Thursday, May 10, 2012

Makeovers

I'm a bad blogger.  I didn't realize that it had been so long since I last posted.  I've been battling a slight cold for several days, which partly explains my absence.  So glad the cold isn't severe, since I have to go to work with it, but it's enough to be so irritating in the hot weather we're having.  Here in Visalia, summer has come early.  It's 95 degrees today, and I've been told that once we get the hot weather, it won't cool down again until October.  The a/c is on overtime.  I dread my next electric bill.

In the meantime, I've started a new project: bathroom makeovers.  Both of the bathrooms in my house are pretty boring.  They're both painted white, and while I could be in a painting-rooms-by-myself frame of mind, my body is definitely not ready for that.  Since I stand for long periods of time at work, my back and feet are killing me.  A large dose of Ibuprofen and soaking my feet in epsom salts are in my immediate future.  Painting walls is not.  Once my feet and back feel better, I can start thinking about paint.

But even though I'm not ready to paint the walls, that doesn't mean that I cannot do a makeover on both bathrooms.  All for $15 or less.  Yeah, I know, I'm cheap frugal.  Well, I'm trying to be, anyway.

This is the main bathroom before I moved in:




Kind of blah, isn't it?

I haven't done much with it, other than clutter the counters.  It's time for a change.

Since the light fixture kind of reminds me of the lights in the actor's dressing rooms at the theatre, I've decided on a theme of Old Hollywood Glam.  If you've read any of my Cinema Sunday posts, you'll know that I am a HUGE fan of 1930's-50's movies.  My favorite actors & actresses are all of this time period, and I do love me some glam!!

It's going to be over the top, done in jewel tones, with grey, partly because I already own grey towels and a grey & white paisley shower curtain, (neither of which I can afford to replace) and partly to match the black and white photos.

Some inspiration:


Myrna, Lana and Jean.  Turquoise satin.  Pink iridescent glassware.



"The Women" (great movie), Fred & Ginger, sweet Audrey.



Rita and Joan the flapper.  Faux mercury glass candlestick.  Aqua glass.

The cupboard & drawer fronts will get some paint, although I haven't decided on the color yet.  The Hollywood Glamour Girls will be framed in silver.  Maybe the frames will get some glitter.  And I might use that leaf fabric for a small valance at the window.  The fabric was my mom's, and it dates to the late 50's.


And the back of the door needs something special done to it.  Maybe a large collage.


The other bathroom is quite small and is off the laundry room.  I don't use it very often, but that's partly because it's so dreary. I have done nothing with it.  I didn't even put the shower curtain up. I haven't quite decided on a theme or color scheme for it.  Maybe the seashore.  Light colors, but definitely color.  After 25 years of living with white (well, off-white anyway) walls, I've got to have some color!




I'll post photos as I get stuff done.

In other news, I have spinach, cilantro and chives growing.  I haven't seen any signs of the bell pepper I planted, so I'm quite disappointed in that.  Once I clear my last patch of weeds, tomato, zucchini and cantaloupe are going in.  At least I won't starve this summer : )

Thank you all for your visiting and for the sweet comments you leave.  I really enjoy reading them, and hope you'll continue to visit.

Have a great day.



7 comments:

  1. Julie,
    So glad to see you post.I know you are busy with your job.Your bathroom is going to be gorgeous.Can't wait to see it.Sounds like yummy herbs in your garden.Have your neighbors moved in next door yet?I know you were enjoying there flowers.
    Anne

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  2. Can't wait to see what you do in here! A blank canvas! I love old movies too so TCM is my favorite channel. Do you use an inspiration board? I'm guessing you have a flurry of ideas in your noggin just waiting to come out!

    Tammy

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    1. I sort of use an inspiration board. I put all the stuff together that I'm considering using, pull out everything that just doesn't look right together, then try to use the rest.

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  3. Congrats on returning to the world of the employed. I know it isn't nearly as much fun, but it does help pay the darn bills! I'm excited to see what you do to the bathrooms. It sounds like you have a great handle on the one at least. And since you can only do one at a time anyway, you can figure out the other one when the time comes, right?

    Visalia, CA. I lived in Atwater, not too far north of there back in the mid 80's. Back in those days, I worked at a dept store called Gottschalk's in Merced. They had one in Visalia too. Are they still in business?

    Have a great weekend and try to stay cool,
    Judy

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  4. Thank you for the nice comment Julie. I secretly always wanted my own place, so it will be fun to live vicariously through you as you decorate. I kind of feel like my studio and sewing room are my own little world, so I guess I sort of do have my own place. I can't wait to see what you do. I'm thinking I would just sprinkle that glitter all over the place! Love glitter. Love all your vintage stuff too. I think it is turning out beautifully from what you have shown us so far. Keep up the good work, and go soak those feet girlfriend!
    Julie

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  5. Hope your feeling better Julie, you have a great canvass to work with. I'm looking forward to the reveal.

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  6. It looks like you have some great ideas for your bathroom so far, Julie! I know life can sometimes get in the way of blogging and I've been absent, as well.
    Blessings,
    Janet

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Thank you for your comment. I look forward to reading it!