Having a nice little day here. Mr. ADT is here installing our system and it’s taken all day (still working!) I just about lost my oats when he told me we would have to have a cord running through the basement OR cut big holes in the walls, but then relaxed when we figured out a great way to disguise it.
He actually had to leave for a part during lunchtime, so I ended up being able to make it to Body Pump Express after all! I don’t really care if a miss a few cardio workouts – my heart gets enough exercise each week and I find endorphins in daily activities like biking to work – but I do really like to get to Pump twice a week because I fear I’ll lose all of my muscles if I miss too many classes! I biked there in the drizzling rain (who am I!?) and it took all of FIVE MINUTE! WAHOO MAJOR LOCATION EXCITEMENT!!
Look who came to visit for lunch!! <3 I miss him during the days.
Post-Pump lunch was two hard-boiled eggs over a salad with peppers and yellow heirloom tomato (I’m going to miss those!) with blue d’auvergne and a side of Figgy Toast. Trader Joe’s Fig Butter tastes just like a fig newton!
Here’s a little bathroom update. Our new house has two bathrooms – one upstairs that is the master and I suppose the guest bath too (not ideal, but if you learn anything from House Hunters + Property Virgins it’s that you can get everything!). But what I am very happy about is that we now have dedicated guest bathroom.
Here’s that bathroom with a super fisheye lens maximizing the view before we moved in:
I immediately fell in love with the uber-modern vibe. This bathroom is in the finished basement – but half of the basement is above ground so it’s still bright and airy.
Here it is now that we’ve settled in [please note the bulb is now replaced too!!]
There was one minor project that needed a major change:
The gross, falling apart, rusty + yellowed shower curtain.
[Which requires a giant lens to capture all-in-one!
I am so not a DIYer! I botch almost every project I do – except organization ones! I’m just not good with paint, drills, putty, etch. I suppose it’s the kind of thing that gets better with experience, but I’d rather not ruin everything in our house before that experience comes. DIY blogs help a lot!
But there is one thing I knew: Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint rocks! It’s what the pros use 😉
I’m sure John and Sherry would have some innovative way to get these up in the air to paint 360 degrees, but I resorted to just putting them on some packing paper and flipping after 30 minutes. I gave them a nice even coat noting to keep the spray paint 12 inches away and that many thin layers are better than one wet layer. What I did not know is that this paint is extremely hard to get off of fingers! I tried to flip them over by hand and had black fingertips for a day 😳
A day later, they were dry and beautiful!! Although don’t ask me how some pieces of black grass got stuck on there – I told you I’m a rookie!
Besides those small errors, the project turned out perfect!!
I used a clear eco-curtain from Bed, Bath and Beyond for a maximization of light and airiness. I like it so much more than the white! I actually showered in it too – it’s pretty fun!
I love the concrete shelf as well as the little built in shelves! I purchased a gray mat to keep on the shelf until guests come and have the trash + TP in there too.
We put up some new hooks for guest towels, and that’s Mom’s Tooth Fairy Toast on framed in the background
Here’s to the old tooth under the pillow.
Here’s to the space that it left behind,
Here’s to the new tooth soon to follow,
Here’s to the tooth fairy, generous and kind!
And lastly, we have a bee hand towel my grandmother gave me years ago – to encourage visits by Buzz! [Mom’s nickname]
The stool was a wedding gift from Matt’s fraternity brother who was stationed in Eygpt, and the little chest was my grandmother’s and is filled with toiletries for guests! Lastly the bottles on the windowsill are from my days in public relations when I worked for the Epsom Salt Council. I got one of those in Real Simple magazine once, so they follow me everywhere I go 🙂
So that’s the bathroom! Super exciting, huh (= sarcasm). More projects to come!
Aine @ Something to Chew Over says
Looks great, it’s really coming together!
I’m sure your muscles have been getting a good workout with all that heavy lifting and DIYing 🙂
Krissy @ Shiawase Life says
It looks great! Spa like – YHL would be proud!!! Maybe they can crash your house one day! BLOG LOVE! 😀
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
It looks great! I wish I was that creative with decorating. Love the bench you have in the bathroom.
Sweet and Savvy says
I absolutely LOVE the entire design of your bathroom! It is so chic:)
Alyse says
I really like that bathroom. I would be afraid of the little step, though! I know I’d forget about it no matter how many times I used it.
Is the shower base level with the tile or below? If it’s level, how does the water not leak out?
I find this interesting because I’m living in a one bedroom apartment built in 1984 that has never been updated! haha.
