The Gallery Wall

A bit more progress has been made in my bathroom...it's almost done!  (read other posts about it HERE, HERE, and HERE.  I decided to make floral paintings the focus in this room...particularly the four paintings (three shown here and one in this post) that I found at thrift stores during the past few years. Actually, everything hanging in this room was discovered at one thrift store or another.

Including this escutcheon plate that I used as part of my towel holder.  It, along with a scrap of wood and a peg, easily transformed into a great place to hang a hand towel



 

One of the last things that has to be done involves the wall cabinet.  I really don't like the shutter look.  We're going to cut a piece of paneling to fit over the slats. It'll be painted with black chalkboard paint....I think the first message on it will be "Rise & Shine"!

A floral print, an old round mirror, and a Syroco golden roses wall hanging complete the gallery.  I really love the diamond shaped Syroco piece, and I'm pleased that I finally found the perfect spot for it.  The mirror is one of my favorite finds....and it only cost $1.98!!

 

See the wall reflected in the mirror? 
That's the other area that needs a bit more work.  Soon.....

Busy Grandbabies

Computing

Looking In The Mirror

Reading A Book

Bathroom #2 Makeover - Before

Back in August I shared the makeover of the bathroom Bill uses...I never did share photos of it all decorated though.  That's because we still haven't settled on a shower curtain! 

On Monday the makeover will begin on the main bathroom.  We'll be replacing the old tub/shower surround and the floor with ceramic tile. I'm super excited about that!

 

 

Here it is....the wall art has been removed. Everything else will come out
this weekend.  I think the change is going to wonderful!

 

 

The next three photos are my inspiration rooms. You can find links to them on my

Bathroom Pinterest board.  I really like the blue & white color combination...especially

with the black & white mosaic floor tile.

 

 

The tub/shower area will look like this...I love the three shelves in the
corner.  I debated on whether or not I wanted the wall tile to go all the way
up to the ceiling or not.  I went back and forth a dozen times. The final
decision was made yesterday.  'All the way up' won.

 

I knew I didn't want a white vanity...but trying to decide between black and
dark brown took some time.  I went with dark brown.

Oh, a bathroom this size would be awesome.  I love everything about
this space.  It's not quite the look that I'll end up with, but it confirmed my
floor tile choice.  This tile is what I was going to get.  But I opted for a tile
with a little less black in it.

 

 

It's been fun browsing through websites and then 'pinning' the things

that appeal to me onto Pinterest.  Puts it all in one

spot...and that's way easier than remembering!

 

 

Here's my tile...I LOVE it!  I also love the vanity we decided on...hopefully I won't
miss the drawers too much!  The shower curtain is an issue in this bathroom too. 
I kind of like this one...but I'm also thinking about making one out of an old white
chenille bedspead.  So many decisions!

 

The new bathtub is a tiny bit wider than the old one...it's also a few inches deeper.  We're using
6x6 inch tiles in the tub/shower area.  Mandy has them in her bathroom and I really like
how they look.  I'd really like to find an old mirror, but if I can't this might be the back up.

 

 

Once this is all done I'll start the decorating.  That's going to be fun. 

I have an old 16x20 oil painting that I hope to use over the toilet. 

The painting is my decorating inspiration.

That's a whole other post though!

 

Happy weekend!!

 

 

 

Bathroom Progress

Nothing like an out of town guest to get me to finish a decorating

project....namely the bathroom remodel I mentioned back in November. 

Thanks Mom!

 

One of the things I needed to do was add a shelf above the toilet.  I really had no idea what I wanted.  But while going through my stash of stuff I came across these metal brackets. I recently picked them up at a thrift store for a mere $1.98!

I also discovered this tray...another thrift store purchase.  I saw something similar at an antique mall and the tag said it was a cigar tray.  However I haven't been able to find any info to confirm that.  Honestly I don't particularly care what it was....now it's my bathroom shelf!! 

Bill attached it to the brackets for me. 

 

 

  I added a linen doily, a pretty jar for storage, and a couple other treasures. 

I love how it looks!!

Finally settled on a shower curtain too.  White chenille...perfectly simple! 
I added a great old mirror (it's in the first photo) and a 'gallery wall' too.
Stay tuned for a look at it....real soon.

 

 

Making New Memories

Saturday, in the midst of a slushy, cold, wintery mix of rain & snow, over 100 women gathered at my church for "A Cozy Christmas" luncheon. Fourteen tables were decorated by different hostesses and a splendid potluck was enjoyed by everyone. There were soups, sandwiches and salads, casseroles and pasta dishes, veggies of all kinds, and most importantly....desserts!

The food and fellowship was wonderful.

Here's a peek at each table.

