Bathroom Renovation: Wet Room

Hi there. So I was away for awhile, got some sun, avoided reality, and am now back and settling back into it. Posting has been spotty, but this warmer weather and sunny days always motivates me to write more. So here is to hoping. 

A huge project on my mind right now is one that will hopefully be happening this Summer (let the permit gods bless us with a fast turnaround). We are doing a few small additions to the house, one of which will expand our master bath. I have been pouring over images for inspiration and ideas and working through sketches with the architect. One idea that came up was a wet room. Or really a huge shower with a small tub in it. I maybe use our current tub 3 times a year, maybe. So a tub is not a huge priority, but we still need one. The idea of a wet room seems like a good space saver for our particular floor plan. Here are some ideas: 

source unknown 

via: Dyna Contracting

via: David Coleman / Architecture

via: Shirley Meisels

via: Chris Pardo Design - Elemental Architecture

via: Nest Architectural Design, Inc.

via: Jane Kim Design

via: Jody Brettkelly

via: Glass Doctor

What do you think??? 

Our layout would be a steam shower with glass with the tub towards the back, two shower heads on each side. And don't even get started on tile and finishes, plenty of narrowing down to do before I start sharing. One step at a time. 

xo

Erin 

Black & White Inside

After my post on Friday, I realized that my black and white obsession goes beyond fashion. Looking at all my recent inspiration photos that I have pinned, the theme continues throughout the house. My living room is a work in progress right now (currently the land of legos, trains, and puzzles) but I have been leaning towards a black, white, and gray color scheme. But now I am thinking of it in other areas of the house thanks to these incredible spaces. 

This bathroom is amazing. That copper fixture? Love. 

I wish I could be this bold and do a stripe. So fun for a guest room. 

This shows how black and white can still be soft. This is more the style of my home. 

Fun and modern. 

Outdoor living in such a chic way. Those chairs are beautiful. 

Here are some fun pieces that you could incorporate easily into a room. 

1.  Fun pillow from Furbish $50

2. This is the rug we have in the living room. Could not love it more, great for kids. Crate & Barrel $299 for 8x10, comes in other sizes too. 

3. I think I am ordering these Serena & Lily $58 sheers for our bathroom. 

4. Super chic lamps from Furbish $210 for set of 2

5. An easy throw by Nate Berkus $29

6. Love this modern vase from Target $22

7. Kind of obsessed with director's chairs. This one from Target $41would be so fun in a sun room or as kitchen dining chairs. 

8. Can't go wrong with this classic from West Elm 

9. I want these pillows from Dwell Studio $86 for my couch

Are you into black and white like me? 

xo

Erin 

(All photos from Pinterest)

Master Suite Before & After

While I hate to say this room is "done," it feels done. No more furniture needed, paint has been applied, hardware and mirrors are installed, and ghastly window treatments have been removed. It is lovely and comfortable and working just as we had hoped. But...... we also have ideas for this side of the house (first floor master) and would like to rip everything out and reconfigure the space in both the bedroom, bathroom, and closet in the next few years. Until then though (and maybe two small purchases) we are finished. 

This is the before picture from our house listing...

And this is now...

The paint color on the wall is Sherwin Williams Serious Gray with Lazy Gray on the ceiling. I almost wish we went a bit darker, but at night it has a much moodier feel that I love. 

The coral border bedding is from Crane & Canopy and the headboard is from the Camden tufted with brass nail heads by Ballard. 

The side tables, leather bench, and dresser are Camden collection from Restoration Hardware. 

The rug is Ironwork Trellis from Shades of Light. I want to add something above the headboard. Maybe a pair of antique brass mirrors? 

The master bath is right off the bedroom and is closed off in sections (vanity, closet, shower/tub/toilet). This is the before when we moved in...

 There have not been a ton of changes, but subtle ones that make the space our own. 

 The light fixture is from Restoration Hardware. I tortured myself over that decision as well, but going with something clean and industrial works best for us. 

 I got the rug from ESale Rugs for such a bargain. Still love it. 

 The mirrors are West Elm. I poured over mirrors for so many months, but really I just wanted something with clean lines and large scale to open the space up more. 

 I thought of maybe changing the paint colors in the bathroom, but really nice clean and bright white just feels right. 

This claw foot tub is really nice and all, but honestly I have used it maybe twice in a year. You think it is is a mistake to get rid of it (probably relocate to a different bathroom) and just do one huge shower when we reconfigure? 

 It does have a lovely view. 

 The shower is kind of small, so a big double shower head one sounds really nice. 

It feels really great to have these spaces done. Now I am off to obsess over the nursery, which is getting wallpapered today. So excited to see how it turns out and get everything set up to show you! 

xo

Erin 

Renovation Results

Renovations are truly labors of love. One day you are smitten with the vision you are seeing come together before your eyes, the next it is four months later and you are still trying to cross those final items off the list. 

Our new house had been completely renovated recently, except for the basement level. While finished, it needed a complete gut. We took everything down to the studs (about 1200 sq ft) and came up with a simple design that would be functional, airy, and satisfy our needs for years to come. 

Since it was a basement, the entire concept was to keep it fresh and light. Matt and I worked alone with our contractor, which was a learning experience, especially for me. My desire to use a designer was trumped by our enthusiasm to conquer this project ourselves. The outcome is fantastic, but I absolutely learned a lot. While there are a few details I overlooked because of my "amateur" status, they most likely would never be noticed by anyone else. 

