French Country Master Bathroom (and the Tale of A Gorgeous Bed Crown)

Oops, there it is!

It's a master bathroom that I've never shown you because I.Haven't Really.Decorated It.Yet.

I have a clue about what I want to do, but I have BIG ideas and they keep involving a lot of cash and my hubby building frames for giant artwork, etc. etc...Errrr, he's a little behind on my projects and I guess I'll forgive him since he works long hours and he's such a doggone cutie. (He'd roll his eyes right here). So I thought I'd show you the bathroom, discuss one idea I have for the windows and you can throw in your input too. Maybe together we can figure this out!

I know it's 'in' right now to leave windows blank with no curtains, but I feel like something around the windows warms up the space. Our issue is the windows are on the back side of the tub, so if we want to open and close the curtains, it's going to be a pain to reach. I'm thinking of doing some sort of remote control shade that's hidden by a cornice. I could have stationary curtains on either side if I wanted.

A cornice? Like from the 90s??

Yes, I said cornice, lol. I just got back from visiting the Biltmore y'all. You know, the largest privately owned home in America? I want a fancy cornice so I can pretend to be the hillbilly cousin of the Vanderbilts. Actually, what I'm really into is architectural carvings and I thought how amazing would it be if I could get a huge carving to put above the window and use it like a cornice. See my dilemma? Now where am I going to find this huge architectural carving that will fit exactly over my window....Help me think on that. In the meantime, I'll show you what started this grand idea so you can have a visual of where I'm going. I saw this bed crown on Ebay. It is the bomb. I LOVE THIS.

Hubby says he's not into bed crowns.

Hubby never mentioned he's not into window crowns....hehehe. 

He's learning that he needs to be very specific around here.

The bed crown is only 24" inches wide, meanwhile each window behind the tub is much wider than that. So even if I bought two of them, they are just not wide enough to put over each window. I've even pictured a similar but flatter carved piece sitting on top of a wooden cornice board. I've looked high and low for a picture that would give you a good idea of what I'm talking about but I can't find one, so I'm hoping you can imagine it.                

Sigh. Wouldn't it be dreamy?

That bed crown though. It's really what I'd love to have in here.

Hubby just wants curtains.

He's talking about function when I'm talking about gorgeous bed crowns here? That silly man.

I'll discuss the artwork next time around and possibly spiff it up for Christmas. Also, maybe it's time I learn to use some tools. I asked for some once and sweet hubby bought me a whole set of pink tools. 

Shhhhh....don't remind him that I've never used them. He now carries a pink screwdriver in his truck.

I love a man who is confident.

See you next time.

Love,

Elizabeth 

Why can't the woman just go buy a set of curtains at Target like a normal person? Bed crowns? Who does this? She's exhausting.

The Powder Room

HEY Y'ALL! Happy June! May kicked my tail and I'm just recovering. My oldest son graduated college AND has his own apartment (WHAT??) and Bear has been either practicing or performing in three different plays in two different cities at least an hour from us...so that's where I've been. Hello Summer!

So now that I've slowed down, I wanted to give you a peek at the powder room. I'm showing you one side of a two sided bath. There are no windows in here, so excuse some of the lighting on the pics. Past the arched sliding door is a vanity, shower/bath and a closet, and that side is attached to my oldest son's room. I consider the half that I'm showing you the powder room, since it opens up to the hallway.  Also, I didn't want ONE MORE TOILET TO CLEAN by having both a powder room and a full bathroom for my son. (I'm so over cleaning right now). 

For years I have wanted an old piece of furniture to double as a sink vanity. In searching for an old dresser to add a sink to, I happened upon one with a bowl sink already added at an antique shop in Tennessee. I wish I had some before pics of it, but it was a 'tiger' wood. Lots of grain going on. It wasn't the color I wanted but I loved the shape of the piece and the drawer handles. Thankfully our cabinetmaker has been amazing and agreed to paint it for me and he designed a place in the drawer area for the plumbing to go.

Two different paint choices later (the first coat was cream, which was a big fat NO after seeing it), it ended up a glossy black. The cabinetmaker painted it with a paint that is normally used on boats so it would withstand water a bit better. There's no countertop other than the wood top of the dresser and I'm learning after almost two years that even with boat paint the water droplets, etc are wrecking havoc on the paint job. I will probably have to put on a countertop in the near future. (i'd love to try soapstone!!)

