Main Bathroom

Design Dilemma: Lighting and Furniture Just Barely Don’t Fit

July 8, 2016 by CORINNA HENDERSON

I complained recently on Instagram that I had just nearly, just barely found the perfect piece to fill in the gap of space between our bathroom vanity and the wall. Why yes, holy crap I’m finally talking about the bathroom again. Haha.

But yes, I had that useless gap of space and I had been planning on up shelves but I’ve been lazy. I’ve been using up my energy reserves for other projects I’ve been more inspired to work on or that have needed to get worked on first.

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The more the gap sat, the more it bothered me. Until I was staring at the wicker cabinet that I was no longer sure I wanted. As soon as the idea popped into my head, I grabbed a quick measurement and saw that it would fit perfectly between the vanity counter and the baseboard.

So I dragged it outside, hooked up my paint sprayer, grabbed some leftover white paint and went to town. Once it was dried, I pulled it back inside. I tried to coax it into it’s new home but I kept getting hooked on the toilet paper holder. I eventually worked my way around it, but then I ran into another problem.

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The sconce on this side of the vanity was literally less than an inch too close. The cabinet was pushing the light crooked. Gahhhhh!

Literally everything else about the fit was absolutely perfect. Even where it goes from the bottom shelf up to the upper shelves bends exactly at the window sill.

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At this point, I was too determined to make this work to move it back out. So it sat, crooked sconce and all.

Lightbulb moment: I could cut away the wicker between the two horizontal supports and that would allow for the sconce to hang.

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How To Cut Out A Section Of Wicker

determine which pieces can be removed without cutting within he window of supports.
remove those pieces
the remaining pieces that run through both this section but also into the other sections will need to be cut.
hold the pieces taught and cut with a pair of ultra sharp scissors
glue the ends down onto the horizontal supports to prevent them from shifting out of place and falling out.

This little peekaboo window on the side allows for plant growth overflow and adds and really good vibe to the piece. I find it much more interesting now and my sconce hangs straight. I have a few more projects coming up for the bathroom so make sure you stay tuned. The reveal is finally coming!

Where to buy global inspired and sourced bathroom accessories

April 5, 2016 by CORINNA HENDERSON

Global decor is having a hot moment right now and that is awesome. Even more traditionally decorated spaces are getting a fun pop with moroccan inspired tiles and mexican textiles. It’s a trend you totally ought to give a chance. Besides the obvious choices of baskets, tiles and pillows. What kinds of things can you use to infuse the styles of other parts of the world in other rooms of the house? Specifically a space like the bathroom, you know, because most of us aren’t using a ton of throw pillows in our bathroom.

Since I’ve been working on my own bathroom remodel with a strong emphasis on incorporating global sourced and inspired pieces, I thought it’d be a great time to share with you where I’m sourcing those items. It’s kindof my segway to letting you know I’m diving into One Room Challenge later this week and won’t be talking about the bathroom for another two weeks.

So where do you buy global inspired and sourced bathroom accessories? Let’s chat…

The ring of “Handmade in Guatemala” has a really cool sound, right? And you may be baffled why you can jump on Amazon and find really cool gems for reasonable prices only to find them elsewhere for a whole lot more. Is it a joke? Are the more expensive ones a rip off?

I promise not to make this whole post one big ethics speech, but I do want to point out that the “bargain” globally made items are more than likely made with slave and/or other forms of forced labor. Our buying power is strong and supporting fair trade companies is a really big step towards equality in the world. If it’s not “Made in the USA” or made in another company with clear and enforced labor laws, business owners care about money and you should know that your dollar supports the unfair treatment of people.

1. Artisan Connect (now merged with Nest)

That’s why I’ve really enjoyed perusing Artisan Connect. I stumbled onto this site when looking for Le Souk Ceramique for sale. They do exactly what their name implies, they’re the connecting force between artisans and us. Here’s an excerpt from their “Impact” page:

“We source exclusively from organizations that provide fair wages and social services to their artisans and the communities where they live, promoting the broader goals of empowerment, inclusion and self-esteem.”