KathEats says
The shower base is concrete and slightly below – and the drain slopes down. The curtain helps keep the water out too!
Alyse says
That’s good, I was afraid water would come out.
Good job on the DIY spray-painting of the chains. For purposes you’ve listed I tend to avoid spray paint and super glue. ESPECIALLY super glue, yikes.
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
It IS exciting LOL! The bottles on the windowsill were the first things I noticed. They add such a nice, unique touch!
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
Wow! The bathroom looks super chic! Who knew you were an interior designer too 😉
Lauren says
Once I saw the Oil Rubbed Bronze, I totally 100% knew you were going to link to YHL! I’m really enjoying watching you settle into your new home.
Maren says
What a cool bathroom! I love the shower it’s so nutzo.
Kim@TheCrunchyKind says
that bathroom is awesome!!!
Dynamics says
Wow, I would never have put up a clear shower curtain. Amazing how some people just know what to do. It totally changes the look. I think I might make a trip to BB&B and buy a clear shower curtain for my guest bathroom. It totally opens up the room. Kath you have a great skill at decorating. I love how you incorporate your family heirlooms.
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
I like the black/white design in the bathroom and a clear shower curtain looks much better than the white! Is there much of a lip on the bottom of the shower? To me it looks like water would get everywhere. I hope I’m wrong!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Ok now I see someone else asked about the water leaking everywhere! Nevermind 🙂
Alexa @ Simple Eats says
I love that vintage looking leather bench and those pretty bee towels! The bathroom looks great!
Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey says
Beautiful!
~
suki says
I like the modern look the bathroom too! Very cool. 🙂 Totally had the same question as a few of the readers above re: water. Glad to hear that’s not a problem.
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Love the bathroom! Looks great 🙂
Cait's Plate says
GAH!! That bathroom is seriously so amazing!!! And shower curtain holders was going to be my other guess for those things but then I felt like it would be ridiculous if I guessed both that and the porch swing at the same time (given that holding up a shower curtain is a little easier than holding up an entire porch swing, haha).
Glad you got to see Matt at lunch!!
Heather @ Better With Veggies says
I absolutely love the bathroom – gorgeous!! You have just the right amount of nick-nacks, where it looks decorated and not cluttered. Can you come do mine next? 🙂
Ashley O. @ The Vegetable Life says
I LOVE all of the white in the bathroom it looks sooo light and open! I think the clear shower curtain is neat!
Cat @Breakfast to Bed says
I want.your.bathroom. I swear, I would subscribe to every single magazine just to sit in there all night. Gorgeous.
KathEats says
Hahaha. Love the magazine joke.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Kath your bathroom looks amazing!! It reminds me of a fancy bathroom I’d go into in a chic restaurant, a trendy bar, or fancy store…nice job!
I love that brown ottoman/stool piece, too. Where did you find that if I could ask?
And the figgy butter…I need to pick that up, asap. Fig Newton taste? Yes please!
Kris says
PBI, the stool is actually a camel saddle, which Kath said came from Matt’s fraternity brother who is stationed in Egypt. My husband bought one when he was stationed in Bahrain. You can probably find them online; maybe on eBay.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
whoops my eyes totally missed the last paragraph of the post! oops! Thanks for the info and lucky you to have furniture from around the world, too. Pier 1 is about as around the world as I have gotten 🙂
Susan says
Love the bathroom, but I think I wouldn’t have opted for a totally clear curtain. When having guests, I always think it’s nice to have multiple people in the bathroom at once (one showering, one brushing teeth, doing hair/make-up) and the clear curtain limits that. Unless guests are always couples.
KathEats says
We usually have couples 🙂
JenATX says
haha yeah I thought of that too! I wouldn’t mind if a mutual gal pal was doing her hair while I showered but I might not like her seeing me in my bday suit lol
Kayla [once upon a lens] says
Love the modern meets country-ish vibe of the bathroom!
What kind of shampoo/conditioner do you use for your hair?
Cathy says
Kayla I seen where Kath had Organix Coconut Shampoo in her bathroom when the earthquake hit VA. Hope this helps.
KathEats says
I’m digging the Organix Coconut! And Alba brands!
Mom says
Love the bathrooms! I forget which one is ours.
You published my poem!!!!!
Jennifer says
It looks beautiful! You have a real talent for decorating. I love how you have so many things in your decor from friends and family.
Laura (On the Threshold of Greatness) says
I love that bathroom!
Seriously, what would life be without YHL? Great idea to spray paint the shower curtain holders!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
i. want. fig butter!