It's fun to decorate with unusual items and this shield was suggested to me by my friend Steve - see some of his decorating here, he's fantastic. The shield was a prop that Russell Crowe used in the movie, 'Robin Hood'. Steve knows where to find about anything and when I told him I wanted a medieval look, maybe a family crest or something like that for above the toilet, this is what he found. I couldn't decide if I wanted to pull the trigger on it and when I finally did, it had been sold.  I was shocked to find it on Ebay a few weeks later so I snatched it up. I don't know if Russell Crowe/Robin Hood shields hold their value or not, but it's a fun conversation piece. 

If you are conversing in the bathroom and all. :) 

Still in progress, think I'll add something to the far blank wall. I keep seeing these cute little paintings with animals dressed in clothing riding bicycles etc. on etsy ...Hubby would think they are weird but I love them. :) OR maybe I could turn this into my library bathroom??? Shelving upon shelving with books galore?? Give me your ideas!

If you'll notice I have mixed finishes on the lighting. That was not on purpose, the chandelier was actually originally in Hubby's closet and it kept getting hit when he opened his door, so we moved it. I don't follow rules on decorating (is there a rule on this?) so I thought it worked out pretty well.

What unusual pieces have you found to decorate with? And anyone have any comments on soapstone countertops? You like? You don't? Let me know!

Have a great day!

Love,

Elizabeth

P.S. With summer here, as you've already seen, I will be posting a lot less than normal to have more time with family, but I miss you guys!

P.P.S. I'm humbled to say was featured on The Dedicated House a couple of weeks ago as their most viewed post listed on the Sunday Showcase! Good times!

You wouldn't be impressed with this 'most viewed post' business if you saw how many times Elizabeth tripped in a day. Bless her heart.

Cleaning out the Closet

I walked into my closet the other day and just walked right back out.  I'd been putting it off cleaning out the closet forever, but the time has come that I must get rid of some things. (Disclosure - my closet is not some Pinterest paradise closet, I designed it to hang almost everything and there's no fancy wooden cabinets, etc, but it works for me!).

Here are some tips I have learned over the years that have worked when I implement them (and sometimes I'm a 12 year old child whose clothes end up on the floor). A lot of what I've been doing over the years is also listed in Chalene Johnson's podcast about cleaning out the closet, if you need additional motivation, take a listen to her on Itunes. 

1) This one is obvious, but get rid of what you are not wearing. For realz. Sometimes I hold on to a piece because I want to be that person who wears that little black skirt and look so cute. The reality is that little black skirt is two sizes too small and it's no where near cute on me. Be honest with yourself on what works and what doesn't. (confession: I may hold on to a classic, quality piece that I love even if it's a little snug IF I HAVE THE ROOM. You can't totally kill the dream all in one day. Surely I can lose five pounds??But if there's no room, the skirt goes). 

2) Hang up as much as you can. If you have the room, hang it so that you can see it and it doesn't end up all wadded up in some drawer and you forget about it.  Bonus - less wrinkles too! In my first house, my closet was half this size, but it still worked for me because I was pretty good at just keeping what I truly wore. 

3) Organize clothes by color, long sleeves, short sleeves, pants and jackets/coats. I did this about two years ago and shockingly it's still in place and I LOVE IT! Why? Because in the past I'd spend 15-20 minutes searching for my blue shirt, only to finally remember it was wadded up in the laundry basket. Now I can go to the long sleeve section, look in the blue shirt area and see that it's not there, and that there's a hanger waiting for it, so it's obviously dirty. Game changer! It's also kind of neat to notice what color you obviously like to wear (blue/black) and what colors you hardly ever buy (why don't I have anything cute and purple??).

4) Use hanging shoe racks and other hanging organizers. These are fabulous for everything under the sun. I put pajamas and yoga pants in the larger ones, so I can just grab what's on top and go. The only thing I keep in drawers are undies, tights/hose and socks.

I put a china cabinet in my closet that holds those in the drawer and my scarves are kept behind the glass doors so it's easy to see what I have. (It was my grandmother's, I'm pretty sure she would be appalled that undies are in there instead of china). My shoes are in the bottom. I know, right? Where are all the shoes??? Purses?? I'm just not a 100 pairs of shoes/purses kinda girl. I get rid of what I don't wear/use every year so I just don't need that much space for shoes and accessories (but I do love them!). I use decorative boxes on the top shelf to hold things I rarely use (my bathing suit, lol).

Thinking of painting the cabinet cream to match the shelves...you think? Once again, my grandmother would be horrified :)

If you don't have hanging space and need to put more into drawers, my friend, Sheri Bertolini is an amazing organizer, and has taught me when using smaller drawers, if possible set each piece vertically with the fold facing up, as if they were hanging files. You can see what you have and not take up near as much room. Here's that post on her site and browse around if you'd like a huge amount of great organizing tips!

