Bathroom Renovation Thoughts

From my Dream Home file - unknown

Don't get excited this is not it. If I could wave a wand it would!
Lyn Gardener
We haven't made any progress on our bathroom as yet. Still waiting on our window to arrive, and then we can get started making the bathroom smaller. It is a huge space and we will still have a big bathroom even with us stealing a little for a built-in Laundry and linen press.
With all the rain we have had, and then the sunshine today, I wanted to get out a crow bar or something and start ripping off the old ranch board we have lived with for over 6 years! At least I would feel like something is getting done.
Our bathroom space has a claw foot with shower over, sink, toilet, laundry and cupboard which houses our linen, 11 foot ceilings....and no style!
BH&G
I have been thinking on and off what we will do in there. Until we see what is lurking under the ranch board and the cement sheeting that covers the beautiful Tasmanian oak floorboards (which I hope are in good condition still) we have no idea really where to start. I would how ever like to find the old wall boards that we found in other parts of the house and paint them white, like Layla has done in her hallway. This would save LOADS of money and give the space some texture and a wonderful nod to the history of our old home, "Glenlee". Some beaded board sheets would also look great, like above...don't know yet.
Home Beautiful -I think
As for what we are going to do with the sink and vanity is still in the air. I would really like a double one, but something like an old dresser up cycled with a porcelain bowl on top and a bridge tap would be lovely. Of course there will be a big mirror above it.
I really like the little toile roman blind in this bathroom with the white.


Mabley & Handler

The small subway tile would look beautiful in there.
via The Lettered Cottage
Mic really wants a shower and I tend to agree. I would like to have the bath and shower separate as I am over the curtain sticking to our legs.
Trying to work out how and where we will put it is becoming a hassle. We don't want to move too much plumbing as the budget will blow out for sure.

Brooke Giannetti

This works for me. A clear glass shower screen with the shower heads pointing towards it and no door is something I have had in my head for quite a while now. Like wet room on a smaller scale. I also love how all the walls are plastered, with California One Kote I think, and just the shower is tiled.
via The Laurel Hedge
These twin showers look great...I could have each of our boys in at the same time!
The idea of tiling up to the glass like I mentioned above is another thought. Having the shower heads pointing to the opening wouldn't work in our house. The shower heads are magnificent. If anyone knows of where to get some like these would you please email me?

unknown - sorry

Another suggestion from Mic was to get rid of our old claw foot all together!!! NO! This was one of the selling features of the house. I have always wanted one, and now that we do he wants to get rid of it! It needs help, I understand, but it has history...it will be 100 years old on the 9/4/10...it has the date it was made welded on it!

I also feel that being a four bedroom house, that if we ever had to sell it (I will have to be old and dead!!) just a shower wouldn't do in a family sized home.

Brooke Giannetti
So, what do we do with the underneath part of the bath? We plan to paint the floors like we did in our bedroom, but we need tiles and waterproofing around it. This idea from Brooke was perfect. A 'bath mat' I have named it. Made of tiles, not cotton. So it would look like a rug and function as a splash proof saviour from our kids and their aqua aerobics!

I might even whip out the sketches and some before shots if I am game enough to show you.
That is my thoughts on that!
Ness xx

Curb Appeal

The pull to a home via the appearance of the front yard and home is huge, especially if you are selling and especially if you are trying to sell in these uncertain times. Why should buyers take a leap into the financial black with your place?

You are always told by your Estate Agent that you should have a good tidy up etc, but some people just don't get it. It doesn't mean just cut the grass and pull out a few weeds!
It means you should try and spend some money on your home, which may seem silly as you are selling it, but it could add quite a few thousand to your sale price.
The quickest way to do this is to paint. Try and not choose for yourself. You may like blue and yellow, but they may not. So, try and choose colours that are in keeping with the style of your home and stick to a main colour, a trim colour (windows etc) and a accent colour (fascia, gutters, doors etc) like the one above. Neutrals always work well as they look great with a lush green garden.

The entrance to your front door should not be overlooked. Even if it means 'dressing it' for the potential buyers who will be coming through your home. Go inside and bring out a pot of flowers, a quirky but natural looking display piece (like a old birdcage) and if you have a bench, or rocking chair if it is a cottage), some cushions to make it feel like they could plonk down there and stay for a while...like forever!

Back to the garden. Yes cut your lawn, trim and unruly plants, and maybe pot some colour around your front door or any bare patches you may have in your garden beds. Try and not have a tizzy of colours though. Just a few colours will make a HUGE impact. If you can do this a few weeks to a month before you sell, they will have filled out and made your garden not look like a 'I just threw this together cause you were coming' deal. It will look like you care from the front gate to the back fence. Make sure if you have animals to pick up the jobbies, yep everyday!!! If you have a pool, I should be gleaming, pool paraphernalia packed out of sight and maybe some chairs or a little sitting area near by, so buyers can imagine themselves there in Summer having a wine.

Your windows should be sparkly...just don't use newspaper. This worked in the old days because of the carbon in the print, but now days there is a silicon in the print and it will leave smears! If you are selling in Autumn (like here in Australia at the moment), rake up your leaves and compost them, so buyers can see all your hard work. It does look lovely though in this photo. Just not for sale day. Next week I will give you some tips for inside.

Have a great weekend,

Ness xx

images 1- maybley & handler, 2-Architectural Digest, 3- Me, 4- Point Click Home, 5- Country living

For the love of the soak...

image-design inc

New Country Style

image-Mabley Handler

image-Sarah Richardson

As some of you know, we have a claw foot bath. We painted it white on the outside to dickie-it up...shame about the inside! It is so old (1908) and worn that the cast iron is starting to show through. We have looked into having it restored, but because it is so old and the real deal no one will move it without us paying them a small mortgage......oh well, I do dream of a long bubble filled soak xx

Mabley Handler

Yay! I am back on. It took the time to have a shower etc for this to load though!!

Enough of the whinging. I wanted to show you the design magnificence that is Mabley Handler.

This design duo comprises of Jennifer Mabley and Austin Handler. They are one of the Hampton's sought after Interior Design Businesses with plenty of talent to boot!

I have tons of their work on file (and could of spent days uploading it) and just love what they do with Hampton's Cottages & Gardens Magazines Ideal House Projects. This team is The Hampton's personified. You will have to go and check out their site and have a look at the portfolio....you'll love it.

Ness xx