJdoLHrCDzTcgKWGK549Y1EsESZiA/s320/P1030228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddINi71MUcXozRmtTNb-gzLS1FHMgWcCQS3CQHtAuq1FrDYTRKpaFUhBnoigw0tktnzZz78SCuE9iSwG6CCT14sppEnY2zCc1EM0-xs34DHeZiB0a1rtG9oyKA8M_e442GYrKQghjOy8/s1600/P1030225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddINi71MUcXozRmtTNb-gzLS1FHMgWcCQS3CQHtAuq1FrDYTRKpaFUhBnoigw0tktnzZz78SCuE9iSwG6CCT14sppEnY2zCc1EM0-xs34DHeZiB0a1rtG9oyKA8M_e442GYrKQghjOy8/s320/P1030225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />It doesn't seem like it, but the living and dining room is bright and airy (now).  There are large windows in the dining room, plus patio doors in the living room.  We have a brick, wood burning fireplace (although that came with its own bundle of problems) and the maple hardwood floors were already in place.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I cannot take credit for any of the furniture/decor in these shots and the contents all belonged to the previous owners.  By the time we took possession, any "before" shots already included an inflatable mattress and stack of pizza boxes.  See here for the "in progress" & "after" shots <strong><a href="http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/living-room-and-dining-room-after.html.">here</a></strong>.  We "moved in" weeks before our furniture did, so we could renovate without stumbling over things.  Although that happened anyway.</div>

Living/Dining Room: "Before"

Click on a pic to see a bigger version (not necessarily recommended!) It doesn't seem like it, but the living and dining room is bright ...

Read more »

Bedrooms: "Before"

<span style="font-family: inherit;">This bedroom is actually used by us as our master bedroom.  It took a bit of work to remove the dated nursery feel and it is still a work in progress.  But this is what we had to work with. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGt339Y7V-Q9OrczU5nHOL0p23LrKjsSpx6P5njHqFX0ji7FPhD49rcoJt-_JLwaMNsNfLKN1hImA3eqigyoY0L8_B-SDiSiB-1p4LMnf7_jHO7nNSA_SZE8d8FBN6Lht2tpaKqtoYAE/s1600/P1030172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGt339Y7V-Q9OrczU5nHOL0p23LrKjsSpx6P5njHqFX0ji7FPhD49rcoJt-_JLwaMNsNfLKN1hImA3eqigyoY0L8_B-SDiSiB-1p4LMnf7_jHO7nNSA_SZE8d8FBN6Lht2tpaKqtoYAE/s400/P1030172.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />This room is now my office:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrP_K1MbHbos6T6PJQqfn1tfKH4o_Al0OHK2lJ4BX2Pzc3LZymFSfr-l2rsVC2F4xkynzZQo2Oa3CGPo1fC9fAKPd6p-lKF5Tl69Do5-pfHJPLPXhoWqkolMqW86gMRNCtIO180y7ryQ/s1600/P1030174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrP_K1MbHbos6T6PJQqfn1tfKH4o_Al0OHK2lJ4BX2Pzc3LZymFSfr-l2rsVC2F4xkynzZQo2Oa3CGPo1fC9fAKPd6p-lKF5Tl69Do5-pfHJPLPXhoWqkolMqW86gMRNCtIO180y7ryQ/s320/P1030174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />This room is technically the master bedroom, with a two piece en-suite and a walk in closet.  But my mom pointed out it would be a nice guestroom so guests would have their own teeny bathroom and only encroach on our main bathroom space for a shower.  She likely had an ulterior motive, as she is an always-welcome guest!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPX-xW-znpwCf8bjNdq0YtRROX_Wzp26nK0TeJ3kwgrW-ZlDU0y3PwwuCQzGnmhjnUucaRhIO2GJKJLL2Y3d8AkaeACCHbUEgJgzn3Hmo7FeYH5RC_ZCi7A4YiVnzYe3OIeVskXAcJMfk/s1600/P1030167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPX-xW-znpwCf8bjNdq0YtRROX_Wzp26nK0TeJ3kwgrW-ZlDU0y3PwwuCQzGnmhjnUucaRhIO2GJKJLL2Y3d8AkaeACCHbUEgJgzn3Hmo7FeYH5RC_ZCi7A4YiVnzYe3OIeVskXAcJMfk/s400/P1030167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAxvLV_l0I7ZaPjAVswbXMuxR60uGSCnAdCTybkb1bz43shxaDOYJq1LrdxfqA7x63_7c2rVhq7ZTgvuNjgyVi22rQQD-R9Z2I4zO-nZGfm6F5p3bti32VIJGDTPK5f9Fu2_vAsxLKss/s1600/P1030168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAxvLV_l0I7ZaPjAVswbXMuxR60uGSCnAdCTybkb1bz43shxaDOYJq1LrdxfqA7x63_7c2rVhq7ZTgvuNjgyVi22rQQD-R9Z2I4zO-nZGfm6F5p3bti32VIJGDTPK5f9Fu2_vAsxLKss/s400/P1030168.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>

Bedrooms: "Before"

This bedroom is actually used by us as our master bedroom.  It took a bit of work to remove the dated nursery feel and it is still a work in...

