Master Bath Redo...What's Next?

I had started a Master Bathroom project awhile ago and then got stuck!  Not with what to do next, but rather I just can't make up my mind on the flooring.  I go back and forth from the tile wood floor look to just normal tile.  I want a classic look that I won't get tired of in a few years, or more importantly, at this point, just a classic look for resale.  I keep gravitating toward the tiled wood floor look.  Thinking it's different but yet still is a classic.  Below is some pictures I have taken of the project and at what point I'm at now.  Do any of you lean toward a certain wood floor tile?  Which one do you like more?  I look forward to the emails!

This was a picture I took before I ripped out cabinets!

In this photo I had already changed out all the door handles and hinges.  Now it was time to take out tile and re-stain cabinets.

Here is both sides of the Master bathroom, I'm needing to tile floors first.

In progress

I did videos of the process but because we are just picking out flooring at this point I'll only do the pictures portion and save you watching me remove tile (Boring)!  At this point you can see I have removed the green tile and sinks, removed the medicine cabinet out of the wall, built a new base for the old oak cabinets, Stained the cabinets using the Java Stain from General Finishes, cut new holes for the water supply lines.  WOW, I'm tired just typing it...Just Joking!

  Next, I dry-walled the hole where the old medicine cabinet was and decided to build a new open cabinet between the mirrors.  I've added the decorative molding and stained this to match the oak cabinets that have I have up-cycled.  I also replaced the brass faucets with nickle.  I have not added the counter tops because I want the floors to be decided on first.

So here we are ready for the tile to be chosen!

 Here is what I would love help with!  Should I do the barn wood tile on the left or the Walnut tile on the right??? Totally two different looks. I love the barn wood tile because each tile is SO different! But, then I think for resale maybe the walnut wood floor tile would be safer.  WHAT DO YOU THINK?  You can email me, leave a response on this blog or leave a response on Home Talk blog network.

Organizational Monday's

Yep, you are reading this correctly!  I have decided during the month of January every Monday will be declared as... "Organizational Monday"!!!!  Yippee!!! It's time to get our act together for the New Year!  Let's bring on 2011... ORGANIZED!  I of course will be your motivator and your sideline cheer leader during this endeavor.  We are going to pick all types of projects, mostly small and CHEAP!  We have 4 Monday's in the month of January so let's get working.
Today's project started from putting the Christmas decorations back into the...SCARY STORAGE UNIT!  YIKES...I cringe thinking about walking in that room.  I'm a little embarrassed to show you the before photo, but I will! 

Here it is...so embarrassed!  I'm just hoping you all have this kind of room:)

As I was looking at the room, I decided it would be nice to have a bench along the back wall.  I could add more compartments for maybe a... "Gift Wrapping Station"!  And then along the shelves, which we built awhile ago, I could place all the Christmas decorations in nice, little, neat plastic containers.  So, I went to Home Depot to buy lumber!  I got quite a few looks down the isles.  I was probably the only tall, skinny, blond, female walking around in heels in the lumber isle.  One 'male' employee asked me if I needed any help and I promptly replied, "No, I got this"!  I'll show them!!!  So...I spent a total of $15.13, came home and built myself a bench!  I am WOMAN hear me ROAR...lol!

Here it is!!! Yippee!  This cost only $15.13 and a little time.

Now, I'm so excited to walk into my SCARY storage unit.  I walk in just so I can look at it! 

*I made this out of non-treated wood for two reasons:

1)  The bench is not going to be outdoors so... I'm not worried about weather damaging it.

2) By using non-treated wood it was more cost effective. 

*Also, along the back I added a ribbon holder, using a dowel rod.  Now, the ribbons I use most are easier to access!  Woo Hoo!

*The legs of the bench are made out of 2x4's and the top is made out of 2x6's.

*On the shelf below, I placed plastic bins that pull out, (I had these from kid toys, that are no longer used).

  I labeled each bin with my 'handy dandy' labeler I bought at Target years ago...LOVE THIS!

MORE PHOTOS:

Close up!

Each bin contains holiday decor...Color coordinated of course!

HAPPY ORGANIZING! 

And Remember... I'm cheering you on!

Spruce Up Your Window Boxes

Happy November everyone!  With a thought of a deep freeze right around the corner, its a good idea to get those greens in the flower boxes.  If you wait they won't freeze in properly.  Then you will spend the winter going out into the cold and picking the greens up off the ground and trying to shove them back into a frozen container... it doesn't work!   With this being said, I have some ideas if you're on a budget!  I completed my flower boxes this winter and only spent $14.99 at Home Depot!  How cool is that???  Well, the rest of the greens which consisted of white pine, pine cones, pretty sticks, and long needled pine all came from foraging.  I did this while taking my dog for a walk over the weekend.  I didn't intend on finding such wonderful greens, but stumbled across them and couldn't bare to leave them there to not be used.  So... here are a few of my flower boxes...WINTERIZED:)

A couple helpful hints:

1) Keep the dirt that was in the flower boxes in the summer.  (Do not empty the container and replace with new soil). The reason for this is that the root base (which was established in the summer by the flowers) provides support for the spruce tops and other greens.  When you place the greens in they will stay more stable and will be less likely to fall out.

2) Make sure you water the greens in.  This is for two reasons really.  The first, is to supply water to the greens and keep them from drying out and turning brown.  The second, is when the dirt is wet and we have the inevitable freeze the greens will stay in tightly.

3) Use things you find!  It's amazing the things you can find just by taking a walk in the woods!  Make this a fun kid activity by telling them they are going "foraging"!  Chances are the kids won't know what the word means until its too late, lol!

4) Lastly, enjoy!  You can always add the holiday color later. The most important thing is to get the greens in early enough so they freeze in.


Larger Window!

Smaller window box!

Painted Fireplace

Started and finished a painting project today!  Of course... I first had to put my 7 hours in at work, but I still got it done! This one took a couple of days because of drying time, but I'm wondering why I waited so long to do it?  It really turned out nice and it wasn't expensive because I had the paint sitting in the basement.  So... if you're waiting to do a project, don't wait!  It's so gratifying once its done. 

The Completed project!

The Process from start to finish!

This is what it looked like before I started, I really don't care for oak!

First I taped off the fireplace to insure a clean crisp line.

Next, I lightly sanded and primed the area!

Then I painted the fireplace the color of my choice (Off White)!
This is so beautiful and the room now looks fresh and clean!

More...Autumn Decor

Every fall I go through the same argument with my oldest son, it sounds something like this, "Mom put up some Halloween decorations!"  "Well, I really don't have time to and I dislike scary things!" "Come on Mom pleeeease buy some of the spider web stuff to put on the trees out front." "Oh...that stuff makes a mess!"  "Mom, give me a break we are boys we want spiders and skulls!"  "Great, well I will see what I can do!"

This is what he got for decorations I have a feeling he will not be to happy, but everything was free and didn't cost a dime....LOVE THAT!

One of the kids old Halloween costumes (I made) stuffed with bags of leaves, a pumpkin for a head and fake flower eyes!

Inside the house I filled containers with nuts instead of candy (Omega 3's anyone?)

On one tree I used some webbing I found in the storage container.  I added spider lights for the scary appeal!

I hung a lighted Halloween sign I also found in the storage container!

This I did for me! A cute pumpkin sitting on a bird bath!