One Room Challenge Fall 2015

Bathroom Accessories + Bathroom Reno Progress

October 21, 2015 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Hey guys!

I’ve mentioned before that the design theme for the space is Global meets boho with craftsman inspired details. It’s tricky to choose accessories for the space because I’m trying to appease many different decor styles at once. One way I’ve decided to approach this is by mixing metallics. Mixing metallics is not only fun and visually interesting, but it’s a good way to marry different styles in one uniform space. The metallics I had chosen to work with were oil rubbed bronze and brass. That’s now changed to copper and oil rubbed bronze (I’ll explain later). There’s a lot of white in the space with pops of blues and teal and the combination of those two metallics will really set the mood for the space.

Because I’m a glutton for punishment, terrible at making decisions, and can’t commit- I have nothing to share today for the Calling It Home One Room Challenge besides purchases (Well… I did clear out the medicine cabinet and the cabinet above the toilet but that’s not exciting and I should have done that months ago).

It was brought to our attention during one of the contractors estimate visits that the faucet to our bathtub is original to the house. And that means it has no scald guard. I had a plan for incorporating them into the new design, but I knew it was the right thing to do upgrade this piece and that’s why we went with MOEN’s Ashville Shower/Tub faucet set. It has a large shower head and that old world feel. I think it’ll balance with some of the modern touches to the space, making it complex but pleasing to the eye.

The way I’m working in the copper element is through smaller pieces. The shelf brackets will be copper (I did start spray painting those, does that count as progress?), the vanity knobs and the cabinet above the toilet’s knobs will be copper. Another small dose of copper I’ve found are these copper bathroom accessories. I picked up this soap dish (I love handmade bar soaps) and this toothbrush holder.

I actually had prepared to admit I was still on the hunt for a mirror, but the Kichler wall mirror from wayfair was breifly back in stock with limited supply (I just so happened to be chcking in to purchase the copper bath accessories- how lucky!) and I pounced with free 2 day shipping- ALL I EVER DO IS WIN WIN WIN NO MATTER WHAT (not at all… but that song came to my head when it all happened). It is now the wrong color (the irony!) for the space, so I’m playing around with ideas for the finish.

Why I switched to copper? It turns out the towel bars and toilet paper holder that we received from MOEN have a hint of copper in the “worn” details. I loved the way it looked against the oil rubbed bronze and it was really that simple.

I also had a chance to do some online shopping at Anthropologie.com. Anthro is easily my latest addiction. I managed to pick up one of the Kana Footed Candles before they became no longer available. The one I picked up is in the scent red berry amber and it’s easily one of the most amazing things I’ve ever smelled! I also picked up one of the Adelaide Kitchenware pieces in the small canister size. The pattern and color will work perfectly for the bathroom. I’m thinking a DIY bath salt may end up being stored in here? And I just couldn’t pass up the Indigo Garland Bathroom Collection’s Tumbler.

I’ve also got a few more bath accessories: shower curtain rod (it’s a double rod and curved- it seems so luxurious since I’ve only ever experienced that in hotels before!), two towel bars to hang on the back of the door (I chose 18 inch bars so the door handle wouldn’t get in the way), curtain rings and toilet paper holder. Moen has provided these items to us for our remodel, but that doesn’t change my honest opinion that they’re beautiful and make me think of nice hotels.

I also took the plunge and ordered the “engineered global” and “threshold paisley” body towels and the “stitched stripe” hand towel from Target I mentioned in my towel decisions post (seriously- Target’s towel game is on fleek!). There seems to be a bit of a problem with the store pick up with my Target so I don’t know when I’ll get them.

Originally I wasn’t going to be replacing the tub, but my dad made a few valid points and it looks like we’re also getting a new bathtub for the space. So that’s a fun change, i.e. $$$. Here’s to hoping this all still happens within 6 weeks!

Part of why I am behind on this is because we decided to switch contractors last minute. My introverted self just learned that my neighbor is a contractor (we’ve lived here 3 years- it’s pathetic). So we’ve gotten a 4th quote from him and it looks like we’re going to work with him instead of the other company we had looked into. I’ll still put together that resource post for those of you who mentioned it would be helpful to know how we found the contractors we spoke with (it’ll just be after the challenge since I have a ton of catching up to do!)

Oh! I almost forgot. I made tassels. Can’t tell you why yet because it’ll spoil an adorable surprise, but I did and they’re cute and that’ll be coming soon! And I chatted about fabrics for DIY shower curtains yesterday! They’re seriously all so beautiful, I highly recommend you check that out!

