Sunday, January 30, 2011

"FRENCHY BATHROOM"

Beautiful chandelier and tongue and groove ceiling

"THE RENAISSANCE WOMAN'S BATH"
Today I am sharing a bathroom makeover done by my daughter, Kim. In my opinion she is a true "Renaissance Woman". Kim lives in a small town in Illinois and has raised two of the finest young men you will ever meet. This girl can do anything, flip houses, sew, create, write, teach and make something out of nothing .

This is her bathroom makeover
Her old house is about a hundred years old and sits on farmland outside town. This bathroom had been "updated" to a formica covered vanity, with large gold knobs, flowered paneling, vinyl floor covering and a decrepit toilet. It was gutted to studs, floor and ceiling joists .
This awesome tub was the only thing that stayed


Kim did all the tile work on the walls and floor herself.
This view of the shower curtain is close to the true color of the walls
Her design for the cherry vanity, cabinets and absolute granite top was custom fabricated. I am not sure if you can see the bump out on the top that follows the curvature of the basin. It is awesome in person.
This is where the formica covered vanity sat
It was hard to get a good pic with all the reflections
Her handyman is a native of this small town. He shakes his head in wonder at some of the things she brings in and asks him to install.



The handyman couldn't understand why anyone would want something that looked like this. I guess it wasn't up to Ace Hardware standards which is all they have in town.
The towels let you know that this her personal bathroom. It is right outside her bedroom.

Kim does most of her shopping on the internet. 
I am not sure of the sources for most things.
Toilet: Internet
Chandelier: Old house she was flipping
Mirror: Internet
Heated towel bar: Internet
Shower curtains(2): Dillards

I hope you enjoyed seeing her hard work. It was really a mess previously. I wish I had before pics. She has another bathroom ripped down to the studs. Will probably be spring or summer before I can share that but I will.
I am not up to doing most projects these days. I have been perusing my photo file in order to join the fun.

I am linking to these gracious hosts:


















Friday, January 28, 2011

WANT EXTRA CABINET SPACE?

YOU ALREADY HAVE IT!!
I'LL SHOW YOU WHERE!

This project was necessitated by the
"Twelve Days of Christmas" gifts
that I shared with you herehere and here.
I desperately needed extra storage.
The week after Christmas Sweet Old Bob helped me execute this project. He was the sawyer.

If you have 36 inch upper cabinets you normally have two shelves. If you have 42 inch cabinets you probably have three. This gives you three or four existing shelf surfaces. You can get at least one extra shelf out of each cabinet, possibly two, with a little planning.
If your cabinets allow you to adjust your shelves, most do, you are good to go. 
First you need some sort of shelving material. A 12 x 1/2 inch stock board is ideal. I already had some 3/4 inch oak plywood scraps so I used that. 
Before cutting, it is a good idea to empty the cabinet. You can use one of the existing shelves to get perfect measurements and this makes getting the new shelf in place with ease. If you need to buy shelving material take your measurements with you. Most home improvement stores will make all the cuts you want.
 Since I used plywood I had a striated edge I needed to cover.

I purchased this veneer edging at Home Depot for about $6.00. It is enough veneer to do my cabinets and every cabinet in blogland. 
Just cut the veneer with an extra inch at each end. Apply according to instructions with a regular iron. I waited a few minutes for it to cool. I then lightly sanded the edges. 
If you use 12 x 1/2 inch plain stock you can skip the previous step(s).
Add a bit of stain to match your cabinets. You probably have some on hand. You can combine stains to achieve the right shade. I only stained the edge.
Isn't that cute. Perhaps a sign of days to come!
Now rearrange the shelves to suit you needs.
Add your extra shelf or shelves.


Congratulations!
 You have just found 25 to 33 percent extra shelf space in each cabinet in your kitchen.

The bottom shelves are the ones I added.
Remember, if you use solid stock the veneer is unnecessary. That would save a lot of time. I already had plywood and I am really cheap. 
After resting a bit, I will be doing every cabinet in my kitchen. Just think how much room I will have for more dishes.
I am linking to the following gracious hostesses. Please link back to them for more inspirational posts.






Hugs, Ginger




Sunday, January 23, 2011

GRANNY'S GRANDPETS

I am joining Debbiedoos' Pet Partay!

Today I will introduce you to three of my Grandpets.
These four legged members of my family are every bit as sweet and treasured as the two legged family members. They know and take full advantage of that fact.
This is one of the youngest members he belong to Hollie, my daughter in Nashville. He is a baby Pug named "Bobby" with not a white hair on him.
Isn't he adorable?

Sweet Old Bob gave this puppy to Hollie when she lost her beloved but aged fawn Pug, Blue. It was a sad time but this sweet baby has made her days a little brighter.
He was a tiny little thing.
Bob insisted that she name the puppy for him. 
Well, she came close. Can you believe this baby's AKC name is "Ricky Bobby Boucher". Hey! They live in Tennessee!
He was twelve weeks old here. The white dot on his head is a bug bite, now gone.
He is probably about five months old now.