Eileen says
the bathroom looks great. Love the YHL inspiration. You totally should have them do a house crashing once you get settled in more!! How cool would it be to meet John and Sherry?? 🙂
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
That WAS exciting (not being sarcastic!) I love the bathroom. It does have a very cool modern vibe to it. Your decorations really make it look great.
Melissa says
I IS exciting! I like doing bathrooms because they come together so quickly. I feel like other rooms take so much longer–I like to see progress RIGHT NOW (not that I’m impatient or anything 😉 ).
deva @ deva by definition says
I love the bathroom – so clean and open-looking. I am funny about shower curtains and shower doors – I like them to have some opacity to them, but I love the clear curtain.
Susan (Oliepants) says
I love the bathroom – I love modern bathrooms – it instantly looks clean with little effort!
Lindsay says
Very cool guest bath!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
great DIY project! I love things like that – every time you see it you feel proud!
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
Hey that shower thing looks great! I love it!
CUte stool by the way–in the bathroom 🙂
Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine says
The bathroom looks beautiful Kath! Would never think of a clear shower curtain, but I love it!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
It looks great! I love how so many of your decorations have meaning/memories behind them. Love it!
Cait @ Cait hates Cake says
Hey, nice work on the bathroom! I love your new house – it has so much character!
Giulia @ Tutupa's Lab says
I Love the bathroom! especially the concrete shelf and the little drawer, so cute!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I love this bathroom – so modern and chic 😉 And what a difference a spray paint makes to the hook chains for the shower curtain. The overall look is so put-together 🙂
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
Nice bathroom! You’re such a DIYer 🙂
Kelly says
I use a clear shower curtain under my cloth decorative shower curtain (though not eco) and read in a magazine that you can stick it in the washer. So now, every now and then (maybe 4 times a yr) I take down the clear shower curtain and wash it in the washer with a little soap and baking soda. It does a great job of getting off scum that doesn’t come of from regular bathroom cleaner. If you didn’t know, it might be useful with your clear curtain.
Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy says
Love your bathroom!
Lisa (bakebikeblog) says
Kath – your eye for detail is wonderful! It looks fantastic!
KathEats says
Well thanks! (Said in cowboy accent)
Hillary says
I can’t believe a basement bathroom is that light and airy. How awesome.
Also super jealous that you have TJ’s fig butter. My TJ’s has been sold out, and I cannot get my hands on jar!
Katie says
Nothing wrong with getting excited about the bathroom. Who will be the first lucky guest to use it? I wish it could be me! You’re right about everything in a home not being ideal, but making it work. We have an older home so we have had to be creative in areas like storage and remodeling bathrooms and the kitchen, but the charm and character that come with the details like the original woodwork, crown molding, fireplace, french doors, built in storage, laundry chute, etc. are certainly ideal. How nice that Matt was able to come home for lunch, my husband came home today which is very rare. Certainly brightened up my day! Keep sharing pictures and ideas, I am continuing to work one room/area at a time on our house and you are keeping me motivated and inspired!
Christena says
Looks good, although I like opaque or at least translucent shower curtains to maximize personal privacy. 🙂
What kind of super fisheye lens do you have? I have been looking at them lately. Do you like it and get a lot of use out of yours?
KathEats says
I don’t have the fisheye – it was from the listing agent’s company
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
The bathroom looks like a chic-boutique hotel bathroom you’ll find in L.A. or San Francisco 🙂
Great job on the DIY. I bought my first spray paint thingy and coated a mirror. I think that project was a little too advanced for this newbie, it came out ok…it looked a little sloppy but not bad for a first-timer.
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Everything looks great! I love it 🙂
Kathy W. says
Wow, gorgeous! The shower looks like some of those you see in Scandinavia.
I love clear shower curtains–it’s great to be able to see light streaming in the window while you shower!
Molly @ RDexposed says
I am loving your entire house! I love the idea of that counterspace in a bathroom! I am a big advocate of clear, clean open space. It may be an OCD thing..?
Kristin @ STUFT Mama says
Oh man, I am so jealous of your nice white, clean, new bathroom. (sigh.) I can’t even show picutres of ours. 🙂 It looks amazing!
Kristin says
The bathroom looks like a spa retreat – love it!! 🙂
healthy ashley says
I can’t get over how AMAZING your bathroom looks! Nice work. I’m the same- love organizing but I’ll leave the power tools to Richard.
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
Loving your bathroom! It is so much fun to put your personal tough on things.. and you’ve surely done that!!
Katie says
The bathroom is beautiful! I love it!
