Monday, January 4, 2010

Gussyin' up the Guest Bathroom

T-minus twelve hours 'til Claudia's Cloth Barn opens tomorrow morning...



...and you can bet your bottom dollar I'm counting down the minutes!
Claudia has the best selection of fabrics, and I can't wait to get our farm table skirted now that the (ahem) plumbing part of the reno has been handled. :-)

I'm torn between using a striped fabric for the skirt, or a striped rug on the floor.
I visited DashandAlbert.com today and fell head over heels in love with their "Swedish Stripe" rug...



I pulled it up on my laptop and brought it in the bathroom to get a feel for how it would look with the new tile...



...me likey. :-)


Me also likey the one-of-a-kind find Kevin brought home from our local flea last month.

It's actually two chunks of wood, but together, he thought it sort of resembled a fish.



Especially when you flip it this way...



Once it's cleaned up and coated with poly I think it's going to look great on one of the shelves.

I haven't thought too much about how I'm going to decorate yet, but I have been stockpiling some things since Kevin brought home the "Wish". (that's "wood/fish")



I got this great soap-on-a-rope from White Flower Farmhouse...



It smells so delicious! I've been contemplating wearing it as a necklace just to keep it closer to my face.

Our prop stylist Allistair Turnbull left us this great Martha Stewart pitcher after our Nest magazine shoot...



In a perfect world, I'd love to set it sink-side and fill it with fresh flowers every day!

But in the meantime, I'll be happy if I can just make a decision about whether to use a striped skirt or a striped rug. :-)

On Saturday I'm looking forward to hanging out with my pal Rhoda in Atlanta.
We're going to Eddie Ross' framing workshop.



I love this video he shot at the Stormville Flea Market in New York:



When he said "1950's BAM. BOO." I honestly thought that we may have been separated at birth. I can completely relate to Eddie's excitement for old stuff! I'll take an ironstone egg cup over a new pair of shoes any day!
:-)
And the end of his video totally reminded me of the end of the video I shot on our trip to the Endless Yard Sale last year. Gotta love a trunk full of junk!

Happy Monday y'all-

Layla


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PS- Head over to Completely Coastal for a chance to win one of these!


65 comments:

  1. I love, love, love the way your bathroom is shaping up.

    But the "wish" is over the top. It's so fantastic! I totally saw the fish immediately. And the stuff you've picked to go with it is great.

    I vote for stripes on the fabric, not the floor. But I can't even tell you why...

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  2. I love the striped rug. Great Color combo. Can't wait to see the finished guest bathroom. lulu

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  3. I've bought several wooden fish over the years and my kids usually break them. (fish that survive decades only to die a quick death at the hands of my kids) That's one chunky sturdy wish, though. Love it!

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  4. I vote for the skirt! Anyone can have a striped rug--I think the skirt is a bit more unique and will add more of a wow factor. :)

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  5. Get out of here with that "wish" -- you guys are crazy! Maybe the fumes from your soap necklace are going to your head. I love, love, love it!

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  6. Looking forward to what's to come. I also enjoyed your plumbing post. It looks as if you are having waaaaaay too much fun, though.
    :-)

    ~ Yaya
    Yaya's Changing World

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  7. I love the wish! And the striped rug too :)

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  8. That wish DOES look like a fish. I can see it smiling, too!

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  9. I love the wish, He makes my heart leap, good find. Hey I live in Atlanta and would love to be your third wheel, promise I am not a crazy stalker, just to average silly and sweet kind. Your people can get with my people and let me know (ha, like I have people). Can't wait to see what you pick.

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  10. Love that stripe rug from Dash and Albert. I think a strip rug on the floor would look great. And oh do I wish I lived in Alabama right now cause that pic of the fabrics made me a little giddy.
    Kevin definitely has an eye for stuff. Loving the "wish." The guest bathroom is shaping right up and it is going to be so wonderful when you are done and fully accessorized. Your guests will never want to leave.
    Have fun with Rhoda at the framing workshop.

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  11. From a hearty Massachusettite (Mass-a-chew-sett-eye-t) lol ...Your style has the Vineyard/Chatham/Nantucket written all over it and I loves it! I love starfish too and love your idea for Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star(fish). The striped rug in the bath is a great choice!!! I love soaps too and I make and sell them on my site. I can't get enough of smelly things...Reword...Good smelly things! Have a great day & thanks for sharing your re-do :) It's so great!

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  12. I LOVE the wish. Wish I had one! I'm getting ready to remodel the bath in my little cottage and I've been so excited to watch your remodel. Thanks for great ideas!

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  13. OMG! That DOES totally look like a fish! Excited to see the room accessorized. Enjoy your day with Rhoda and Eddie...

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  14. I love the "wish" fish. Bathroom is looking great - can't wait for the big reveal. Happy New Year! Lori

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  15. Hi Guys.
    What a great choice of fabric or rug you found. So fits in with the style you have created.

