11.17.2008

Warming Up the Bathroom

*Updated to add: The color in the bathroom is called "Cloudy Amber" and it is by Valspar.  I got it at Lowes.  Also, someone asked how I hung the wreath.  I just used a little nail in the drywall right above the mirror, so you can't see it as you are standing below.  Easy!

No news is good news, right?  We put an offer in on the house next door...a week ago.  Haven't heard a word about it.  We are competing with another buyer for the house, but the problem is that our offer is contingent upon us selling our current house. 

The "For Sale" sign is in our front yard.  We had one showing over the weekend.  No other developments.  We're not sure how this will all work out, but the one thing we need is time to sell our house so that we will be in a position to, you know, have enough money to buy the new house.  I guess we're still in the game.  But we have no idea what the score is!

So this weekend I spent a little time sprucing up our house for the real estate market.  Our agent recommended that we "warm up" our master bathroom.  It is full of windows, a huge mirror and a shower, with lots of tile.  Very stark.  Here is the "before" shot:  

First I scrounged up a wreath that I have had since college.  It once held a blue floral ribbon intertwined with some baby's breath (Yeah, my roommate and I thought we were awesome decorators in 1996!).  I ripped all that stuff off, added a brown grosgrain ribbon, and here are the results:

Then I grabbed a yellow pitcher that I've had sitting in a kitchen cupboard since we got married.  Added a few decorative sticks (and yes, I did actually pay for sticks, which boggles my husband's mind!) and placed it on the countertop:

I feel like these simple touches really give the bathroom a little more dimension and warmth.  Why didn't I do this before?

Now we just need a buyer with a lot of cash to come fall in love with our house, we need to win the bidding war for the house next door, and we need the timing to work perfectly so that we can pull this big puzzle together.  In other words, a miracle!  It could happen, right?


61 comments:

Angie said...

Good luck!! The Selling/Buying process is like a rollercoaster! I love the changes to your masterbathroom!

Stacey said...

It could happen!! Keeping my fingers crossed.

Marla said...

wishing you all the best! I know it isn't any fun!

Sarah said...

Yes, it can totally happen! It happened to us, just in the opposite order. We put ours up for sale then went looking. We had buyers but we needed to find a house so they could move in (within 2 weeks)! It all worked out and 2 weeks later we were sitting in our new house!

What color is your bathroom? I love the yellow!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

Oh! I do hope you hear something soon! I love what you did in the master bath-It is warmed up! Keep us posted!!!

Melissa said...

I love your touches! They just don't get the stick thing, do they?? :)
Keep us posted on developments~
Melissa

duchess said...

Of course it could happen.
I love the little touches you did in the master bath.
Keep the faith.

Jboo said...

Love your touches -- you always come up with the best solutions! And yes -- miracles do happen!!

Have a great week!

Janet

Ms. Tee said...

Your little touches are great! I like the yellow in your bathroom - so cheery. Fingers crossed for you here, too! :)

AndreaLeigh said...

You are right, you never know! Anything could happen. It is good to be prepared! I love the little touches. The wreath is simple and adorable. I had seen something similar on another blog that was a frame, no picture, hanging on the mirror.

Anonymous said...

Best of luck to you. The bathroom is definitely warm and I love the simplicity of it.

Wendy said...

It could DEFINITELY happen! I wish you the best of luck. Oh and I laughed about the blue ribbon and baby's breath, because I know we had a wreath just like that in my college apartment! Hee hee!

Darlene said...

That looks FABULOUS!! Still wishing the best for you!!

Sam said...

Wow, those few additions really warmed up the bathroom. Nice job! Good luck on the sale/purchase. I hope it all works out!

The Golf Widow said...

WOW, it really did make a huge difference. Best of luck. Hope you win the war!

Free Art Printables said...

It looks very cozy!

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

Love the changes, it really did warm it up in there (although, I thought it looked really pretty to begin with!)!! I also love the candle-ier! The perfect place for a bath!! :) Maybe replace the candles on the tub surround with a rolled up towel or 2 or 3 tied with a coordinating ribbon? I've seen this done in lots of model homes around here! And since you have the pretty candles in the chandie, this might look soft and cozy, and add a touch of accent color! But, it's just a suggestion, I love how you've decorated in there!!! :) Hope your offer goes through for you!

Kelli said...

Now, if I could only convince my husband to pick up and move to CO, I'd be there in a heartbeat, buy your house and we could be great neighbors. Sniff. If only. I'm praying for you.

jennykate77 said...

I'm sure everything is going to work out just perfect. The bathroom looks great...it looked great before, but I love the "warming" touches! :)

I left an award for you on my blog :)

Shannon said...

Of course it could happen! Your bathroom looks great!

Joanna said...

It's funny how big of a difference that the wreath and pitcher make. It looks great! Good luck!

Carolina Mama said...

Yes indeed! Here's praying for the miracle. And Mission Accomplished on your "warm up." ;)

melissa said...

I think the bathroom looks awesome! I will be hoping for a sale 4 u!!! How exciting!! Have a brilliant week!

melissa

Elise said...

I am so stealing that wreath idea!! I hope your home sells quickly and you can get the one next door.
Elise

Anonymous said...

I think your bathroom looks great before and after!! How did you hang the ribbon to the wall? A little nail or ??

Mrs. Gray's Class said...

Mission accomplished - it looks great. You can most definitely have a Christmas miracle!

angie {the arthur clan} said...

I would be a nervous wreck trying to wait it out with no news...crossing my fingers for you.

Your little decorating touches were perfect!

