The Painted Vanity

The vanity in my girls Jack & Jill bathroom could use a little pick-me-up, and after looking into my budget I've decided that a "pick-me-up" is the best its going to get. Yep, I'm pinching my pennies as always...well I've only got nine other spaces I want to makeover! *chuckle*
No worries, I've seen the power of paint, and I have a little leftover paint from the coat closet makeover that wants to be used in a space where daylight can hit it. 

Sad Little Vanity Before
This vanity has been painted before, and no apparent finish added so that makes this a straight forward paint job, without the need to sand or prime. Sadly, they painted over the hinges...which try as I might I could not remove without damaging the vanity. Oh well, painted hinges it is.

My Paint Treasure!
The only real prep work I am doing is filling the holes where the previous handles were. Painting is a breeze, and I'm still loving this color even though I did not choose it. Apparently someone didn't love it, because I found it in the "oops" section at Walmart marked waaaaay down! One man's trash...

To protect my new paint finish from spilled toothpaste, kids dangling feet, and whatever else my little people can throw at it, I'm finishing this baby with several coats of a polycrylic finish. Lets be realistic, I need to be able to wipe this vanity down at least once a week. And while I'm painting, the inside needed some serious freshening up with bright white paint.

The Golden Bells & Whistles
I have always opted for brushed chrome finishes, but this bathroom was already outfitted with gold fixtures...which really lacked luster in this bathroom before. When the faucet broke I thought perhaps this was my opportunity to change out for a little silver. Then again, the shower curtain bar, the toilet paper holder, and the glass shelf are beautiful fixtures...maybe it's time I embrace the golden bells and whistles and work it!

Never mind conventional cabinet pulls, I love the style of these Gatehouse brand pulls from Lowes. It doesn't hurt that they are cheaper than traditional pulls!

To add a little extra something-something I decided to frame out the door edges with these brackets which I hope to repeated either on framed art and/or elsewhere in the bathroom. 

Speaking of golden accessories, I am SO thrilled to have inherited this awesome little piece! I have no idea where the previous owners got it from, but I just love this eclectic and oh-so-helpful hand! 

The Painted Vanity
It may not have been in my budget to replace the vanity or the sink, but that doesn't mean I couldn't have something lovely. What do you think? Is the power of paint enough for now?

Wallpaper, Wallpaper, On The Wall...

Mmmmnnnooooggrrrrbleghhh. Oh hey... sorry about that. I was just looking over the bathrooms in my house and eeeggghhh...huh there I go again. I've been putting off these two bathroom spaces for 2 years because of the wallpaper. No, it's not that it will be that difficult to remove it, it's just that I hate removing wallpaper. I moved here from a house that had 3-5 layers of old outdated wallpaper on every single wall surface. Yes, I said 3-5 layers on EVERY SINGLE WALL! I spent 5 years peeling wallpaper so I am NOT fond of it! After moving into this house, I decided to take a couple years off *wry grin*. Well, at least I can say I have learned a few things about wallpaper removal. Let me tell you, I have done it all... it took a while but I finally came to the conclusion that the simple method is the best.
I can't avoid it any longer, the girls bathroom is especially in need of a little TLC. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to share what I have learned about wallpaper removal while I prep my two bathrooms for painting.

No More Gimmicks
Nothing is more frustrating than spending money believing a product that promises easy and effective result but to no avail. One thing I have learned after trying professional steamers, and myriad of sprays and goo, is that they all have their own unique type of hassle. The reality is that good wallpaper removal can't be guaranteed, the success of removal all depends on the age and type of the wallpaper, and the condition of the wall beneath. No matter what method you use, if something bad is going to happen, none of these methods will prevent it. I figure if you are going to have to pick your poison anyway, and what will be will be, why bother spend the money? Might as well use a free method... 

The Free & Simple Method
I use a spray bottle with warm water, and a taping knife as a scraper. Wait, let me show you...

This may seem overly simple, but it turns out that it produces the same good results on easy peel wallpaper, and the same set of frustrations with old wallpaper or badly primed walls. It's all about learning how to tell what you are up against before peeling, or what to do when the going gets tough. 

You Never Know What You'll Find
Wallpaper removal is a gamble. You might discover multiple layers, with each layer getting older and harder to remove, or it might turn out to be a breeze! Just know that if you decide to remove your existing wallpaper you may have to deal with more than you bargained for.
The best you can do to "check" is use an exacto knife to score the wallpaper near an out-of-the-way corner, and gently peel back that scored segment. If the wall is primed and painted underneath you are likely to have a quick and easy removal. If there is a second layer of old wallpaper without a plasticy substance, or the wall is not painted, you might risk pulling off pieces of drywall, or bubbling of the wall surface.

