Monday, May 3, 2010

Mission Demolition, and Kim and Danny's Master Bathroom


Have you ever started one home improvement project, that led to another home improvement project, which somehow led to another home improvement project?

That happened to us the other night.

And when I say "night", I mean at like at midnight.

We were getting ready to hit the hay, when all of a sudden I had an idea.

(Why do those always happen late and night or super early in the morning?)

My idea involved removing drywall, and possibly discovering an old doorway.

Well, the very thought of discovering something hidden within a wall in our home got Kevin all fired up (he's a sucker for secret passageways)- so he immediately started demo'ing, and I documented the whole "adventure" with our video camera.

Needless to say, we wound up staying up waaaaay past our bedtime- but man did we have fun tearin' stuff up and talking about what we're gonna do with the room!

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(There was an old doorway underneath the drywall!)

I look forward to bloggin' all about it once the dust settles, the paint is dry, and the room is all dressed up and ready to go- so stayed tuned for a fresh batch of "before and afters", and another wacky video, coming soon to a monitor near you!



In the meantime, let's take a tour of my friend Kim's master bathroom- shall we?

Kim and her husband, Danny, live six houses down from us.
They just finished building their house this past year, and lemme tell ya-
It.
Is.
Magnificent!

One of my favorite rooms is their master bathroom.

It's got a beautiful tub, and reclaimed hardwood flooring...

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(sigh)

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To the right, is a vanity for her, and the water closet...

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To the left is the shower, and a vanity area for Danny...

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Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to help Kim finish decorating the room.
Some framed art here, a few pretty bath accessories there, a rug, a window treatment, and a couple of towel bars draped with big, fluffy bath towels- it's going to be so fun! And, of course, I look forward to sharing her "after" pics here on the old blog-a-rooni too.

In the meantime, Kevin will continue with Mission Demolition at our place.

He's filled four 42-gallon garbage bags with debris so far...

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And one, with himself...

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Silly wabbit.





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45 comments:

Sarah B said...

Funny post! I don't often get the urge to go reno-crazy but my other half does. The amount of times I've had to stop him ripping up the hallway carpet???
I look forward to seeing developments at your end. You friend's bathroom is great - I love all the storage :)

Unknown said...

Nice work! I had a dream recently that I knocked out a wall and found an ancient cinema behind it, complete with old seats with red upholstery and film reels.

Now, my house was built in the seventies, so I'm guessing the likelihood of this cinema existing is, well, non-existent, but I still really had to fight the urge to start knocking the walls and listening for echos...

Marianne said...

oh yeah! You start one little thing, like ripping a tieny tiny bit of wall paper off to see what is underneath and next thing that you know you have weeks of work ahead of you.
But I guess that's what we love in this game. Can't wait to see what you two will be working on.

Sue Pinner said...

Great post l'm hooked can't wait to see what you make of the new door way and where it leads!
Don't all projects lead to another? hehe
Have fun

Linda @ Painted Whyte said...

I can't believe you found a hidden doorway - how exciting! I can't wait to see what you do next! You are very talented.

Tricia Rose said...

You demolished at midnight?? what excitement! And you found the doorway - I can't wait for the next stage.

Full of admiration at your zany creative energy. Love your friends bath recess too.

Micki Wilde said...

I'm a nightowl and always seem to do diy late at night and the thought of discovering a hidden door is my dream come true!!

Micki x

Sandra said...

What a cool find - a doorway hidden inside a wall! I can't wait to see what you are going to do with the space.

As for hidden things, my parents live in a 110 year old house. The house was 'renovated' and covered in siding before they bought it, as well as drywalled on the interior. But they know there is a large (as in 4'x6') stained glass window hidden in the wall in their dining room. I'm going to direct them to your blog to see if they can work up the courage to under cover it! I think they are worried about uncovering more than just a pretty window...you know...things that tend to lurk inside the wall of a century old home...old wiring etc.

Julie Johnson said...

Ah yes...the sweater unravels doesn't it? We recently did an unplanned bathroom demo. I've been blogging about it. Good thing too...found a hot wire!

Carole said...

Absolutely love your posts. Not sure I would have the energy to pull a wall down at midnight. But, dress a room - thats my idea of heaven.

Carla said...

We did that too one time! Found an old octogon shaped window behind a cedar wall in a closet! I love old houses!

What room is this magical doorway in? And what's on the other side? So intriguing!

Lynn Kellan said...

What are you gonna do with the newly discovered doorway? I need to know! Hurry! Hurry!

Dianne said...

You are such a tease! Hurry Hurry!!! I cannot wait to see what else you have done. xoxo

The Starr Family said...

Argh... can't take the wait!! A hidden doorway, how fun is that? Excited for the reveal... and your neighbor's glorious room de john!

Amber Polk said...

That tub and a chandelier in the bathroom! Swoon!!

Can't wait to see your video!

Anonymous said...

Layla -

Exciting goings on at TLC! I am wondering what prompted you to believe there was a hidden door in the first place and where is it?! Can't wait for your next update.
Kim and Danny's bathroom is beautiful but with your help it will be taken up to WOW!

Your Friend,
Deborah

Unknown said...

Layla - Your posts are so endearing. Love to read about your design adventures.

Please stop by my blog to read the before and after of our home renovation.

http://colorandlightatelier.blogspot.com/2010/04/maison-gemeux-renovation-of-our-country.html

My Cottage Charm said...

