Every January I treat myself to some little splurges, thanks to the birthday money burning a hole in my pocket. I always seem to have my eye on a few specific things throughout the year that I hope will still be there for my special birthday spree. The funny thing is, my splurges (almost always) come from Anthropologie.
It never fails… every year after trying on some delightful little numbers in Anthropologie’s dressing room, I end up walking out of the store with things for my home instead. I like pretty clothes as much as the next girl, but I love home décor more.
This past year, my eye was on The Noble Peasant Shower Curtain. But yikes, the price! I couldn’t justify it until January. Did you know if you have their Anthro card (not a credit card), they’ll send you a 15% off coupon for your birthday month? That eases the guilt… a little. So, the curtain is what I walked out with this year.
It’s romantic without looking girly. Does that make sense? A lovely subtle damask design sweeps the top and bottom. The fabric is a thick linen and is lined.
It’s quite luxurious but looks hilariously out of place in our dreadful bathroom. Here’s the current state of things: 
Do I exaggerate? No. We won’t be finishing the bathroom renovation for quite some time. As silly as it seems, it’s rather nice to have something pretty hanging amidst all the ugly. An additional perk of shopping at Anthropologie, is that their packaging can sometimes be as sweet as the product inside. The curtain came packaged in a zippered linen pouch… perfect to make a pillow out of. So that’s what I did:
Two gifts in one!
700 square feet on my knees and never again.
I’m still brushing stain in my sleep, so excuse the pessimism.
So here’s the nitty gritty:
We tried a pickling stain, but found too much yellow from the wood still showed through even after two coats. Then we tried brushing on regular white wall paint, then rubbing off the excess, but that proved too thick and had a tinge of blue.
So finally we settled on deck stain. After trying out several different application methods on scrap boards, we found the best solution: 1 cup of deck stain to 1/2 cup of water. After mixing, we applied with a paint brush.
The problem we ran into with all of the above methods was demarcation lines. That’s why painting board by board was the only way we could figure to do it.
Since we thinned the stain with water, we didn’t have to worry about it drying too quickly before finishing each board. But brushing even two boards at a time, we ran into it drying, showing those irritating lines.
When the stain for the whole room was finally completed, we followed it up by sponging on three coats of polyurethane in satin. That part was a breeze comparatively.
We like the end result. In fact, it’s exactly the look we were after. But. “Never again!”
Although… those are the very same words I uttered after a very hard labor with my first baby. And we all know how that worked out in the end. Which probably means a lot more whitewashing in our future. ;)
I always knew deep down inside that my wild-for-me bohemian bathroom would never last.
And I was right. It was just too, well… wild for me.
Farewell fancy skirt, hello wicker basket.
The enameled “flower box” is now holding some seashells and mixed with the Dash and Albert rug, it’s all looking rather beachy. Which must mean I’m ready for summer.
One thing I hadn’t shared before, was the copper pipe we integrated into the sink base. I love that we can see it now. I think it adds a clean, industrial element.
A fresh change, for the time being.
If you are anything like me, you’ve probably drooled over the vintage inspired faucet line from Restoration Hardware. But the prices! That sort of craziness is not happening around here. So, when it came time to replace the faucet for our new (old) sink, I went on a search for a Restoration look-alike.
I found it!
And I love it!
The knobs are delightfully chunky, and the spout comes far enough forward for practical use (the one thing lacking in our last faucet).
But best of all, it was cheaper than the off-the-shelf varieties at the big box stores. I found it here at Overstock.com. Just had to share!
One thing I always try to keep in mind while decorating is the initial impression upon entering a room.
I was enthused at the thought of our vintage inspired hook being one of the focal points of the bathroom. The lines provide a visual interest all on their own.
But when those lines are covered up with a heap of hanging damp towels? Not so much.
The hook looks much happier in its new home here:
I decided that bath towels will hang on the back of the door instead. With something like this:
Which would still allow some of the hooks to show, since there are so many of them.
And on the wall, I played switcheroo with our enameled container. It used to be a towel holder.
but now serves as a sweet little flower box instead.
A much improved first impression.
I’m thinking a new subdued look for fall and winter is in order, but for now we’re enjoying the summery burst of colors.
Our latest craigslist special came with this “waste” pull installed between two antique faucets.
It wasn’t useable for the sink anymore, but how could we just throw it out?
We had been desiring a top for our lantern-turned-waste-can.
So husband extraordinaire delivered yet again- this time with a perfect fitting lid.
And we recycled the waste pull into, well…
a waste pull!
I really do like color.
In small doses.
And the bathroom is the perfect spot for it.
A couple of years ago I found this bohemian style skirt at Macy’s in the girl’s section.
I snatched it up, knowing it was not destined to live its life hung from my little girl’s hips.
No, it needed to be hung somewhere in my house to liven things up a bit.
I think it adds an element of surprise, wouldn’t you say?
The legs of this sink were old bed posts we found at the local junk shop. Flipped upside down, they make quirky legs for the antique marble sink we got off craigslist.
The top came with the ugliest shiny brass legs with chicken feet.
The mirror was just a frame from an antique store. We had a mirror cut for it. My handy husband made an inset cabinet behind it. The frame came in black, which I almost kept as is, but ended up painting it my signature color. (if you haven’t guessed, that would be white)
The sweet enameled container on the wall came from TJ Maxx. I use it to store paper towels for drying.
The vintage looking wall hook is from Pottery Barn. I purchased it using a gift card I won from Houzz’s interview with Miss Mustard Seed (aka Marian). So now you know I always think of my bloggy friends every time I enter the restroom.
But maybe that’s not the most flattering thought. Moving along…
On the other wall, we have a three tier basket from Pier-1 for storage. And another Pottery Barn purchase is sitting beside it. It’s advertised as a hurricane lamp, but it’s more useful as a waste can. We have fancy plans for the top. Stay tuned!
Thanks for visiting our little pocket of color!
