Saturday, July 31, 2010

Bathroom Reno Update!


In Canada, we are currently enjoying our long weekend! As our friends are drinking beer at the cottage, A* is at home trying to make progress on our ongoing bathroom reno. A* has made some fantastic progress on our bathroom last week and it looks like we will almost be done this weekend! (I'm unpacking my grad school work and trying to get my head back in the books).

We could not be more excited to stop showering with the company of power tools, caulk and screw drivers. So... to keep you informed of our progress before our formal unveil.....

Shower floor - It looks like little pebbles.

Here is our floor tile (after - all of A's handy work!). It actually looks like hardwood. It is different and we love it. (Note: the floor is very dusty in this pic).


One of our sinks. We did a Lowe's Hack if you wish. We ripped off the marble top and swapped it out for some black granite to accommodate vessel sinks. We each have our own vanity. I also have my own make up/hair drying corner in the bathroom that we thought was a good idea to have when we are both getting ready in the morning.

Sneak peak at our towel hook. We are not sure if its going to work. We are not going for the traditional towel holder (yet). I have been looking around for a long time for some funky towel hooks. We saw this at Pier 1 and knew it was perfect right away. We are going to see if it works to hold towels. We wanted to do something interesting and if anything a conversation starter. We will try it out to see how it goes. Clearly, we don't have kids yet...


Shower curtain (waiting until we can afford glass). I saw it at Winners and it reminded me of Tory Burch meets Greek. I loved it and it will help until we can put in glass.


Any thoughts so far?

Sunday, July 25, 2010

This ain't your grandma's bathroom...

I am a firm believer that there are two things that keep a relationship healthy. The first is a dishwasher and the second item would be a double sink. To preserve our happiness we purchased both. This post is to document our current bathroom status.

Our first reno goal was to take out the grandma in our washroom. The woman that lived here is a lovely woman, but her tastes were of an older generation. That being said, she came by a couple of weeks ago to pick up some of her mail that we were still getting. I asked if she would like to come in for a tour. At first, I realized that there was the potential to cause a coronary. However, this is a home that she put many years of love into.

The good news is that she told us that she LOVED our taste (or was in shock haha) and was thrilled at the drastic changes that A and I have been doing to the home. This has included but not limited (and to be documented soon):

-Removing carpet and refinishing the floor BLACK!
-Updating an entire bathroom
-Doubling the size of the master bedroom
-Making a master closet
-Removing the dining room prison bars (aka spindles)
-Pot lights
-Removing the "stone" from the gas fireplace
-Removing all traces of sea foam green and cat paraphernalia
-Removing overgrown dangerous trees.

We are inching closer to completing the bathroom. Luckily, A and I have the exact decor tastes that make the decision process extremely easy. Our floor and shower tile was picked in 5 minutes. A did have to do some convincing with the floor tile.

We will be updating with pics of our bathroom soon!!! (Looking forward to not having to brush my teeth in bathroom #2 that is the size of an airplane washroom)

However, here are some lovely goodies that we discovered in our bathroom.

Exhibit A: Bathroom Archives - AKA Newspaper


Exhibit B: Painted wallpaper - This should be crime!!!

Monday, July 19, 2010

You are renovating when...

Signs that you are a home renovator:

1.) You go to Home Depot/Rona/Lowe's at least 10 times a week. You go so much in fact that you know the sales personnel and their shifts. You actually see them more than your friends and get pretty good treatment because you aren't the
reno weekend warrior but are the daily reno warrior.
2.) You stop planning vacations, but start planning to-do lists that excite you just as much as an all inclusive vacation.
3.) You live in a house but are contained to your "basement apartment" (aka - the only dust and tool free zone).
4.) You can talk home
reno shop like its nobody's business and exchange tips with other men in their 50's at work, except you are a twenty something female.
5.) When you pick up take-out at the Thai restaurant and he gives you a discount because he feels bad that you are still
renoing.
6.) You are starting to have more clothes covered in paint, dust and wood chips than your normal clothes.
7.) You are completely obsessed with anything decor and read more blogs, magazines etc more than the daily paper.

Welcome to our blog! We have been wanting to do this for a long time, but haven't had the time to sit down and do it! We recently moved into our home in May and are continuing to renovate.

Over two years ago, we purchased a gorgeous new home. Then this past December we sold it and packed up and moved into an older home that needed some TLC. The house is in great condition, but needs some major adjustments. Fearless and after watching too many DIY shows and Mike Holmes, we threw in the hammer and started demoing and deconstructing our house.

I should also clarify that when we mean "we", I mean my amazing husband A. I help with the decor, yard work and clean up. However, we make a great team!!

Thanks for joining us and are really looking forward to documenting our journey to a gorgeous home with no dust, no power tools and fresh paint.