I like to decorate this space with things that are special to me, since it's all mine and Hubby has his own closet.....my Dad's ties. My wedding picture is on the opposite wall.

4) Decorate your closet, make it a nice place to be. It doesn't have to be a large walk-in to make it pleasant. Use matching hangers. I have wooden ones (Ebay). I like how they look and I have the space for them so it works for me, however, I'd recommend velvet hangers if you have a smaller closet because the wooden ones take up A LOT of space. I don't know if there is a difference in quality regarding the velvet ones, but I saw a large bundle of them at Burke's yesterday for $10. If you do have the space, hang pics, a little chandelier, fuzzy rug, an ottoman, whatever makes you happy, because if you're like me, you are in there a lot! (Ahem, I may or may not have hidden from my children and eaten chocolate in there at one time or another. Cleaning out the closet does have it's advantages).

If you are in the same boat and need to purge, good luck on cleaning out your closet! Spring is almost here and you'll have a headstart!

Love,

Elizabeth

Keep in mind, you're taking organizational advice from a messy person. Just sayin'.

Come and Dine

There once was a ten year old boy who was being raised, along with his brothers, by his grandmother. She tried her best, but she was disabled and times were hard.

Their tiny rented house was literally falling down around them and he would never invite friends over to play, because he was too embarrassed for them to see where he lived. 

The boy's clothes were too small and too few. There were no toys in sight, as these were only luxuries that his friends had, but never him.  

Until one day, a beautiful lady entered the house. Like a fairy godmother, she helped the family find a more suitable home. She cleaned it, mowed the grass, and filled the home with special touches.

The house was almost ready for the family to move in. When the lady asked the boy what he would want most in the house, assuming he would ask for toys and such, she was stunned by his answer.

His one wish - a dining table. 

His family had never had a table to eat on. He wanted to gather his family and sit around a table to have their meals, to laugh, and to share about their day. Mostly, to have a time of coming together.

That wonderful lady fulfilled his wish of a table, and in addition, a complete house of furniture and all bedding needed for the house. Some she bought herself, and for the rest, she worked and worked until she had enough donated for the cause. She even brought toys and clothes for the family. When the family moved in, they were incredibly thankful.

The little boy spoke few words, but you could see he held his head a little higher after that day.  And he gathered his family around that wooden table.

How long has it been since we've gathered our families? Held hands and said grace? Laughed and cried together?

Never underestimate the power of the gathering of a family around a dinner table, big or small, fancy or plain, especially in the eyes of a child. 

Or the magic of stopping our busy lives to notice someone else.

Love, 

Elizabeth

This is a true story that happened several weeks ago and Elizabeth has the honor of knowing the beautiful lady and the boy..  The pics are not the boy's dining room, (it's Elizabeth's), but can't you picture him gathering his family at his table? Go gather your people.  

Bear's Bathroom and the Clawfoot Tub Confession

I had to confess something to the Bear, because it was the right thing to do. I told a Big Fat Lie to him and kept it going for almost two years.

I know.

Mother of the Year.  

It's about his tub.  You guys, I really wanted a clawfoot tub in the house.  It's just so vintage and charming and I love them. Since I have a bad back and I'm clumsy, the tub couldn't go in my bathroom, I'd end up on the floor trying to get out of the thing for sure. Our oldest son flat out refused to bathe in a clawfoot tub being all of 6'2 and kind of grown and manly and all. That left Bear no option. He had to have the clawfoot tub. He was 8 at the time and really didn't seem to care about design decisions too much. Score!

So herein lies the problem. I didn't buy a new clawfoot tub, it was OLD and GROSS.  Big time old and gross, like from a horror movie gross. A friend of mine was demolishing his old abandoned apartment building and offered to sell me a tub out of it. Unfortunately, Bear was with me when I went to see it.  He was understandably horrified and flat out refused to consider it.  Actually, I was a little horrified too, but I could see the good bones. Good bones matter! Eight year olds cannot see bones. They can see black crud. He didn't care that I'd gone to church half my life next door and our puppet ministry team used to have practice in the apartment where the tub was. He didn't see how awesome it would be to preserve something from Mom's past and recycle instead of buying new.  I wish I had a 'Before' picture but it looked a lot like this one:

Photo from Bathrenovationhq.com

So we left and Bear said, 'I'm NOT taking a bath in that tub EVER.' I secretly paid my friend for the tub and hoped for the best. I'd never had a tub refinished before so I had no idea what I was in for. Then the lie began.

