Re: A Very Grown Up Purchase

Oh my blog, Melissa! I love your new dresser! And I totally get what you mean about "investment" pieces of furniture. Something that is classic that you love now and know you will love forever is worth a little splurge. It's like investing in a classic pencil skirt or trench coat...I love comparing home decor to clothes shopping :)

That is the experience we had when purchasing our coffee, pictured below. It is the Rhys Coffee Table by Pottery Barn. I loved that it had storage drawers AND an open display area. We use it to show off our coffee table books and the drawers are the perfect size for VHS tapes (we still have a few left) and other odds & ends that needed a home. It was pricey, but we bought it in-store and brought it home ourselves, so we saved on shipping, plus we had some money on a gift card, which didn't make a huge dent in the purchase total...in fact, I think it only covered the tax, but whatever! It was totally worth it and I can't imagine us ever getting rid of it. And, after 3+ years of daily use, it still looks great.

I wish you and your new dresser all the best and hope you have a long and happy life together.

Love,
Kara

Re: Tarjay

Hi friend!

So, what's so funny about your post: I have the green soap pump too! It's in my master bath...maybe you saw it by the sink in the "before" photo a few posts back? It's small and in the corner, but it's there! I got it last winter and had been eyeing it for awhile before finally purchasing. I think it looks like an old-fashioned water pump or something. To me, little details and accessories in a room are just like jewelry on an outfit.

Also, I do not think your Anthro bathroom will be ruffle overload. It sounds lovely and girly and fun! I love those hand towels too. So classy. I liked one of the bath mats you suggested too...I think I will be in market soon.

The plan is to buy paint tomorrow and start painting during Suz's power nap on Wednesday morning.

I'll keep you posted!
Kara

Subject: A Very Grown Up Purchase

So, Hubby and I just made a very important, and very grown up purchase.  While we know that I am not one to shy away from thrifty finds, (I mean, I still own those chairs that I once found on the side of the street.  More on those in the near future!) we decided that there were certain pieces of furniture in our house that we were willing to spend some money on as they would be "investment pieces." Our thinking is we will have them forever as we will always find a place for them no matter where we live.  Besides that, we were very fortunate to end up with some wedding money, so that is helping to pay for the investments.  :)

Today, I decided to stop into Restoration Hardware after seeing this beautiful dresser in the massive catalog I recently received.  I wasn't sure if they were going to have the piece in the store, but since it was on my way to the mall, (where I purchased these amazingly soft towels during Bloomingdale's Friends & Family sale) I took the chance.  Of course, it was there, and lucky for me they, too, were having a Friends & Family Sale, which meant 20% off!!!!  

And without further ado, here is our brand new dresser, which will be making an appearance in our bedroom in 2 - 4 weeks.  I will be sure to take pictures and send them to you once it's in.

Restoration Hardware - Printmaker's Sideboard

Detailed Shot

How's the master bath revamp coming along?  Can't wait to hear all about it.  Have a great week!!!

Mel

Subject: Tarjay

Kara,

I know you are hard at work on the master bathroom re-do, and while we didn't discuss the need for new accessories, I couldn't resist sharing some of the fabulous finds I've recently spotted (and purchased) at Tarjay aka Target.

Coincidentally, a fabulous Georgia blogger posted pictures of her friend's home last week, which included some of the fab Target finds.  

via K.F.D. Designs blog

The soap pump...AMAZING and only $12.99.  Which isn't a true steal, but I do love it.  I originally bought in white for my "Anthropologie Ruffled Bathroom," but since I want to paint the walls a milky white color, I picked up a greenish-blue color instead.  And because I'm slightly obsessed with the soap pump, I've decided I think I'm going to keep the white one, buy one more and use it in my master bathroom once we redo it.  Is it weird I will have 3 of the same soap pump?!?  I mean, not that many people will be using the master bath, so I figured it was fine.  Then I'm think silver garbage can.  

Then, check out the hand towel in the picture.

 

TARGET

Some of the reviews said the ruffles are pink, but mine are clearly white.  So, I just bought one hand towel for the Anthro Bathroom.  Is it ruffle overkill??  I mean, I love me some ruffles.  Before Hubby and I tied the knot, I would always make him guess what my wedding dress looked like.  He said it definitely has ruffles....and it did.  One big ruffle.  

Okay, here are a few more great Tarjay bathroom accessories, although I did not purchase any of these.  They aren't by any means the cheapest bathroom accessories in the world, but if you want to spend $50 on a bathroom makeover, I think Target is definitely a good place to start.

Can't wait to see your redone bathroom.

Hugs!!

Mel

Target - $12.99  (I kind of loved this one, too.  It looks like something they would sell in Anthro for $30.)

Target - $24.99

Target - $24.99

Re: Re: Re: Subject: Master Bath

GOOOOOOOD MORNING!!  Can I tell you how happy I am it's Wednesday?  Since, Hubby is off tomorrow because of his fabulous state job, I'm going to take off, too.  Which means work today and Friday and then the big move!!!

Okay, on to the bathroom....I completely agree about the love for white accents/trim and how they pop against wall color, and I am very happy you've decided to paint the frame and light fixture a glossy white.  I don't think you will at all regret it.

Look at the white pop - via ArhZine

So, paint colors.  I know the headache!  I will have to share mine with you soon.  It comes in shades of blue for the dining room.  Thanks for the pictures and for lettering them.  VERY HELPFUL!  I think it's funny that you narrowed it down to D, E and F only because on the screen they look NOTHING alike.  Which I guess is not a bad thing, but my narrowing always seems to end up that things are so darn close and you can't actually tell the difference.   I know that sometimes the color does not translate well from in-person to picture, but these are my thoughts.

