Caning vs. Grasscloth

I have a sudden urge to make something with my hands.  Unfortunately, the only thing I'll be doing this weekend is tidying up the storage room.......But it does give me the opportunity to photograph and obsess over the future of my cane back dining set won on ebay a few weeks ago.  I recently came upon this picture at Good Bones, Great Pieces (AKA my new favorite daily read) and it got my wheels turning:

I'll add a photo of said chairs when I get a second  off my butt. I have a few rolls of Phillips Jeffries Grasscloth Wallpaper leftover from my accent wall project in the study and a whole box of nail heads just waiting for a purpose.

I'll humor you.....

I was "tagged" by my friend Caroline over at Six Word Biography to do a "random things" segment on here.   I must disclose that this is EXACTLY why I didn't want to start a blog in the first place, but she will stalk me until I complete the task so here goes....

***note to self: start being more interesting***

1. I guess the major thing you may not know about me is that I am 5 months preggers.  So, that explains the lack of actual DIY posts lately.  I am not sick, nor waddling just yet; just have others things on my mind at the moment.  Waiting for that nesting phase to kick in.....annnyyy minute now.                         
2. I am wildly obsessed with dating shows.  I can watch a marathon of Millionaire Matchmaker and The Bachelor back to back to back.  I think this stems from my lack of dating in the real world.  I was not a dater in college and happened to fall in love with my roommate, now my husband, pretty early on so we missed all that courtship.  I can't say I regret that, especially from the looks of the dating world today, but I do find it fascinating that people think there is a formula to all this.
3. I absolutely HAVE TO have my sandwich cut on the diagonal.  Luckily I have only ever had to send it back to the chef in the comforts of my own home :)
4. I am completely deaf in my right ear.  Up until a year ago, I thought it was from birth - coming down the canal or something, but a recent visit to the EN&T doctor suggested it was an infection somewhere between age 0-2 yrs old.  I have no desire to fix it since I don't know life any other way and it helps me sleep :)
5. I love traveling more than anything else.  It is inspiring, relaxing, educational, and most of all, reminds me that we are all the same.  I love knowing that people everywhere have the similar issues, laugh at the same stuff, and enjoy the same things as I do.....well, mostly.
6. I very rarely ever buy anything full price.  Quite often I am seduced by the discount itself rather than the actual item.  Surprisingly, I've had buyers remorse only a few times and it usually involved a $10 plaid tank from H&M so no big loss.
7. I truly believe that my dog will start talking to me any time now.  I'm so sick of all this eye communicating.  Although, Tyra would be pleased.

Carriage House bathroom

During renovations to the main house, we will mostly likely live in the back carriage house.  The 2 units in there need some upgrades, but we plan to rent them out to students so we don't want to go overboard with expenses.

Do you remember living like this?

Of all the units (main house and 2 in the carriage house), this bathroom is by far in the best shape.  And, it is easy to see the potential here.  If the accountant (AKA my husband) allows, this is what I'd do to it:

I'd re-tile the floors in a simple white penny tile design with grey grout.



Photo courtesy of Camila at High Heeled Foot in the Door, who swears these tiles are at Home Depot for $2.50 a square foot.

Then I'd make a "No-Sew Pedestal Sink Skirt" a la Jenny at Little Green Notebook under which I'd stash a basket for the hairdryer, straightener, etc



I'd install 2 Ekby Mossby Ikea Shelving on the wall above the toilet for towel storage

and the AKURUM wall cabinet on the adjacent wall to hide toiletries, etc.

Add a few hooks and choose a paint color and we have a livable-yet-doesn't-break-the-bank rental bathroom.

Cost:

$2.50  x 50sf   = $125
Fabric for skirt = FREE from my stash
2 shelves          = $90
wall cabinet      = $44
Paint                = $20
Labor              = FREE (thanks husband!)

                       = $279 Total

Hmmmm....now how to paint the rest of the unit (kitchen, living room, bedroom), re-tile the kitchen floor, add a backsplash, raise the kitchen cabinets, AND replace the carpet for less than $500...........

**After my husband read this, he yelled from his office "who is gonna lift the f@%&*ing tub?"....heheheheh.  Not me.  Doctor's orders :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Autocad is Rad!

One of our good friends has graciously offered to design the renovations in our new house for free!  She is currently a kitchen & bath designer for Universal Builders, but has had previous experience with full home design as well.  Check out some of her work here.  She is located in NJ if you are in need of some excellent design and/or advice.  She is also the go to girl for all things crafty - wedding invitation, check; party ideas,check; painting a sign that says "This way to the wedding"  (for our wedding!), check!

I sent her the original floor plan (click for larger view)

and she sent us back a much prettier version of her renovation vision (please disregard horrible pdf to jpeg conversion)

I don't know what I'd do without her.  I just wanted to tear down all the walls to make it open, but she pointed out that doing framed openings is more appropriate and structurally less expensive.  She also repositioned the downstairs bathroom so it could be accessed without having to go through a bedroom.  I was totally stumped with this one....Just when I think I am getting an eye for functional design.......

I can't wait to see what she does with the upstairs!!!