*This post brought to you in partnership with Lowe’s. Happy New Year’s Eve friends! Today I’m ending the year sharing one of the things I do best: taking a mundane space and giving it a style makeover on a budget! My design studio has a small bathroom but it was so drab I couldn’t take it. It had nice new vinyl floors and decent shower tile but the rest of the space was boring in my eyes. Since I work here during the day I wanted it to be more than just functional and to give the bathroom a chic look. I’ll start with the before and after shots so you can compare!
The two biggest changes were adding the black and white tropical leaf pattern to the walls with peel and stick wallpaper, and modernizing the space by changing the vanity. Today I’m sharing all the ways I did it with tips on how you can do the same!
Vanity UpgradeThe vanity before was oak and old, so I opted for one that was fresh and white and found one that fit the space perfectly.
I considered a few vanities with feet but I was restricted in my choices by the fact the vinyl flooring was cut around the old vanity. Since there was no old flooring to patch the floor with, this meant my options were limited to a cabinet that would fit inside or on top of the old vanity’s footprint.
Enter the Project Source 30” vanity from Lowe’s, the perfect solution! This vanity was the exact size I needed. I originally had my eye on the 30” vanity with drawers, another really nice looking option from the budget friendly Project Source line of vanity cabinets. Sadly the drawers would not work with the plumbing so I opted for the Project Source 30” cabinet door model instead. This line of vanity cabinets is very affordable and they have a clean and fresh design in a style that blends with just about any decor! What a great upgrade to the old oak vanity!
30” Project Source vanity with drawers / 30” Project Source vanity cabinet
I opted for a oil rubbed bronze pull and knobs to add contrast and give it a modern edge. (They are a matte black finish despite the “oil rubbed bronze” label). Adding a new vanity required adding a new faucet too! This glossy black stainless steel sheen appealed to me, it adds contrast but also has traditional lines just like the vanity.
Introduce PatternBathrooms are a favorite place I like to add wallpaper! This Tropical Leaf Pattern is a peel and stick version available at Lowe’s, it is available in three colors. Isn’t it great?! Note this wallpaper doesn’t have a perfectly matching vertical repeat, can you spy it? It’s hard to tell at first glance, the busyness of the leaves detracts from it, but be aware of it if you choose this pattern. I found that a little frustrating since the leaves don’t exactly line up from strip to strip, but I just rolled (ha ha) with it.
The wallpaper is more like contact paper with its peel away backing and adhesive back side but that means it could be removed effortlessly in the future. Not that it will happen anytime soon, I love the bold black and white tropical print!
Swap the Light FixturesThis space had a 30 year old flush mount light before I changed it to a 2 light cage pendant a gray tone that would drop down and add shape and personality to the space. The bathtub faucet and shower head are brushed nickel so I played off of that tone.
Add Curves with a Round MirrorI love round mirrors in bathrooms because those spaces have a lot of angles, so the round mirror adds necessary curvature. This round mirror from Lowe’s has a beautiful thick two tone frame in warm gold and black, I love how the gold adds just a bit of warmth to this black and white space.
Here’s another peek of the space as you walk in, the bamboo shade is Levolor and it’s from Lowe’s I’ve used this shade in half a dozen spaces over the years, I love it!
There you have it, that’s the tour! What a difference right? I love the new look!
Final style tip! Don’t be afraid to have fun and mix metal tones and sheens in bathrooms, I used four, a new record. :) Warm gold on the mirror, glossy blackened stainless steel on the faucet, black hardware, and brushed nickel on the light fixture!
