Pinterest Challenge: Customize a Builder-Grade Vanity

So many projects in my house have been inspired by things I've seen on Pinterest.  Sometimes they turn out well, sometimes not-so-well.

The kids' bathroom has a few Pinterest projects.  It all started when I saw this tiled mirror tutorial:

Source: thesitsgirls.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Here's my version:

Once this project was completed, I didn't like my wall color or vanity with the glass tiles.  So, I searched for gray vanities on Pinterest and found this beautiful version from Ten June:

Source: tenjuneblog.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

And here's mine:

Source: savedbysuzy.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

My most recent project was adding feet to this vanity.  I was inspired by Centsational Girl's transformation:

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

I bought bun feet and trim.  I didn't think the bun feet alone would be tall enough to reach from the floor to vanity.  So, I drilled a hole in the trim and screwed the feet into the trim.  Then I cut the trim down so it would fit under the vanity.

I added a couple coats of Martha Stewart's Cement to match the vanity.

And, wedged the feet under the vanity.  They sit so flush with the floor that I didn't glue them in.  If they start moving around, I will just add some wood glue to keep them in place.

Adding the feet to the vanity is not my favorite Pinterest project.  To make it look as great as Centsational Girl's, I would have had to completely remove the vanity and take off the toe-kick plate, build a frame to support the vanity, and add the feet.  Wow...that's a lot of work!  More work than I was up for, so I took the lazy lady's way out and it kind of shows.

Here are a couple other Pinterest projects that I really like.  First up, is the half-striped wall.  The inspiration from The Happy Home:

Source: thehappyhomeblog.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

My version:

Source: savedbysuzy.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

I loved the cute artwork from Joe and Cheryl as soon as I saw it and knew that it would look cute in my daughter's room:

Source: joeandcheryl.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Here's my version:

Source: savedbysuzy.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Linked to the Pinterest Challenge at Hi Sugarplum!

Please feel free to pin any of the pictures taken by me to Pinterest. However, if you would like to pin one of the other pics, please go directly to the source and pin from their blog/website.

Favorite Posts of 2011

Yesterday I posted my most popular posts of the year.  Today I'm sharing my five favorite projects.

In no particular order...

#1 Black painted French doors
A simple coat of paint had a big impact. And led to a revamp of the dinng room.

#2 Painting the Piano (and the gallery wall)
I thought about painting this old piano for a long time.  I finally tackled it and I'm glad I did.

#3 Chevron Chairs
This was my first post ever!

#4 Bathroom Makeover
Paint, tile, trim, wallpaper.  Oh my!
 

 
#5 Striped Hallway
A lot of the projects I did this year for my kids, including new desks, chairs, a new dresser and curtains.  I asked what their favorite new project was and they said they liked their striped hallway with their artwork the best.  So here it is:

 
Thanks for coming along on this journey down memory lane with me!  Don't forget about the link party tomorrow.
 

Linked here:
Southern Hospitality

Kids' Bathroom Reveal

I revealed this bathroom earlier in the year over at Bird and Branch Redesign.  It's one of my favorite projects of the year, so I wanted to post it here too.  Just skip over this post if you've already seen it. :)

I'm almost finished with my kids' bathroom makeover.  This was such a fun project to do because I did 90% of it all by myself.  My husband cut one board and moved the toilet, but I painted, tiled, wallpapered and added trim.  It was my first time tackling a project of this size, but I'm happy with the results.

Here's what I started out with:

 I started by tiling a frame around the mirror.  Here's a tutorial on how I did it.  Once the mirror was completed, I wasn't satisfied with the rest of the bathroom.

I painted the walls Dolphin by Martha Stewart.  It is a soft gray color.

Next, I added paintable beadboard wallpaper to the bottom halves of the wall.  I finished this by adding some trim and painting both the trim and wallpaper and trim Behr's Decorator White.

Next, I painted the vanity Cement by Martha Stewart.  I also added some knobs from Hobby Lobby.

 I think I will have to add some knobs to the drawers too.

I finished the room off by adding some accessories I found around the house, including the "Hello Gorgeous" print I won from Nutmegaroo Studios.

BEFORE

AFTER

Here's the cost breakdown for all of you numbers people:

Paint $50
Beadboard Wallpaper $20
Trim $10
Knobs $4
Shower curtain, art, accessories - already owned = FREE

Total $84

Remember to join my link party on Thursday!  Hope to see you then.