Here are a few items you can find in stores like West Elm and Madewell:

Reclaimed Textile Throw Pillow at Madewell (partnered with Nest)

2. Etsy

Looking for more selection or something specific? Everyone’s favorite handmade and vintage retailer is a great place to look. Vintage is my favorite because you can find really unique mirrors, wall art and textiles. And handmade is fantastic for supporting artist. Handmade towels and soaps are some of the best you’ll use!

I’ve admitted to having a soap problem in the past. One of shops I discovered at the Coastal Virginia Home and Garden Show is Symphl Creations and they even made vegan soaps so they get a huge recommendation from me. But any reputable shop on Etsy is going to be a fantastic alternative to buying chemical laden soaps at the drugstore. And you’ll support someone’s craft!

And who doesn’t love a candlelit bath? One of the Etsy shops I discovered through GlobeIn is Sundos and I did because of a candle I received in one of my boxes. It smelled beautiful and did everything I wanted from a candle and it’s organic, fair trade and no GMO. Winning!

African Fabric Picture Frame

Floral Mango Wood Jewelry Box

3. GlobeIn

And speaking of GlobeIn, they’re also a fantastic resource for bath products. I pay for an Artisan box monthly subscription service and each month is a different theme.

The main point of the service is the subscription service. It’s a curated box that supports remote artisans and farmers. Every box includes a handwoven basket and a few other items specially chosen for their support of small artisans around the world. A little booklet is included each month that explains where the finds came from and information about the person behind the product.

50% off 1st Box on any 3-month “GlobeIn Premium Subscription Box” – with code “TRYUS50”

But there’s also “the shop” where you can buy items from past boxes as well as other items that haven’t been included in a box. Like, body lotion, soaps, shampoos, towels, makeup cases, and more.

Hand-Carved Golden Mango Wood Ornate Photo Frame — Hand-Carved Mango Wood Photo Frame

Cotton Artisan Batik Robe - Moonlit Blossoms — Moonlit Blossoms Cotton Batik Robe

2 Chain Stitch Embroidery Cushion Covers - Floral Night — Floral Night Embroidery Cushion Covers

4. Anthropologie

Anthro has got the classy boho thing down. And a lot of their pieces are influenced by the patterns, styles and crafts of other countries and especially artisans. Mixing a piece or two or a lot with your existing decor or decor from the other sources is an easy way to get a gathered look.

Anthropologie Artist Collabs – supporting a diverse group of artists
Eco Friendly & Sustainable Textiles – organic, eco fabrics, artisan-made

I’m pretty heart eyed emoji stricken for their shower curtains. But their towels rods and soap dishes are also really beautiful. They’ve pretty much got everything you’ll ever need to decorate a bathroom but even with their massive inventory, I still say it’s best to source from multiple places since it’ll give your space a more real life look than if it were all sourced from the same space.

House of Hackney Printed Shower Curtain — House of Hackney Collab – Shower Curtain

Michelle Morin Heron Lampshade — Michelle Morin Collab – Heron Lampshade

Catherine Martin Collab - Starry Night Glasses — Catherine Martin Collab – Starry Night Glasses

5. World Market

No global decor source list would be complete without including WORLD market. Right? It’s in the name! This store can get pretty addicting to walk around. I have better luck going in store than online because so many items are for purchase in store only. But with departments clearly laid out and all the awesomeness in one building, it’s worth the drive for me.

I especially like their bathmats, but their towels are also stunning. They also have good candles to choose from, too. Oh, and I love the soap dish I included below. Like, love that thing.