Be sure to check out Lowe’s line of Project Source vanities for your next budget friendly bathroom makeover! *This post brought to you in partnership with Lowe’s. All product reviews, opinions, and photos are my own! from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/12/black-white-bathroom-makeover/
0 Comments
Christmas greetings! I’m settling in for a few days of merriment with friends and family just like all of you out there. I’m happy to be most of this week relaxing in my coziest clothes and catching up on shows I’ve been meaning to watch. Sending you all warm wishes for a very Merry Christmas! I have one more makeover project to feature later this week, it’s a bathroom transformation that I can’t wait to share! Meanwhile I’ll leave you with favorite links from the past week:
I can’t even deal with the cuteness of this dollhouse makeover. (The video is everything!) Nice job on this shed turned guest house renovation. A roundup of paint companies’ 2019 Colors of the Year. Michael is so creative during the holidays: his 100 Christmas ideas list. Make ahead holiday breakfast recipes. Festive and inexpensive: this NYE wreath. This knit wreath is so snuggly I’d leave it up all winter. A great tutorial and product to cover the orange tone in wood. I take issue with the ranking of the “best movie musicals”, what say you? Leadership from the heart, and not hurt.
Have a wonderful holiday friends!! I’ll be back in a few days to share that bathroom makeover! xo
from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/12/merry-christmas-eve/ *this post brought to you in partnership with Lowe’s. I’m spending some time in the next few weeks getting my new office space ready to start 2019 with a bang. I’m really excited about how the space is coming along. All of my office furniture including the desk, shelving, and project tables are white so I knew I definitely wanted to paint the walls. I’ll be adding touches of black and brass with my decorative accents, but for the walls, I was looking for the perfect shade of green: something verdant but not too vibrant, something not too dark or light, and something that hinted of the sea. I went in search of the perfect green, and I found just the right shade by Valspar paint that makes me so happy.
We all know, whenever you’re on the hunt for the perfect paint color, the place to start is always with a stop for a group of paint swatches. I went to my neighborhood Lowe’s to see what kinds of greens were available in the Valspar line, and of course there were dozens and dozens of colors to look at. Tip! Always ask for the fan decks they keep behind the paint counter, don’t just rely on the samples on display.
Samples in the stores are never what they look like on the walls so grab as many sample pots as you think you need, I’d recommend a minimum of five or six for comparison. I’ve always believed it’s better to pay for a few extra samples and make sure you get the color you want then to pick a color and buy a gallon (or two) that you end up disliking. I was influenced by Valspar’s Colors for 2019, specifically the color Green Water. I tried it as one of my samples on the wall but it was a little too minty for my space.
I put up a grid of greens on my office wall and watched the paint samples throughout the day and how they looked at different times of day under different kinds of light. I used a lot of samples for this process because I wanted to get it just right and greens can be tricky! Sometimes they are too saturated or minty or blue so I wanted to compare a lot of them.
I made a map of the samples and referred to it over the course of several days before deciding on the color I loved the most.
The color I ended up choosing was Field of Pines, a beautiful sea green with a bit of gray and just a hint of blue. Valspar has a variety of paints available for your needs, for both interior and exterior, find any shade you’re thinking of by using their Color Visualizer. I wanted a low or zero VOC formula so I opted for their Simplicity line.
