I recently took some time off from quilting. Sometimes I need to take a little break. But, I can't seem to go very long without giving in to the creative side of me. So, while I didn't make any quilts, I did sew and create a few things for our master bath.
A mini makeover in that room was really over due.
We've had the same bathroom decor for over 20 years, which we've used in two different homes. I really regret not having taken any "before" pictures. By the time I thought of it, there was no way I was gonna put everything back the way it was. Sorry, but you'll just need to use your imagination.
Just picture this -
A dark green and white vertical striped shower curtain with a scalloped valance trimmed with pink and cranberry flowers. On the back of the toilet there was a crocheted doilie and a dark green plastic tissue box cover. A round ceramic bowl with cranberry and pink flowers painted on the side held fake plastic ivy plants and sat on the window sill.
OK? So do ya have that all kinda pictured in your mind? If no, than just think typical country bath circa 1980 - 1990. Yikes!
It was a bit of a chore trying to figure out what colors, patterns and style we wanted. Our taste in decor has changed a little over the years.
We needed whatever we chose to fit in with what can't be changed - the shower tiles, vanity and sink, toilet and floor tiles.
Plus there's the budget. Nothing too big or fancy and definitely nothing too pricey could be done.
Oh and not everything matches the same now like when we had the house built. Our toilet and sink/counter top are newer and white instead of gray. The shower tiles and tub are original and gray. A few tiles have a flower design in cranberry and white. Must say I loved that cranberry color back in the day, didn't I?
First, to go was the white window curtain with a crocheted lace trim that I actually still love. I just went ahead and hung it in the hall bath. The mini valance I had sewn a few years back for that bath was faded. So that was a win-win for both baths.
Next, step was figuring what if anything was going to look nice on the window sill.
Since I had a few dollars left over from Christmas I went on a hunt for the perfect thing.
And I think I found it -
It's metal with wooden handles and holds three little glass bottles. I got it and the flowers on sale for 40% off. I think it's oh so cute. OK - so maybe I still love a touch of a berry color.
I even had a few dollars left to put towards a wooden tissue box cover. It wasn't on sale, but I still saved 40% by using a coupon.
I had looked online and most decorated tissue box covers were $25.00 and up. Plus the S&H fees. Nope not gonna pay that much to store snot rags.
So, I dressed up that little wooden box by using some fabric and stain that I already had. And that cute wooden star? It was maybe $.25. Total for this project was under $5.00. Yes! And score!
To save money, and because I love to sew, I made the little quilted mat that's under the tissue box cover. The surface on the back of this toilet is not flat. I wanted something to help keep the tissue box from slipping and falling into the toilet when I grabbed for a tissue. The mat seems to do the trick.
Another good deal was the gray fabric. By using coupons I only paid $6.50. It has kind of a basket weave pattern to it. I already had the navy blue fabric that has tiny white stars speckled all over it.
I used those same two fabrics to make a new window curtain and lined it in white. I just kinda figured the design as I went along. I'm pretty darn pleased with how it turned out. I may have even done a little happy dance after I hung it up.
Not sure why the wall color looks dark.... it's really "steam white". Oh well.
My favorite new thing is a wall plaque that I made.
It cost about a dollar for the fabric. That's it. I already had the frame.
I love this fabric! It's real easy to write and stencil on. I had used it at Christmas to make a couple of pillows and loved how easy it was to work with.
If you look really close you can see the white thread I used to "hang" the stars from the g and the two y's. Kinda clever don't you think?
We ended up buying a new shower curtain. I had thought of making one. However, the cost of a quality fabric didn't seem to give us much, if any, in way of savings. Plus, when I figured in the time it would take to make, it simply made more sense to buy one.
We went with a gray and white checked design that goes well with all the other gray and white in the room, but really gives an updated vibe. I'm sure I'll have this one for about another 20+ years. By that time I'll be in my mid to late seventies and probably won't care. Ha!
Oh yea! Looking at this picture I just remembered that I did purchase the metal hooks with white knobs. Again I used a coupon that gave me 20% off. The set came to only a little over $11.00. I felt it was a bit of a splurge, but the old $.99 white plastic rings were not gonna cut it. No way! And for under a dollar a piece? Good enough for me and I'm happy with the purchase. We did decide to stay with the white curtain rod. Silver would look nice, but isn't necessary when you're on a budget.
I still have towels (navy and gray) and a toilet seat cover (navy) to get. Maybe a rug in blues and grays for an added touch of color for under the sink area. As well as, a new toothbrush holder and soap dispenser. The old dark green ceramic ones will have to work for now. I'll get these last few items when I can find a sale and/or coupons.
It was fun coming up with a new design and seeing how much we could save by being creative, reusing things we already have and using coupons.
And it's amazing what a few new touches can do to bring our out-of-the-eighties bathroom into 2014.