So Fresh & Clean Bath Rug — So Fresh & So Clean Bath Rug

6. Home Depot

I’m throwing this one in as a bonus because they’ve really been on top of the encaustic tile look alikes. And since those tiles are the absolute must to stay on top of your home decor trends, I figured I’d include my three faves as part of this resource for globally inspired and sources bathroom decor 😉

Merola Tile Kings Star Sky Tile — Merola Tile Kings Star Sky Ceramic Tile

FloorPops Ezra Yellow Peel and Stick Tile

Are you holding out on a good source for global sourced and inspired bath décor? Don’t keep it a secret! We want to shop, too! Leave your fave places in the comments below.

What You CAN totally DIY in a bathroom remodel

March 18, 2016 by CORINNA HENDERSON

So we’ve been slowly chugging away at a complete bathroom remodel and I’ve mentioned before how I’ve begrudgingly handed over most of the bathroom remodel to a contractor. As someone who spends an awful lot of time on Pinterest, it’s really hard to look at my own failures and hand over large amounts of cash that are explosive compared to the numbers you see from DIYers. But there are things that I have DIYed myself for the space, even if it’s not tile work or electrical. So I thought I’d share what I’ve been able to do for any of you who may also be feeling exasperated with your own skills.

Here are things you CAN totally DIY in a bathroom remodel

(for those of us limited in time, skills and money)

Paint: Having a room painted is ridiculously expensive. Skip the pro and do it yourself. With quality paint tools and a decent paint, the job won’t be as difficult as you may imagine. And starting with a small space like a bathroom can give you confidence to put those quality paint tools to use in other spaces (and you’ll earn back your money spent many times over with this DIY job).
Assist Your Contractor: This may not be an option depending on who you work with, but many are happy to cut you a discount for helping them get the job done faster. Whether it be helping unload materials, or if you’re extra skilled, helping install floors, drywall or tile, you could save yourself some cash by helping them save time.
Build Pieces: A lot of times, cabinets and vanities come dismantled to make it easier for shipping and storage.
Install Shelves and Cabinets: Anything that’s not connecting to plumbing or electrical- totally try to put it in yourself! The worst that could happen is that you may have to have your contracor do it anyways. And I doubt that’ll happen because you can totally do this.
Install Lighting: Installing new lighting is actually pretty easy. I spent a long time terrified of doing anything with wires, but I’ve practiced and I’ve taken precautions. If I can do this, you can do this (unless you’re dealing with questionable electrical or a complicated light fixture- please do not hurt yourself or your home).
Hang Window Treatments: A power drill is so easy to operate. Start practicing on small things like hanging curtains and blinds. They’re never as complicated as they may look. Have fun looking for a style that suits your space and put it up according to the instructions. You can even find youtube videos that will walk you through the process for most types of window coverings.
Make decisions: I’ll call this “project manager.” If you’ve got a bit more time, you can skip a contractor and contact individual craftsmen to do the work in the bathroom. An initial phone discussion should let you know who needs to come first so you can schedule those appointments in an order that goes smoothly (and be prepared if you’re going with #7). Plumbers, Tilers, Drywallers- they all work individually with clients outside of a contractor.
Make purchases: A contractor isn’t going to scour craigslist for a good deal, nor are they going to spend a lot of time choosing the best bang for your buck for the look you want. Even if they did, you’re paying for their man hours searching for that product. By ensuring your contractor/floor guy/tiler is willing to work with the product you choose, you cut out paying for their shopping time and you’ll save money. Many contractors get special deals by working with certain companies. But they get those deals because the product is already more expensive (hence why they have room to wiggle). Be careful with taking on the job of buyer, you don’t want to ruin a good relationship by bringing in tile completely different than what you and your tiler agreed on. They quote you based on labor and a large tile takes less time to install versus a small one. One light over the mirror involves less time than two sconces flanking the mirror.
Demolition: It’s fun! Have your bathroom tested for asbestos and lead and if you’re clear, tearing out tile and drywall is an easy way to save some money. There’s a few tools you’ll need, but they aren’t nearly as expensive as paying someone to do the labor for you. It doesn’t require much skill and a friendly contractor will give you a bit of guidance.
Final Clean Up: You may not realize it, but to get a shiny bathroom for reveal day, cleaning up has to happen. Do you really want to pay someone to clean or do you want to save yourself some cash and clean it yourself. You’re going to have to clean the bathroom again anyways, so might as well get in there when it’s (hopefully!0 it’s worst.