I am no good at spray painting, I spray painted a card holder for my wedding and got more on me than on the card holder birdcage thing : p
Meghan @ Day-to-Day Crazy says
What a gorgeous bathroom!
Julia says
Is fig butter better than pumpkin butter? I’m doubtful…=)
KathEats says
NO but it’s good!!
Nathalie says
Amazing bathroom! I love your attention to detail!
YHL Sherry will be so proud of you for ‘ORBing’ the little chains 😉 I could barely contain my excitement when I discovered the Rustoleum range in a DIY store here in the UK- I thought it was one of those US-things that we can’t get over here…needless to say, I bought a can and am deliberating what to orb 🙂
Lindsay @ biking before bed says
I love that everything has a story. It makes your bathroom so much homier.
Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel says
That bench/ledge/shelf is AWESOME. I think I just have a strange fondness for random bench-like things in rooms, so when I saw that in your photos, it automatically made your bathroom seem fantastic.
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf says
I LOVE what you’ve done with it! You definitely made feel very warm! And I love that ceiling!
erica says
i am in LOVE with that bathroom!!!
Kaitlyn @ Almond Oats. says
Your bathroom looks amazing now! It’s so warm + bright. Good job!
eliza@zestyappetite says
Wow kath you sure do have amazing design and style! I love this bathroom!
Angel7 says
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your bathroom! It is uber-fabuloso 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
You are a DIY champ!! Oh and I completely agree, the TJ’s Fig Butter tastes just like fig newtons!
Susan says
Delurking to let you know the bench in the bathroom is actually a camel saddle!! Love your blog.
KathEats says
thanks! DIdn’t know 🙂
Julie says
That’s not just a gorgeous bathroom, it’s like a dream bathroom! You’re so lucky! It’s such a unique design.
Maria @ Beautiful Busy Bee says
Such a chic bathroom!!! I like the new light better than the old because it’s less bright in a good way. I really want that fig butter!!! 🙂 Too bad there’s no TJ’s in Texas. 🙁
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Looks great! Like you, I’m not a DIYer by the least bit. So when something actually DOES get accomplished, it’s a pretty huge deal. 😉
mischasone says
Wow I love that stool. One day I’d like to have couches in that same type of aged leather.
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Your gust bath looks fantastic!! I love it 😀 GREAT job, girl. 😀 Oh, and great job on your lunch, too. YUMMM
Ellie@fitforthesoul says
Awww you guys are so cute Kath~hehe, you miss him during the day 😀 That’s good to know, especially for a soon to be bride 🙂 And the bathroom really is looking fantastic~better than what I could have done!
Ari @ Ari's Menu says
That fig butter is seriously like the best discovery ever! I bought it for a recipe and now I can’t get enough! My Trader Joe’s is out right now and I’m like counting the days to get it back! 🙂
tiffany @ texan on the run says
ahhh i LOVE your interior design!!!!!
Kelley says
Looks great, Kath! Congrats on the house too!!!
Paige @ Running Around Normal says
LOVE. The bathroom looks amazing – and I love the look the lens gives.
BTW – you are SO a DIY-er compared to me 😛
Lauren says
Just bought the fig butter from TJ’s…so pumped to try it now.
Larbs says
Love the new bath, but as a potential guest, the clear curtain makes me a little nervous…
Haven’t seen the fig butter in my TJ’s.
KathEats says
That’s why you close + lock the door!
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) says
Looks great. I think I have said this before but I am blown away by how fast you guys are unpacking + decorating + everything else involved when moving into a new home. You have great decor ideas and I love how you incorporate items from your family tree. 🙂
Meredith @ Food, Shoes, and Booze says
I love seeing how other people decorate their home (hence my love of HGTV)… your bathroom is super cute! And i love the shower curtain hangers!
Katie @ Plates and Paste says
Wow! Love that bathroom! The colors, look and feel is really cool.
Khushboo says
Love the bathroom- looks very modern!
Brandy says
hahaha! I actually LOVE your post about your bathroom! I’ve spent so much time spending how I want to re-decorate my bathroom so that it’s really inviting (err… as inviting as a bathroom can be) so this is really informative! I love your decorations and your fancy bench 🙂 I need to bite the bullet and just pick a theme! Damn it, Amazon.Com, and your endless possibilities!
clara says
I love the bathroom! But I also love the mug with the bikes. Where did you get that from?
KathEats says
It was a gift from a reader in NY
C says
I just LOVE the color of your bathroom…..great job! 🙂
Elisabeth says
I love that bathroom – it’s super light & airy, especially for the basement 🙂
Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine says
Wow, the DIY projects look absolutely gorgeous. Well done 🙂