A. - Looks like it may be a little dark.

B. - This ranks as one of my favorites.  I know you mentioned it might be a little dark though.

C. - Looks like the color of someone's skin who uses too much self-tanner.  (I couldn't resist)

D. - This is also on my favorites list.

E. - Another potential self-tanner color?!

F. - It looks a little pink.  I don't know if manly Jon would approve.  :)

G & H.. - Agree with the flesh comment and G isn't too much of a change from what you have already have, is it?

I. - I think it also has some great potential.  

J. - This one is reading coral-y pink to me.

I guess my favorites are B., D., I., which makes D. our one in common as first-round favorites.  I can't wait to see what you choose!  When will the paint go on the wall???

via Interior Design Color

Re: Re: Subject: Master Bath

Mel -

To begin: I love the benefit of your insight. After reading your response to my bathroom post and thinking it over, I cannot even remember why I ever wanted to paint the light fixture and mirror frame black! Seriously, that makes no sense. So thank you - I think I would have regretted it. Instead, I think I am going to do the light a glossy white and the frame the same. I like the idea of painting the light a fun color from the shower curtain, but I think that might be limiting if I were ever to get a different shower curtain - I would have to take the color of the light into account. I think everything in white will look good against the new paint color (more on that in a minute) - I love how white accents/trim pops against wall color and I agree - my house is too cottage-y for a black fixture and frame!

I went to the Benjamin Moore store yesterday because I knew they would have the Pottery Barn paint chips and uggggghhhh...paint samples are sooo overwhelming! Here is what I wish: I have an overall idea of what I want the bathroom to look like - the finished product is in my brain - and I wish there was some way to print off my mental picture and take it to a paint counter and say, "Here - mix me up some of this." Because once I start looking at all the options and possibilities, the original idea in my head completely vanishes and I feel totally lost. So, I brought home every beige-ish brown color. I did the same thing when I went to the Sherwin-Williams store today. Below are the finalists.

Okay, so...where to begin? I have decided that I want a true brown - nothing with yellow/golden undertones. In my mind I'm thinking a light chocolate milk-y color...like with more milk than chocolate - if that makes sense? This bathroom gets a ton of light, so I think darker is okay. Plus, all the fixtures will be white, plus the Roman shade will eventually be white. The countertop (which you can see in the picture above) is just a neutral, which is nice, but I want to make sure the paint color isn't too close in color, because that would look weird. The counter, though, has more of a pink undertone, so I don't think I'll have that problem with the finalists I've selected. Here are my thoughts:

A & B: These are one in the same to me. Probably a little dark. (A is Mesa Tan and B is Tamarind, both by Sherwin-Williams)

C: I really like this one, but I wonder if it's too dark? And will it read orange on the wall? Sorry it's such a small sample. (Morille by Benjamin Moore)

D: I like this one, but is it enough of a change? It's definitely darker than what I have. The middle color of this strip is what my downstairs is painted and I really like it. (Shelburne Buff by Benjamin Moore; my downstairs is called Dunmore Cream, BTW)

E &F: Both are top contenders in my book. They are definitely the 'true brown' that I am going for. F is a little light, though, don't you think? Would it be much of a change? (E is Acorn Yellow and F is Yellow Squash, both by Benjamin Moore)

G & H: I thought these were contenders, but now they seem a little flesh-y and the darkest color seems to have a lot of yellow in it, so I wonder how the lighter colors will look on the wall...would they also "read" yellow? (G is Bagel and H is Totally Tan, both by Sherwin-Williams)

I & J: These I really like. They are similar to D, E and F and the darkest color is dark brown, so I think either of these would definitely look brown on the wall. (I is Familiar Beige and J is Sensational Sand)

Please tell me you have some brilliant thoughts and insight! I think if I had to choose today, I think I would pick D, E or F. What about you?

Help!!!
Kara

Re: Subject: Master Bath

Happy Monday, K!!

Boy do I know what it feels like to want a master bath re-do!!  AJ and I aren't even in the new house yet, but it will be one of our first major projects sometime in the future.  Worst part is, I don't think we will quite get away with spending $100!!  It needs to be gutted, not just freshened.  However, I do think yours can be accomplished for $100, and I think you have some great ideas.

Okay, first, the mirror...
I say leave it as is, but spruce it up with a frame!!  I think between trying to get it off the wall, which isn't there a chance it could shatter?, and then spending the money to cut it, you should spend the money on getting the wood to frame it.  Follow Isabella & Max's mom's lead.  (Thanks to my own momma for the link!!)  Plus, the bigger the mirror, the bigger the room will look which I think is key.  As far as the black, I was thrown off a bit.  I think your house is so quaint and charming and then you have the shabby chic curtain in those soft colors and you want to do the walls soft, so I would think the frame would look great in white.  You know me though and white household objects.  White dishes, white china, white towels, white sheets....

Then for the light I have two ideas.  The first one, I am contemplating on doing in our downstairs guest bathroom.
1.  Would you consider pulling a color, a muted color, from your shower curtain and spray painting the fixture that color?  I also want beigey-white milky (weird description!) walls and so I thought a pop of color would be fun.  I was going to paint the fixture, towel ring and toilet paper holder all the same.
2.  Second suggestion...since you are saving the money on cutting the mirror, why not buy a new fixture??  They have some great choices at Home Depot for $30.  Here's one and here's another.  Might be worth checking out Target, too?!?  Or even Wal-Mart.

I think you are on the right path.  Let me know if any questions come up along the way.  I can't wait to see how it turns out.  Oh, and if you need some cheap accessories...TARGET!  I will e-mail you this week about the cute things I found.

Hugs,
Mel

AMAZING BATHROOM! via Fancy Buffalo