Actually there are two peeks at this table ~ the first one is Friday evening and
the second is Saturday ~ after the goldfish arrived!

Here's a pretty angel themed table ~ with some sweet smelling hand lotions for favors.

Ornament dishes and red candles ~ lend a lovely glow to this table.

Guests at this table received a "Casting Crowns" CD. I love the fun centerpiece!

Holly and berries and a pretty red candle dish greeted guests at this table.

Sparkling cider fit right in at these silvery place settings. Love the glitter too!

These lighthouse plates are perfect for a Maryland luncheon.

Christmas trees, packages and ornaments decorate this festive table.

I love the gold plates ~ aren't they a beautiful touch!

Red plaid and poinsettias ~ A Christmas tradition.

I love all the crystal on this table ~ and the colors are so pretty.

Mirror tile for a placemat ~ the reflection made a wonderful design on the ceiling!!

I love this table. It was simple and elegant. The angels are stunning.

The colors of this table were so rich ~ just lovely!

Everything was just amazing. Despite the nasty weather outside we were all warm and cozy inside. Three hours to relax and enjoy one another's company and to eat yummy food! Yes, we enjoyed our friendly gathering with candlelight and pretty little favors.

But the best part was focusing on why we celebrate Christmas, the best part was remembering the birth of our Redeemer....the greatest gift of all.

Bathroom #2 Makeover - After

We just got back from a trip...I was especially excited to return because the

bathroom remodel took place while I was away.  Remember the Before Post? 

Well, this is what I found when I got home Saturday night!

 

 

I LOVE it! 

We just need to decide on a mirror and shower curtain, and then all the finishing touches will take place.  That painting on the toilet is the inspiration for this room....it will hang above the toilet.

 

I couldn't wait to share photos of the new room...but I'm still going to be taking a little break.  I need to recover from my vacation, upload the 2300 plus photos I took, and get this bathroom back in order.  If you'd like a peek at what I've been up to you can click on the photos of Katie, Mandy and Christine on the sidebar.  That will take you to their Instagram photos.

 

 

Opinions Please

We (as in Bill) recently painted the living room walls ~ they were a light golden yellow and now they're a creamy vanilla color.  I love the change!  But now I need to change some of the things hanging on the walls.  Like this mirror....

I bought this about ten years ago (thank you HomeGoods) and it's been hanging in this spot ever since. It's time for a change....but I don't want a different piece hanging here. I want this to look different.  So I need some opinions.

My first thought was to leave it the color it is and fill in the flower painted area with book pages.  Next I thought about painting it all black to match the chest of drawers beneath....maybe distressing both pieces. Or I could choose a shade of red, green, or yellow for a pop of color.  Finally I decided I couldn't decide by myself.

Any suggestions?

Those are barn red draperies hanging to the left of the chest. They're being replaced....by curtains that are a bit darker than the walls....I think.

I'm so indecisive!

So Many Birthdays!!

Yep, it's birthday time at our house!!

Two of my grandsons have birthdays today!!

Elijah is SEVEN! When did that happen?  

Sure doesn't seem like six years have passed since his first birthday!!  

I think "Frosty" is wondering the same thing!

Pure happiness!!

I love this photo of him!

He was so excited to get his Peppa Pig toys from Bill and I...he also enjoyed the 

Paw Patrol figures Caleb received from my mother.

He's so tired in this photo...but what a good sport! "Okay Gramma, one more picture...."!

I've noticed, since he started losing his teeth, that he smiles a little different. 

It's like he wants to make sure we notice the (ever increasing) gap!!

Happy Birthday Elijah...I love you and hope you have a WONDERFUL day!!  

Somebody told me you like Spiderman. 

He wishes you a happy birthday too!

Then there's this little guy...he's ONE year old, today!!

Yep, Fletcher is a birthday stealer...or a birthday sharer as Elijah likes to say. His first year flew by!  He's growing up so quickly it seems.

We've got a little weight training going on here! 

Fletcher was quite fascinated by the cute guy in the mirror!

How could he help it....that's a really cute baby! 

I laid him under the tree...he stared at lights for about five minutes. 

Then he tried to pull them off the tree....

The Dollar Store spinning light was a hit too!

Every time I said "smile!" he gave me a different look. 

I love this bunch of photos!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY FLETCHER.

I LOVE YOU A BUNCH!!

(Hope you get to smash a banana or two!)

What a blessing my grandchildren are...they 

make me happy every day!

~~~::~~~

Fletcher isn't the only birthday stealer sharer in the family.  Elijah's cousin Beatrice is celebrating her 1st birthday too!  He gets to SHARE his birthday with two cousins!! Such a lucky boy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet BB!