The basement consists of a large family room, half kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. It was not a walkout basement when we started, so we had a door cut (through the foundation) into the stairwell to the outside. This alone took two more weeks than we had planned, but it is amazing to have that access to the backyard. 

We are still waiting for furniture for the family room, so I will wait to share pictures of that space. I have also not decorated the spaces yet. Nothing on the walls, accessories, etc. All in due time! I am so excited to show you what we have done. 

Bathroom...

To make all the spaces cohesive, we used Benjamin Moore Pebble Beach on all of the walls with white trim. To contrast with the light walls and ceiling, we picked slate tiles on the floors. 

The granite is absolute black to keep it really clean looking. We used very affordable fixtures throughout since this space will not be used very often. Everything is from the Moen Banbury line. The nautical light fixtures are from Shades of Light. We chose white subway tile to keep it classic with one band of cobalt glass tiles to break it up a bit. My contractor used some extra trim to build the mirror.

 Bedroom...

The nice thing about this bedroom is that it has a full size window, something you do not normally see in basements. The carpet (wish I would have vacuumed it before taking the picture!) is Martha Stewart in Thunderhead. 

Everything was from our old house except for the dresser, which I got at Ikea. I am obsessed with the glossy white front and patina colored wood. 

Kitchen...

We used the same materials in the kitchen as the bath to be cohesive. The granite bar top matches the bathroom, then we used butcher block for the rest of the space. I am really into the mix of materials. We used a carpenter to build everything, including the counter tops. It took a lot less time then ordering them through a cabinetry company. 

He built these deep drawers and tons of space to hold just about everything in our house. I am on the hunt for some art to hang on that empty wall. 

While tiles was not our first choice to finish out the ceiling, we decided on not dry walling since we are unsure of other work we might want to do soon. Tiles make it a lot easier to get to any duct work, wiring, etc. The washer and dryer is a bit bigger than we anticipated, but the fact we have a second set of full size machines makes me giddy. The microwave is also a convection, which doubles up the cooking appliances. 

And there it is! Months of work and still working on the rest of it. It has been so fun to start using the space a bit and this "in-law" suite will be well used over the holidays. Once the couch that Kate Marker Interiors ordered for me comes in, I will share the family room. Think tons of built ins, toy chest bench, and a comfy deep navy couch to curl up on. 

xo

Erin 

NEAT New House

Moving is a real bitch. 

And though the results are always great after the boxes have been put away and the glasses tucked into a cabinet, the moments before that are a nightmare. Even for the most organized of people (sometimes me). 

Our move has gone off without too many hitches and I am happy to say that I am actually enjoying the space instead of obsessing over it. There is plenty of time to decorate, rearrange the vases, and shop online for rugs. 

But you at least want the spaces that you use everyday to be in working order. I was lucky enough to live close by to our new house and move a ton of items myself. Not having to box every kitchen utensil was a godsend. I was even able to set up the kitchen before the movers even showed up. The nursery was next since even though I could sleep on a couch, the baby needs an actual bed.  

Then there was our room/closet/bathroom. The clothes were shoved into the closet directly from wardrobes and toiletries dropped into drawers. And I kept telling myself....

"I will get around to that."

"I will totally organize all this to fit the new space."

"I will absolutely have the time and patience to organize it all."

Lies. All Lies. 

Because though I am a decent organizer, I am one of those eighty percent organizers. I do a great job up until about twenty percent is left and then hurriedly finish the job. The results are a solid B. 

I really wanted to start off on the right foot for this house and calling in the girls from NEAT Method was the best idea I have had since the move. 

They completely transformed the closet to a place that actually holds all of our clothes and makes sense. Every bottle and brush in our bathroom has a place. It is glorious. 

They transferred all of our clothes onto slim, no-slip hangers and categorized. Shoes are all in a perfect row. Clutches have their very own shelf. 

Jewelry is easily seen and browsed in clear, stackable boxes. Bracelets hang from an easy to see display. 

 I can actually see what is in those normally messy drawers. 

Products have a place that looks great and is functional. 

I highly recommend NEAT for any organizing you need done in your home. They assess what you need, tackle the leg work, and bring all the supplies. 

Plus, they are a ton of fun. Check out their blog, too. 

xo

Erin 

Coming Home

I have a few quiet moments from the craziness of the last couple weeks to share a peek at what has kept me so busy. I have come full circle and have made the move back to my hometown with my family. It all happened pretty fast and I have hardly even had a chance to enjoy it and breath, until today. I have stopped unpacking boxes, obsessing about the washer that does not work, and the foot printed floors, to just relax and take it in. There is a still a ton to do and I am going to take my time with decorating, but I wanted to share a few glimpses of my favorite things to far. 

Freshly painted shutters

Contrasting Staircase

Vintage looking French fixtures

Dining room set and fixture fit perfectly

Total privacy, so blinds can always be open

Huge storage closet off kitchen for stock, gadgets, linens, cookbooks... 

Wood burning fireplace in the kitchen

Sunny utility room 

Tub with a view

There will be a few big projects to share (refinishing the basement), a ton of decorating, and the rearranging of furniture to fit the new space. I am going to take my time this time around and not make any hurried decisions (super hard to not want to finish everything right away, so type A!) and I promise to share all the steps along the way. 


The girls from NEAT Method are coming today to get after my closet, which needs serious help. Can't wait to share with you what they do with the space. 


xo
Erin