A Moment of Downtime
Mike’s parents came down for the weekend so it’s been a flurry of organizing, finishing up old projects, shopping and planning for the past few weeks. It was sorta the kick-in-the-ass we needed to finish off some projects we’d been talking about and what not.
Plus, our raid on Linen’s-N-Things proved to be incredibly lucrative.
The “in-laws” drove in so they are super sleepy and all tucked in bed right now and I’m wired from the coffee we drank. So, I’m sharing my HGTV-y goodness with y’all. I should have my own fucking show. Design on a Dime? Fuck that. It will be called “Design on a Penny with that Crazy Heifer”.
I’d been wanting to change my bed and bathroom ensemble for a while now, but that stuff can get really expensive really fast. The set we’d been using was something I’d had since 2003. It was expensive and luxurious but it was time to go.
Enter the end of Linen’s-N-Things. Y’all would NOT believe the steals I got. In total, I spent around $180. I got 2 duvet ensembles (one gold, one chocolate), 4 throw pillows, 2 lamp shades, 1 shower curtain, 1 shower curtain liner, a picture frame, a front door mat, 6 bar glasses and a vinyl wall art that was an inspirational saying (that turned out to be crap but whatever).
My vision for both the bedroom and bathroom was “Boutique Hotel”. I used the gold duvet set for the comforter and shams. I used the chocolate one for the bed skirt and in a moment of pure genius, turned the duvet into a table cloth for my nightstand.
Here’s what my room looked like before: lighter paint, the old linens and a different furniture position:
This is what it looks like now (the vanity was my birthday gift from Mikey)
Also, I recovered that bench with a chocolate micro-suede. Before it was white. I stained it the first day I got it. Also, my friend Kristy is painting some art for us and the vinyl lettering was supposed to be here saying “All because two people fell in love…” but that shit was ghetto. Our walls were too textured and Mike just ended up cursing a lot and throwing some shit.
Now, the bathroom. It has an old, nasty vanity cabinet in it. The finish was peeling, it was dirty and the color was dated. So, I painted it espresso. 100% improvement for little effort and about $8 of paint. I also took out the dark shower curtain and replaced it with a white curtain and clear liner. The curtain is a tone-on-tone geometric pattern that changes sheen and texture. It lets the light through from the shower window and just makes the place look brighter and clean.
This pic was taken to show the artwork on the wall, but you can see the before bathroom in the pic.
And now with just two little changes:
So, did I succeed at “Boutique Hotel” for less than $180? I think so. I’m really happy with how it turned out. I am going to get an area rug for my room and found one I liked, but it will have to wait until finances allow it. It’ll cost as much as everything I already bought! But it’s a nubby, chocolate brown Berber and it’s faboo.
Tomorrow I will debut all of this to my family as I’m hosting a nice get together for the entire crew and Mike’s parents. Wine, brisket, homemade mac and cheese, salad, shoepeg corn, baked beans, bread and cake. NOM.
Dreaming up more home improvement projects-
Ali
Holy CRAP, Al. I mean… it looks even more amazing than I pictured it! (also, I like the bed better where it is now). You did an incredible job… I’m so proud of you and I can’t wait to see it! And yes, you pulled off “Boutique Hotel” times 1000.
You show off your place proudly this weekend. You’ve MORE than earned it!
)
Hopefully they fixed your bathroom… :s
I love you guys so much.
SO fabulous! Can you please come and help me with my place in Sing Sing??
You should make some crawfish crack cornbread!
Your in-laws would be HOOKED on the crack cornbread.
I love it!! I knew I would when you were telling me about it, but I didn’t imagine it this good!! I got a sneak peak before the great reveal today!!!! Woohooo for me!
Damn. I totally should have come over and used your bathroom when I had the chance!
Everything looks fabulous!! I’m inspired.
p.s. You’re totally not a heifer! You’re a glamorous diva and don’t you forget it, shug.
Thank you all!
Dianne- Yes, they fixed my bathroom. I have a pretty new light fixture and no more water stains on the ceiling!
Erin- Woman. I’ll make you a deal. When you move back to Houston, I will TOTALLY help you decorate!
We just want you to come back to us! AND if my in-laws ate seafood, I’d have made the cornbread. They wouldn’t touch it, though. Sadface. It really is ridiculous.
Sarah: Rub that in Mom’s face. hahaha I want to eat that cake you baked NOW.
Ding: Girl, Heifer is just a term me and my friend Terry have always called each other- like “Bitch”. It’s all in good fun. We know how awesome we are!
Damn girl! That’s some awesomeness. It’s also inspiring me to do before/after pics if only to motivate myself to get some shit done around here.
You really do have some talent there – I particularly love the bathroom cabinet idea.
Tell me, what would you do to fix robin’s egg blue countertops? (yeah, that’s the crap I got. You should SEE the wallpaper. It’s BAD.)
Squid:
Thank you!
First of all- where is this counter top? Bathroom, I’m assuming?
My first inclination is to tell you to rip that shit out. A new bathroom vanity really isn’t that expensive. If it’s not an option (like us, we are renting) then this is what I’d do: change the color scheme to coordinate.
That blue looks awesome with chocolate brown. Paint the cabinets and get blue and brown coordinating accessories- shower curtain, rugs… If you have no use for a shower curtain, then bring in both colors with art or curtains.
Something like this:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/EnlargeProduct.asp?SKU=107538&ZMPHT=380/43746107538CZ.JPG
I’d strip the wallpaper and paint it a light neutral- a coffee with cream color, more brown/vanilla than gold.
Since the counters are blue, I’d make sure blue was the accent color and brown is the dominate in all of the accessories.
You can apply the same idea if this is your kitchen as well.
I have no idea how you got so awesome at this. It’s like one of those God given talents or something cuz I watch Top Design and a bunch of those transformation shows, but I still wouldn’t know where to begin.
Yes, you need a show.
I love the wall color in your bedroom with the gold comforter – really pretty and cozy. Can I come over and take a nap?