'NOOOO, of course I'd never buy that disgusting tub for you, honey bun! Only a new tub for you!'

I felt pretty guilty about it but I'm pretty sure my Mom used to occasionally lie to me, so it's a generational thing.

I just blamed lying to my child on my mother? I really can't recall any specific lie that she told me. I think I've just thrown my morals out the window for a clawfoot tub...

I was thrilled when I found a guy about an hour away to refinish the tub. He came and picked it up, reglazed it and I even got to match the outside paint color to the bathroom cabinet color.  He mixed some sort of epoxy with regular Sherwin Williams paint. I really like how it turned out. I was concerned that it would chip (he even left me some extra paint - that I've already misplaced), so far after almost two years, there's a couple of tiny chips but nothing that bothers me. The price was reasonable and after pricing new tubs that are the same size/look, we saved a couple hundred dollars going this route, plus we were able to customize the color. Someone had tried to convince me that the old timey clawfoot tubs wouldn't hold heat and Bear would hate it, but we've not had that problem. Another bonus, it's surprisingly easier to clean than my other tubs because soap doesn't seem to leave a film on it like a regular tub.

He was suspicious at first though.  'Are you SURE this isn't that nasty tub from that house?'

'Baby, absolutely not. No, siree. Brand new.'

I know, I'm horrible. I confess, my mother did not make me say this.

Thankfully he also likes vintage looking things like me (unless they're gross). He liked that the tub was deep and he had a handheld shower, exposed plumbing and that his bathroom was a little different.

Bear's closet door.

Bear was born on the 13th, so it's our lucky number...

So, if you're wondering about Bear's reaction to finding out the truth, he was none too happy.  He was NEVER...BATHING...AGAIN. 

And then....he magically forgot.

I felt SO relieved to get that off my shoulders. Shew.

My version of necessities for a clawfoot tub.  Bear in no way approved this message. Have you guys tried those LUSH bath bombs???? Wowsa. Yes.

So I feel extra guilty leaving the story here, where the moral is recycle things from your past and lie to your children, so I must say, recycle but don't lie to your children.

Or blame it on your mother.

But if you need to put a gross clawfoot tub in their bathroom, I totally understand.

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Thanks for reading! I really appreciate all of you who support the writing of this blog. You're the best!

A Boy's Room- Bear's Bunkhouse

I found out Bear was a climber when he was 2.  I'd been occupied with his brother for a few and then I couldn't find him (I know, bad mom).  Then I spotted him, he was sitting on top of the refrigerator, eating out of a family size bag of Lay's potato chips. When I held out my arms to coax him down, he dumped the whole bag of chips on my head.  Turns out he's not fond of sharing me with his bro.

When we were picking out bedrooms in the house plan, Bear specifically wanted the room closest to his dad and me.  Right across the hall.  It was the smallest room in the house, but had tall ceilings, a walk-in closet and his own bathroom.  I decided since he wouldn't have much room in there, we'd build up instead of out, perfect for a climber!  

I was afraid to put in a twin bed because that I think Bear is going to end up a big guy and I didn't want him to outgrow it too quickly.  A queen would have swallowed up all the space in the room, and a full is the same length as a twin so that could still end up being too short.  Ugh.  Then I discovered another size I'd never heard of - an extra long full!  It's perfect, the length of a queen and the width of a full!  Who knew!  Sheets can only be bought online with no cute prints that I've found, but I can deal with that. 

My original plan (it only changed twenty times!) was to put in two beds end to end but two wouldn't fit.  Not even two twin sized. So I thought it'd be fun to enclose the top, put a ladder on the end and make it a bunk/playhouse area.  The two panels at the very top can be opened and the hinge can be put in a locked position so it stays open if Bear wants.  The bottom ones are stationary. 

Sorry no pics from the inside. Last time I was in there I got stuck and couldn't get down.  It took an additional ladder and two people to get me out.  Thank goodness it wasn't the fire dept.

I had a desk built at the end of the bed.  Sometimes it's a catch all, but it's great for all his stuff!  

You see that furby in the basket?  I dislike that guy. A lot. 

Same goes for the large drawers under his bed.  Huge amount of books, etc. in there!  And it stays hidden, hooray!

