My "Fancy" new laundry room

All done!!  I set my mind to getting the laundry room finished and had I been the only one working on it it would have been done 2 weeks ago but I needed someone to do the electrical and to put up the hooks.  That's where I call my Dad in to help.  He was awesome - he put together the cabinet, put up the light fixture and the hooks. All the stuff I couldn't do myself.  Here is the finished product:

The light fixture is from Ikea ($50), the paint is from Lowe's (Valspar - Frosty), the cabinet is from Walmart ($40), the handles on the cabinet are from Home Depot ($6 each), the glass jars are from Home Outfitters ($20 for the set of 3), and the metal bin is sooo old and from The Bay.

That fantastic piece of art on the wall was made in watercolor by my not even 2 year old son.  I bought the frame from Ikea ($12) and it seriously makes it look like a professional did it. Maybe I'm just a proud Mama - whatevs - I don't care.   That painting is gorgeous and I encourage you to put YOUR little one's works of art in frames like this.  

These hooks are the be all and end all to the household clutter. Now, finally, these bags won't be sitting in the way in the hall.  They have their own place.  These hooks are from Ikea ($6 for  a set of  2).  

Piece of art #2 - a comic book from my husbands stash from when he was a kid.  The date on that comic book is 1986.  Crazy. He has a box full of them and wasn't intending on doing anything with them until I asked if he'd want to frame one.  I think the result is awesome!

 So, after all is said and done, the total cost of this mini reno was $203.  Not too shabby!

 ...Fancy

My Next Project

The lower bathroom and laundry room.  I've come to the conclusion that the rest of the house is a disaster because we don't really have an "entry way" to dump our crap that we bring in every day, and no where to put things going out - clothing items being returned to the store, borrowed items being returned to friends and the like.  Y'know, just daily clutter.  We are currently using our stairwell and back entrance to dump stuff.  That is NOT working.  The back entrance ends up being littered with shoes, bags, dirty rags, etc.  It's a nightmare to navigate.

So, here is my current laundry room and bathroom:

Here is what I want to do with it:

First, I have to paint.  The color I've chosen is Blue Box by Sarah Richardson.  Then, I'm going to put up the cabinets (from Ikea) where the shelf is now, and keep the laundry soap/sprays etc, paper towel, light bulbs, toilet paper in them.  I will need 2 of these cabinets.

Then my plan is to put up the hooks on the back wall (across from the washer/dryer) so I can hang up my purse, diaper bag, and bags with returns.  The laundry hamper will go in the corner for dirty rags, bibs, and kitchen towels.  

The large black metal buckets will be on the washer for soaking, hand washing and rinsing, and the white bowl will on the dryer for loose change/business cards, etc.  I'll also have a few hooks above the light switch for keys.

The ironing board cover, bins/buckets/bowls and bottles are from The Laundress.  They have some gorgeous laundry stuff!  It actually makes me want to treat and presoak my clothes!

Oh, and I want a new light fixture.  So here is what I've picked:

It's only $50 from Ikea, and I think it's just the right size.  Now to convince my darling husband that it's enough light for the laundry room!

Now, here is my bathroom:

I seriously hate the beige.  HATE.  I'm painting it black and white striped - like this:

The paint I've chosen is Para Paints.  The white is Chrysler Hall white, and the black is Forge.  The mirror is staying but obviously will be mounted, and the light fixture will be the same as the ones we have in the other 2 bathrooms.

Here's what I have for the rest:

There's not much to it because, well, there's really not much to the bathroom. I'm keeping the art and candle holder on the shelf, I am switching out the green towels for Pottery Barn white ones, I need a new soap dish (the one I've chosen is from Restoration Hardware) and the new black and white art will go across from the toilet.  That's it, that's all!

I'm going to attempt to get the bathroom done by the end of August as I'm hosting a party at my house, and would like the guests to have a nice bathroom to use.  Wish me luck!


...Fancy

Riley's Big Boy Room

I haven't had much experience decorating boys rooms - admittedly, girls rooms are easier for me.  But I really had a lot of fun with this, and it actually wasn't that difficult!

I hope my friend likes the fun modern car stuff I've chosen for her little guy, Riley.

 A quick explanation:

Bedding is the centrepiece for this room.  It is from Dwell Studio.  They have this awesome matching grey wallpaper that would go so great, but you don't want to overdo it.

The fabric sample to the right of the bedding is called Day Dream, and I thought it would look great if it was used for some throw or floor pillows.

The rug below the bedding is from CSN Stores.

I love the idea of grey being the main neutral, so the grey curtains I've chosen are from Ikea, and the bean bag chair is pale gray. It could also be a dark grey and would really tie the room together.

Carrying on the grey theme, the 1, 2, 3 bins and the shadow box frame are from Restoration Hardware.  They lend a bit of a vintage/industrial feel to the room, so it's not overly modern.  The scooter is also from Restoration Hardware and more of a decorative piece than an actual toy as Riley is only a toddler!

Finally, the art is from Oodles of Color on Etsy - and the colors are totally customizable!  Perfect!!

...Fancy

Nom Nom Babies

I've been super busy lately with planning a charity golf tournament for work, and making toddler rag quilts for my friend Tara's new furniture booth (read about it here).   So if you've been wondering where I've been - there you have it.  I've missed blogging but because I've been so busy I have nothing done around the house.  Instead, today I give to you my Etsy Baby list.

