A Tale of Shame, Hope and Shabby Chic Bathroom Remodeling.....

I have a secret.......

And it's a dirty little one.....

I have been living in shame for some time with something I dared not mention...

For fear of being shunned and the subsequent social isolation.....

But it's time to come out of the closet with my pain....

Please don't judge me too harshly...

I really need your support in this desperately embarrassing time.....


I......have lived with......*gulps* Please be gentle....

Carpet in the BATHROOM!!

There I said it.....


And not for a short time either.....I'm sorry to say. Yes I've been living with the dreaded toilet rug *shudders* At least it's just my "crap"...pun intended.

Please don't think I'm trying to make light of people who are really suffering. Prayers being sent to all those in real need. I'm very very blessed to have a roof over my head and enough  (Way too much) food to eat...and I know it...
And this bathroom in question is all my own so I'm the only one who had to know....
But whenever people come over and ask for the house tour I DE-tour them away from my bathroom.
Only a man who had never cleaned a toilet in his life would put CARPET in a dang bathroom! What was he thinkin'??!!

Well I've had a few bloggers ask me if I was ever going to put up any pictures of my bathroom? (You know who you are)
So now I have....Don't say I didn't warn ya!

If you are living in bathroom carpet shame (Or ever have) please let me know I am not alone.

So the little thing that I've been working on for the last couple of weeks was my mini bathroom remodel...... I know it was way beyond high time!

After all this waiting I hope you weren't expecting something fabulous?
Sorry it's pretty minimal. And when it comes to DIY? It's DN'T for me as in DON'T! There isn't any granite or inlaid marble or pretty much anything that costs much of anything. In fact the whole shebang was under $200....But the carpet is GONE!! Oh HAPPY DAY!!! Thank you Jesus!! God bless sub floor!! Because even that was an improvement! *winks* I just shopped around my house for little this's and thats so you'll recognize quite a few of my recent flea market finds.

I re-purposed this little guy from my Living room. He's parked on the reproduction Victorian fern stand I found for $9.99 at  the Value Village.

Are you ready for the befores?

I'm cringing as I write this.....

I think our builder must have gotten the "super deal" on a gazillion yards of beige carpet.

I suppose I should be happy it's not in the kitchen....

Builders grade and blah....

In process...

And here is the AFTER....

Sorry you're going to see lots of shots of this chair because this room isn't very big and I LOVE this chair!! *winks*

The floor is done in Traffic Master Allure flooring from the Home Depot in Country Pine.

It's vinyl flooring that has a 25 year warranty and is totally waterproof AND REALLY AFFORDABLE!!...But the best part of all is that even I could put in this floor (And I did) This is THE easiest floor to put down in the history of the world!..OK I do tend to exaggerate, but it was really simple and foolproof! It's so soooo much better in here!

Then I Annie Sloan'd the joint in old white. I couldn't just start my first AS project small and easy.....Oh NO! I went the BIG kahuna! Lol! I'm still working with it.. and it's still a work in progress.

I'm waiting for new faucets to arrive. They sent me high pro glow silver ones instead of bronze. So I'm stuck with the Miami Vice (Deco wannabes) for the short term. I'll share my new ones as soon as they're in.

Sorry about the dark pics. It's raining again here in the Pacific Northwest....That never happens.....says no one who's lived here EVER!

We didn't want to put major money (Or any actually truth be told, just sayin') into this remodel because this house is destined to be a rental in the next couple of years. So simple clean and user friendly was the ticket.

This French chair is one of my favorites despite it not being terribly special and the silk is rotting and falling off ...The arm rests are gone. I still love it! It's truly shabby chic! *winks* I'm just glad this bathroom is actually big enough for a chair....

Much better...... but it still really needed some drama and a "wow" factor...Sooooo I purchased two of the most beautiful shower curtains EVER from the Victorian Trading Co. HERE And I asked my sweet Mother in law if she would sew the two panels together top to bottom? I thought this would be a nice simple task...Alas it was not! My poor MIL worked on them for two days! And she's a very talented seamstress! She's also a perfectionist and the grommets at the top of one curtain had to be eliminated. Not simple at all as it turns out...However she did a beautiful job!

So now I had my gorgeous 12' shower curtain drape and I was all ready to attach it to the ceiling. (Cuz I'm a blonde) I didn't even think about the issue with the varied ceiling height. Or the fact that the ceiling is 14' high and the shower curtain 12'.....Sometimes I really wonder about myself *sighs* How to put the curtain up and keep the ruffle lines straight and have a nice little drop on the floor? The hubster pondered a few minutes and then went out to the garage and found some chain, hung it at varying heights and VOILA! Now my curtain droops and drapes just right!

This shot is to give you an indication of the ceiling height. This bathroom may not be very big but it does have a lot of vertical space.

The chain gang solution *winks*

I found a home for one of my large plaster urns ($15) Still doing the happy dance over these babies!

On top of this towel cupboard

I moved this pretty portrait from the gym to here in the bathroom.

My little bombe cabinet is looking so much prettier now!

