Monday, November 9, 2009

Guest Bathroom Reno - Day 9

First off, I want to thank those who left us encouraging comments on our last post. I created this journal to document our life experiences (the good, the bad and the broke!) and those comments really made a difference in our day. We'll be praying for those who said they were going through similar situations. "Don't be discouraged. It's often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock." ~Author Unknown

Also, I got a few emails from some folks who thought we were going to stop blogging, so I wanted to take second to clarify. We are definitely not going to stop blogging! It's one of our absolute favorite things to do. We look forward to sharing ideas and experiences here as long as the world wide web will have us! :-)

Okay, now let's talk transformation!

Here's how the room looked twelve days ago...



In case you're just tuning in, as you can see, our guest bathroom was previously painted neon lavender. Then last month, the day before our Halloweenie Roast, Kevin slapped on a coat of Sherwin Williams' "Rice Grain". We didn't want to confuse our guests and make them think they had accidentally entered the haunted house down the street. ;-) We'll probably repaint the room before it's all over. Just not sure what color yet.

Here is a photo of how the vanity area looks today...



We removed all the cabinetry, to create space for a farmhouse table we're going to use as a vanity. On each side of where the farmhouse table will sit, Kevin's constructing built-in shelving units that will hold towels, baskets and other bathroom-related accessories.

Neither of us are professional carpenters, so this reno has been a little intimidating. It's definitely a learning process. Today's lesson taught us that we don't like the look of 24" deep built-ins.
So tomorrow Kevin will take those babies back outside and cut them down to a more shallow depth. We're thinking more like 12" deep.
Wonder what tomorrow's lesson will teach us?
As long as it doesn't involve figuring out that 12" is too shallow, we'll be okay.
:-)

Layla

41 comments:

The House Creative said...

Cant wait to see it all! I am sure it will be amazing!

Olivia said...

Yearning for some pics on your progress! Keep it up!

Unknown said...

I can't wait to see the farm table vanity and the painted floor.
Traci

Lynn Kellan said...

Even the new paint makes the bathroom look completely different!

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

Layla,
I know it is going to look great. I love hearing how your husband is learning as he goes...
My husband and I have been married for 12 years, and we have always lived in fixer uppers. We love projects. We turned a sunroom into a bedroom at our first home, on a budget of pennies, literally.
He drywalled the room by himself. Didn't turn out quite the way we hoped for! :) I learned to strategically place pictures and furniture over the "not exactly smooth" places on the wall. But I loved him for trying and I have to say now that he is amazing at drywalling, and building cabinets, and installing flooring,and hanging lights. Just like Kevin, he's getting better and better the more he does it. But at least they have the gumption to try it.
I can't wait to see the bathroom finished.
Blessings,
Traci
p.s. my husband is a banker by day! :)

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

The neon lavender was so incredibly special.....I can't understand why you wouldn't want to do your whole interior in neon colors of equal value??!! Like there would be something wrong with that? :)

Rice grain is peaceful and clean. WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT!! And I can't wait to see the rest! Can't wait. Hurry up! Quick!

Hopeful Housewife said...

Layla,
I can't imagine anything intimidating you two. You Rock! Can't wait to see things when they are all done.

Mamabird said...

Layla, challenges come from all different areas. Your positive attitude combined with sheer talent and that darling husband will take you places you haven't yet dreamed. for some time I have wanted to get a consultation from you concerning our family room. Will you still be available for that? I could really use your magic touch in my sad little room worn down by three kids, an overworked type A husband and a mom with absolutely no talent with what seems to come so naturally to you!

Anonymous said...

Love the difference just getting rid of the purple made. I'm so excited to see the finished room!

Sheri @ www.careergirlinterrupted.com said...

i can't wait to see it either. I think this has been the most exciting one to watch - and i LURVE that new paint color!

Frugal Jen said...

I love seeing your transformations! You are a very talented and artistic.

I enjoy seeing that you do things on a tight budget. Most people decorate that way, well at least we do. It's great to know you don't have to be rich with money to have a beautiful home. It's the love and belonging in the home that truely makes people rich. You and your husband are prime examples of working together to make a beautiful but also warm home.

Our Little Beehive said...

I love watching the transformation! Just a suggestion from personal experience - if you haven't already, you may want to buy the baskets you want to use on the shelves before you cut the walls to 12". I had a heck of a time finding baskets to fit storage shelves I made in my old house. Just a thought :)

Honorablyfallen said...

I love reading and looking at y'alls blog, your projects mirror Mr. Paper Roads and Mine... Its so encouraging to watch, as we take on this farmhouse!- Sarahlynn

Wendy said...

That's the great thing about DIY remodelling...live a little, learn a lot. You guys are doing a beautiful job. Excited to see that farmhouse table turned vanity!

labluvr78 said...

Maybe cut it down to 18" or 16" to make sure that isn't what you want before going all the way to 12"? Kinda of a pain but it will save you from buying more wood if you cut it to 12" and then want it bigger :-)

I love your blog!

Chris said...

A coat of paint, and I'm in love with it already. Who needs a sink?!

Unknown said...

Your work looks great!
I've used this website, check it out:
http://www.rejuvenation.com
Their products remind me of you!

They have a "period basics" section that is soo great... and fun to draw inspiration from :)
(i love the 75% section myself!)

Melissa Marquardt

Pat said...

I second "buy the baskets first". I'm still looking for some to fit a shallow bookcase.

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

Can't wait to see what it will look like!

Lylah Ledner said...

such guts. i LOVE it. we're working on the Cactus Rd. house - doing some transforming of our own. yesterday i tried my hand at some cement work on the floor - prior to painting it with BM Linen White. Thank goodness my husband came to my rescue and completed the project turning it into a decent and then some job....

love these projects!