The coverage with this product is very good. I’ve used other costlier paint + primer products that don’t cover as well and usually require two coats. For this 12 x 10’ space I used only half a gallon and it covered the walls in one coat. One gallon can cover up to 400 square feet. I also love the Zero VOC formula, it had a tiny odor to it while it was wet and while I was working with it because it’s paint, but the next day there was no odor at all when I entered the room. I felt like I could get right to work assembling my office and didn’t have to wait to air the room out like you do with other paint formulas. In my color experiment I narrowed down some really nice leaf and olive greens by Valspar: Leafy GreensLeafy Rise 5007-4A, Jungle Chameleon 5008-4A, Gentle Pasture 6003-4A
Olive GreensNative Henna 6001-4B, Blanched Thyme 6001-4A, Deep Ellum (my favorite) AR1124
Here’s a sneak peak at how the office is coming together! All of my office furniture is white, as is the ceiling, trim, and doors, so I’m loving this beautiful shade of green on the walls, I find it calming and inspiring at the same time. Stay tuned for the big reveal coming in January! And be sure to pay a visit to Lowe’s to peruse all of the Valspar paint colors available, and don’t forget to ask about those fan decks they keep behind the counter! *This post brought to you in partnership with Lowe’s, your source for all your home improvement needs. All opinions shared as part of a product review are my own. from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/12/finding-the-perfect-green/ I have a client in San Francisco who is knee deep in a full scale top to bottom home remodel. Presently we’re in the framing stage so I’ve been keeping on top of the progress during the lighting/electrical placement, the plumbing, and the framing of the windows and doors. I’ll be sharing progress reports from time to time as this project moves along, and will have several new spaces to share in the spring. During a recent inspection, there was a problem with part of the old foundation that couldn’t be removed. Some awkward chunks of cement were jutting into the entry. I saw this as an opportunity and had the contractor frame a 18” high bench in what will be a mudroom when finished. I’ll trim it nicely with molding (similar to the Jenn Feldman example below) once the drywall goes up. Today’s post is a break from the holidays and a glance at some well designed entry and mudroom benches. Not only do they look great, but built in benches are also practical, it’s that one spot you can set your handbag and groceries while you take off your shoes. The built in bench is one of my favorite elements to add to any space but it’s especially useful in an entry or mudroom, amiright?
Don’t want to hire a contractor? No worries, here are some DIY ideas for building your own entry or mudroom bench:
ikea hemnes hack by house of hoff
. from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/12/built-in-benches-in-an-entry/ Holiday hellos friends! Tonight’s is the last of the holiday parties to attend, then I’m going to settle in for a week of preparation before Christmas arrives. My brother and his family will be visiting from the east coast next week, and I’m really excited to see them since they live so far away. No one makes me laugh harder than my older brother Tim so I’m looking forward to hearing his stories and sharing meals with him, his wife, and his teenagers. Favorite links: Perfection: the scale of the tile and touches of black in this bathroom. So serene: this minimalist modern home in sunny Spain. Kitchen trends that are “in” and “out”. (I disagree with #8). She’s so interesting and one of my favorite icons: Dolly Parton. The “Christmas Comet” is blazing past our planet this weekend. New habits: taking 10 minutes to change your perspective. Well said: consider a new standard of measurement. Maintain that waistline through the holidays with these lettuce wrap recipes. Rediscovering my daughter through Instagram. Ha ha, great idea Alaska Airlines.
from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/12/weekend-reading-177/ *in partnership with Arrow Fastener Tools. Hello friends! Happy December to you! It’s a busy time of year but so far I’m keeping my head above water and I have most of my shopping done. I kept my holiday decor fresh and light this year, and I wanted to do something less predictable with my tree. I loved the idea of fresh puffs of white so I made a flower light strand with the help of some pretty faux peonies, a light strand, and my handy Arrow Fastener glue gun.
I get extra crafty during the holiday season so this glue gun has been in use a lot! To make ornament vases and wreaths and now this flower light strand. The project is so easy, and the light strand can be used throughout the year. To create your own flower light strand you’ll need 8 or so faux flowers (I used white peonies), a small bulb light strand from the craft store, scissors, and a hot glue gun. First remove the heads of the flowers and discard the faux stems.
You’ll want to dismantle the layers of the flower and remove any plastic bases and receptacles so only the fabric leaf base and petals remain.
Now the fun part! Reassemble the petals using only the fabric pieces. I started with the fabric leaf base then I applied a mini circle of hot glue in between each layer of petals.
To get the flower to wrap around the light bulb, cut a thin slit in the restructured bloom.
Insert the bulb inside the flower and secure it with hot glue (optional). I found it was best to position the light strand on the tree first before attaching the flower, then select the bulb that best spaces out the flowers in the tree.
It’s a fresh and different approach to decorating the tree! You can also use the same idea to create a lighted flower strand to use elsewhere throughout the year. I’ll likely string mine across a mirror or some shelves once the holidays are over.