With a willingness to use your own time and labor, you can totally play a part in your bathroom remodel. No fancy tools required! From as early as demolition, to choosing tile and hiring tradesmen, to cleaning up your finished space, DIY is more than Pinterest deep. You can do this!

Indian Inspired Copper Stenciled Wall Border

March 11, 2016 by CORINNA HENDERSON

I finally have a post about some progress on the bathroom. At this point the major stuff in the bathroom is finished. The walls are insulated, re-drywalled and painted. There’s a new tub, new tile, new floors, new vanity. Pipes have been moved, electrical has been moved. It’s a fully functioning bathroom. But, I like flavor. I like knick knacks. I like pattern and texture and plants. So I’m still working on putting all of that in. One of the things I’ve planned on doing since the beginning is a copper, global inspired border along the ceiling. I’m a fan of the look when I see it done in moroccan interiors.

How To Create an Indian Inspired Copper Stenciled Wall Border

My set up involved a step ladder with a work surface, my brush, the paint, a roll of tape to refresh the stickiness as the tape wears off from moving the stencil over and over, and the stencil. For the area above the sink, I removed the mirror and stood on the vanity.

It’s a really simple process that involves a large dry brush, a copper paint to dip the brush into, and a stippling motion of the stencil taped in place.

For a worn look, like the one I was going for, a sparsely bristled brush and a “messy” stamping motion disperses the paint heavier in some areas and lighter in others where the paint has worn off the brush. I enjoy the textured look it has but if you want a fuller coverage, a sponge brush would give you a fuller and more opaque coverage quicker.

The lighting is terrible in the bathroom. There’s a lot of yellow light which really throws off the color in the space. I may just change out the edison style bulbs in the lights sometime before I take pictures of the finished space. I was too excited to share this to not share just because of the lighting though.

I know it’s kind of a bold decision to do a stencil like this on the walls but I really like the look. And I think you should totally go bold with things like paint. It’s easy to paint over!

(and of course I wouldn’t notice the shades were crooked until finalizing the post- oops!)

Stenciling a fun border on the walls in a small space like a bathroom is a really unique way to bring your particular style to a space. It’s a small commitment and really inexpensive! Plus, the stencil is reuseable so there’s tons more projects that can come out of buying it.

Shop This Tutorial:

My biggest full bathroom remodel regret

March 4, 2016 by CORINNA HENDERSON

So I hate to be a debbie downer or sorts but I feel like this post is necessary to get off my chest. Taking on a full bathroom remodel has been an awesome experience for the most aprt. Everything from finding our contractor, to picking tile to scoring on a better vanity than I’d imagined. I’ve spent so much money on the space. Even though it makes me so happy to enter the space, I don’t feel like I’ve wasted money. Except for the tile installation.

You may or may not know the breif story I told about my first attempt at tiling. We initially tried giving the bathroom a “facelift” and I attempted tiling the floors with 2″ white hexagon tiles. I loved the tile and was pumped to get it done. I watched so many youtube videos and the guys and lowe’s, home depot and the tile shop assured me it was an easy DIY. Time consuming, but easy. I feel like the only person on this planet that doesn’t find tiling easy.

When we came to the decision to hire a contractor, I was happy to pass the tiling responsibility off. I didn’t want to touch anything that wasn’t cosmetic. I’ll share later what I did do, but today is about my regret. The one thing that makes me cringe everytime I use the bathroom.