Read more »

Main Bath: "Before"

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCgtruJ90zxqvxjdjbHzyU_HkBAlLW4bUCc6zCfHw4G-DJ5saohjoNdzfno6TlsWzabhukHJszz-aERtdqcnGprxzqT8FreGxvw-8TyDaP3XOch_Z4CWixirSs1MHKX05qK3Tbese7dM/s1600/P1030175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCgtruJ90zxqvxjdjbHzyU_HkBAlLW4bUCc6zCfHw4G-DJ5saohjoNdzfno6TlsWzabhukHJszz-aERtdqcnGprxzqT8FreGxvw-8TyDaP3XOch_Z4CWixirSs1MHKX05qK3Tbese7dM/s400/P1030175.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdUhJ5FPiC0vykItB9_efu4PtOcjxpDPlVG1tU-wx3iWrx2J_FwHf08bjBQicdNSrObQjQv-G2feKDBtWf1J-f48AvU9r3wzSTsE1KSuPz4rVqROE8EPRsNkwV_B4wYLlYtChB-vEsPs/s1600/P1030278.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdUhJ5FPiC0vykItB9_efu4PtOcjxpDPlVG1tU-wx3iWrx2J_FwHf08bjBQicdNSrObQjQv-G2feKDBtWf1J-f48AvU9r3wzSTsE1KSuPz4rVqROE8EPRsNkwV_B4wYLlYtChB-vEsPs/s400/P1030278.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <br />The third in this series of coloured fixtures and furry bath mats.  <br />I even have a ceiling fan that matches this room, in the master bedroom.

Main Bath: "Before"

  The third in this series of coloured fixtures and furry bath mats.  I even have a ceiling fan that matches this room, in the master be...

Read more »

Master Bedroom Half Bath: "Before"

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd8UutAb3uQWe02cAOztCF2tctGB8N7rIXQAIRgaG5QibUjQ0gfUwv3Oyl31JHIt4cW7kIBme3vYVFId4yRCM7NK4kKseKvNwEvRKFZ1TiyyzF-SqFa-4FFIY1dYchAJcZeOm113IwMQ/s1600/P1030169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggd8UutAb3uQWe02cAOztCF2tctGB8N7rIXQAIRgaG5QibUjQ0gfUwv3Oyl31JHIt4cW7kIBme3vYVFId4yRCM7NK4kKseKvNwEvRKFZ1TiyyzF-SqFa-4FFIY1dYchAJcZeOm113IwMQ/s400/P1030169.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />No words.<br />Although, you have to appreciate that this house was built with THREE different coloured fixtures: yellow, salmon and ivory.  One night, while ogling our neighbours' garbage piles (people throw out weird stuff), we spotted a pale purple toilet and sink.  Wow!  It seems that to make up for our homes being nearly identical on the outside, the builders went wild with the fixtures.  <br />Can you see the cabinet handles?  You'll find them elsewhere in the house in the "after" shots!

Master Bedroom Half Bath: "Before"

No words. Although, you have to appreciate that this house was built with THREE different coloured fixtures: yellow, salmon and ivory.  One ...

Read more »

Mainfloor Half Bath: "Before"

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGZAss7ehFXgkTA17ep-4kdJF0VNQ-SdUZuoJfW9RblSreGljrKjepd0wgjmM0w6vljExJTpV3oEMM86Reyzy8v5qZNLzz1HJ2V6Oqt0Y6yqFppYfP1mOQcR5QPhkckDsED4t3w7mTrY/s1600/P1030196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGZAss7ehFXgkTA17ep-4kdJF0VNQ-SdUZuoJfW9RblSreGljrKjepd0wgjmM0w6vljExJTpV3oEMM86Reyzy8v5qZNLzz1HJ2V6Oqt0Y6yqFppYfP1mOQcR5QPhkckDsED4t3w7mTrY/s400/P1030196.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzL4tcLN8Y8oaQVh-FsLp_WviIKw_d_T6bCxrQsF7pvtq7VpCOA32TAEhxig38plINZtnQUgHBM743YMHPJZd9aJqjg5MPTohSXydn6Qn67dhNQGc5sxJej88BAgwBfGnuMh8VnPM1Gc/s1600/P1030158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzL4tcLN8Y8oaQVh-FsLp_WviIKw_d_T6bCxrQsF7pvtq7VpCOA32TAEhxig38plINZtnQUgHBM743YMHPJZd9aJqjg5MPTohSXydn6Qn67dhNQGc5sxJej88BAgwBfGnuMh8VnPM1Gc/s640/P1030158.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />This is the mainfloor half bath, as it looked when we bought the house (although the previous owners did take their fuzzy toilet cover and mats.  Aww, shucks).  The ceramic tile continues into the hallway and the front entrance.  It isn't as bland as it looks.  Somehow the ugly from the walls was reflected downward.<br /><br />If you were giving this room a makeover, where would you start?  I will post some "after" shots soon.

Mainfloor Half Bath: "Before"

This is the mainfloor half bath, as it looked when we bought the house (although the previous owners did take their fuzzy toilet cover and m...

