Bathrooms... again

Bathroom space savers

Since I am pretty sure we have the smallest bathroom outside of an airplane, I am very keen on finding clever space savers that look chic.

I'm really liking this towel bar/shower curtain rod,

This is a simple and narrow storage option:

This piece would give us more space to store our toiletries as well as a space to hang some towels:


I've also always liked these swing-arm towel bars:

Playful bathrooms

A friend of my mother's was recently in her homeland of the Netherlands, and she gave her this item upon her return. It really got me thinking about a few things... 1) how in the heck do you use it? (we brainstormed and got it figured out) and 2) wow, it is really time to do something about my bathroom!!

I don't want to do too much... no changing fixtures or anything, because I know someday we will make the bathroom bigger and then I can do a big overhaul. But I need to do something for the interim to spice it up and make it a bit more pleasant. As much as I long for a chic spa-inspired bathroom where I can languish for hours in hot bubbles watching Oprah or reading Jane Austen, I have to come to terms with the fact that my life just isn't like that. I haven't taken a bubble bath in more than four years and it would be a little tough with "Bathtime Buzz" staring me in the face anyway. I share a tiny bathroom with a grown man and two four-year-old boys. So, I've decided I want the bathroom to be a fun place that gets us energized in the morning and won't look silly with a few rubber duckies strewn about.

I could definitely paint the vinyl linoleum in the bathroom to replicate this look:

There is definitely something that is simultaneously fun and classic in this look:

"Raindrops keep fallin' on my head" is a much more pleasant thought when the raindrops are rainbow-colored:

Although I can't fit this in now, someday I would love to have a little toilet nook in the bathroom:

The List

We're plugging along, but the multi-tasking is getting a little overwhelming.

I'm going to have to get a little organized... (this is the short list)

In the boys' room:
Strip and paint window and door frames
Paint stripes on the accent wall
Chalkboard paint the wainscoting on the accent wall
Strip and paint the baseboards
Install roller shades
Make and install curtains
Purchase and install ceiling fans
Paint and install crown molding and chair rail

In the grown-up room:
Strip and paint baseboard in closet
Install closet organizer
Paint and stencil ceiling
Strip window trim
Paint walls
Paint and install crown molding
Strip and paint baseboard
Select, purchase, install ceiling fan/light fixture

In the dining room:
Paint ceiling, walls, trim
Strip and paint window trim and baseboards
Paint and install crown molding
Purchase secretary
(Buy a piano?)

In the living room:
Select paint
Paint ceiling, walls, trim
Strip and paint window trim and baseboards
Make hall tree from old door
Purchase flat panel TV stand and additional DVD storage
Rug

In the entryway:
Select paint
Paint ceiling, walls and trim
Stencil frost and hang mirrors
Rug

In the front yard:
Break up the ground
Plant wildflowers
Hang plant baskets
Make porch swing

In the back yard:
Finish assembling playset and put in wood chips
Make composter
Finish clearing out dead vines
Make raised garden bed

That should keep me busy until my kids graduate from college.

Let there be light

These are fixtures I like for my hallway areas from Revival Lighting:

Upriver Drive



Cutter



Tamarack

I see the light...

I am completely smitten with this unusual antique crystal chandelier. I'll have to hop on down to Olde Good Things here in Los Angeles... they have two LA locations!

If you can't stand the heat, remodel your kitchen

I stumbled upon Webinetry.com, a company that offers custom-measured cabinetry in a huge variety of styles and finishes at a really great price! As much as I want my new home (whenever I get it!) to be a sustainable as possible, it is hard to say no to such a wise use of resources (financial resources, that is!)

Hammered

If I ever get a chance to redo the bathroom in what we hope will be our new house, I say "yes" and "yes" to the hammered copper sink and tub from Fine Crafts Imports. The best news is that they are just up the road apiece in Camarillo, California! (Saves a lot on shipping a 164 lb. tub).