Avoiding Removal
If you hate your wallpaper, but don't want the hassle of removing it, you do have options... 

Paint Over It: If the seams are tight well done seams, and there is no bubbling of the paper, you can use an oil-based primer to paint over your wallpaper. Be sure to use a brand that is not too "wet" (or at least leave the primer open for a few days to thicken up) otherwise you might create bubbles or unwanted texture that will show up when your top coat dries. 
Wide Seam Tip: If your seams are a little further apart than you like, and you are good at mudding, you can fill in gaps in seams with just the tiniest bit of plaster. 

Paper Over It: I hate the idea of making more layers of wallpaper, but there are times when it is merited. In these cases be sure place your seams fairly close to where the original seams are. Unless the old wallpaper seams are flawless, they can show through the second layer of wallpaper once the glue dries...better safe than sorry.

Solving Paper Removal Problems

Peeling Dry Wall: I hope your mudding is good. *grin* There isn't much that can be done besides mudding over the peeled areas...short of papering over your mishap.

Bubbling Paint: Perhaps the dry wall isn't peeling, but it seems as if paint is bubbling and peeling with each piece of paper you pull off the wall. It may be a flat paint, or it may be that it isn't painted at all. Either way, allow it to dry thoroughly, then use dry wall sandpaper to sand the peeled edges. In some cases that will take care of it, in others you may have to use a light coat of plaster and mud around the edges to hide any irregularities. 

How to Remove Paper Around Impediments: Bathrooms particularly can be difficult to remove wallpaper from because of all the impediments; the toilet gets in the way, the light fixture, the vanity, towel bars, etc. Rather than removing every fixture, lightly score around these items using an exacto knife before peeling back the wallpaper around it. 

Good luck with your wallpaper removal! I hope your experience is smoother going than mine! *wink*

Pinspired Projects- Bathroom Spaces

I confess, I should have gotten the bathroom organized (at the very least) a long time ago. I have been waffling about the style and how to accomplish these conflicted ideas I have in my head. Well, its time. No more waffling. 

{ Source: Emily Jenkins Followill }
I love the dark walls and the style of a round mirror, but I always wonder how practical a round mirror is. Can you see enough? I suppose the purpose is to see your face, not the entire upper half of your body!

{ Source: Farmhouse 38 }
Dark with hits of a bright color to make the room pop! I love the idea of picking a contrasting color.

 { Source: M. E. Beck Design Inc. }

It only makes sense that a shower curtain (much like drapes) should open to either side. I love the style it offers, and the practical function! 

{ Source: Sarah Richardson Design }

This bathroom is brilliant! Did you see those floors?!! Tile with variation and a little sparkle, plus wallpaper with sparkle! 

{ Source: Pinterest Pin }

I could not find the original source for this pin, but you can find it in my Pinterest boards via the provided link. 

{ Source: Design Sponge Feature }

Ok, I'm starting to see a theme here...clearly I have a thing for dark hues. I'm going to have to do one of my bathrooms with a very dark striking navy hue or even a charcoal! I think it is the contrast that draws me.

{ Source: Sadie & Stella feature }

Wow, wow WOW! I adore gallery walls. I was afraid it would be too strange when I put one in my coat closet, and now I see someone has embraced the unexpected and put one in their bathroom space, and it couldn't be lovelier!

{ Source: Better Homes & Gardens  }

{ Source: Emily A. Clark }

I just love the feel of this bathroom! It has personality, and diversity! The green of that vanity is sublime!

{ Source: Pinterest Pin }

If all of our personal products were bottled beautifully (straight from the store) I wouldn't have to hide them! *grin*  

Ok, I'm ready! I'm not sure where all this inspiration will lead me...but I think I'll start with a wall color I like in my bathroom, and just run from there. As I go, I'll strive to incorporate all the elements I love from these inspiration sources. Well, wish me luck in my bathroom endeavors, and I'll keep you posted! *wink*

See all the beautiful and inspiration bathroom pics I've pinned directly via my Pinterest board.

September Highlights & Happenings

Fall Who?
I can hardly believe September is over. Man, where does the time go?
I must say I am enjoying fall weather (which is weird since I hate the cold). I love the yummy flavored donuts, the gold & red leaves that pepper the landscape, and the corn mazes! Ah fall!
So why I am I shopping for summer??

(Yeah I know, I'm a bit of a nut...you wouldn't believe how heavy this stuff was! Although, I was exaggerating a bit for my little photographer who was giggling the whole time! -Thanks middle munchkin!)