When our contractor asked us about how we wanted to do the bathtub/shower situation, I excitedly showed him pictures of built in shelves I’d found on Pinterest. He said it was doable but gave us an additional list of supplies we’d need to get it done. For the shower wall alcove we were also going to need border and bullnose tiles to match the gorgeous jeffrey court tiles. I cannot beleive how difficult it is to find bright white tiles. We eventually found them at The Tile Shop and spent an arm and a leg and our last bit of patience getting the pieces we needed (short story- they promised us tiles on a certain day and it didn’t come).

So what was the big regret?

But after the contactor got to laying in the tile, I started to worry about how things lined up. I marked the especially noticeable ones and had him fix them. But there are still so many imperfections. Many of the tile sheets aren’t spaced correctly. Some are raised off the wall more than others. The corners didn’t match up (and he neglected to use caulk and used a messy thick line of mortar). And the alcove border is sloppy. Some of the tiles are crooked and the moroccan inspired tiles around it weren’t properly cut to fit.

I think it looks pretty bad.

So what could I have done differently?

I should’ve stuck to my guns and required the border be done the way I wanted it be done.

I should’ve asked for proof he’d know how to work with uniquely shaped tile like these ones.

What can I do now?

I can take a tiling class. I know that the big home improvement stores have classes pretty often. And I can learn how to fix this myself. Or I can bring in someone with proof of experience to remove the worst tiles and lay a cleaner borner of tiles. Supervised. So I can have adjustments made before everything is set and “permanent.”

I’ve learned a lesson. I have to wait until after we replace the roof and windows and give the kitchen a facelift (aka forever) to get this fixed but I know for sure it’s not going to happen again. Expensive mistakes are hard to swallow but I had to share. A terrible tile job isn’t something I’ll have to live with forever, but it’s made the elation of the other progress not as exciting.

Have you had a home improvement project go wrong? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. I hope I’m not the only one!

I Didn’t Forget About The Bathroom

February 8, 2016 by CORINNA HENDERSON

This post is for both those of you who have been here with me a while and for those who are brand new. I try to check in as often as possible here with home changes, advice, experiences and other more “interesting” posts than this one will be but I hate to leave a project hanging without much explanation.

For the Fall 2015 One Room Challenge, I decided to take on our bathroom. We’d already dug ourselves in a pretty deep hole trying to DIY a few things ourselves over the summer and it was past time to focus on the room. We hired our neighbor who was a former contractor turned stay at home dad to be the caregiver of his special needs daughter. He not only did loads of work in our bathroom, but he also moved the lines for our hot water heater into the house and installed our new Rheem unit. Once everything was in place, I was so burned out.

We didn’t meet the 5 week deadline by a landslide and the basics weren’t even in place to use the bathroom as a bathroom until December.

Once we were able to use the bathroom I honestly didn’t want to have much to do with the space. I turned my focus to the holidays and a few other spaces in our house. So far the Living Room looks very different as does our bedroom. We’ve also begun giving our kitchen a facelift and have started chipping away at all the work our dining room needs. It’s a lot of little projects that don’t have a whole lot of progress done to share anything too exciting.

But, I will be sharing a bit of that work now that we’ve finished with the hallway refresh. I have some small changes we made to spruce up our boring kitchen coming later this week and next week I have a few exciting things to share about the dining room (still far from finished and it may be this years One Room Challenge contendor).

The bathroom I’m slowly working my way back to working on those projects. Once I catch up on some of the things I haven’t yet had the time to share here yet it’ll go back to more real time projects with the bathroom.

I hope I haven’t frustrated or dissapointed any of you who initially came here because of that bathroom. It’s really turned out so spectacular and I can’t wait to share how it looks with all the little touches I’ve envisioned. Just hang tight with me! I promise there are so, SO many other things I’ll have to share here that I’m sure you’ll like!

Thanks for being here. This space brings me so much joy and having you here makes it so much more meaningful. I’ll chat some more later.