I found this architectural piece on ebay for $28 with shipping and I mitered and painted it to create this window valance. The Austrian drapes were $4.99 for three and the Austrian valance was $2.99 at the Value Village. The lidded blue urns are Dresden. The ribbon barometer is antique and German. The candle chandelier was $75 at a local auction.

This cute little chubby cherub made of marble dust was a find at a local antique store. And if there's a cherub in sight I'll put a crown on it!....Actually pretty much anything that stands still! Lol!

The two gold framed prints came from the Goodwill for $3.99 each. The sconces were an ebay find from years ago. They actually have holes for crystals, but when I added them it was just too much...You'll probably never hear those words from me again!

A close up on one of the Dresden urns with hand painted courting couples.

The water closet has a matching sconce to the one over the tub. The nekkid lady with cherubs print was a find from an antique show years ago. 

Maidens and cherubs get me every time!

I put this plateau mirror in here from the bedroom to hold my perfume bottles.

And that's all for the bathroom tour!...... Are you still speaking to me after my revelation?

 What took so long you might be asking?....I don't know. I really wish I had done all this years ago, and more recently the toilet broke when my hubbs was tightening it down so I had to wait for a new bowl.... The (aforementioned) faucets came in the wrong finish. The shower curtain took longer than expected. The cabinets needed (and still do) what seemed like a bazillion coats of paint...But all said, I like it all so much better! It's starting to feel like my own little escape from the world *winks*

So if  you'll just follow me out through the bedroom I'll make us a nice hot cuppa in the kitchen (No carpet there ever I promise *winks*)...I've got freshly baked banana bread too... (Whole wheat with egg beaters so you can indulge in an extra piece *winks*) and you can tell me what you think? And what you would change?

I hope you'll stop by next week for more flew market finds.

I LOVE to hear from you!

I'm joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

Patti and Paula at Elephants & Ivy for:

Debra at Common Ground for:

Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

And Cindy of My Romantic Home for:

Flea Market Finds Pour La Semaine Cinquante-Cinq

Bonjour lovely people!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.

Now Christmas is right around the corner...Where did the time go?

I know I've been talking for the last two weeks about this little project that I've been working on and how much I'd like to share it, but things keep breaking down and making my "simple" project very complicated.....Isn't that always what happens? So hopefully next week I'll finally be ready. Sorry about the delay.

Meanwhile I thought I'd do a Flea Market Post to fill in *winks*...And as usual not a darn thing came from a Flea Market, but I did find some things I really love...And at a Black Friday sale no less! Which I swore I would NEVER participate in again! I say pay the extra money and keep your sanity!

Did any of y'all hit the jackpot at Black Friday?Or are you like me and avoid it like the plague?

I didn't intend to participate this year...however the Goodwill was having a half off Black Friday sale (Their biggest of the year) and it was packed!  And I still managed to find some good treasure har de har har!(insert pirate voice *winks*)

Well this one is NOT from the Goodwill, and as usual I'm going to start with my favorite find. I have long wanted one of these French display cushions but could never justify the cost. I finally found the perfect beauty for me for only $61! and it came with the display plinth too! Thank you ebay! While everyone was shopping at the mall they missed out on this fabulous piece of French history! Yay me! Lol!....Now we both probably know you could find one in France for a pittance at a Flea Market, but let me have my little thrills OK? *winks*

If you happened to read my blog a few weeks back I found a plethora of crowns at the Value Village HERE and I thought how perfect this display cushion would be for showcasing them. And then last Friday I found yet ANOTHER crown for $14.99 at the VV! It's missing a few rhinestones, but what the heck. It must have slipped through the cracks with the pricing people back around Halloween time. It must have come from the same donation I'm thinking? I've gone for years without ever finding a crown at the VV and all of a sudden it's raining crowns!??....... Hallelujah!!

Then at the Goodwill I found this wonderful Santos doll. She's a reproduction, but with half off she was only $12.50! Her one arm was broken but I couldn't believe that nobody had taken her home? It doesn't look like it will be a difficult fix? (probably famous last words *winks*) It really did feel like an early Christmas miracle! 

And I thought hmmmmm this French pillow looks like it might provide a perfect seat for her.... And voila! Doesn't she look beautiful!? And a saint in front of a saint (The portrait in the background is of my Grandmother) She was one of the most wonderful people ever born!....Yes I'm a bit biased.*winks*

The ex voto she's wearing was an early Christmas gift from my hubby. That's the way we shop for each other.  I find something I love and he buys it for me. He finds the perfect car toy and I buy if for him. Lacking in romance and surprise maybe? But it works for us...And we always receive something we really love *winks*

Another early Christmas gift from my hubby via ebay was this set of nude spelter ladies that were once part of an art deco lamp. Y'all know if you read my blog how much I love beautiful classic nudes!

I envisioned them as bookends.....but I'm not quite sure if they work?

Since I'm on a crown kick I thought they looked pretty good like this! Whatcha think?