Read more »

Kitchen: "Before"

I'd like to introduce you to our kitchen, before it was officially ours:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQMBzJ_Y_o9P94_RgfZhBxjpan1RB_H_cq3NL6GywsaEt4qI7lbWY06U-7eHEecYFtjyflJhCpXTPbDiv3t6YuXTVBdOFs4pYq5MG1RgZ2n2PxNPYhkGZgAuW2LboyN4yN8iJ8ewNHfM/s1600/P1030205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQMBzJ_Y_o9P94_RgfZhBxjpan1RB_H_cq3NL6GywsaEt4qI7lbWY06U-7eHEecYFtjyflJhCpXTPbDiv3t6YuXTVBdOFs4pYq5MG1RgZ2n2PxNPYhkGZgAuW2LboyN4yN8iJ8ewNHfM/s320/P1030205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHfVdoeQp9T9LY0Bkr5QeXEPPg6bpBWxrF1a6g7VV0RAqhxY3tMYWK8vrM50HYnPtqj8P8lJK7EykUowCbGbjQ8keLR_qmff-OBo_7TknC3A0mS-sxxfNNjopLZNDJC6E6r2OImMeGpg/s1600/P1030213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHfVdoeQp9T9LY0Bkr5QeXEPPg6bpBWxrF1a6g7VV0RAqhxY3tMYWK8vrM50HYnPtqj8P8lJK7EykUowCbGbjQ8keLR_qmff-OBo_7TknC3A0mS-sxxfNNjopLZNDJC6E6r2OImMeGpg/s320/P1030213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_Obmum9LY8VD_i5usveryiMJGMLcLIvFMYeH2DmcEKBSBVg7LhLDZfaddgnTUFT8wKmgZAwFUWkL720i8quH3AgM6Iixb-itxoFwSog5Alpw-23ynaY4hKRjStZZdQ1nhyphenhyphenmIpE35hZk/s1600/P1030211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_Obmum9LY8VD_i5usveryiMJGMLcLIvFMYeH2DmcEKBSBVg7LhLDZfaddgnTUFT8wKmgZAwFUWkL720i8quH3AgM6Iixb-itxoFwSog5Alpw-23ynaY4hKRjStZZdQ1nhyphenhyphenmIpE35hZk/s320/P1030211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Oddly, this kitchen won my heart.  We liked the size, the straightforward layout (although I pine for open concept sometimes, when the dishwasher is swooshing and clinking and the counter is a mess, I am glad to be able to retire to the living room and ignore it for a bit).  I loved the ceramic floor which, clearly from the remnant bin, is white with a black rectangle smack in the centre.  The tiles fit the space perfectly!  No odd cuts.  Which must have been nice.<br /><br />But, the laminate counter was chipped, the wood cabinets had lost their varnish, the range hood was beyond resuscitation.  Actually, I hired a professional to help me clean the house (I needed some expert tricks) and when she saw the stove and range hood, she quickly left to run an "errand" and never returned.  I ended up cleaning myself (with help from my generous and ever-patient mother) and spent days on the kitchen alone.  Baking soda is my new best friend.  Combined with a soapy rag, it helped me tackle even the stickiest messes.<br /><br />Please note the lovely accents, such as this tile which was placed in uneven intervals.  Another gift from the remnant bin, we think.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmO-mghZkUUl8FCl_wSRdcA2p8syRuhf4vpmPq7EuyTg403SR2b2XFImRtzJ9kFj3ycp7U1it61859qPBOXkhJj6IU189dpp-86cX_HxvMj_gYZAGWynRwiwdNrzhniexReXeMWsa6YE/s1600/P1030209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmO-mghZkUUl8FCl_wSRdcA2p8syRuhf4vpmPq7EuyTg403SR2b2XFImRtzJ9kFj3ycp7U1it61859qPBOXkhJj6IU189dpp-86cX_HxvMj_gYZAGWynRwiwdNrzhniexReXeMWsa6YE/s320/P1030209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />And my favorite: the off centre light fixture.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfXlafqhURST8Fl-K_fJK_riCRAfX2kIpvvEf9O2jRdPRr3Vj8jz_v3hxtJOfEEwS6b9VH-1q2ozkQCTEzMmhVq-Lcxvc716JQyannMNExLNtSBoYRLGq7ThQpJXABb4lhzbpvopDOfA/s1600/P1030217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfXlafqhURST8Fl-K_fJK_riCRAfX2kIpvvEf9O2jRdPRr3Vj8jz_v3hxtJOfEEwS6b9VH-1q2ozkQCTEzMmhVq-Lcxvc716JQyannMNExLNtSBoYRLGq7ThQpJXABb4lhzbpvopDOfA/s320/P1030217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div align="left">If this was your kitchen, what would you have changed?  In the next few days I will post what we did and how, plus a ton more "before" shots.  Are you curious to see what the kitchen looks like today?    </div>

Kitchen: "Before"

I'd like to introduce you to our kitchen, before it was officially ours: Oddly, this kitchen won my heart.  We liked the size, the strai...

Read more »