Bathroom Update and Some Staging

There's still lots to do in the master bath makeover, but I just had to take a pause and play a little with some vignettes! I re-grouted the tile around the tub and that fresh clean white was just begging to have some accessories put on top. You can see the wallpaper is still showing. We will do the painting last.


I have wanted to display some of the shells I brought home from vacation and just could not wait any longer.

Notice the broken shells around the candle. I love the pretty colors. Normally I would use beach sand, but thought this idea my work. I like!

Some little coral pieces are tucked around some bath oil beads.

I think other beach goers were wondering why I was picking up the plain white shells and especially the worn broken pieces, but then they weren't able to see this vision I had in my head. The pink pottery belonged to my mother, who taught me the joy of shell collecting.

I just love the way shells wear in the surf with age. Look at the Swiss cheese holes left in them. I love the textures. The simplicity of being all white makes for a serene setting.

Coming next time will be the plumbing of the new fixtures. Mr. H had quite an adventure when he saw what the building plumbers had done! Stay tuned. He's my hero.

What's for Lunch?

What are you having for lunch? I love salads in the summer, and I've been eating this version almost every day. Here's what's in it:

Spring salad greens, roasted red peppers,
avacado, black olives,
shredded parmesan cheese, croutons,
Newman's Own Lite Raspberry and Walnut dressing

This combination is delish!!!

Did you notice the little flip-flops in the first pic? Adorable beach towel found at Wal-Mart! It's now draped over my wicker on the porch where I have flip-flop print cushions. (I took a picture and now can't find it!)

Speaking of eating greens--caught in the act!!!!

On my Knockout Rose bush!!!
Would he like Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette on that?


Could you come fix my lunch today? I'm going to be busy regrouting the bathtub tile and Mr. H is installing a faboulous new shower head and faucet......and our oldest son is coming home from NC to visit! Oh, and the third son is coming home for the weekend. No time like a full house to do a bathroom makeover. The five of us will be sharing the other bath together ;-)

Master Bathroom Update

The walls in the um toilet area are finished. It's impossible to get a good photo here.

First, before I forget--that is just a tablecloth tucked over the window. I was trying it out for color's sake. I want to have a clean neat look and I think I want to use white. More accesorizing will be coming. Do you think I can find a simple white valance anywhere? NO!!!!!! The one shot I finally had was Target where I stood and stared at the empty peg where the white sailcloth valances were supposed to be. I doubt Target is continuing them because the website has other colors in that style but no white. However, let's not get hung up there. Let's move on with what is done so far.

Mr. H used a wall finishing product by Behr that we do not recommend. We will not be using it on the other walls! It was messy and difficult to get even.

We put a new flush handle on. Amazing what small changes can do.

And in case you were wondering, here's the new TP hanger. Mr. H was really just kidding about the ones I showed you the other day. But hey, if he had a lodge in the woods I could go for one of those choices. We changed our faucet fixtures to satin nickle and brass a few years ago so we're keeping everything in that vein metal-wise. I have to ask, are you an over or an under? My TP has to go OVER!

Now before I do a big celebration dance I must remind myself what the rest of the bathroom looks like. I had to be careful I didn't spackle my face instead of putting my makeup on. Maybe I should try it anyway!

Let's see what I can point out in this next picture besides a giant ladder. The pink valance--gone since the photo was taken. The brass shower enclosure--getting estimates for a new one. I'll explain more about why later. The chandelier over the tub? We put it up a few months ago--need to lower it some. Ah, and the wallpaper stuck on like super glue? It's still there. Wait.......drum roll please...... Home Depot man says Behr primer is amazing and we can paint over the paper. We're going to try it!

Now, let me go on record here. If the wallpaper ever started to peel after it has been such a challenge to get off.......if that were to happen......I'm not stripping it. I will put the house on the market and sell it as is. Period! All you kindred spirits who also have wallpaper removal woes, please hold our hands through this part.

Oh, before I close let me be indulgent and show you a Chelsea video in the bathroom. You'll have to tilt your head sideways because I forget I can't turn the camera when I take a video. Oops. She's still just as cute sideways.

I'll never buy her another toy--she doesn't need them ;-)

How Was Your 4th?

Did you have a good 4th of July? Ours was very low key. I stayed in my pajamas most of the morning watching a movie and crocheting. Lots of bright colors and sweet purring company. Miss Chelsea Ann Babycakes was very aloof when we came home from vacation. I was so pleased that she has returned to her snuggly silly self now. I was missing times like this with her.

I was working on a pillow top for my studio and somewhat randomly choosing the crochet design.

I think I like it on this fabric. I don't have enough of the polka dot fabric for the whole pillow so I'm headed to Joann's today to find something that will coordinate. Wish me luck!

Happy Monday everyone! I wish each of you a colorful day. Master bath redo update coming very soon!!!

We're Home!

We came home Tuesday. It's always good to be back home, but we had a wonderful week. I could turn around and do it all over again! I have finally finished editing all the photos and you can see them in my Flickr set here if you like.

We're trying to vacation at home this week--always a challenge not to fall back into the usual routine. Something we will be working on over the summer is this:

Yes, stripping wallpaper in the master bath. Big Ugh!!! We have put it off for years because it is going to be a bear of a job! It is the hardest wallpaper to get off than we have ever tackled. The ceilings are high, so that is another challenge. You'll have to stick around a very loooooonnnnnnngggggg time if you want to see the completion of this room redo. I'll be sharing more later. I do have a paint color.......I think. The middle beige on the card:

Mr. H removed the ceramic toilet paper holder and patched the wall.

I am now looking for a replacement. I mentioned this out loud and he immediately sent me links for these possibilities.

How sporting.



Nature calls?

If you're going to sit awhile you need your iPod?

I think Mr. H needs to stick to wallpaper removal and leave the decorating to me. What do you think? I know you'll be waiting with baited breath to see if I follow any of his suggestions.

Beach Vacation Sampling

Thank you very dear friends for your very kind birthday wishes. I felt like each one of you was right here with me at the beach to celebrate. I wish you really were! You made the week even more special.

Today is our last day of our beach vacation. The surf has looked like the above photo most of the week. It cleared and was calm enough yesterday for a safe swim. We've still had a wonderful relaxing week. I'm not complaining. I wish you could enjoy this view in person with me.

Here's the company I have had:

Snowy Egret

Crabs

Crab Hunters (Baggins)

Beach Walkers (Oliver)

My Favorite Fisherman

Some tropical flowers:

Hibiscus

Oleander

My favorite beach activity of shell collecting has been interesting. The rough seas have brought many to shore, but they are mostly broken. I have been drawn to certain broken ones and rocks and worn shells. You'll be seeing more about these when I return home. Texture has been the key attraction.

I have so many more photos in a Flickr set if you'd like to look. It's hard not to upload and share them all here! Thank you so much for visiting!

Sunrise to Sunset and Another Decade

Yesterday (June 25) on vacation started with a beautiful sunrise after an early morning rain. I love Florida skies. While the sun was moving over the sky a milestone was taking place. I had a birthday and entered a new decade of age.

I can't wait to see where this decade leads me. I hope it's as good as my fifties were.

It was a lovely day with my honey from beginning to end.

Here's a bouquet of beach daisies to wish (belatedly) dear Kim of Daisy Cottage a happy 50th birthday! Kim, you're still a young girl from my perspective ;-) May you have a great 50's decade filled with daisies and cottage charm! It was one of my best. Hugs and love to you dear friend. Everyone if you haven't, please go wish Kim a special year. Her sister Jill wrote the most endearing tribute of her.