    I do have to say I would probably be swayed towards the rug.
    Think it goes yummy with the new tiles and will soften the wood floor.
    Does anyone remember Eddie as a contestant from one of the decorating challenge shows from a few years ago. I think he said at the time he was an asst. to Martha Stewart? Am I misfiring or is it him? hehe
    Have a very fun day picking rugs, fabrics and fun finds for your beautiful room.( Love Miss "Wish")
    geri.

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  16. I love the striped rug! LOVE IT! And the Wish...oh it's too cute!

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  17. Thanks for sharing Dash & Albert, I've been looking for a rug for months and I think they may have just what I'm looking for! :)

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  18. Your smiling fish has 'serendipity' written all over it! What a great conversation piece.

    I'd go for the striped skirt and have less clutter on the floor's surface.

    You guys are awesome... keep on smiling!

    Not far from where we live in Ontario, we have one of the largest antique flea markets in Canada, right on our doorstep - the Aberfoyle Flea Market. So many treasures, if you're willing to take the time and look around.

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  19. Why can't you do both? As long as the stripes are different colors and scales they should work fine together.

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  20. When you wrote that you haven't thought much about decorating the guest bath.....I didn't believe you for a second!!!!

    Love the wish....it's right up my alley.

    Can't wait to see the bathroom done!!!

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  21. That bathroom is looking goooood! I love having a pitcher in the bathroom...it just belongs!

    I was wondering about January when I realized that Blissdom was just at the beginning of Feb. I can't go to Blissdom {$$$ Wah! } but I'm thinking it would be so COOL to try and get together with everybody else at some point that weekend. Maybe we can schmooze our way into dinner or something with everybody else, lol! You'll have to have Rhoda keep us filled in on after-conference evening plans! But at any rate, that weekend is good for me! ~Kim

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  22. I LOVE the "wish". It is perfect!

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  23. Oh girl, your bathroom is going to be amazing! I love all of you finds so far. And I have that exact MS pitcher. I bought it nearly 1- years ago at K-Mart. It's still one of my faves and is always displayed in my kitchen.

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  24. I was just on Dash and Albert's site yesterday, looking at striped rugs, and I wasn't on there long enough to see that one. I LOVE it! Just what I was looking for to use as an accent rug in the living room. Striped, but in a subtle way.

    The two pieces of wood put together to make a "fish" is so cute! It does look like a fish. Like Goldfish. The snack that smiles back, until you bite their heads off. :)

    Your bathroom is going to be so lovely. Can't wait to see it all finished.

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  25. The fishy is too cute. I can't wait to see the final room all pulled together.

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  26. Oh, that bath is looking fantastic!!

    Looking forward to Sat. too. Can't wait! Did you get my emails lately?? Two?

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  27. Your bathroom is really looking good! Y'all have a great trip to Hotlanta and stay warm..

    {{Big Hugs}}

    Cathy

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  28. I say go with the striped rug and then a textured solid fabric for the sink. But I'm not a decorator and you are :) Can't wait to see what you choose!!!

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  29. Oh I love Dash and Albert... still waiting to install our stair runner. And LOVE your "wish"

    Michelle

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  30. Thanks so much Layla for posting about the giveaway. You're awesome!!

    I love all your ideas for the guest bath. I'm a big fan of stripes! And the wood fish is really cool.

    Maya @ Completely Coastal

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  31. You have such impeccable taste! Your guest bath is looking so lovely. I guess my vote would be stripes on the floor because I am crazy about Dash & Albert rugs. (And goodness, they really are quite reasonable, aren't they?)

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  32. We got our carved wooden bed at Stormville, and it ranks right up there with my favorite fleas (I'm out of flea zone now - so sad, but great for my wallet). Can't wait to see your bathroom! (Love the "Wish")

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  33. Hey Layla & Kevin! I love Dash & Albert rugs, but I vote for a natural fiber or solid rug and a subtle striped skirt. I just hate to compete with those gorgeous tiles!! You'll definitely have to scope out the fabrics and see what jumps out at you.

    Good luck!! It's looking amazing!

    Laura

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  34. Love the stripped rug and I have been eying that martha vase for awhile :)

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  35. Hi, how about a big check, block rug since you went with the straight line flooring? Think of the reason you didn't go with painting the floor,(to much of the same thing). Love the tile.

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  36. My vote is for the striped skirt. I love the fabrics in the photo.

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  37. HI, FOR A CHEAP FLOOR CLOTH, YOU COULD GET THE MATERIAL & STARCH (POLY)IT FOR A FLOOR MAT, SO IT WOULD MATCH THE SKIRT :) GIO

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  38. Hi Layla, I love your choice for the vanity top. Did you just use wood? The color scheme is clean fresh and slightly rustic. I love it!

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  39. I love the striped rug also...I'd vote for that and a solid color for the farm table curtain. :) Oh, and I just loved the video...that guy is halarious and makes me want to get out there and flea! I had to watch it twice I liked it so much. ;)

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  40. The fish...so unique and such a patina! Great find, but I have to admit...I am a bit jealous about it. The rug will look fantastic! I can't wait to start our bathroom reno, but it will have to wait until the weather is warmer (you know...above zero!) :)

    Amy

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  41. Well I obviously need that pillow!!!! :) :)

    Definitely go for the Dash and Albert!! I adore my Dash and Albert rug and the quality is awesome and the prices are so reasonable.

