Decorating

Well, here it is, our Mary Poppins bathroom, practically perfect in every way. Remember that? I think it was written on her measuring tape.

I finally got the art on the walls and had halfway decent light. It only took six months, nearly to the day, since the whole project started, but getting all the right pieces was not so easy. So much so that I painted three myself, and made the domed whale, too.

The hubster made the cool looking screen over the window, so the neighbors won’t see us nekkid. It lets in the most marvelous light while also letting me bird watch. I’ve got my priorities straight. It will get some tweaks and a twin on the other window, but don’t fret, no one can really see in that one, unless they are actually in our yard, and then we have a problem, Houston.

Greg’s favorite piece is the ship. It’s a cross-stitch I designed to commemorate our wedding (almost nineteen years!) and sewed over many, many nights. It says, “On these seas, we sail together.”

The jellyfish and the whale I painted. Did anyone see that awesome documentary about the Sperm Whale on PBS? Goll-ee, my love for them was taken up a notch. They are amazing creatures.

I love it when the hubster sits on the bench, often with a cat on his lap, while I take a bath. He is such good company. We also like to leave notes on the chalkboard paint on the back of the door, a truly awesome idea, really. Butter!

The beautiful shower surround. We had an overhead light put in, so it is no longer cave-like. In it’s previous incarnation, our bathroom, and especially the shower, was quite dark.

Look how lovely the light is! So very bright, like bathing under the sun. The Little Man approves, too. He was meowing up a storm after I’d finished all of the photos, so I went back and took this of him. I guess he hasn’t quite gotten his fifteen minutes of fame.

If you find yourself wanting what I’ve got here and live in the Portland-Metro, give Alex from Western Oregon Builders a call, and tell him you want Colleen’s bathroom. He’ll know who you mean. Bless his heart, it might have been easier to take up residence in the guest room; he spent so much time here!

Fixtures, etc:

Rejuvenation: Porcelain Collection lights, switch plates, soap dish (the white one in the shower is original – the one item we kept), towel and toilet paper holders, fluted black glass knobs and pulls.

Kohler: Archer pedestal sink and commode, Memoirs faucet, tub spout, and shower fixtures.

Ballard Designs: Classic Bench in Arden fabric.

Land’s End: Organic Cotton towels in Light Paprika

Last night, until an hour much later than anticipated, the hubster and I attempted to hang the mirror over the sink, so I wouldn’t have to run all over the house to find the best light to put on moisturizer, make-up, or check my teeth for spinach.  We thought we were so clever, buying the Hercules hook with Billy Mays picture on the package from the internet, with expedited shipping because I didn’t want to wait another day to do my business in the bathroom mirror.  Sadly, we weren’t clever enough.  The hooks didn’t want to go in at first, and once they did, were not appropriate for this application.  So, instead of a mirror, we have two holes above the sink, waiting for the drywall hangers originally purchased for this purpose, which have since been misplaced.  It’s a comedy!

We do have a hand towel rack and a soap dish and a hook in the shower, however, so that’s something for you.

Also, no need to check your latest prescription on what I hope are some stylin’ spectacles, because, yes sir or ma’am, that tile is a little wonky.  Eighty year-old houses do not come square, but wavy, and with personality, like their crackers owner(s) {The hubster can add himself to the category, but I shall not speak for him in this case}.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Well, except the tub.  I cannot recall, at this moment, if I have ever professed my love for our bathtub.  Like Mary Poppins, it is practically perfect in every way.  Deep, long, and with that slope at the back for leisurely afternoons and pruned skin.  Heaven!

The rest, however, no thanks.  We’ve lived in this house for thirteen years, and I have never liked it.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good size and fully functional, but it’s so not me.  I’ve done my best with it, sure, but never thought, “Ooh, isn’t it lovely!”  So I waited and waited while more pressing projects grabbed our savings, but now the time has come.  Demolition starts on Wednesday or Thursday!  If I disappear for a bit, that’s why.  I’ve been sucked into a bathroom remodel vortex: painting, decorating, creating, and very likely sweeping up a myriad of dust.  Wish me well…