Downstairs Bath

I didn’t take many pictures of the downstairs bathroom, as it is the same size and layout as the upstairs bath. Currently it is exclusively used by my daughter, the teenager. Once my son moves downstairs, they will share all the storage. And all the cleaning. I don’t plan on going in there for 8 years.

Likes: large space, good storage.

Dislikes: wall color, window treatment, glass doors on tub.

What she wants:

• Walls – paint Granite Gray, the same color as her bedroom. It will tie the two rooms together and be a good complement to the grayish countertop.
• Linen closet – purge and organize. She keeps everything!
• Curtain – I’ll make one if we can agree on fabric. Or I may get a nice honeycomb blind if I find one on sale. Since this room is on the lower level, it is colder in the winter and a honeycomb blind may help keep the room warm.
• Shower – replace the glass doors with a curved shower rod and curtain. We still haven’t agreed on style.
• Art – several ideas to keep the room fresh.

Next up? The family room.

 

Paula

Downstairs Bedroom

I have a teenage daughter. Gulp. She has some very definite ideas about music, books, clothes, color and styles. Surprisingly, we agreed on the inspiration for her bedroom!

This is the view from her bedroom door. About 18 months ago she wanted a beachy theme in here, and shortly after painting she decided she liked black accents better. Teenagers.

Likes: room size, closet size, window size, ledge.

Dislikes: daybed with trundle, too large night stand, too small rug, curtains.

To the right of the door:

Likes: lots of wall space, good space for a study area for high school.

Dislikes: no definition to the study area.

 

Finally, the closet wall, across from the bed:

Likes:  large closet.

Dislikes:  messy closet, but she’s 13…

 

Inspiration:

The plan:

• Paint – Granite Gray by Glidden. She loves the color.
• Curtains – ZGalleries gray and black Ikat. An early birthday gift she picked out.
• Bed – We’ll build a king size frame and use the mattresses from the daybed/trundle. The room is big enough for that size bed, and if her room ever needs to be used for guests we’re covered.
• Headboard – I’ve got some great black shutters that I’d like to use, but we’re still talking about them.
• Rug – once the bed is built the size of the existing rug should no longer be an issue.
• Storage shelf – I’ve got an old black mantel that should work in place of the hooks hanging by her door,
• Wall art – she’s been collecting stuff!

Downstairs bath is next!

 

Paula

Laundry Room

This is the first house I’ve ever lived in with a dedicated laundry room. It’s a true luxury. The room is about 10x10, with a full washer, dryer, wash tub, chest freezer and upright freezer. And an outside entrance. The room is functional, but not pretty.  It’s located off the foyer, and with the laundry room door always open, I want it to look nicer than it does.

Likes: large space, shelf.

Dislike: not pretty, no hidden storage, freezers.

My plans for this room:

• Paint walls – Behr eucalyptus leaf. I really want to see a pop of aqua when you enter the foyer.
• Hamper – I want to stencil words or numbers on the canvas sorting bag instead of the wood signs.
• ORB – ceiling light fixture, door handles
• Storage on shelf – must be functional and pretty.
• Art – a few laundry / clothing oriented items on the walls.

 

Finally, we’re moving downstairs. Daughter’s room is next!

 

Paula

Foyer and Stairway

While the kitchen is the center of the home, the foyer is even more important. It is the first room that your guests see upon entering your home. It should be warm, inviting, welcoming.  Everything mine isn’t.

This is the view from the front door, looking towards the laundry room. Hideous. Sometime over our recent winter (MILD) our golden retriever was allowed to live inside the house, as long as he stayed in the foyer. That way all the shedding and odor were contained in one small space. This was not my idea.

Likes: the size, as this foyer is huge. It is 10’ x 15’.

Dislikes: no window, dog stuff everywhere.

Here is the closet, to the left of the front door when you walk in the house. No pictures of the inside.  It has shelves on the left and one curtain rod and shelf the length of the closet.

