Bathroom Semi-Remodel, part 2

The Door;

One of the things this bathroom really needed was a door.  (See my previous post about the doors in this house HERE.)  For the past few months we’ve been using a sheet.  So, one of the first steps in this remodel was to hang a door.  Since my hubby and I had never hung a door before we enlisted the help of an old friend. 

The door still needs the trim and a knob but it’s much better than the sheet.

Bathroom Semi-Remodel, part 1

It’s finally time to plan and implement the main floor bathroom remodel. Well actually it’s a semi-remodel. A little over half of the bathroom (the toilet, bathtub, shower and tile floor) will remain untouched. It’s the other side of the bathroom that bothers me.

I should start with a little background first. It appears back when this house was built in 1927 it originally had no bathrooms. From what I understand it was pretty common of farm houses in this area during those days not to have indoor plumbing even though it was available. The current main floor bathroom is now located where I believe the front porch to originally have been. One of my neighbors told me that the porch had been inclosed to make a larger living room and what is now the bathroom was used as an entrance/storage space. This entrance/storage space was converted to a main floor bath sometime within the last 10 years.

When I purchased the house there was still a steel entry door in this bathroom which has been replaced with a window prior to move in. The bathroom walls were orange (remember the patchwork of colors I told you about in earlier posts) which I had to paint as it was dark and didn’t seem to match with the green and putty color tiles. These are the only things I have touched in this room, so far.

The problem with what remains is that it is cramped, crowded and somewhat cheap looking. This bathroom clearly looks out of place in this home. It just doesn’t fit.

So here’s some of the plans;

1. DEMO! Remove everything on the vanity wall.

2. Replace the mirror/medicine cabinet/strip light which sticks out from the wall 5 inches with a flat framed mirror and install new bronze vanity light.

3. Make old pot belly dresser into a vanity by applying poly to the top, fixing broken drawer pull and reconfiguring drawers to make room for plumbing.

4. Mount a china bowl vessel for sink.

5. Install new Tuscan faucet.

6. Find cupboard or shelf to use for additional storage. Check to see if IKEA or a thrift store might have something that would work.

7. Hang bathroom door.

Thrift Store Treasures

When I was young my mom & dad use to love shopping at thrift stores and flea markets.  Both had different reasons and I honestly never could understand back when I was a child.

Now, I have to say, I understand the fascination.  On top of that, what better way to decorate an old home during a tight economy than with some great vintage second had treasures?

1. Pitcher and wash basin to fit in the antique wash stand my mother gave to me.  $15

2. Heart shaped picnic basket to hide storage in the keeping room. $5

3. Shabby night stand for the guest room.  $10

Understanding my parents just a little better - priceless!

Wild Car Ride

(My brother looking over a snow bank at his rolled vehicle.)

Wow, it’s been a wild holiday season for us this year. I was so excited because this was the first year I was to host the Christmas day festivities. I had been planning for sometime. Had the house spotless from top to bottom and decorated just right – not too much, not too little. I even washed and ironed the curtains which my mom found funny that I went to such lengths. I had the perfect menu planned, table was all set with the “fancy” dishes, music list set to play, activities for the younger people (and young at heart) planned. I thought I was all set to go. The only thing I didn’t plan on was Mother Nature. She sure can put a damper on your plans sometimes. Of course, she decided to hit us with a nice rain/snow storm. Making the roads very slippery for driving.

Needless to say we rescheduled the Christmas day plans. Not a big deal really. Only problem is that when you’re rescheduling something like this, that involves so many people, it’s difficult to find a one time that works for everyone. There are work schedules, people who have to make travel arrangements and other holiday party plans that always get in the way. It never fails to happen. It’s no different in our family. Everyone always seems to be going a million different directions and to pin them all down at the same time just doesn’t work.

So we rescheduled for the day that most of us could get together. We had a good time in spite of the missing members and more food than we could possibly eat. I sure did miss the family members who couldn’t make it, however. Somehow it’s just not the same without everyone.

Of course, the day always comes to an end at some point and everybody heads for the comfort of their own home. After everyone left I sat down with my son & his girlfriend and my hubby to relax and unwind from the day. The dishes were all washing in the dish washer and the food was all stored away in the refrigerator. All of the sudden my husband sat straight up in his chair. I asked him what was wrong and he said he didn’t know he just had to catch his breath for some reason.

I knew it that instant. I wasn’t sure who it was but something was wrong. About 5 minutes later the telephone started ringing. I knew it wasn’t good news. No I’m not, nor is my husband psychic but sometimes you just have those feelings. Apparently my brother hit a patch of black ice and rolled his Denali on the way home from our house with my mother and nephew (his son) in the vehicle. Everyone was conscious and going to be ok.

We bundled up and headed down to the hospital emergency. We were there until very early the next morning. My nephew didn’t have a scratch on him and my brother just had some minor cuts and bruises. Mom, however, got the worst of it with a broken collar bone. I have to say there sure must have been some Christmas angels still about that night. I’m shocked and very thankful my family members didn’t receive more injuries than they did.

I told them all that next year someone else is hosting Christmas and they will not be allowed to eat as much food!

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and share a fun song I've enjoyed through the years at Christmas time with you, if you care to listen. (It’s an oldie so some of you might have heard it before.)