Bathroom Reveal at Bird and Branch Redesign

Today I am revealing my bathroom makeover at Bird and Branch Redesign as part of the "Friendly Spaces" series. 

Jessamie is the lovely and busy author behind Bird and Branch Redesign. In addition to being a blogger, Jessamie is also a mom, a designer, a student, a furniture refinisher, and she even has an Etsy shop where she sells some of her treasures.

Doesn't Jessamie totally remind you of Kate Middleton, a.k.a. the Dutchess of Cambridge?

Here are some of the pretty things in her shop:

These candlesticks are so classic and pretty.  They would look great with any style of decor.

Silver trays are perfect for placing on a dresser or vanity, or even for using at your Thanksgiving feast.

Please come visit me at Bird and Branch Redesign today and take some time to browse around this pretty blog.

Bathroom Sneak Peek - and Trim Question

Thank you for all of your sweet comments on my guest posts over at Type A and All Things Bright and Beautiful!  Tuesday was not the greatest day, but your comments definitely brightened it.

Why was Tuesday not a great day?  Mainly because I was painting the trim in my bathroom.  I am a terrible interior painter and I get so frustrated when my DIY projects look super-DIY instead of professional.

That's why I need your help...how do you paint trim to make it look good?  My trim was left with visible brush strokes (ugh!!!) and I can't paint a straight line to save my life.  So, despite taping the bathroom like crazy, I can never get the nice, crisp lines that I want.  Do I need to use a special brush?  Should I use an angled brush?  How do you not get paint on the floor?  I used Behr semi-gloss paint, but maybe I should have used an oil-based paint to leave that nice super-shiny, smooth finish?

It didn't help that I was exhausted. No, not just from crashing from my sugar high.  My six-year old spent the night in the ER after not being able to breathe in the middle of the night.  She is much better now.  She has the croup mixed with asthma and all of the coughing sent her into a bronchial spasm.  It was very frightening!

Lesson learned: do not attempt house projects on no sleep!  I would have been better off cuddling on the couch with my daughter and watching a movie with her.  Instead, I let her watch a movie on my laptop in my bed.  When I came in to check on her, there was gum all over the computer.  In fact, my hand is sticking to the computer while I type this.  Surprisingly, she has "no idea" how the gum got on the computer.

Here's a little peek at what I've been busy working on this week.  It involves my new favorite color, gray.

I'll have the full reveal for you next week. 

Tile Mirror Tutorial

As promised, here's a little tutorial on how I created a tile "frame" for my boring builder's grade mirror.  This project is cheap, easy, and quick (AKA - "the holy trinity" in my decorating book).

Maybe it's the angle, but the tile looks kind of wonky in this super-close up picture. It's not. Trust me, it really is flat and smooth.
This mirror is in my girls' bathroom.  As you can see, this room has been sorely neglected.  It's hard to have motivation to decorate a room that is generally covered in blobs of toothpaste.  I definitely did not want to spend a lot of money on a new mirror.  I considered building a wood frame, but that sounded tricky.

Here's what I started with...not very impressive. 

Here's all you need for materials:

I found this glass tile at Lowe's for about $5/sheet.  I bought 4 sheets.  I used this sealant to adhere the tiles to the mirror.

First, start separating your tiles from the mesh backing.  I did this by cutting the tile into strips and then pulling the tile off of the backing.

Next, take your sealant and add a tiny dot to the back of a tile and stick it right onto the mirror.  Be sure to fit your tiles as close together as possible.  Continue this step millions of times and you'll be finished.  Actually it only took me about 2.5 hours total.

Stay tuned.  I've got a couple more projects in store for this sad space.

Linking up to some of these great blogs:

Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts, Not Just a Housewife, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Bella Before and After, Primitive and Proper, Home Stories of A to Z, Savvy Southern Style, DIY by Design, Tip Junkie, Type A Decorating, http://sistersstuff.blogspot.com/, The Thrifty Home, Domestically Speaking, Primp,
A Diamond in the Stuff, Restore Interiors, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Somewhat Simple, Beyond the Picket Fence, Fireflies and Jellybeans,My Simple Home Life,
Addicted 2 Decorating, Just a Girl, Remodelaholic, Miss Mustard Seed, Finding Fabulous, Tatertots and Jello, Under the Table and Dreaming, Thrifty Decor Chick, Coastal Charm, Junker Newbie, Serenity Now