Shiplap is on the back wall behind the bed and desk.  I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed shiplap.  I love the look but had never considered the durability. We have it in our hallway leading to the garage also and it's great because kids can ramble down the hall, backpack, etc., hitting the wall and no problem, no damage!  Plus it's so easy to wipe down if it does get handprints or whatever.  (I'm usually afraid of the 'whatever'). Joanna Gaines knew what she was talking about!

I'm not sure where the obsession came from with the British flag, but obviously it's all over the room. I admit it's too much but there's a lot of cute flag stuff out there!   I found the rug on Etsy here (love Etsy!).  They had some fun handmade Turkish rugs to choose from and actually ship it from Turkey.  I was a little leery, wondering if it would really get here without my money mysteriously disappearing, but it all worked out. The only downside is it's a very low pile, so it's not super cozy.

The British flag pillows on the bed and desk chair came from antique shops but are new. The flag over the desk isn't quite the British flag but I stumbled across it in Texas at an antique nautical store.  I love nautical stuff and this place was unbelievable with old portholes, huge rope knots, etc. They had a ton of large old flags and they were only about $10 each.  I looked on their site, pieceofship.com, and they said they are running out of the flags made of the grain sack type material like the one I have, so I hope they have not upped the price.  A lot of them are nylon now but I believe you could still find some grain sack ones there if you are looking. (I've heard of them being used to reupholster chairs, how cute is that?!) Everything else in here is from antique stores, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx or Burke's and most are under $30ish each with a few exceptions. The office chair was an antique store find that I painted and it was also in the $30 range. I love to decorate on the thrift if I can!

Moving on....The ladder.  Y'all I couldn't resist.  Hubby thought I'd lost my mind.  I changed this room up a bizillion times until I thought the builder was going to wring my neck  :) Above Bear's room is a large bonus room, about 14' x 45'.  I talked hubs into finishing it for a guestroom/playroom for the boys.  I'm so glad I did because I ended up with more usable space upstairs and it doubles as a guest room.  Private with one exception.  There's a trapdoor.

I'd have a slide instead of stairs if I could, ...oooh and a hidden room with one of those bookcases that covers the door and only moves if you pull the light sconce... but a trapdoor was as far as I could take it, guys.  There's reality.  Called the Husband.  Who would actually like to pay for electricity and running water instead of a slide.  Sigh.  (In all fairness, he did think a hidden room would be cool, yet that darn factor of budget kept getting in the way).  I'm not sure how everyone in those Scooby Doo episodes afforded all those secret rooms.  

I'm rambling.  Back to the ladder and trapdoor.   

The ladder leads to a trapdoor in the floor of the playroom, so when guests stay, they are thrilled when Bear pops his head through the floor to say good morning!  It's always a little interesting around here.  When our foreign exchange student stayed in that room for nine months, we had to totally ban the use of the trapdoor.  Bless her heart, the relationship between Germany and America will never be the same.

The landing at the top just below the trapdoor. The mini ladder was added after the build when we figured out it was difficult to make it up through the trapdoor.  I really don't want to squish myself in there to paint it so I'm going all rebel and not doing it.  

The room from the landing. I didn't know if I was going to make it down from here.

Trapdoor in guest room.  Fun times unless you're the guest...

One thing that always got me about looking at pics when we were building is that I never knew the dimensions, so I never knew if the designs would work in my space. I'll end with all the dimensions just in case you are interested.

Our builder surprised me and came up with the design for the ladder himself.  

The ceilings are 12' high.  If the bed was lowered, this design would still work with an 8' ceiling height.

The room is 12'3" by 11'5", with the bed along the 12'3 wall.

The height of the platform where the mattress sits is 28".  Because of the high mattress, the end result was much higher than we anticipated and even I have to use the stepstool to get onto the bed.  Although it was a mistake, it's kind of fun to have a bed so high.  On the downside, later if it's used as a guest room (I anticipate Bear taking over his older brother's room at some point) not all guests will be thrilled with literally climbing into bed.  (Though these kind of people probably would not have appreciated a hidden room either, so I'm not sure we can be friends).  The platform of the upper bunk is at roughly 7 1/2' which leaves about four and a half feet of head room in the upper area. The desk is 5'4" wide and two feet deep.

I hope this is helpful for anyone building their own bunks or just a fun, quirky room.  We've had a lot of good times here so far!  

Elizabeth

Edited to add:   - I've had some questions about the lighting and floors.  The light fixture and flooring were suggested by a local designer who chose all the flooring and all but a couple of lights in the house.  Unfortunately, I don't have the brand name of the light but the floors are hickory.  If I come across the brands we used I will add them in a future post.

I don't like that furby guy either.