Choosing Fabric Pattern for Shower Curtains

October 20, 2015 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Hey Guys!

I briefly mentioned recently that I wanted to go the DIY route with our shower curtains. I’ve taken a look around the internet at both shower curtains and regular curtains and I just don’t see a whole lot that I love (in my price rage I should add). Purchasing fabric to make curtains can be more expensive than buying basic curtains, but I find that it’s oftentimes a whole lot cheaper than buying the curtains that would have given me the same look in the first place. The look I’m going for is Shibori-Moroccan-Boho.

I am so thrilled to have partnered with minted.com for this project. I’m a long time fan of their fabric selection and that’s why I chose to work with them. They’ve provided the product but no additional compensation. All opinions are my own.

The inspiration for this idea is this bathroom designed by Emily Henderson for Target with the challenge of using mixed shower curtain panels. I LOVE the concept and I love how she pulled it off so I’m heavily taking inspiration from this space. Plus, I want to be just like Emily Henderson when I grow up. So do as Emily does I do 😉

The first thing I did was decide on the color palette. Because I’m highly gravitating towards the shibori look, I immediately decided on Indigo. I like how Indigo pairs with mint and turquoise, so I also added in a few options with those colors.

To further analyze things, I broke my favorite fabrics into two categories- “Indigos” and “Complimentaries”

1. Painterly Ikat 2. Moroccan Diamonds 3. Painted Feathers 4. Savonnerie

1. English Garden 2. Not Your Mamas Paisley 3. Hand Dyed Shibori Diamonds

4. Hand Dyed Shibori Stripes 5. Leave It Be 6. Bright Suzani

Here are a couple combinations I came up with. When I created these I was thinking I’d do two panels on either side and one panel in the middle. I’m leaning away from that now and thinking I’ll just do one panel of each. It’s a narrow bathroom, not necessarily small (especially for the age of the house), and I think 3 panels would get too busy. But the mock-ups kinda show the feel I’m going for and hopefully it’s enough to get your feedback?

I’m obsessing over that Moroccan Diamonds Fabric. I think if we had spirit fabrics like spirit animals, that Moroccan Diamonds Fabric would be my spirit fabric. Which fabrics are your favorites? Do you think the mixed panels will look cool or are you secretly laughing at me right now? It’s OK not to agree with me, but I think you’ll change your mind. I think one thing we all can agree on, though, is that these fabric patterns are perfection!

Yesterday I chatted about the towels I’d like to use in this space and I think they’ll work well with these patterns, too. I ordered the paisley and engineered global towels. There’s a lot of blue going into this space initially. But I think it’ll all work out since I’m also using a lot of white and brown. We’ll see!

I hope you’re enjoying seeing how all of this is evolving as much as I’m enjoying putting it all together. I also hope you’re having an awesome day!

Get $25 Off Your Minted.com Order By Using My Refer A Friend Link

Target’s Towel Game on Fleek

October 19, 2015 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Can someone tell me why the heck I’m just now finding out about the amazing selection of bath towels at Target? Like move over boring bath towels and hello globally decadent bath towels that must get in my bathroom!

I know what you’re thinking, “Uh, that’s cool and all but why are we talking towels when you haven’t shared any progress on the bathroom?” To which I say, girls just want to have fun. #done

I figure the stuff has to get purchased eventually so why not get an early start on the decorative decisions because thus far the only concrete decision I’ve been able to make is that this is happening.

And I don’t want to miss out on any deals so I’m ready to pounce, but I figured if you are like me- then you’ll want to jump on these, too!

Bath Towels

Hand Towels

I’m trying to steer clear of matchy matchy pretty much at all costs with this bathroom design. I’m especially crushing on the “engineered global” towels and the “threshold paisley” towels. But then I’m torn when I see the other towels I came across on my search, too. If you could mix and match from these towels, which towels would you choose?

Making Decisions For A Bathroom Remodel

October 14, 2015 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Hey Guys!

I’m checking in a week after announcing my participation as a guest One Room Challenge participant for Calling It Home‘s challenge to bring you a few decisions I’ve made thus far for the bathroom. It’s getting harder and harder to choose materials for some parts of the room and I’ve flown through others. Trying to marry global with boho doesn’t appear to be difficult on the surface, but when these changes affect resale value and will cost us big dollars to replace if we change our mind- they become very hard.

bathroomremodeldecisions

Probably the first decision I made for the space is the bath/shower surround tile. I chatted all about the tiles I was considering and why I didn’t choose them versus what I did choose yesterday. Definitely go check that post out because I think it also gives a fun glimpse into the vision developing for the space. The tile I picked is the Jeffrey Court Marrakech wall tile available from Home Depot. There are so many things I love about this tile.