You might have guessed by my style that I don't like "babyish" things.  I like black.  Skulls.  Ninjas.  Robots.  Black.  Punk rock.  Black.  Did I mention I like black?  On babies?   So, anyway, whenever I come across non babyish stuff, I save it.  And now I share it with you!

This dress is from Raven and the Rose.  I love babies in black - it's so unconventional!

This skull pattern is awesome on these shirts!  I have searched and searched for it, but it's no longer available.  Boooo!  These shirts are from Rocker Bye Babies.

This little zombie doll is so cute.  I would totally buy this for my little guy if he wouldn't try to eat the eyes off of it.  This is from Pinky N Me.

I had a really hard time finding bedding for my little guys nursery.  This tattoo pattern is so RAD!  It almost makes me want another baby so I can do a more rock n roll nursery.  This bedding set is also from Rocker Bye Baby.  They have some really cool stuff - check it out!

Don't these shoes go perfectly with the dress above?  I wish Tiny Explorers made them in adult size...

The blocks from Magens Bay have the coolest patterns - not babyish at all, just my style!

This pillow from Helkat Design is not for a nursery but who says it can't be used in one?  The color is great and I love the Union Jack pattern.  

This would be perfect for a baby announcement.  I kinda wish I had used this - in turquoise of course!

French artist Aliette did this trio of prints called "Nuit".  The muted tones would work in any decor.  And they are kinda goth looking, which I obviously love.

These pom poms are not as easy as they look to make.  But they are super versatile - you can use them for birthday parties or to decorate your nursery/toddlers room.  Get these ones from Party Poms.

I love the dreamy look of this photo. 

Probably the weirdest ceramic decoration I've ever seen, and that's why it's so cool.  

What a cheap and easy way to decorate a child's room! 

Again with the circus stuff.  This shadow box shows a bit of the seedy underground of that lifestyle.

Here's another light box for girls!

I love dark and creepy art for children's rooms.  

So there you have it - my baby wish list from Etsy.  I'm working on my lower bathroom right now so stay tuned for details!

...Fancy

FREAKIN FINALLY!!

It only took, what, a month and a half to paint?  Here is Asher's bathroom - finally finished!

 View from the hallway - notice the black door, which I love!

Here is a closeup of the paint.  It is Ralph Lauren's "Approaching Storm" and cost $40 for a gallon.  I only used maybe 2/3 of the gallon for the whole bathroom - 3 coats.  It's darker than in this picture.  In the natural light it looks almost black.  It also matches the paint in his bedroom.  This hook for his towel is from Anthropologie and cost $14.99.

 This soap dish is from a hand made soap shop in Marseille, FR.  It was $15.  I love it, but it's starting to discolor a bit so I'm thinking of spraying it high gloss white.

My Grandma used to grow sweet peas, and I love them - so delicate and pretty!  These are from Chintz and cost about $25 for the bunch.  The vase is from Superstore and cost $4.

 

 This is my amazing deal - shower curtain was $35, hooks were $15 - from Restoration Hardware outlet.  Woo hoo!  The stitching color is aqua, which is the accent color in Asher's room.

 

 

 View of the hook, garbage ($5 from Ikea) and the aqua bathmat ($5 from Bed, Bath and Beyond)

Picture frames were from Michaels ($15 each, more than I wanted to spend), prints are from Bibbity on Etsy and they were$12 for the set of 3.

Here is a better look at the light fixture, and the mirror.  The light fixture was from Home Depot ($25 each, we have the same ones in our master bath, and one for the lower bath as well). The mirror was from Home Sense (Home Goods in the US), and was $36.

Total bathroom makeover cost - $277.  Because it cost so little, I think I might splurge and buy these towels from Pottery Barn.  Their towels are FAB!

Fancy

OK I'm super new at this...

This is my first "Linky Party"  - is that the right term?  I don't even know!!  LOL anyway, there's this blog called "Primitive and Proper" and I love it - so every Wednesday there's a Linky Party called Piece of Work Wednesday - and I've posted my parents dining set in it.  Here's the original post:

Dining Set Makeover

And here's the "Linky Party".  Check it out!



I hope I did this right...if not I might be shunned in the blog world!

...Fancy

New Stuff for Babies & Toddlers!

I am designing a room for a friend, so I went to check out the usual websites: PBK, PBT, Land of Nod, etc. OMG I'm loving this new stuff!!!

From Pottery Barn Kids:

Avery Cabinet.  I love the color of this!

Mermaid sheets - LOVE!

Oh! Oh! Oh!  I have to get these!!  Not sure where I'll even put them.  I don't care - they are SO me!

This is probably the funnest, coolest most awesome thing I've seen for outside in like, ever!

I love all things Peter Rabbit!  This nightlight is so cute for a nursery:

 

These rocket popsicle molds are great for teething babies!  I bought them for $7.99 at Superstore, so if you're from Canada head over there.  Much cheaper!  These ones are selling for $15 on the PBK website.

Pottery Barn Teen:

Tropical Floral Rug

Fleur Organic Duvet cover and sham

Land of Nod:

This just makes me want to have an outdoor party!  Summer Banner:

Cute toddler boy bedding - When Dinosaurs Roamed the Bedding

Highways and Biways blanket. 

OK, let's shop!!

...Fancy