Next up is "Franklin".  He is the king of the pride in my daughter, Kim's house. He lives in Illinois.

Please note his throne. He is too important to sit on the red velvet.
 He is rarely pictured in any other pose.
He usually too busy, "herding cats" to do photo shoots.
He is either "taking care of business" or sleeping.
There are three underlings in his pride.
During the summer months Franklin sports a Lion Cut.

The next grandpet today is "Butters".
He is the clown! He chases laser lights and has his own seat on the breakfast banquette.  He also helps with the Christmas decorating.
Butters likes to get a human's eye view.




Franklin is embarrassed and is definitely not doing his job.
HO,HO,HO! Make that Ho Hum!
Oh Franklin, lighten up!
Mom, not one more ornament for you. You are one baby's breath sprig over the line!
Well, that's it for today. I will be back to introduce more grandpets next time.


Please leave a comment and if you enjoyed your visit please follow and I will follow you back.

Today be sure to link up To Debbiedoos to meet lots more fantastic four legged friends.









GRANNY CHASES THE CHAISE!!!

CONGRATULATIONS 
TO THE WINNER OF MY GIVEAWAY!
Please go by and congratulate her!


In my post about the Ripplefold curtains here I promised to tell you more about this chaise.
We have to go back to the year 1954
Yes, way back then. You weren't even born were you?
I thought not!
I was 14 years old and had a BFF Carolyn S.  Her family was like the one that you would see on the old TV commercials. You know, the family that had all the latest gadgets. The mom who kept house in high heels and crinolined dresses. 
On Father's Day in 1954 Mr. S got this (one like this). 
Mr S's chair was covered in cream naugahyde.
That was plastic and was also the newest thing in upholstery material in the 50's.

I remember seeing him sit in it while he watched his 12 inch black and white TV, wooden console model. Get the picture? We only had black and white at the time or Mr. S. would have had color.

I was in LOVE! With the chaise not Mr. S.

When he wasn't home Carolyn and I took turns riding the chair. OOPs! I meant we took turns sitting upon his chaise. You see, this chaise would move back and forth and it was a massage chair as well.
See those controls? The toggle makes the chair change position following the curve you see.
The knob controls the massage function and has graduated intensity. 

Well, It wasn't long before Mrs. S realized we were using Mr. S's gift as a carnival ride. All our tickets were revoked and we were banished. I never got over it! I was forever crushed. I had chaise deprivation syndrome.

Fast forward to the year 1996

My daughter and I were browsing an antique store in Cookville, Tn.  OMG! My heart almost stopped beating.
In the front room of the store, in a place of honor. 
 IT!
As close to Mr. S's chaise as the gods would allow.
This one was even better. It was TURQUOISE naugahyde! 
My very favorite color in the 50's and 60's. It was meant to be. Wait! I am not in a car. How will I ever get it back to Savannah? What will Sweet Old Bob say? Oh, never mind that, how do I get it home?
Sweet Hollie promised to bring it on the next trip south. Deal! You should have seen her precious husband's face when she brought it home in her van thingie.
AWESOME!!
Better yet, you should have seen Bob's face when we unloaded it in Savannah. Oh yes, he knew it was coming. After a few remarks about "a d**n turquoise plastic hunk of junk" we got my treasure into the boudoir. Make that our Master bedroom.
The five grandsons and I had loads of fun riding relaxing on the chaise. Only, I could operate the controls at first (yes they worked). Once they had learned proper respect for this mid-century gem they graduated to operator.
After a couple of years Bob demanded that it be recovered or go to the garage. After it was reupholstered the boys had to cover the chaise with a beach towel before riding relaxing.
Ain't she sweet? I made the off white pillow. 
I found this one on the internet. Not as loved as mine!


Oh, FYI! Mrs. S had the first dishwasher I ever saw. It sat against a wall. She would pull it to the sink, somehow hook it up to the faucet, prewash (wash) her dishes and rev it up. It didn't make sense but it was neat to watch.  I really enjoyed living near the S family. I acquired all my technical savvy from them.
I find,  as I have aged, I am seeking out information and/or things that were of special interest to me in my youth. Do any of you do the same? This wonderful thing called "internet" has facilitated that process. One can find anything. That is how we all got to blogland! Yeh!!
One last look. AAH!

I hope you have enjoyed our journey back in time.
Come back and I promise, we'll do it again.


I am linking to the following gracious hostesses:

Amaze Me Monday@Dittle Dattle
Metamorphosis Monday @ BNOTP

Masterpiece Monday@Boogie Board Cottage






WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE!!
And the winner is!

Congratulations Miss Char! 


 THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
To all of you sweet followers who made 
this fun giveaway possible.
I appreciate your kindness and support.
The wonderful people I have met in blogland
have confirmed what I already knew.
We are a world of caring and loving people who will reach out to one another in positive ways.
I am so blessed to have made friends across our expansive nation and the world.