Jeanette Atkinson said...

We just finished our bathroom remodel too. Ours took us a bit longer, about 1 1/2 months, but we love it now. We tore everything out, new sheetrock, sub-floor, and a whole new bathtub shower unit, added a linen closet and new light fixtures and a huge mirror. We love it now, but what a mess and project. I feel for you.

Folkman's said...

I can't wait to see the reno! Tell Kevin to hurry it up! LOL YOu guys make such a great team! I love, love , love your blog! I have always been one for deep, rich, colors, but I am re-thinking my style now. Everything you do looks so great!
It is these tough times that build our character and make us the people that we are after they are over. Even though it is hard to see that at the time. I REALLY enjoy reading all of your great quotes and thoughts of inspriation!

JacciM said...

Do you know what (among other things) is super great about this bathroom redo of yours? It's almost exactly what we're hoping to do in our guest bath all the way down to the built-ins! So share the details "Kevla" :)

We're planning on a traditional pedestal sink, though, instead of the farm table. Although, a farm table will be GORGEOUS!!! Can't wait to see it :)

tim kaetzel said...

just wondering who won the Halloween costume contest. Did I miss that post?

Shabby Cottage Shops said...

Love what you are doing! We have an old house built in 1890 and we did quite a few DIY's, is so much and rewarding knowing you can do this!

Stop by our blog, we are having a giveaway this month, "The Pink Present", come join us and search for the Pinkalicious Christmas Ornament and you could win it! It's valued at over $350.00.

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Bekki said...

I can't wait to see it all done, the paint makes it look so much better all ready! If you haven't cut them all ready make them 13" instead of 12". Then most things you buy will fit as baskets are usually 12'' deep. A little cabinetry lesson for you. :)

Jbear said...

Hi Guys!
Love your blog and I can't wait to see the finished result in your guest bath. Please consider measuring the depth of the folded towels, and finding your baskets first (as other have suggested). I would also consider cutting down to 18" or 15" first to see how that feels and works for your plans for what the shelves will hold. You can always cut them smaller. Anyway, good luck, I'm sure whatever you decide on will look fabulous!

Sharon@Sharon at Home said...

Looking forward to seeing the harvest table vanity. With the shelves ... sometimes less is more!!

Victoria Hayden said...

Hi Kevin and Layla!

I definently can relate to all your remodeling going on...we are in the same process right now. It is fun and challenging. I have always been a DIY girl but my husband has married in to it, lol. He is in the Air Force and a Computer Scientist gone awry into DIY! :) We have learned a lot in the process as well, everything from drywall, how to get rid of popcorn ceilings to texturizing. I wouldn't change any of it...love it!!

I love what you are going to do with your bathroom, I have been looking for old dressers to use in mine for the vanity as well. Can't wait to see the Farmhouse vanity...I am sure it will look beautiful!

Thanks for always adding a laugh to my day by your fun videos and love your vision for the Lettered Cottage...gorgeous!

Have a wonderful day and week to come!! :)

Hugs,
~Victoria~

Anonymous said...

I get such a vicarious thrill seeing renovations in Blogland. I am intrigued by your farm table idea. Can't wait to see that! So good to hear that your are not giving up blogging. I know we all have these bumps in the road in life, but all will be fine. Just remember--Team Palmer! I love all that you do!

Jill Swank said...

Looking good. I bet Kevin and my hubby would love a beer night to tell stories of every time we tell them that we have this GREAT idea, and it will be really EASY. LOL Tell him he is doing an awesome job!

Roeshel said...

I'm really looking forward to seeing it! I'm also painting a floor in a bathroom that I'm working on and keeping my fingers crossed that it turns out. I just posted today my experience with painting the old faucets. Yea...you heard that right but all is well! ;)

My husband and I also learn as we go and he's not a carpenter either. You should have seen the "fun house" tilt to the grape arbor. Of course, he says it was the broken level that we picked up an estate sale. May have been a beer too.

Have a great week!

Roeshel

Dianne said...

Layla, my shelves are 12" at the top and 24" at the bottom...they could go to 24 where they meet the table so the depth will be near the same as the table. Just thought you'd like to know. I cannot wait to see the completion.

Eva said...

Everything is coming along great. I can't wait to see the bathroom finished, I know it's going to be beautiful and functional. I love your decorating style!

Heidi said...

I really respect and admire folks who can learn home improvement on the fly. My Mr. Techno has many skills but home improvement is not one of them (and, sadly, never will be). Kudos to you, Layla & Kevin, for your courage, your ingenuity, and your tenacity. It is a pleasure to witness the transformation of your Lettered Cottage.

I really do wonder what was going through the former homeowners' minds when they picked that hideous color- gah!

Mary said...

Ok, I am dying to see that farm table turned vanity! Sounds fabulous! ~mary~

Red Lipstick said...

I'm excited to see how you are using the farmhouse table! I was at an auction last weekend and the farm house table didn't sell! Can you believe it?! People may have thought it was too big. I have a huge master and could fit one! Looking forward to seeing the final results!

Shana said...

I can see where you're going...and it looks like a great idea!...of course...this is TLC after all. :) Good luck on the cabinetry...then on to the fun stuff, right?

La Dolfina said...

You both deserve an award so I gave you one on my blog:)
Congrats and thanks for being so inspirational to so many!!!

Sarah said...

It looks amazing already. I can't wait until its finished, its going to look wonderful.

Its So Very Cheri said...

Can't wait to see it all done.

cheri