Likes: large closet.

Dislikes: no organization.

These stairs are on the right side of the entry door.

Likes: wall color heading down.

Dislikes: wall color heading up.

Finally, the view of the front door from the laundry room.

Likes: again, plenty of space.

Dislikes: small window in door, no space for guests belongings.

The plan:

• Paint, paint, paint, paint, paint. I’m going to use the same off-white as the living room and kitchen just to keep it uniform.
• Board and batten – I love this look, but I’m doing my own live-in-country-but-not-farmhouse take. There will be hooks.
• Stairs – paint wall off white. I’d like to do one large statement piece on this wall, and I have found my inspiration!
• Top of stairs - I have an old trellis topper that I want to use, with some embellishments.
• Rug – I’m looking for a small runner for the front door area.
• Bench – I want a larger bench on a different wall. I’d like a smaller table or shelf by the front door.
• Closet – I’m going to purge and reorganize with what we have on hand. There is no budget for a closet system for the foyer.
• Artwork – pictures of the kids, letters or numbers, something that reflects us.
• Doors – I will paint the backs of them, I’m not sure what color. Maybe a pale aqua.
• ORB – ceiling light, switch plates, vent cover, closet door knobs, door handles and deadbolts.

 

Laundry room is next!

 

Paula

Hallway, Kitchen, Living Room

I’m doing these three together because the hallway is small, and the kitchen and living room are open with no walls between the two spaces. I’ve had a hard time decorating these rooms due to the layout. Hopefully you’ll see what I mean when you look at the pictures. These are the only photos available of the space, so please ignore the dirt. And the gumbo-making husband.

This is the hallway, looking from the master bedroom.

Like: gallery wall
Dislike: paint color

Living room side, several angles:

Like: the view, teal cabinet, red wing crocks.
Dislike: stuffed carp on wall(I don’t care if it’s the newest trend. I don’t want a 55 pound CARP on the wall), window treatments, ceiling fan, rug, couch, wall color, overall blah-ness.

Kitchen side, several views:

Like: table as island, chalkboard wall, Pyrex.
Dislike: window above sink, ceiling fan, countertop, wall color, window treatments.

My overall plan is to go neutral with pops of teal.

• Paint walls – I’m going with an off-white, similar to Navajo White. I can’t find it online and I’m nowhere near a scanner.
• Frames and mats for pictures – I like the look of oversize frames with smaller pictures, so I plan on incorporating some into the hallway gallery wall.
• ORB – all the light switch covers, the plug covers, the air vents. I love the contrast of dark against light.
• Couch – when the budget allows. We’re looking for a longer and deeper couch, maybe with a chaise at one end. I’d like to go with a darker brown and have washable white slipcovers. And a zip code pillow!
• Rug – I actually like this rug, but it’s the wrong size for the space. I want to go smaller and more neutral.
• Tables – we are horribly lacking in decent side and coffee tables, but I have a few ideas involving an old tool cart and a wire crawfish cage.
• Lighting – I can’t get rid of the fans. I would like to add in some lamps once I have tables to put them on. Also new light bulbs for the ceiling fans.
• Drapes – I’ll keep my painter’s cloth drapes on the sliding door. They are the perfect size and I like the neutral color. I wish they would not wrinkle so easily! I have some neutral striped linen fabric that I’m going to use for tie up shades on the two living room windows, and some heavier burlap for the kitchen windows.
• Tiles – the grout needs to be cleaned, just like the bathroom. Still researching that idea.
• Backsplash – when the budget allows, glass tiles. I’ll have to replace the countertop first, so it will be awhile.
• Wall art – I’ve got some ideas for the wall between the kitchen cabinets and the large window, mainly kitchen typography and my love of blue mason jars. I also have some ideas for above the teal cabinet and the TV. I’m thinking Minnesota subway art.
  
  

 

 

Foyer, Stairs and Laundry on deck!

Paula