*This project brought to you in partnership with Arrow Fastener Tools. All opinions are my own! . from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/12/diy-flower-light-strand/ Operation New Office is underway! I have a new design space I rented and it includes a separate room where I’m setting up my new office! Having a separate workspace outside the house feels really good and I’ve discovered helps me be more productive because there is far less distraction. I’ll be blogging in the coming weeks on how that space is developing and I’m hoping to have it complete by the end of the month so 2019 will truly be a fresh start! Right now the space is a blank canvas with plain white walls and natural wood floors, (yay!) but zero personality. I’ve been shopping for lighting and shelving and I’m looking at different paint colors. I’m also swapping out the ceiling light fixture. On my Insta stories I share the old fashioned semi flush mount fixture that lives there now. The space needs an upgrade so I went in search of the perfect replacement and of course like I always do I’m sharing some really great flush and semi flush mount light fixtures I discovered in my search!
beaded 3 light / conifer (also in brass) / brass triune black & brass globe / space age gold / bronze bands cast porcelain / mod creation globe light / farmhouse black & white quoizel geometric / ombre glass (also bronze) / gray silk fabric drum / mid century sputnik / crimped gold stripe gold criss cross / steel art black
I’ll surprise you with the one I picked! . from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/12/attractive-semi-flush-mount-fixtures/ This week got away from me but it was only because I let it. This time of year there is a lot of pressure to do so much, to have a perfectly decorated home, the perfect gift for everyone, the perfect outfit for the holiday soiree. Every season I push back more and more. I stopped decorating my home top to bottom. I stopped focusing on too many creative or DIY projects and decided I would use my time differently, spending it enjoying friends and family instead. Why kill yourself in pursuit of perfection when joy comes from doing just the opposite, like watching those holiday movies in your pajamas and taking the long way home just to see the twinkle lights in the neighborhoods. Thursday night I hosted an ornament exchange party and all my favorite girlfriends came over to enjoy each other’s company. It was a simple event, and most of my appetizers were from Trader Joe’s. We sat in a circle drinking sparkling wine and swapping ornaments in a room filled with laughter. Those hours meant so much, having those strong, beautiful women close to me. Real connection is the best thing in life, and when you tap into it, nothing compares. For me, the rest of this month is about slowing down, staying connected, being present in the moment, reflecting back on the year, and resting, just like nature does in winter, in anticipation of another productive year. So many beautifully decorated holiday porches. Elegant and serene: this Georgia home. The best holiday market in each State. This chocolate caramel tart looks so delicious. This brie wreath appetizer will charm your guests. Well done: this closet pantry makeover. Self care: what she said. I love this perspective on what love means. Ways to find the joy of Christmas. . from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/12/weekend-reading-176/ If you’re hosting a party, you’re going to need balloons. These wonderfully floaty features can make all the difference to the atmosphere of the party, providing a burst of colour or an extra air of elegance… but which ones do you choose? To help you decide, we’ve put together this handy guide to help you make your party look fantastic! If you do have any questions not answered in this guide, feel free to drop us a message in the comments, or speak directly to our team! Let’s get started! ContentsDon’t have time to read the whole thing? What kind of balloons are there?