I’ve also picked a vanity. But getting it is looking to be a problem because I can’t order it online and it’s not stocked at my Home Depot. I think I can have the store special order it for me, so I’ll be looking into that next. I’m also keeping an eye on craigslist because if it’s in the stars for one this style to pop up, I want to find it! “Da plan” is to paint it a deep blue-green color, like a teal, emerald or forest green. We’ll see!

Old House VS New House- 11 Reasons why you should buy the OLD House - A Designer At Home

The metallics I’ve chosen to work with in this space are oil rubbed bronze and antique brass. I’m going to do my best mixing those two metals. But it did lead me to this beautiful Tub/Shower faucet set. It’s from Moen’s Ashville collection available at Home Depot. I like the big shower head. I know hubby will like that, too!

I found a bathroom on Pinterest recently and it seriously had me drooling (those floors-amazing!). It’s a dream bathroom for me (especially some of the materials- $$$). But one thing I found in the space that barely fit into the budget I’d set for each piece is the mirror she used. It’s from Wayfair and it’s exactly the shape I’m looking to use. It’s not currently available, sadly, but I’m keeping an eye on it (and craigslist- because I’d love to save some money there, too!).

I’ve started checking out towels because amidst the rubble, it’s fun to look at pretty things. Oh, and I don’t remember if I mentioned this last week, but the vanity is the only main piece we’ll be replacing. We actually replaced our toilet last year some time and the tub functions (though my dad has weighed in and he thinks I should replace it, so maybe the jury is still out on that one, too?). I’m stuck on floors. I really want encaustic cement tiles and I’m trying to convince myself that the Merola tiles at Home Depot would work but they’re too black and not enough white for what I’m yearning for. Realistically I think I’m stuck between slate and wood-look tiles. I think both are fairly timeless and appeal to a broad group of potential buyers. And, they fit within the design I’ve dreamed up for the space.

Essentially, things still look like this-

details-a-designer-at-home-bathroom-renovation

I have actually started on a few projects for the space, a hamper, shelves and a shower curtain idea. But I don’t want to spoil the surprise, nor do I want to reveal too much! It’s part of the fun of this challenge, afterall! If you do want a sneak peek into what I’ve not made decisions on, follow this Pinterest board to see what I’m watching!

Global + Craftsman + Boho Bathroom in 6 Weeks

October 7, 2015 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Hey Guys!

I can’t beleive it’s that time of year! One Room Challenge is back and it just so happens to be starting at the same time we’re tackling this bathroom remodel. So naturally we have to try to get this done in 6 weeks now, right?!

If you don’t already know, One Room Challenge (or ORC for short) is a 6 week long challenge hosted by Calling It Home. Essentially you start with a room and completely make it over in 6 weeks. Check in is Thursdays but because I cohost #ThriftScoreThursday and we post on Thursdays, I will be posting my updates on Wednesdays!

We are taking on a pretty massive bathroom renovation, so I’m taking it easy on myself. 6 weeks is the “goal,” but I’m not certain that will be a reality.

I cheated a bit an already announced some what we planned on doing in the space last week. Here’s a refresher in case you missed it.

And the part we all want to know, here’s the current… just, be kind.

And just in case you’re missing any horrifying details from that terribly blurry picture, here are the key points:

So far the most important part of the process was just completed yesterday evening. Our lead test. We tested negative for lead! YES! Our home was built 1955 so this was a really big scare for us. We had our test completed through Environmental Engineering & Technology, Inc. She used a gun that measures into the wall and checked several surfaces to ensure there was none present anywhere. She was also incredibly friendly and made the whole experience easy for my anxious self.

We also met with a third contractor to get an idea of pricing for the work we are not going to be taking on ouselves. I feel like we are way behind in making this decision. So far we’ve had two quotes. One included the work to rework piping to bring the hot water heater that is currently located in our detached unfinished garage into the house and that estimate was $6,650. The second quote we received did not include the hot water heater work and that was $7-8,000. That’s a huge difference so I’m hoping to hear better news with the third contractor.

So what do you think? Do you think we can do it? Are we nuts? Do you like the initial design? We still have a ton of decisions to make (and a lot of work ahead!? So be sure to stay tuned!