Updating a Bathroom on a Dime

I love my home and have enjoyed the process of creating sanctuary in the spaces of my home.

A few years ago we started updating our 80's home. We ripped out all the 8" white tile, ripped out old Berber carpet in the family room and the original carpet in all the bedrooms.

We changed up the dark brown cabinetry and base board to Dunn Edwards Swiss Coffee (love that color) and warmed up the floor with dark walnut 5" planked hardwood floors. The last room in the house to be changed up was our master bedroom and bathroom. This long awaited project took off two weeks ago and all that's needed now is updating the faucets.

This is where you come in. I'd like your opinion and here's the challenge. I have a itsy bitsy amount of money and need to replace the lighting and the faucets and find some Cottage or French Country style mirrors. The floor is a deep bronzy brown color and the tile is beigy.

This is what the counters look like. I forgot to snap a picture of the total before, but if you can imagine wall to wall mirrors - you get the point.

I'm thoroughly enjoying the swiss coffee white cabinetery. I'm not sure it's all "matching" with the tile, but it's at the very least - fresh.

Darling husband patching some missed holes and getting ready for a second coat of this embracing yellow which is a hint of a shade lighter than what I used in our master bedroom.

With all this updating, I think I would I have conclude that my style is mostly Cottage or French Country. In all the magazines and books I am drawn too and drool over - it's these two styles that distract me most.

One of two sink faucets that we need to replace. OK, this is....uh.....ugly, I know and full of calcium - the original faucets.

A little tub action. Check out that BIG picture window. I had a pale pink (no clue why I picked pale pink) wooden blinds. Michael's in the process of painting them white. Any other ideas?

This is the tub. The shower has the same brassy looking stuff. Take note of - or, no, don't look at that ugly grout line along the edge of the tile. Actually, that's my next project. I'm invigorated by the inspiration and how to help from Sherry and John's This Young House blog. Check our what they did here.

Now, I think this bath ware is still in good shape. If I don't have to - spend the money - I'd like to keep it. So, as you pass on ideas, please let me know what you think? Is it possible to find matching sink faucets that will still work with this?

Oh, this is my flooring. The photo is a bit glarey, but it's a rich stained concrete - needing a bit of repair, but I still enjoy it.
This is the suggestion that my husband has come up with. They are an antique bronze finish.

Do you think it can work? Would you use this? If so, can it work with the existing tub/shower faucet along with hinges and door hardware that is the goldy brassy color that matches the tub?

Or, maybe this rubbed bronze one is better? What do you think?

So, help me out! I need faucets, lighting and mirrors. Can't wait for the help!

Updating a Bathroom on a Dime

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2009/06/updating-bathroom-on-dime.html

The Heart of Creating Sanctuary

The Heart of Creating Sanctuary

Creating sanctuary is so much about the internal workings of a woman's feminine soul. It doesn't start with cleaning, although it involves that.

Heart and home can't help but be entwined.

If I am not secure in who He is and if I don't know who I am in light of who He is, I'll not be a woman at peace.

May peace dwell in my heart richly . . . .
Peace won't dwell in my heart if I'm confused about Who He is.

I believe what is absolutely core to a woman (young or older) creating sanctuary is that she be a woman at peace, dwelling in peace and walking in peace.

Peace comes and fills us when we follow the Prince of Peace. How can we follow One we don't know? How can we trust One we don't know.

How does a woman begin?
Connect with God and receive a simple truth to anchor yourself for the day. Just one truth.

Meditate on that truth - as you go about your day:
*making your bed,
*planning for the next meal,
*folding your laundry,
*wiping the nose (for the umpteenth time) of your little one,
*cleaning up the forth spill (in the last fifteen minutes),
*paying the bills (and what needs to be paid is more than what is in the check book),
*talking to your elderly parent who is needing care that you don't think you can give,
*thinking about your grandchild who is experiencing rejection on the play ground,
*thinking about how tired you are and that your husband needs you - tonight,
*feelings of guilt arise because other women seem to get it all done and you struggle with getting just one thing done,
* struggling because your weight and lack of energy is still an issue in your life,
*feeling afraid because your husband seems disconnected from you and you wonder if he's pulling away because of???
* feeling overwhelmed because of the stress of the holidays and ???
*____________________________(you fill in the blank)


My one truth for today is from Psalm 32:7.

I love the song that my husband wrote about that passage.

If you are one, feeling overwhelmed with creating sanctuary and just doing life in general, stop....take a pause in your day....and listen here. Selah's version of You are My Hiding Place will refresh you.

I'll write more later on today....right now...it's a Grand Kiddo Day....

The Heart of Creating Sanctuary

http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2007/12/heart-of-creating-sanctuary.html