What kind of Balloons are there?There are 3 main types of party balloon to choose from; latex balloons, foil balloons, and orb balloons. Each one has its own pros and cons, styles, shapes, and inflating instructions. Latex BalloonsThese are the classic balloons everybody thinks of when party balloons are mentioned. They come in practically any colour you can think of, are super affordable, and look wonderful when floating in huge colourful bunches. They can be filled with helium and generally last about 6-8 hours, or you can fill them with air if you’re looking to create balloon arches or other decorations that don’t need to float. They’re also biodegradable over time, making them environmentally friendly! Pros
Cons
*Can be extended by up to x25 using hi-float! Foil BalloonsTake our word for it, kids ADORE these balloons, and you won’t go wrong with them if you’re hosting a party for your little one. They can be in the shape of their favourite animals, characters, or just simple round foil balloons that add some glimmer to the event. They last far longer than the other types of party balloons too; floating for around 5-10 days based on the style and size of the balloon. Many of them are also refillable! Simply refill with helium and it’ll start floating again! Ideal if you’ve got a little bit left over in that helium canister! Pros
Cons
Orb BalloonsQuite simply, these are just beautiful balloons that are spot on for elegant events. Most of the time you’ll find these balloons packed with fluttery confetti, glitter, feathers, or even other balloons! They’re usually made from super stretchy plastic and stay floating for a few days. Pros
Cons
How To Fill Your Balloons With HeliumOkay, you’ve got your balloons, the party’s due to start soon, you need to start filling them up and getting them in the air! Except you’ve never used a helium canister before… Never fear! The handy video below explains the process in under a minute. Step By Step
Useful Tip Sticking to air-filled latex balloons? We recommend a handy air pump to make the job easier. Sure, you can blow them up yourself, but it’s long, tedious, and leaves you out of breath.
This process works the same for pretty much every kind of party balloon, but there are a couple of extra steps with confetti balloons. Confetti balloons will naturally be a little heavier than standard latex balloons, so will need to be bigger and contain more helium, so make sure to add a little more gas than for other balloons. Also, if you want the confetti to stick to the side of the balloon, rub it against a jumper or scarf to create static, or give it a puff of air first. Bear in mind that the extra puff of air might lower the float time of the balloon! How Much Helium Will I Need?
The amount of helium you need will depend on how many balloons you’re filling, and what sort of balloon they are. Larger balloons will need more helium. Our small helium canisters contain 8.9 cubic ft of helium (0.25 cubic metres), and our large helium canisters contain 14.9 cubic feet of helium (0.42 cubic metres). Once you know how much helium you have, you can work out how many balloons you can fill! There are hundreds of shapes and styles of balloons, so if you’re still unsure how much helium you’re going to need, get in touch with our team and we’ll help you work it out. How Long Will My Balloons Float?
It depends on the shape and size of the balloon as well as the temperature. Extreme cold or heat will reduce the float life of your balloons, so make sure to keep your party venue at a good room temperature. The bigger the balloon, the longer it tends to float, but this is also based on the material it’s made from. Small latex balloons may only last a few hours, whereas large foil balloons can float for a week or longer! Latex BalloonsLatex balloons have the shortest float life as helium gas tends to leak out through the latex. You’ll probably get about 6-8 hours before the balloons start to fall down. You can extend this time using hi-float. Foil BalloonsFoil balloons have the longest float life of all, due to the material they’re made from. Helium can’t escape through this balloon as quick as it can with latex, meaning it stays afloat for a lot longer. Orb BalloonsOrb balloons last for days, and last longer the larger they are. Added confetti can reduce the time they stay in the air so bear this in mind when filling them up! Balloon AccessoriesSince helium makes things float, you’ll now need to ensure things aren’t going to float away…