    Also love the fish-especially swimmin' to the left. :) Go figure.

    XO, E

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  42. Your Wish is fantastic - what a perfect find! I think I may be more inclined to go with a stripe rug but also think a skirt would look great too so not much help sorry!

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  43. Check out my latest post at http://tammy-robbins.blogspot.com. I was reading about the old house in Union Springs, and there it was in a magazine!

    Love the bathroom, by the way!!

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  44. Love the "Wish". What a great find Kevin! The bathroom is looking fabulous. Wherever you decide to put the stripes will be just perfect! That plumbing video was the best. you guys are sooooo adorable!

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  45. How cute. I love this post and all your pictures! Wow. I learn something new every time I visit your blog! Love that striped rug too. Wow!
    Blessings,
    Debbie

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  46. Hey Layla,
    I am excited that you will be with Rhoda because that means I will meet you as well! I'm hooking up with her on Fri and Sat! Looking forward to it! I need a little FUN!

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  47. You have a wonderful husband if he brings home things like that!
    I think stripes in either place would look wonderful, although must admit I'm leaning slightly towards the rug.

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  48. Ooooo, I love that striped tan and white fabric. You are very lucky because I've been looking everywhere for it. We don't have a Claudia's here in Texas :(

    I love the striped rug you are thinking about for your new bathroom redo.

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  49. Dear Layla,

    I think you will choose the best pattern for the skirt. Either way, stripe or solid, it will be beautiful and compliment all your accessories. One suggestion, wear your soap on a rope necklace and I can guarantee that the sales person will be too mesmerized by the fragrance and your style to remember to charge you! (You are too funny!)

    Deborah

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  50. Oh I just love the way your bathroom is coming together. I would like the stripes in either place, but that rug is really a nice find. I have really enjoyed catching up on your blog after my MIA from Blogland.
    Blessing for 2010

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  51. Hey, girl, can you wear that soap to Nashville so that we can all smell it? :)
    Love everything, as usual, and the "wish" is simply fabulous.

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  52. Great post! Laughed at the soap on a rope around your neck! Your bathroom is looking so good. The stripes will top it off!

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  53. Every time I see those bathroom tiles I want to bump our bathroom project to the top of our long to do list!

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  54. Love the idea of the striped rug and maybe a linen fabric for the skirt. I made some pillows that I used some wonderful chunky buttons (made from a sliced limb) that you could use to make the skirt look like it buttoned. I found them on etsy - they have a good selection of those type things. But whatever you decide it will look great! Amazing how this bathroom has turned out!

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  55. Oh what a relief I am not the only who gets giddy for the fabric store to open! I have finally made a few decisions on the fabrics for my master bedroom and I am IN LOVE. I have planned to sew my pillows on Saturday which makes it feel like an eternity from now, but it gives me great incentive to hit the books now so I am free for a whirlwind weekend of sewing. :)

    Here is to a spectacular space my dear.

    Cheers~
    e

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  56. LOVE IT!! Yes, the bathroom plus Eddie. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Alameda Flea Market in December. He is just as cute in person... I so wish I could get to Atlanta; however, working for a living so gets in the way!!

    Have fun.

    Becky H.

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  57. I vote for the striped skirt fabric. Although I love Dash & Albert pieces, investing in a pricey rug is probably not such a great choice for a bathrom. Just sayin'...

    Have fun in your travels!

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  58. LOVE the little FWISH!

    Can't wait to venture out to the cloth barn myself after our move. I've got a stash of fabric the size of which no girl who can't sew a stitch should have...

    I also have 2 sewing machines new in boxes that I've moved around for the past 3 years. Gifts from my Mother for myself & son, J, who loves to sew with Grandma.

    The shame, I know!

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  59. Ok, where is Claudia's Cloth Barn!

    I need directions from Birmingham.

    Love the way your bathroom looks.

    Melinda

    mjames@thwinc.com

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  60. http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.106102437.jpg

    I picked these up last week on Etsy! Looks like Eddie & I have something in common.

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  61. this is the exact same D&A rug I've been drooling over!
    ps: I vote for not panting the fish. But I tend to like "found objects" better before they've been revamped.

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  62. Layla, I'm so excited to see how your bathroom turns out. I've been working on my own bathroom using a primitive table that I'm going to mount an old cast iron sink onto. The table top looks very similar to yours. What did you put on the wood to protect it? Erin

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  63. Kelly here---love what you have done to the bathroom. I like the idea of the stripes on the floor, They don't distract from the tile surround. What about burlap as a skirt or a potato sack?? Something subtle might be an idea. Good luck. Thank you , as always, for sharing !!!

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  64. I vote for striped skirt! The rug is wonderful but striped fabric calls my name.

    And the wish....LOVE.

    How lucky to spend the day with Eddie Ross- enjoy every blissful second.

    Feel better (totally with you on the netti pot).

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