And it just wouldn't be a Flea Market Finds week lately without a boudoir doll or two *winks*

This beauty is a German Lilli Baitz doll named Eva.

She has such a beautiful outfit and hat.

Isn't she lovely? I've never seen another like her. Of course I'm no expert so that may not be saying much *winks*

This antique crewel work tapestry was a craigslist find for $10. It has all kinds of condition issues, but somebody put a lot of work and effort into it. I had to take it home and protect it from the people who were keeping it in their garage on the floor.*winks*

Lovely cranes on old linen.

With some holes and stains and missing stitches here and there I think it's still a beautiful piece. I have a "thing" for cranes. They're kind of the borzois of the bird world....Lovely long legged and elegant*winks*

And lastly this sweet antique pillow pin cushion with ribbon flowers from the Goodwill sale. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to keep it or send it off to etsy.

That's it for this week.

 I hope you'll come back next week for my project reveal....I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll FINALLY get it finished without any more issues!

I hope you'll leave me a comment.

I LOVE to hear from you!

Vanna

I'm joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

Debra at Common Ground for:

Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

And Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bonjour everyone!

I had hoped to share a little project with you today, but said 'little project" turned out to be bigger than expected (Aren't they always?) So I'll be back next week to show you what I've been up to *winks*

I'd like to wish you all a wonderful blessed Thanksgiving!

Vanna

Flea Market Finds Pour La Semaine Quarante-Quatre

Helloooooo  sweet friends!!

Once again it's time for....

FLEA     MARKET     FINDS!!!

Where I share the goods that I've found in thrift stores, garage and estate sales, and local antique stores......Pretty much everywhere but a Flea Market! Lol! I wish we actually had flea markets at this time of year, but alas no.

 So what did I find this week?....... Well for starters one of the most amazing lampshades I've ever seen!! It's lacy, it's foofy! It's sooooo divine!! I hope you'll think so too *winks*

It was a very good week for cool stuff!

I'm going to start with these lovely vintage petticoats that I found in a local antique store for $9 ea. One is such a pretty pale pink .....

And the other has this wonderful ruffled feather effect. I think they would be great maybe for lampshades?

Then there were these beautiful old rhinestone clips for $5 at the same antique store. I added them to a pair of my ballet pointe shoes.

But my find of the week (possibly the month) was this amazing 1920's french lace ruffled lampshade in pink with the most scrumptious ribbon work roses!

As we were walking the local antique store one of the clerks came up and told us there was an antique show going on nearby......Nuff said....Off we went!

Usually I prefer to be one of the first in the door, but this time I thought we'd take a chance coming late. And sure enough it worked!! I had wandered around a bit and spotted a lamp that I liked. I turned around to ask the dealer for his "friendliest" price.....And there it was......The heavenly angels were singing!.... And there was a glowing halo of light around this object! So I played it very cool and asked what his best price would be? (All the while thinking I was willing to sell my first born?...a kidney?) OK...I jest, but just a little *winks* When he said $125. I asked him if he could do a little better? And he told me $100 and I said "SOLD!!" I was all but jumping up and down! And I nearly hugged him! I did tell him that finding this shade "made" the show for me. And as I walked away from his booth a lady stopped me to ask where I had found it? She oooh'd and ahhhh'd for a bit and this ended up repeating about every 20 feet throughout the entire show! I think it was the closest I'll ever come to feeling like a movie star *winks* Talk about a conversation starter! So here it is!

And as a group shot.

It's huge! I've never seen one this large and beautiful.

Just look at the gorgeous ribbon roses and bow!

At the same show I found this Italian tole table lamp for a song. It was a really great day for deals I tell ya! *winks*

It has these cool scrolly arms. And I love the base.

It's off to etsy because I don't have room for one more thing at my house!

Here I'm using Glory Isabella to show a closeup of this wonderful turn of the century hat with lots of old millinery roses and lace netting that I found at the same show. The dealer told me that if I held the flowers over a pot of steam it would refresh the flowers and de-flatten them. I'm going to have to give it a try. Have y'all heard about, or tried that?

Glory is also wearing this large rosary with czechoslovakian beads that I found on etsy.

I also found myself a couple more lovely boudoir ladies to add to my collection via ebay.

This elegant creature I've named Estella.

And this sweet pretty lady I've named Esmerelda *winks*

Estella looks the spitting image of my aunt!

Here the two are together.

I found this LARGE art nouveau trinket box at the antique show for $40. And it still has it's original pink silk interior!

It's almost large enough to put the tiara inside, just to show you how unusually large it is. *winks*

And last is this display dome that I found at the Goodwill for $4.99. The base was white and I spray painted it black which I like much better. The jewelry casket was also a Goodwill find.

That's all for this week.

Next week I'm going to shake it up with something different.

I hope you'll come back and join me?

 And I hope you'll leave me a comment. I LOVE to hear from you!

Happy Flea Marketing!

Vanna

I'm joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

Debra at Common Ground for:

Paula and Patti at Ivy & Elephants for:

Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

And Cindy at My Romantic Home for: