Friday, July 10, 2009

While the cat's away

Earl is always joking that whenever he leaves the house for a few days he never knows what color the rooms will be when he gets back. He went down to help my brother install some windows early this week and I had a few days to play. I don't have a before picture because I was so anxious to start I just forgot to get any. The upper walls of this bath were papered with a pretty ivy wallpaper and I had a white shower curtain. I liked it but after a few years the steam from the shower was making the edges loose and I thought it looked tatty. I had all the things I needed for this makeover except the paint and that was $20. Not bad for a whole new look! I have to admit, as I tore that first piece of wallpaper off the wall I thought "What am I doing!?" It wasn't too bad though and once I got the top layer of vinyl off, soaking the paper on the wall with water and a bit of white vinegar dissolved the paste very well. It came off easily.
When we added on to this little cottage 25 years ago (!) we chose grey tile for the bath. I hate it now and, although grey is a neutral, if I could go back I would get white. So one of the biggest challenges has been working with that color and being happy with the outcome. I think the green tones down the grey and I love it with the grey! I had the toile curtain panels from a 5 yard piece of fabric that I paid $5 for at a yard sale a few years ago. It was dining room curtain panels for a while and I just sewed 3 of them together with a flat seam to make the shower curtain. Button holes allow for shower rings. The mirrors on the walls are all garage sale finds. The two above the sink were $3 each and I spray painted all the mirrors glossy black. I love it!



This little wicker house holds toilet tissue. $5 at a storage unit garage sale and it came filled with vintage patterns!

One of my toile hearts hangs from the robe hook:>)

This vintage frame was $2 at a garage sale, once again, sprayed black and hung over one of the towel bars. It is hard to see the details with this photo, but these are really old, ornate plaster frames.

And this vintage oval mirror, $3 at another garage sale 2 weeks ago. As you can see, I did this on a budget but I am thrilled with the way it turned out. Earl got a surprise when he walked in last night:>) I love that too, it always makes me smile to surprise him:>) I still have a few details to add but the whole family loves the new look and it didn't break the bank!

63 comments:

  1. You are positively AMAZING!!! I love this and you did it all on a budget!! The toile and green will definitely make the grey look crisp...and your garage sale finds?!? No one would ever know you didn't pay retail!! Your resourcefulness in using the curtain panels and how you made the hooks for the rings is so creative! I feel a book in the making here Kathy -- you could SO do that!!!

    Now...could you come and do my bathroom pretty please?!?!? :)

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  2. Very pretty Kathy! Love the heart!
    Dawn

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  3. This is AMAZING!!!!! You did a wonderful job. I think Sherry is right, I can feel a book in the making too!

    LuLu~*xoxo

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  4. Kathy that looks wonderful! I can't believe it cost so little!! Love the black toile with the green.

    BTW - all of the designers on HGTV from Candice to David Bromsted say that grey is a neutral color and they are all using it! Plus it is very country French too...so you are right on top of things!
    xo
    Penny

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  5. That is darling, honey! I don't even wait for Love Bunny to go away somewhere; I just DO it and he just "sighs" and let's me run with it, sugar! Painting again this week for a blog next week I think......Loooookin' good too.......at least I think so!
    xoxo,
    Connie

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  6. It turned out fantastic! You did a great job. I especially appreciate all your gorgeous finds at such great prices. Congrats on a job well done!

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  7. Wow it looks great! I need to do the very same thing. Way to go!

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  8. This is just beautiful, Kathy. i love the green...and, of course, the black and white. Love your mirrors, too.FABULOUS job..budget or not!! And, your little heart is just perfect on the hook!

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  9. You did a fantastic job girl!!! You sure do have a great location to do some thrifty shopping. I can't ever find anything like that so I quit trying.

    I have seen shows where they paint the tile another color but I don't remember how they did it.

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  10. You did a fantastic job girl!!! You sure do have a great location to do some thrifty shopping. I can't ever find anything like that so I quit trying.

    I have seen shows where they paint the tile another color but I don't remember how they did it.

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  11. You have so much energy! Wow...it looks really nice. I'm so hoping that some of this creative energy rubs off on me soon. I love the black mirrors. Thanks for sharing. Mumzie

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  12. That looks so pretty, well done!

