Wednesday, July 31, 2013

No fun stuff, but the To-Do list is coming along

I don't even have a photo for you today.  Just a story about a guy afraid of electricity, who got all Rambo-ballsy and changed out light switches and fixtures without flipping breakers.  Yeah.  That really happened!

Now that we've mostly caught up on our sleep after the 2 weeks of VBS craziness, we are getting a few more things done around the house.  Last week, one of the boys noticed that the light switch in the downstairs powder room was sticking.  Then, the light fixture in the pantry died.  What's a girl to do?

Go shopping in Papa's Garage, that's what!  I was all set to schlep my guys over to the awesomeness of the ReStore.  Then I took the boys swimming at Nana & Papa's house.

You know those times when you mention a project (or three) and the person you are talking to says they 'might have something that will work for that'?  Totally happened.  My parents have been doing tons of work on their house over the last year, and have kept absolutely everything.  My dad even tries to play like he has some sort of elaborate stocking system for all the junk.

So, we headed over to section E (for electricity, duh!), drawer 1, row 3, slot 7.  I'm serious, we did!  And there laid two shiny new paddle switches.  Bright white, just like I wanted.  Score #1!  Unfortunately, there were no cover plates, but hey, who doesn't love a quick run to Lowes?

After some rummaging around, Dad also came up with the light fixture that formerly crowned the soffit above the kitchen sink.  It's nothing fancy, just a brass plate & ring, white glass shade, but, it was FREE, and it WORKS.  And it's way brighter than the old flourescent circle crap light that was in there before!  Score #2!

I also got to check out the new cabinets in the garage.  One of which is full of extra paint, stain, poly & laquer.  And I've got a free ticket to swipe!  Potential Score #3 + infinity!  (Because paint is my friend, and my kryptonite).

So, The Man switched out the switches (he wasn't sold on the paddle style when he installed them, but now he wants to change out the whole house!) in the bathroom, so no more sticky switchy.  Cost us a whole $2 for the new plate.  Maybe  even less.

Then he installed the light in the pantry.  And guess what?  This guy, this guy who hates when I paint things, he said (gasp & sigh) HE SAID, "well hon, it looks ok, it's brighter and nice, but maybe we can paint it later.  I don't like the brass."  SQUEEEEEAAAALLL!  I get to paint it, I get to paint it (insert booty-shake dance here). 

Oh, we did one other thing.  I had the boys start distressing their soon-to-be towel rack.  Stanky got a bit over zealous and cracked the thing right down the center length.  But it's ok!  I'll work with it, and call it a faux live-edge.  Just needs a little sanding, then I'm off to pillage the stain cabinet!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Project In Progress - Boys' Bathroom

Ahh, the boys' bathroom.  Sometimes, it's less like a bath than it is a cesspool, but whatevs.  My guys have been living with this particular nekkid room for almost a year now...


Yes, those are underwear hanging from the shower door.  Keeping things real.

Who hangs a towel ring that high?  And what do you think of that cute little German clock?  Tres Manly, no?

Yes, that is a sparkly, fishy shower curtain, with fish hooks.  Yes, there is underwear hanging on the shower door.  Towels do not usually get hung up in here, because the cheap-o towel bar on the wall falls apart when you look at it.  Much better suited to impromptu semi-naked sword fighting.

In short, a room in desperate need of a little something.  White walls, ivory tile, and chrome.  Blah, blah, blech.

A while back, I may have mentioned that I won some AWESOME RoomMates Decor wall decals from Kim at Reposhture.  Or maybe not.  It happened in May, and I let them sit around for quite a while! 

The lovely people from RoomMates allowed me to have two sets of the decals I chose.  Since I knew I wanted these for the boys' bathroom update, I chose the Extreme Sports themed wall decals, because, well, it's one thing all 3 boys agree on! 

Here are a few shots of the application process, which was extremely simple, just peel carefully, and STICK!
My little helper.  He insisted that an entire sheet of decals be pasted right there. 
And was not happy to have his picture taken!

Another helper. 

Is it just me, or is it very obvious which decals were placed by the boys?

I really need to move that towel ring!

This bathroom feels cavernous, what with the stark white walls and 10-foot ceilings.  But, with the strategic application of some color, it feels less like a big white hole in the hallway, and more like a place to get things done.  You know, like, washing, brushing & flushing.

We have a looong way to go in here, but things are moving along.  Stil on our To Do List:
1.  Replace the teensy cheap towel bar with something big & manly. 
2.  Frame the mirror (I'd love to pretty much cut it in half, but the landlord isn't so keen on that idea!)
3.  ORB the shower door frame & sink fixtures - this is a BOY bathroom - all that chrome is always dirty!
4.  New rugs - I already scored some dark red towels for in here. 
5.  Figure out a solution for hanging art over the toilet.  It will be hung on the mirror...I'm stumped!

I can tell you that quite of few of these (thankfully!) repositionable decals will be moving around when we install our DIY Towel Rack.  This is a project the whole family is getting in on, and I'm hoping it turns out half as well as it looks in my mind!  Here are a couple of inspiration shots from my Pinterest Boards:

 
Source



Happy Creating!