Bathroom Renovation Progress

Last night I lingered in the bathroom a bit longer then usual.  It's taken awhile, but the bathroom reno is nearing it's final stages and I can't help but be excited.

A few years back we replaced our less than desirable appearing linoleum sheet with a band-aid... more linoleum flooring but in tile form.  A couple years and several bathroom paint colors later we replaced our bathtub and bathroom vanity.  That brings me to this:

 

Not the worst but not the best either.  When we took on this bathroom "remodel," we burned through our budget pretty quick and couldn't go much further.  There it sat, like this, for the past two years, and because this was our first for a lot of things, particularly the tiling, the bathroom surround got a little wonky.  The tile stickers lasted us longer then it needed to, and looked better than it did, but it was time to move on to real-adulthood flooring.  Lessons learned, time to fix them.  

After doing a lot of research on resale value, I found that natural stone tile is the way to go. It is clean, neutral, and goes with pretty much anything.  I was really impressed with the tavertine tile that Lowes carried.  Our bathroom space called for fourteen 18x18 tiles (about 20 square feet).  I don't care to admit how much time I spent in Lowes painstakingly hand-picking and naming each sheet of tile... but... 3 hours.

Before the tile is laid, make sure to purchase and install a backer board for the tile to rest on.  It's the proper thing to do, and coming from the Queen of Half-Assing, this is one step you shouldn't be missing.

After removing the toilet and sink, we laid the tile, using roughly 2.5 gallons of mortar for a 20 square foot space.  Let the tile cure for 48 hours or so before filling it in with the grout color of your choosing.  *Tip: Work fast, efficiently and clean your water and sponge often.

We also wanted to clean up the tub surround a bit more.  By doing this, we installed two 2x4 boards to run down the side of the tub and surround, covering them with sheet-rock. It hid the first-timer tile job pretty well.

But why stop there?  Back in 1991, the sheet-rock installer guy was like, "Eh, I don't really feel like working today, so I'll just put up this wall and make the tape all squiggly before mudding.  Good enough." No I say.  Not good enough.  To fix this problem I decided to install simple faux wainscoting out of primed MDF boards to cover their despicable tape job.  Sad face.

I used my favorite-- vinyl filler to patch any holes and cracks, disguising the fact that their are MDF boards attached directly to the wall, and not in fact 'real' wainscoting.  I prefer my faux method in smaller spaces as it takes up less room.

The wainscoting was painted with White Dove by Benjamin Moore, and the top portion of the bathroom was done in Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore.

There is obviously a lot of perfecting that still needs to take place, but I think we finally crossed the halfway point.  All that is left is the fun stuff-- accessorizing!  Ya boi!

I've been keeping my eye out for a vintage light fixture and mirror.  More recently I was introduced to a lighting and decor site called Schoolhouse Electric.  I can't tell you how many times I've filled my cart with things.  It's pressing the purchase part I can't get past. Maybe soon I'll cave.  As of right now, I have my heart set on this Grant Mirror in Marigold--

I'm also really loving this light fixture, but once again, I can't get over the fact that the fixture (excluding the shades) is pushing $200.00!!!  At this moment I am happily searching for alternatives.

Abrams Double Sconce - School House Electric

I am very much looking forward to sharing the great reveal.  Even I don't know what to expect.  If you have any ideas you'd like to pass this way when it comes to various lighting companies, cool mirrors you've seen, or whatever else, you've got my attention.  Until then!

XO
Jenna

UPDATE:  Check out our latest snapshot of our bathroom progress.  We are always revamping things around these parts, so check back again for more updates.

Chalk Paint Review: Annie Sloan VS Americana Decor

This past weekend we loaded our plate with a few more construction and DIY goodies.  We are very excited that some of these 'bigger projects' are nearing completion.  

Through casual conversation, I've had a few friends mention they were surprised I had not yet jumped on the chalk paint bandwagon.  Well, I finally did, but I was wanting to make the information more valuable to our readers, therefore, I tried TWO different kinds of chalk paint, just for you!  Good big or go home. 

I had to re-vamp a little dresser that I just wasn't feeling.  Sometimes white is just to uh.. white.  I thought this dresser was the perfect opportunity to check out the latest and greatest chalk paint buzz.

Remember me?

The candidates were: Annie Sloan VS Americana Decor (from Home Depot).  This is what I found out about the two.  Mind you, this is my opinion and my opinion alone.

So, there it is.  I suppose I should explain my reasoning.  First, let us begin with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  For starters I do not live in a city where home decor boutiques are prevalent.  I have to hop in a car and drive my ass (about 90ish miles) just to pick up a super expensive quart (about $34.95) of paint that doesn't apply very well, unless you invest additional money into their even more expensive brushes.  To be honest, I would rather spend my money on anything else, but that.  

I found myself in a shop called Mama's Happy on Grand in St. Paul that carried ASCP.  It is a super cute shop that has basically dedicated themselves to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  If anything, it is a shop you should check out with your uh mom.

I looked at the color samples and decided to go with Graphite.  There was an image on Pinterest (where else?) that I kept coming back to--

I walked out of the shop spending about the amount of my car insurance payment.  In my hands I had a quart of wax, and a sample size of graphite.  The kind sales lady told me that a sample size should cover two or so dressers.  I only had one dresser to paint, so life was good.

Once I got the paint home, I read the instructions carefully.  Basically, it tells you to paint right over your gross, un-sanded, dirty dresser.  Now that I can do.  I had a hard time believing that this small sample size could cover a whole dresser, but two dressers?  It became apparent that this was one of the more disappointing lies I've been told in my life.  The paint barely covered the top and sides of the dresser.  I didn't even get to touch the drawers.  And without those "special" brushes, the dresser just looked a mess.  For weeks it sat in our basement, half naked painted.  Every time I went to the cities I told myself I was going to stop and pick up some more paint.  I could never bring myself to do it though.  That was when I remembered running across some chalk paint samples at Home Depot.

Home Depot and JoAnn Fabrics sells Americana Decor Chalk Paint.  I ended up ordering a 16 oz container in Relic-- which is very comparable to Graphite in ASCP-- for $15.98.  Bonus: I didn't have to pay for shipping since I sent it straight to my local HD.

I picked up a couple of 50 cent brushes and went to town on my dresser.  The application with Americana Decor Chalk Paint was very smooth.  I barely used any of the paint and managed to get two coats on, no problem.  The only issue I experienced with this particular paint was how easily it chipped off if I bumped it, or breathed on it.  This issue, however, was resolved after applying a clear coat of Annie Sloan Wax.  

I ordered these knobs from the Martha Stewart collection at Home Depot.  The hardware comes with two different sized bolts- neither of which worked for this dresser.  Once I pick new bolts up, I should be able to get the little 'platform' it comes with and the knob itself to meet up and create a little magic.

and just for comparison sake--

The end result?  If I were to use when I use chalk paint again, I will stick with Americana Decor.  However, if I had a money tree in my backyard, I would consider buying Annie Sloan Chalk Paint again.  I am a little shocked it took me this long to try out this paint.  I finally get what all of the buzz was about.  If you are nervous about giving it a go, start with something smaller.  You'll be happy you did.

I also wanted to leave you with a little snap shot of my art studio.  It will be a while longer until it is completely put together (new windows and trim, doors, etc.).  I seriously CANNOT wait to start creating in this little bugger.