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  13. OH Kathy, Thank you so much for showing us this! It is so inspirational! Love that heart pillow! Nancy

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  14. Nice job! It's all very pretty together. And the best part, cheap!

    Have a great weekend!

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  15. Hi Kathy
    The new look in the bathroom is great! You sure got some good deals on fabric and frames and painting the frames black provides a great accent. My mom once had our red brick house painted white while my dad was away on a business trip.
    Hope you have good weekend.
    ((hugs)) Rhondi

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  16. Kathy,

    You are SO CREATIVE! I love your ideas. The mirrors are such great finds and I love the heart, so cute!

    Have a great weekend!

    ~Sharon

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  17. I love it! It looks so expensive! You did a great job. I use to love to suprise my husband by changing up things while he was away. He worked 2 weeks off at a time. Once I complety fixed up a room for a nursery while he was away. From pulling up carpet and replacing it to painting the walls two shades of blue and putting a border in the center to seperate the two colors. Also putting the baby furniture together and putting all of the bedding out, etc. I had some help from my brother and we did it all in just 3 days! I was exhausted! I had the baby the next week. My mom says that I was 'nesting'. LOL

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  18. It looks great!

    Can't wait to see it in person.

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  19. MOMMMMMM!!!!! hey there! I had fun with you this week watching/helping (although really the only way I helped was standing there going WOW lol). I think my favorite was the sushi, followed in close second by seeing you covered with wallpaper and then paint. :) I LOVE YOU!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
    ~Victoria

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  20. I wish you would write and illustrate a book. I know it would sell. Beautiful new look!

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  21. Speaking as "the cat", I have to say this was at least as big a surprise as when you turned the kitchen red during one of my hunting trips! It really does look great, ddarling, and I so appreciate all the effort you put into making this a quaint and happy home.

    xoxo

    E

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  22. Absolutely gorgeous! I love it, I can't stop saying how gorgeous it is. Look at all those wonderful bargains looking so regal! Just simply gorgeous! I love your 'new' bathroom!

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  23. I love the new look, too. Using blacks adds so much. Great job, Kathy.

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  24. FABUDELICIOUS!! I think I just made a new word up. It's stunning. I love it, I love it, I love it and isn't your Earl such a sweetie for leaving such a sweet comment. 5stars for you missy.

    Hugs,
    LeAnn:)

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  25. Adorable !!!

    Kathy :)

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  26. It is gorgeous Kathy! You did a fabulous job!!

    Wishing you a great weekend..

    annie

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  27. Thank you for the prayers sweet Kathleen Grace.Hugs.

    Love your bathroom.I love toile.

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  28. I love it! You and I now have the exact same bathrooms! LOL! Years ago I started collecting mirrors from yard sales and I painted them all black...then I found the toile curtain.....so we have twin bathrooms!
    I love to change things up when my husband is gone! I prefer that rather than hima asking things like "NOW what are you up to?!"

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  29. ...dad has resorted to calling himself a cat? How does he think he can get away with telling us he doesn't like them? hahaha ANYWAYS... yeah i pretty much LOVE that room. GORGEOUS. you're a style genius ;)

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  30. Love it all, Kathy. Especially love that you got that fabulous look for pennies. Mimi

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  31. Kathy,

    What a beautiful change! I don't know what it looked liked before but it's very elegant now. The best part is that you mostly used what you had.

    Gretchen

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  32. I love the new look of your bathroom! I have an idea!!! I'll send my sweetheart away for a few days and you can come and help me with a project or two. Wouldn't that be fun? ~Adrienne~

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  33. Kathy,
    This is absolutely gorgeous. I love how the gray looks with the black and white toile. You are so talented at creating a beautiful and cozy home.

    I hope Earl bakes you one of his famous cheesecakes.

    I can't believe you put this together on such a small budget. That Vintage oval mirror is stunning.

    Have a lovely weekend...put on some music and take a bubble bath.

    Karen

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  34. You nailed it!!! I love every detail...especially the cheap part. Our hall bath is also appley green with black accents :)

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  35. I'll bet Earl loved it....a guy goes away....comes home and the little project's all done....and he didn't have to lift a finger! :-) My Hubbs is a wonderful fella....but he HATES projects.

