New Old Vanity and Master Bath Mini-Makeover

As you know, I have tried to update my house using very little money. Zero if possible.

Here's where we started:

I decided to glaze my orange oaky vanity, with a dark brown glaze(Behr, Espresso). I have had this itty bitty can 2 years now and have used it over and over again...a little goes a long way.

I sanded very lazily lightly....

Applied the glaze with a brush

Then waited for it to dry and used a satin finish wipe on poly, which I brushed on.

New knobs, and tada!!
 I couldn't wait to try on the knobs...the drawers were barely dry!

Messy, in progress!

From old brass to ORB...Used the existing hinges /screws and spray painted 

Looks soooo much better!

Added my new TP holder I got eons ago at Homegoods...6.99(nope not counting the 6.99 cause it was EONS ago--sitting in my drawer)

I still can't believe how ONE coat of the glaze makes such a collossal difference in the wood tone. So easy-- a one-day project, really.

And, yes, I purposefully left off the center door of the vanity. I also want to line the interior with wallpaper, or maybe beadboard. I put that basket in there as a hamper. The bathroom is so skinny, there's no real room for a regular size hamper, so this will work for now.

 I also painted the hutch-shelf thingy above the toilet. I toyed with the idea of taking it down, but I need storage desperately, and it was attched by these huge bolts to the wall. I took the doors off and painted it white. I do want to line the sides with that beadboard wallpaper if I ever get around to it.

before

After

After

Here's some more views...

And one more Before

And After

Dunno why my pics are so fuzzy....but you get the idea!

This is by no means the end of this makeover, it really is a Phase 1. Eventually, I want to rip out the shower and replace it with real tile, and a nice frameless glass door. Also up on the list is new floor and some color on the walls, artwork, and a framed(maybe using molding?stick on embossed tin tiles?) mirror. But for now, it works. There's really so much you can update with some imagination and existing materials.

I will post how I made those adorable jars tomorrow (hint: tomato sauce and salsa jars!)...stay tuned!

Make it a Great Day!
Ann
also linking to Primitive and Proper Piece of Work Wednesday...

Before and After Lullaby

Just a fun trip down Before and After memory lane. Yup I guess I have done a lot...


Kitchen.... still more to do, but so far:

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looks good even with a sinkful!




   Craigslist Chairs:



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 Family Room/Den:

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Living Room

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 Projects:

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 Bathroom:


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Dining Room:

 Make it a Great Day!
Ann

Works in Progress

Right now I am working on 2 projects...first off I did complete this mirror, which will go over my buffet hutch (more on that piece later)

Before:

After:

This is the detail...

It was easy... I primed (zinsser), painted (Benjamin Moore Black Suede) , first taping and spraying the inset with silver spray paint. Then I sanded and distressed the corners, and coated it all with a satin wipe-on poly.


The "buffet", a mid-century dresser, really, that's been in our household for years now, 3 homes, bedrooms, now started like this:

I would like it to look like this: (black top to tie in the black mirror and other black elements in the room)
(image from Crate&Barrel)

The other is the cane chairs. Hubs is away, and now's the perfect time to put my plan into action... I want to GLUE patches of the new cane onto the tears... I KNOW it sounds nuts, but I will be painting and distressing them anyway. BTW..hubs was appalled the condition these babies were in-- I want to at least get to the primer stage so when he come back he will see they CAN and WILL be saved!

THESE are my inspiration, wish me luck!

Posting to SNS...at Funky Junk

Should It Stay or Should It Go? (A new feature)

I am seriously driving myself nuts about what I should keep and what should go.... I should mention I went through this moving 5 years ago and got rid of lots of things I wish I hadn't: years of Christmas, Halloween, and Easter Martha Stewart Magazines..... a coffee table I could use right now, and some other things. Overall, it felt great to lighten up. But now I don't want to bring unnessary clutter into my new home, although I do need to buy some furniture-- I am short 2 sofas-- so I do need $$$ to buy new furn for my formal LR and Den.....

I decided that since I am in the process of PURGING prior to my move, that I will post the items I am seriously thinking of getting rid of at garage sale in 2 weeks. I will post the pics with a short description, then you tell me if I should get rid of it. Maybe you'll have some ideas on how to transform them also (if I keep em?)

Outdoor Set: I only paid 100 bucks for this at Big Lots... the cushions really need recovering, but overall its an OK set- but it is NOT comfortable... I am envisioning more of a "ooo this is comfortable" outdoor set- but those cost in the 1200.00 range... whacha think? Stay or go?

Pier One rattan chair: Also NOT comfortable... its just OK with a lumbar pillow... but I kinda like the style... but I will have to restain some of the frayed rattan parts... overall not in love with this... Stay or Go?

Iron Rose Shelf-Thingy: I guess I bought this when I almost went Shabby-Chic, then I remembered a man shares my house--how could I ask my burly, manly he-man to live surrounded in ruffles and crystals and pastel colors? But can I paint it? What can I use it for? It travels room to room in search of a home and a use. Stay or Go?

Daughter's Dresser: I love the style of this, but one drawer doesn't close all the way and my daughter says it looks "dirty" (she doesn't "get" the distressed look!) I had dreams of putting it in my foyer but me thinks me style has gone more modern than this now, although you can successfully mix pieces in I suppose... Stay or Go?

3 cheapy side tables: Got these with my coupon at Michaels and I think they cost me all of 8 bucks for all 3. Maybe I can paint them (ORB?) and mosaic the tops? Maybe for outdoors? Or bathroom? They fold which is kinda nice- but their surface is so tiny they really barely hold a glass of iced tea. Stay or Go?

(yes, there are 3 of these...ones in my teenager's room covered in....stuff.....)

Shelf I have had FOREVER...in my linen closet hidden away: OK, I have had this since before I married-- 15 years! I was in love with these little carved wood folk-art shelves you'd find everywhere in antique malls... used to have 3 others that have since gone bye bye. Everyplace I have been , he just ends up stuffed away because I can't find a use for him.. Stay or Go?

CD Unit: I am really toying with the idea of painting this, with big numbers on the drawers, and using it in my kitchen as a spice storage or something.. I really, really like the way its made, its all wood construction and solid. But will I do it? That also means I get rid of the CDs in it too- but I am a big IPod failure... I really don't like earphones.....I just end up listening to talk radio in the car and silence is golden in the house when I am alone... unless I listen to Maria Callas right off YouTube... soooo... Stay or Go?

Birdhouse: I know, I know...But I am so over white and blue beach house..... but Stay or Go?

2 Office Armoires: these were cheap on clearance at OfficeMax. Currently one houses my son's stuff & TV, the other I tried, but failed, at re-inventing as a "Homework Station"... I organized homework supplies, had a cubby for each kid, but it didn't catch on.. partially because it lacked proper lighting... If it stays its definitely getting painted.. Stay or Go?

Daughter's hutch and desk: This was free. Maybe my other daughter can use it, she'll need a desk, but their rooms are small in the new house... how can I make it current? Stay or Go?

Thank you--suggestions and ideas appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!