Well you know how frugal I am...I'm a price matcher, a certifiable coupon carrier, a DIY'er, a roadside furniture junkie...which you've all seen on the blog, so I'm guessing you already figured out I'm cheap. But seriously, I wanted give ya'all a heads up...forget about holiday shopping, it's summer shopping season baby! I purchased a few of these exact same items at their full price at the beginning of the summer, and now they are practically being throw away by the stores ( Walmart was selling them for a pittance!)...oh if only I had just waited. Well, now I have enough pool filters to last me two summers...I'm not getting caught spending $59.82 for pool filters again next year (dude, 59.82 vs. $6 dollars for the same 6 filters!!!!). It's like a punishment for teaching my kids to swim (not to mention my water bill) *furrowed brow*. Can you believe these before & after prices? 

 Like I was saying...time to go summer shopping peeps!

Meanwhile, Back In Blog Land...
I've discovered yet another great site to add to my ever growing list of addictive sites: Hometalk! This past month Hometalk asked me to curate a board on one of my favorite topics: organization! Entryway organization to be exact...see my post here and my curated board on Hometalk here.

Septembers Cold Weather Project
Speaking of frugal projects... have you been following my newly made-over coat closet? I am so grateful to have a truly functioning closet. It was really causing me stress before. Just in case you missed it, here are a few links to my favorite projects in this coat closet, and you can see the entire reveal here.

DIY FLIPPED SHELVES
click here to read more

Tutorial on how to create these easy build shelves and add function and style to any space!

DIY KEY ORGANIZER
click here to read more

Always losing your keys? No more with this key organizer tutorial!

COAT CLOSET ORGANIZATION TIPS
click here to read more

Bring high function as well as high style to your much needed coat closet!

What Project Is Next?
Well, done with one, on to the next! I have so many horrid spaces in need of lots and lots of TLC I hardly know where to start. Ok, it has been a toss up between the Laundry Room and the Bathroom. I really WANT to do the laundry room...I've seen many great ideas on Pinterest. But then again with the holidays just around the corner I might end up hosting some overnight guests, and all three bathrooms need a lot of work. *Sigh* I think my head is going to have to win out over my heart this time.  
So, may I present to you my next project: The upstairs Jack & Jill bathroom, and the downstairs powder room! 

What do you think? I would have done the powder room last if it hadn't been for the special "help" my children gave me by peeling the wall paper. Brilliant *shakes head*. I'm guessing one of them got carried away with all the wall paper peeling we did in our last house before moving here, and just kept right on. 
As for the girls Jack & Jill bath, well for starters, its just not my taste, and more importantly it is not functioning well for my kids. 

Ok, I have an important question....how do I ask this...
How in the world do you get those non-slip stickies off the bottom of a bathtub?? I mean, ew... they aren't effective anymore, maybe they were when the previous owners first put them in, but now they are just dingy and gross. If you have any suggestions for me, please let me know! I have scrubbed, scraped, and bleached until I was lightheaded, but to no avail! *my best martyr pout*

May your October be filled with mild days, corn mazes, and the beauty of fall colors!

Coat Closet Reveal

These days it seems everyone is turning their coat closets into mudrooms and reading nooks. I love the idea, but I couldn't practically give up my closet space. What I could give it was new life with lots of pretty and practical solutions.

Beastly Before
Oh mercy, I'm loath to remind you of the before photos. For those of you who haven't seen them yet, don't be scared. *wry grin* It's pretty awful, and I'm truly ashamed to say that these before pictures occurred while I live here...these aren't from the previous owner. It always amazes me how quickly a little space can become a disaster... one little person searches for "the other glove", and in one minute flat it looks like a tornado hit. I would open the coat closet door, sigh in frustration, and quickly shut the door behind. I tried hanging sweater organizers and rolling bins, but to no avail. I am so relieved to finally be able to open the closet door and not have an anxiety attack. *lol*

The Completed Closet
l want every space in my house to be pleasing to the eye, even if it spends lots of time behind closed doors. And why shouldn't my coat closet be attractive as well as have optimum function?
I hope you enjoy the tour of my completed coat closet!

My favorite part of the closet are these cubby-like DIY flipped shelves. They were easy to make, but more importantly they allow us to get out the door just that much faster.

When designing this closet layout, I wanted it all... hangers for hanging, hooks for hanging, lots of shelf space, you name it! I was determined to have a high functioning coat closet!

Are you one of those people who is constantly misplacing their keys? Yeah, so am I. Creating a dedicated space to keep my miscellaneous keys made life just that much simpler. Small empty frames turn Key Organizer is a great afternoon project you and your spouse will be glad for in the long run.

I recognize that art in a closet is not typical. My philosophy is every space deserves a touch of something pretty, and hanging art on the upper walls of the closet adds the unexpected.

Lest you think this closet is just another pretty face, it is chock full of practical storage solutions! I really enjoyed finally organizing this space.

Thanks for touring my closet space! I am loving it, and it is loving me.

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