Ok girl, you gotta spill! What made you think there was a door there and where, my dear, does it lead? :)
Can't wait to see what you guys are doing!! I wish I lived 6 houses down from you so I could sneak over and see what you're up to! lol Gotta say, your friend is very blessed to have you six doors down...good decorating advice right around the corner! :)
Have a great week!
Blessings
Melissa

Cathy said...

Oh can't wait to see the end result with the wall and the friends bathroom. I know they both will be beautimous!!

lizziefitz said...

I have dreams about secret doorways, staircases and rooms. What could that mean? lol I look forward to future posts.

Sheri Howard said...

Whenever I say to my husband, "It's only one project!" His reply is ALWAYS..."One remodeling project is never just one, it turns into 10 because you never know what you are going to find!" I know he is right, but who wants to admit that? GO FOR IT!

Mothership said...

Our house is literally over 100 years old (and many of those years saw renter after renter). It has needed a lot of work.

And every project? Every project is a project that turns into a project that turns into a project. It used to make me nuts, but now I kinda like it and expect it.

Can't wait to see what you're doing (besides hoping for hidden treasure!).

Gail said...

oh I can't wait to see what you do! I just love pretty bathrooms...and the demo'ing sounds like so much fun! Good way to let out all your decorating frustrations, too, eh?

Hugs,

Gail

liz @ bon temps beignet said...

I can't wait to see what yall are doing! We tore down a rickety built in cabinet off of a wall in our kitchen/dining/living room and found out that the dining room was originally the 3rd bedroom and that the master was actually add on.

We've found all kinds of cool things after tearing down walls. A ring, and oooold ruler, and a bunch of pictures from a really tacky 80's wedding. I saved them all in a little box on display in our foyer.

Anonymous said...

I've always suspected that you guys don't sleep. It's nice to have my suspicion confirmed. :)


http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/05/03/my-stairway-got-hit-with-the-ugly-stick/

The Weathered Bungalow said...

Awesome! How cool to have a secret hidden doorway! LUCCKKYY DUCK!

Can't wait to see the transformation!!

Meredith

Lucy said...

You guys are so well suited! I think if I tried to talk to my boyfriend about home improvements at midnight I would not get a good response (and I know, cause I have) ;-)

The whole possible hidden door thing reminds me ''Sleeping Murder'' - I won't say why because I don't want to spoil it if you haven't read it, but it is really good, I love mysteries focused on particular houses.

That bathroom is awesome, love the tiling in the shower too. Enjoy accessorizing there!

Katie said...

Y'all! I follow Layla on Twitter and I know what room is being Demo'd!!!! I feel like I'm in on a secret!! It's going to be fabulous- that I know! Can't wait for the big reveal!

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

What fun!! Can't wait to see what the next step is. Love your friend's bathroom. She is lucky to have you help her fix it up. Love & blessings from NC!

Stephenie from Decorating Addiction said...

So we're not the only ones who tear up our house at a crazy hour at night?!

I love your friend's new bathroom. It's so fresh! Can't wait to see more.

Cathy M~(checkitoff) said...

LOVE the 1st photo! so much fun!! keep up the good work:) love Kim's bathroom, too!

Unknown said...

Fun post Layla, I am looking forward to seeing a fabulous transformation.

Marie Anne said...

Can't wait to see it! You guys are silly! lol

Unknown said...

The bathroom is beautiful! When you post the final pictures, can you post a close-up of the shower? I'd like a shower just like theirs.

Anonymous said...

I only wish my house had awesome suprises waiting for me to discover. The most interesting thing my 1970's home has revealed are broken terra cotta pots! I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with it!
~Erin @ Cultivating Home

jenny said...

hey layla! i love your blog and wrote about you here today! http://baileyandme2.com/2010/05/04/thanks-carissa/ keep up the good work, i`m a loyal fan. :)
jenny
@
www.baileyandme2.com

Brittany said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVe your blog. Thanks for posting! I'm giving you a blog award at little-inspirations.blogspot.com. :)

freshnewday said...

I ~LoVE~ your blog!
I have a similar fan fixure on the ceiling of my bedroom. I'm not sure what to replace it with though. I'm not really wanting something with lots of crystals. What fixture were you envisioning for your master bedroom?

Jacqui said...

that bathroom is dreamy!! i can't wait to start our reno but i'm over-run with ideas, what do you think is the best way to work out what you really want? I have a thousand pictures on my computer! maybe i should just organise them and them print them all out :) your blog is amazing and I love coming back.

nealy said...

Beautiful bathroom! I love chandeliers in bathrooms and unexpected places. Love it!

bambinababe.blogspot.com

Kimmy Findlay said...

Hi Layla! How fun is 'renovating' a house! We recently started on our 'entry' room - which lead to wanting to fix the kitchen and we ended up doing an outdoor area! heehee :D Look forward to seeing what you do!

Urban Farmgirl said...

You guys crack me up! I would love to be a fly on the wall for 'a day in the life of Kevin & Layla!"...what a blast!

Hey, did you see my giveaway to announce my switching my blog to a new name?? I think you may have a perfect table for that runner! ;o)

~mary~

gretchen said...

ooo...secret doorways, hidden passageways...and that lovely bath room to decorate! you have your work cut out for you, Miss Layla!

"Cottage By The Sea" said...

I can't wait to find out where that door leads. Even more exciting - a new video of Kevin and Layla. Maybe when my cottage is finished and I'm onto the decorating you guys can come have a vacation at the beach and give me some pointers! There's a room for two waiting for you.

kanishk said...

The amount of times I've had to stop him ripping up the hallway carpet???
I look forward to seeing developments at your end. You friend's bathroom is great -
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