Balloon WeightsBalloon weights keep the balloons where you want them, but it’s not as simple as that if you’re putting balloon bunches together. You need to ensure that your balloons won’t have so much lift that the weight will bounce around the venue! For balloon bunches, multiply the number for a good idea of how much weight you’ll need to keep them from flying away. For example, 10 x 12” latex balloons will have 140g of lift, so you’ll need a heavier weight! Of course, once you’ve got the weights, you’ll need to attach the balloons to them using balloon ribbons and tails. Balloon RibbonsThese are colourful foil-coated ribbons that keep balloons attached to the weights. That’s it! Remember to cut the ribbons the right length for your venue ceiling. If you want big balloon bunches that cluster together, cut them all the same length. For “tidier” looking balloon bunches, cut the ribbon at different lengths. You’ll end up with each one standing straight and looking fab! Great for elegant parties. Balloon TailsAn absolutely and completely awesome touch (and 100% necessary for weddings!). Balloon tails are ideal for those big balloons you want to take front stage. Simply add these tails to the balloon knot for that extra decorative touch. Bear in mind, they work best on larger helium balloons as they can add a lot of weight. You can take the balloon up another notch with LED balloon lights. Ideal for some sparkle during dimly lit parties! Balloon FAQsNo. Helium is an inert gas, meaning it won’t catch alight if exposed to a naked flame. However, the balloon itself can, so it’s always best to keep them away from the candles or other naked flames. While giving yourself a squeaky voice is funny, helium can be fatal if inhaled, so it’s best not to try. If you do decide to inhale it, definitely do not inhale it directly from the helium canisters! From us! We’ve got 2 different helium canister sizes. The small canister will fill up the equivalent of 30 of our 9” latex balloons and the large canister will fill up 50 9” balloons! You’ll also find helium party kits which include everything you need in one box! You can get rid of helium canisters at your local landfill. Alternatively, contact your local council and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction. Make sure to empty the helium canister fully, pop open the safety seal, and write “Empty” on the side before dumping. If your balloon isn’t floating, it’s either because you need to add more helium, or that you’ve added balloon accessories that weigh too much. Also remember, latex balloons only last a few hours, so make sure to treat them with hi-float, or to blow them up just before the party starts! You need to inflate them more! Most clear balloons look opaque before you inflate them. As they get bigger, the plastic begins to clear. Add more helium or a puff or two of air. Rub the balloon on something woolly, or add a puff or two of air before tying the balloon. Both with help the confetti inside to stick to the inside. Bear in mind, adding air reduces the float time of a balloon! It depends on the balloon, but generally speaking, no. You can still make some fantastic balloon decorations by filling them with air and tying them to other decorations. Balloon Decoration IdeasWhether they’re filled with helium or air, there are hundreds of inventive things you can do with party balloons. That’s Everything You Need To Know!Phew! Congratulations! You’re now a balloon expert! Take a look at our website for a huge range of balloon ideas, styles, colours, and shapes, and create some gorgeous floaty fun for your party today! Got a question? Leave it in the comments below or contact our team! We’ll respond ASAP and add it to the FAQ section! The post The Ultimate Balloon Guide: Choosing Balloons for Your Party! [Guide] appeared first on Party Pieces Blog & Inspiration. from https://blog.partypieces.co.uk/tutorials/the-ultimate-balloon-guide/ I finally got busy over the weekend and decorated the living room for the season. I opened up the storage closet of Christmas stuff that I’ve saved up over the past decade and saw there was plenty there to work with. I decided I was going to do this without buying anything new. This year, it’s a recycled Christmas. I’ve seen a lot of asymmetrical evergreen swags, so I gave it a go myself this year. It’s just fir clippings tied up with floral wire, they form a nice backdrop to the oversized glitter letters I made four years ago.
I bought the blue club chairs a few months ago, so I just played off that hue throughout the remainder of the room. I made the scalloped felt tree skirt back in 2012. The cardboard taxidermy deer head can be seen on this mantel from the past, and you can still buy it here at Cardboard Safari on Etsy.
I can’t say 100% that I didn’t buy anything new this year. I did buy some faux white flowers at Michaels to embellish the mantel and tree. Other than that, everything you see is several years old and I’ve used it before.
The stockings and glass finals I bought many years ago (see them on display here.) I also brought back my faux faux fur rug.
This is the first tree I’ve had in a long time that I didn’t have flocked. We Californians don’t get a lot of snow so that’s why I’ve always loved white flocked trees at Christmastime. However, this year the idea of simple green appealed to me more and I added simple blue beads, bulbs, and white flowers.
A few more scenes of the space dressed up for the season:
. from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/12/a-very-merry-mantel/ |
About MeHi I am Albin Adamski from Brynrefail, I am 32 years old. I always surf web for buying antiques for home decoration. Archives
April 2019
Categories |