    Your bath is just charming. I love the green. I will never stop being amazed at what a little bit of paint will do for a room.

    Have a wonderful weekend.

    Blessings,
    Spencer

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  36. I'm sure you know I LOVE it! Love the black and the toile and the wall color is FABULOUS!

    I love this because it just shows what you can do with a little bit of money and some work!

    The whole room looks very elegant and like a million bucks. Good job!

    Manuela

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  37. Gorgeous!!!! Isn't it a blast to have a room look so beautiful without having to spend a whole wad of dough? Love everything! The last picture looks as though there is a face in the mirror. ...and it is smiling at your results!!

    xoxo
    becky

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  38. I've gotta get myself into a spray paint mood! Everywhere I look you ladies are spraying up a storm and making pretties and here I sit! Your mirrors and bathroom are lovely. Gotta say, I admire you for taking on that vinyl wallpaper. So glad mines a thing of the past. Dreadful stuff!
    Brenda

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  39. I for one thinks it looks great! I have the same problem of working with a gray tub surround and commode. I can just hear your husband now when he walked in the house! lol
    ~Patti

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  40. Beautiful....and even better on a budget! cherry

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  41. I also have a project on the go as soon as my husband leaves for a few days! You did a great job with your bathroom. I am in the middle of a black and white toile redo in my kitchen. I love your bathroom!!!

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  42. It looks great! I really love the mirrors and the toile shower curtain!!!

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  43. That's a nice redo. Gosh, I wish I had that energy! :)

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  44. Yup, its gorgeous. Love the mirrors and the shower curtain. Beautiful!

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  45. Fantastic! Everything! Bravo!
    Hugs ~
    Alexandra

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  46. I (heart) this room!! Beautiful!!! The vintage house basket is just the cutest!! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by my blog and comment. :)

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  47. love the black mirrors

    Please check out my blog if you have a minute.

    We're helping Natalie's Peace of Mind Fund

    www.creativecrafting08.blogspot.com

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  48. You did a fantastic job. The price was right! Thanks for sharing, you gave me some ideas...I need to redo my bathroom. Laurie

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  49. KATHY!!!! It is fabulous! You belong on HGTV! WOW, it looks like a million bucks too, you are so clever! What an inspiration! THank you for all the wonderful ideas and telling the price and where you got everything! You rock!

    Love ya,
    Amy

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  50. I just Earl's comment. He is sooo sweet Kathy! You two are jus the cutest couple ever!

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  51. LOVE the shower curtain! A little toile makes my heart pitter pat!

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  52. What a gorgeous makeover! What an awesome lady you are to be able to make such a huge impact on such a small budget. I'm so impressed! Wow! Great job.
    Patricia :o)

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  53. My husband is the same...love what you've done! Fantastic!

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  54. Hi Kathy...you did a great job...I love when imagination and little money gets you such a great look....I always make my shower curtains from either a twin sheet or a twin quilt...they are the perfect size with no sewing of panels...I have no idea how to do button holes on my machine so I do grommets....Just like your toile you get a custom look for a frugal price....

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  55. I love your TP holder. I always find it interesting what people use. I think it kinds of reflects their personality. Great job on your room. Over from the Nester. Abbie

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  56. Hello Kathy - what a great bathroom! Love those frames - they're fabulous. I'm a "framaholic" and don't see too many of those more ornate frames here in San Diego - but I'm keeping my eyes peeled! Thank you for sharing.

    Blessings,
    Marie
    http://emmacallsmemama.com

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  57. Fabulous in EVERY way - love it, love it!!

    xo,
    Kim

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  58. Kathy, I knew I was going to like your bath makeover, and I was right! It looks rich and detailed perfectly. I love the colors, the black accents especially. Really, really nice!!!!

    I've been having trouble with Blogger for a few days--don't know if it's just me. Lots of trouble getting blogs to load. I want to visit more and catch up. I will try!

    Hugs,
    Lallee

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  59. What a great job on the bathroom redo. I love toile fabric. I'll be on the lookout for frames at yard sales from now on.

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Thank you for taking the time to say hello :)