Please go by and visit Miss Char here.
We are looking forward to seeing what she purchases with her $83.00 gift certificate to HomeGoods
and all her other goodies.
THANKS AGAIN
AND CONGRATULATIONS
MISS CHAR!
Hugs, Ginger


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

HURRY HURRY HURRY!!
LAST CHANCE FOR THESE TWO GREAT GIVEAWAYS!





Blessed Mom's Simple Home
Ending Jan. 19

AND

Ending Jan. 18

Hop on over, enter now to win.
Hugs, Ginger
Don't forget to enter my giveaway
it is growing by the minute.



RIPPLEFOLD CURTAINS

Not quite sure how to do this but this is a repost for the 
Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop 04.10.11
HERE
The links at the bottom of the post are no longer active!
THE PRO'S AT
JOANN'S AND HANCOCK'S
HADN'T SEEN THIS SYSTEM!!
I have been redoing my bedroom for over a year (actually it's been two years, my daughter reads this and keeps me honest).
Remember I told you I was slow. Well, make that VERY slow.
I will show you a couple of before shots of the bedroom, mainly to see the curtain material. You gotta promise not to laugh. OK now, you promised!

Yes, I am totally embarrassed by the color, the border and the verticals. Can we say 1986?
Just look at the curtains PLEASE!! I was once soooo proud of that border. Hand cut no less.
Of course the room is not completed. I have many excuses but I can show you what's finished.
I saw window treatments used on David Bromstead's, "Color Splash"that I really liked. After searching the internet for a while I found the rod, components and instructions. They are made by Kirsh and called the Ripplefold System. You can read about it HERE
There were some knockoffs but I decided to stay with the original. 
You can buy a utilitarian or decorative rod. I opted for a decorative rod that is smooth wood, white and had the appearance of a  2 inch full round rod. Because I was using side panels I did not need the finials, but they have some that are gorgeous.










2" WOOD FASCIA #95676 with RIPPLEFOLD GLIDES
I began by taking the old curtains apart. Using the chart provided in the instructions I decided on the fullness and the width to be covered with my one piece panel.  The chart also gives you the number of swivel sliders you will need. All this must be decided before you order the rod as the swivel sliders are pre installed.  
I did learn from the supplier that this was usually a design house project. Didn't bother me, I was too determined and stubborn to worry. 
I didn't start the curtain until the rod was delivered and installed. I will use any excuse to delay but this one was valid.
The rod was pricy but I shopped around and found it for half the price of most sites. The window is nine feet wide and the rod is in one piece. When the rod arrived that sucker was BIG and heavy. The wood is a half round and looks like this with the swivel sliders.
You can see the new room color and absence of the border here.

I do think I will go back and add 8" projection brackets for the side panels.
The ceiling color is a creamy beige

The tape on your panel just snaps on. The provided bracket covers are painted to match your wall.
After a little, "You, hold up your end, get me that other
screwdriver, I told you that wouldn't work" Bob and I got the rod installed. You gotta remember we're old, grumpy and have to sit and rest a spell in order to do anything.

You must purchase the special snap tape that operates on the sliders but it is NOT expensive. Since the fabric for the sheers was recycled from the old window treatments (I made those also) it was FREE.
From this point on it was easy. I am on to the sewing phase.
The sewing part was a no brainer.

Yes, that is a lace tablecloth you see. I brought the machines down from the bonus room
 so I didn't have to go up and down the stairs so often.
I am working with one flat panel fabricated to my measurements. I had about one half yard extra but I had measured and knew that before I got this far. I said I am slow and stubborn, not dumb.
After sewing a nice double hem and stitching on the tape, Voila, ready to hang. They were sooooo easy to hang. No trying to get the folds just right, no tying with fabric strips. Looks the same outside as inside. Draws/glides like magic.




the stationary side panels are a silk blend.
I made the side panels also. They are lined, interlined
and stationary.
Don't you just love that uniform and smooth ripple?

They draw to the right and our deck is beyond.
This works well for people, like me, with allergies. Unsnap, launder and rehang. 
I am working on a bedskirt from the stripe. A damask that coordinates with the strip will be used for the bedspread but I will be sending that out for fabrication.
I will be sharing each project and hope to be finished by spring(of some year)
Now, a peek at some areas of the room. Still have not accessorized. The bed wall is the next project after the bedskirt.
I've had the chest 35 years. The lounge is funny story that I will post about later. The fabric is not original.
The shell lamp is 20 years old. The rug was recently on sale at Pier One.
This is where you saw the "Twelve Days" Christmas tree. The mirrored lamp was purchased in St. Louis and was made by Uttermost. I think that is a weird name but they make beautiful lamps, mirrors and accessories.

Just a peek of the bedskirt.

I will posting the progress of this room. Don't expect me to produce like Kim@Savvy Southern Style. That girl can pump it out. Go Kim!

SO! What do you think?
I will be linking to these gracious hostesses:








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