Mamajil said...

I love the bathroom!! I will be praying for your house to sell and the offer to be accepted on your other house!

Ally's Corner said...

Wow, it looks great. Love the wreath over the mirror. Hoping you will hear good news soon.

Rae said...

Little changes make such a big difference! I love your chandelier over the tub. Good luck with selling the house!!

AJ said...

Ok, just so you feel better, I too was a wonderful decorator in college;) I had some mad skills! Wink! Wink!
Love what you did to warm it up! Great chandelier and wall color-must know the name of it. We tried for that color and I have not been happy with it since day one.
Is that an outlet within the mirror? I've never seen that before! Our master bath has a big mirror like yours and I've wanted to trim it out back am not sure how to do it as the bottom of the mirror meets the tile above the sink. Not much room to work with.
Anyway, good luck with the house. Seems like you are doing a good job keeping your patience. Way better than I would be:)

Tara said...

How exciting! I've done the buying and selling far too much lately! I'm done and rested...for now. Good luck and with all your amazing decorating ideas I can't imagine you won't get a buyer quick!

The Writer Chic said...

Just found your blog...loved every post so far! Good luck with the house(s). =)

Anonymous said...

Good luck! It's a trying process in the best of times. I hope you hear soon!

Manuela

Shell in your Pocket said...

It can..crazier things happen every day!!! Love the wreath...so cute!
-sandy toes

Davene said...

I'd buy your house; it's beautiful! :)

The little changes you made do add a lot to that space!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Good Luck with the house...I am sure it is driving you crazy not knowing if they are going to accept your offer.....hang in there:)

The bathroom looks great....and my husband would have said the same thing....why can't you just collect the sticks instead of buy them.....They just don't get it...do they!!

Have a great week!

Lisa

Lisa & Gerald said...

Good Luck Carrie!

♥B said...

Good Luck! We have had our house for sale for 3 years and nothing...the neighborhood really hurts us.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

The best things always happen - easier to say on one side, than the other. Good luck

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Carrie, I wish you the best on selling! Your bathroom is so pretty, love the black cabinets.

blueladybug said...

Love your new warm bathroom. 4 years ago we were in the same position. Within 2 weeks it all worked out. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

Jodee said...

I love your bathroom! It is so bright and cheery! I love your new touches too.

Yes -- miracles happen every day! Hang in there!

Unknown said...

Love the wreath---what a great idea! I just wanted to tell you that I love your blog. I'm a new reader and I'm addicted! The day I found it, my hubby and I repainted our kitchen because I was so inspired! :)

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Little Bundles-
Thanks for your sweet comment today! I tried to come visit you but your profile is blocked, which I totally understand...but just wanted to let you know I tried! :) I am sure your kitchen is beautiful!
Carrie

Jo said...

Love the warming up touches. If it's meant to be, it will happen. I know, easier to say than to hear when you really want something! I'm pulling for you ~ besides, I need to see more decorating tips and soon you'll run out in your current home. : )

Jo

Jenni said...

I believe it really can happen! And I hope it happens for you! I love the little touches of color you added to your bathroom. Your bathroom is absolutely gorgeous! :) I'll keep praying your house sells VERY soon! :)

Hope you had a great day! :)

Mc Allen said...

woooow thats a teriffic idea!!! I just know that lickity split you will sel your house and by this time next year you will be all settled in to yuor new home looking foreward to christmas!! ;) LA

Our Complete Family said...

Oh boy~ the anticipation is so not fair, is it? Fingers still crossed and a prayer said here!
Bathrooms sell houses, right? And yours looks GREAT hun!
Happy Monday~ Les

Anonymous said...

the changes look great! i think it is the little touches that a buyer remembers. keeping you in our prayers ~nicole

Peggy said...

I believe if the time is right, you'll certainly sell...I mean how could a buyer resist your house?!

We sold our last house in 7 hours. We'll be putting our present home on the market very soon because my husband is supposed to be transferred to another part of the state around December 31st. I hope we will be as blessed this time around, but we have a disadvantage with the time of year that could make it more difficult.

Kristen said...

Right next door - as in "right next door!" I can't imagine the ease/headache that would be! I think you did great with your bathroom, I'm crossing my fingers for you that it all works out in your favor!

Sunny said...

love your black cabinets and your faucets! I'd buy it!

asnipofgoodness said...

Now I know why you like my faucet, soooooo funny!!!! I like your's too?
So is the real estate market not as bad there as it is everywhere else, or are you just a women of incredible faith?
Thank you for visiting my blog, and for your sweet, sweet comments!

the undomesticated wife said...

It looks very warm and inviting :D

asnipofgoodness said...

I linked to your blog today, check it out!(well, tomorrow)

Jenni said...

Hi, it's me again! I just wanted to let you know that I have something over at my blog for you! :) Have a great night!

Jules from "The Roost" said...

Yes it could all happen that way! :) I like how you warmed up the master bath. Especially the wreath on the mirror.

Mimi Sue said...

Miracles happen everyday. I'll keep a good thought. Mimi

Sit A Spell said...

I love the paint color. And for the sticks...we lived in the Denver area for 10 yrs and it's HARD to find sticks! We have a Golden who loves sticks and we would go on hikes in the mtns and bring sticks home for her!

I pray all will work out with the house situation...you just never know. : )

...thanks for visiting my blog!
I'm a newbie blogger and learning tons; love yours!

Brittany said...

I love the wreath hanging the mirror! What a simple touch that does so much! I may have to "borrow" this idea! Thanks for sharing!