Is anyone finishing that line with "Marvin K. Mooney will you please go now"? If you are then you are probably a Dr Seuss fan. I LOVED reading Dr. Seuss to the kids when they were little. Reading to them at bedtime was an every night ritual that I sometimes miss but I'm not so mature that I couldn't enjoy a little Dr Seuss even now...all by myself.
I always seem to be renovating something and I keep saying 'no more' but then I spend an evening knitting and watching HGTV or DIY network and I get all inspired and soon I'm imagining another new 'look' for some corner of my kingdom.
I have thought about updating the bathroom for a couple of years now. I did a renovation on it 10 years ago and although the fixtures are still in pretty good shape I'm ready for a change. I was very much into a country style of decor for a long period and there are still things I like about the simplicity of that look and the fact that it's very easy to repurpose found treasures or build from inexpensive materials. However, it tends to be a bit cluttery and dust catchy and I would rather knit than dust. Normally I love a good reno project...but this time I just wasn't feeling it. At first I didn't know why. I was thinking that I would tile everything including the shower, put new doors on the vanity (keep the top) but I just wasn't feeling my normal enthusiasm. I was tired thinking about all the work and the expense. One morning in the shower it dawned on me...why do I think I have to completely redo everything. There was nothing wrong with the tile in the shower nor with the vanity and in an instant I realized that just doing the cosmetics would make a great difference and I didn't have to completely re-do everything. It was a relief and it got me excited about the update.
This is the bathroom as of July 2011
I built the medicine cabinets using old shutters as doors. The valance has a twofold purpose, it supports the light fixtures (which look more space age than country and never did suit) and I filled the top of it with ivy and garden themed decor. I built the little box in the upper right corner and painted the pots inside that hold candles. I also painted the watering can.
I built the little shelf over the toilet and a few of the knick nacky things on it. I loved the shower curtain. It was so cheerful but now it seems a bit cartoony.
I built this towel bar. It's a bit funny because I've always been afraid of birds (childhood trauma story best left for another day) birdhouses are so country though so I had to throw a few in. I also think it's good to face fears and dislikes. I've never been a cat person and now I live with two of them and I actually kind of like them. (please don't tell my daughter). But..... there is no way I will ever like CCR, onions, pumpkin pie, or rude people - those are non-negotiables.
I had to get all of the clutter pulled off the valance tonight after stopping to pick up some of the supplies that I'll need for the rest of the renovation. I can do quite a bit on my own but tomorrow I have an electrician coming at 9 to move the light fixtures. I'm tenacious and unafraid of trying, but I'm not crazy.
I have no idea how long the rest of the process will take. There is patching and painting and tiling and toilet removing that needs to happen. But stay tuned...I hope the final product will be well received.
“Kid, you’ll move mountains! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!” – Oh! The Places You'll Go - Dr. Seuss
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