Re: Bathroom Inspiration

Melissa -

It looks like you had so much fun with your friends! And your clam bake looked delicious! I love the idea of a big bunch of friends gathered around a table loaded with food (this should be on 'garden proud' too!!). You can just sit for awhile and eat and talk and drink. It sounds divine...and yes, last week I was MIA :) It was my birthday week! I did not get anything off my wish list, but still - it was great. And next year is a BIG one (it rhymes with 'flirty'), so we'll have to plan something amazing.

So, I love talking about bathrooms, so I was so glad when you asked for additional bathroom inspiration (so then I don't have to do the embarssing thing and give you unsolicited suggestions!). I looked through my inspiration notebook and noticed something - not many bathrooms are featured in my fav magazines. Mostly it's living rooms, kitches and bedrooms. Do none of these people have to pee?? Anyway, have no fear - I turned to my Decorating Idol to send some inspiration your way.

First and foremost - I loved everything you sent me. I love all the white cabinets and trim work - it just looks so crisp, which I think is perfect for a bathroom. I think lots of wainscoting is ideal in a bathroom as well. Keeping all the fixed elements (tile, cabinets, etc.) neutral will allow you more flexibility with changing out the looks when you get bored just by switching up paint color, rugs (loved your suggestions!) and towels - but you already knew all that!

So, without further ado, here are some pictures from my #1 lady - Sarah Richardson of Sarah's House:



Okay, so in these two pictures I love how she used non-bathroom furniture and converted them into vanities. The wood might be a little too rustic for the look you are going for, but you get what I am saying. I think they even make vanities now that look like pieces of furniture, just to save you the trouble of retro-fitting some antique to accomodate pipes and a sink.

I also love when she incorporates fabric into bathrooms by way of curtain panels:


It's so unexpected and looks so fun and vibrant, I think. And finally:

In this picture and the one above you can see how amazing she is with creating showers. She uses expensive/interesting tile on just one wall to save on money AND to make a bigger impact, which I think is genius. I love how she used tiles of different tones to make the stripes, which is such an interesting idea. She is a pro at mixing expensive and cheap(er) materials to create a custom look that is actually affordable.

For lighting I think you should stay away from the traditional bathroom lighting and instead go with a statement piece in the middle of the room - like a gorgeous chandelier to reflect all the white. Or this could even be an interesting place to use the Edison Chandelier, which I know you are a fan of:


And then over the vanity, maybe do a pendant over each mirror (I love your idea of doing two mirrors). Pottery Barn has some great inspiration, but this is my favorite:

I feel like this summer I too have been taking a break from home projects. Maybe it's our version of 'summer vacation'? What will talk about in the mean time? All our inspiration of course - duh!

Subject: Bathroom Inspiration

Hey K - 

I take it this is the week you are MIA?!?  :)  

Since my best buds visited on the 4th of July...

...Hubs and I have not done ANY house work.  We've been relaxing and enjoying our home, and both of us have not picked up a paintbrush, caulk, hammer or nail.  I plan on staying on a hiatus for the next few weeks as well...at least until after Labor Day.  However, one of the next big projects we are planning is a bathroom makeover.  Here's my inspiration thus far...

I especially want to do two large mirrors, instead of the one big one we have now.  I think something like this could be beautiful. 

Pottery Barn Vintage Recessed Medicine Cabinet

 Or maybe even something like this...

Restoration Hardware Pharmacy Wall Mount Medicine Cabinet

I'm also thinking instead of the traditional bathmats, a big rug could be fun and add the perfect punch of color.

Pottery Barn - Gianna Kilim Recycled Yarn Rug

Flutter Pattern Rug

Anthropologie Tan-Tan Rug

And while we are on the subject of rugs, if I wasn't going for a pop of color, I would consider designing an entire room or bathroom around this rug which I LOVE!!!  I actually think I may have a crush on it.  I even recommended it to my little brother for his hip LA pad, and while at first he turned his nose up to it, he ended up purchasing it in the long run.

West Elm - Rajasthan-Stripe Printed Dhurrie

Well, that's it for now.  If you come across any fun bathroom inspiration, I'd love to see it.  We are still in the process of saving up for this big remodel.  Based on my calculations, we will be ready to break ground very late this year or early 2012!

Subject: Laundry Room Love

It's finally complete!!  I can officially say one room in the house is DONE!!

Here was the one before picture I remembered to take.  While it's not showing all the details, (UGLY GOLD fixture and wire shelving), you get the gist.

The After Shots:

So, after settling on Martha Stewart paint in Faded Ink, the rest of the vision was easy to accomplish.  I wanted to bring out the black and white tile so, all the extras had to of couse be black and white.  Here's what we did:

• Per your suggestion, I found the basket in Target.  For $9.99, it was quite the steal in my mind, and now holds dryer sheets, a Tide to Go Pen and lint rollers. 
• We also switched the wire shelves with a solid wood one.  Best part was it was free because the previous homeowner left it hanging in another room!  Score!! 
• The UGLY UGLY gold fixture is gone and has been replaced with a round black fixture.  Although my MIL said the laundry room looks so gorgeous it should have a chandelier hanging in it!  :)
• The picture frames were purchased from Pottery Barn.  I really love how they are 5x5 and the quality of the mats is amazing!
• After the debate of what to hang, I settled on some prints found on Etsy.  The first one that caught my eye was this one:



Laundry Day by Irene Suchocki

• The photograph was taken in Italy and since I'm 1/4 Italian I liked it even more.  I decided to choose two more prints from her Italy collection, so I didn't have an overload of laundry-related images in the laundry room, and settled on a shot of a Venice canal and lemons in basket.  She was so awesome to order from and was coincidentally having a promotion at the time I ordered so I got an additional percentage off the purchase.

So, that pretty much sums up the laundry room make over.  One last funny story before I go.  Two weeks ago I was going laundry in my pretty laundry room and the washer decided not to drain.  I was sure the washer, which looks about half my age, was on the outs.  Hubby figured out that the lid switch was broken though.  So, for $40 we ordered a new one.  When it arrived, I marched upstairs with my computer, played the video below and fixed the darn thing!!  If you have 3 minutes to spare, watch the video.  Can you imagine I did what this guy did?!?  I'm contemplating opening my own handy man business.  :)