Decisions Decisions

So we've decided to make the remodel our upstairs bathroom our 2012 project.  I decided that it would be a good idea to start small.  Our bathroom is only about 30 or so square feet, and with the bathtub, there are only about 25 square feet of floor space. 

The original plaster walls are kind of beat up and the tile combination is a little odd...or at least very outdated.  Mr. CP and I visited a few stores to check out what is available in the world of tile.  We had an idea of what we wanted, but after visiting about 3 stores in SF and two in Berkeley we were a little frustrated.  Since we live in San Francisco, we had also been sucked into the Heath Ceramics hype, but after a little research on their website, I discovered that their least expensive tiles start at $16.50 per sq ft and only come in 6 shades and 2 shapes.  Their patterns line, which would look great on small bathroom floor like ours starts at $41 per sq ft. That comes out to over $1000 just for our floor! 

One example from the Heath Ceramics Pattern Tile line

Finally, I stumbled upon the Ann Sacks website and thought they might have tiles that we would like.  Lucky for us, they had tiles that we liked for both wall and floor and they are all in stock, so we don't have to wait for a special order.

I'm not sure where the tiles from this photo are from, but the Ann Sacks Context tile that we chose looks like the elongated subway tile that they use on the walls here.  We plan to tile all the way up the wall.  I like that mirror idea...maybe we should try something like that.

For the floors, we saw a porcelain tile in a tile store, but the colors were all just a little bit off for me.  One gray was too warm and the other too dark.   The Ann Sacks Evolution tile in Tatanio looks the same in terms of texture, but comes in a middle gray which is what I had been seeking.  It has a slightly ribbed texture, which will be great for preventing slip and falls in the bathroom after stepping out of the bathtub.

The ribbing is very subtle and you can barely see it when the tile is on the floor.

One thing we have found is that a lot of floor tile options are only available in a very large size of 12x24.  Apparently, the trend is to get large tiles to reduce the amount of grout that needs to be used, and later on, cleaned.

On our way to Ann Sacks, we happened to park in front of Waterworks.  I had never been inside of one, but I knew that by reputation they carry very expensive bathroom fixtures.  They had a beautiful selection of ceramic, glass and stone tiles, but most of the options were not within our budget.

Next, we need to think about lighting options.  Recesssed lighting would be the cleanest, but the tiles might look nicer he we have something brighter that drops down from the ceiling.

So cute!

This crafty little project is so cute!  I love the use of the chevron pattern.

Check it out at How About Orange

Our BedRoom is Finally Painted!

Since my last day of work, which coincidentally was also Mr. CP's last day of school, we were very busy working on the house and running errands.  Some tasks were in preparation for the baby, like taking the hospital tour, writing up a birth plan and setting up diaper service, while others were things we just wanted to get done because we knew we would be too sleep deprived to tackle them after the baby arrived.

Below for your viewing enjoyment are some before and after photos of our bedroom.  We still have to finish the room the baby will eventually sleep in, but I figured if we at least mostly finished our room, we'd have some place for all of us to sleep for at least a few months before we move the baby into his permanent digs.

The room started out with relatively cheerful yellow walls and an off white ceiling.  There were a number of cracks in the walls, that I decided to repair with some spackle and joint tape (and some help from my brother).

Close up of a plaster crack

First layer of joint compound

Third layer of spackle (courtesy of my brother). It was a lot of work!

We decided to go with a no VOC primer and paint for a number of reasons, mainly since I was pregnant and at home for most of the day after I stopped working and because the baby would be moving in so soon.  It's also good to reduce the future off-gassing in the house in general.

And here is the painted room...For colors, we choose a soothing light gray and a Benjamin Moore shade called snow white for the ceiling and mouldings.  We purchased our paint at Ecohaus here in San Francisco.  They used the Yolo brand base and tinted it with the Mythic and Benjamin Moore shades that we had chosen.  The job definitely required two coats for the ceiling and the walls, though I suspect that many or all no-VOC paints require a double coat, because they are less pigmented than conventional paints.

We still have to install baseboards eventually, but that's a project for another time. We did manage to find a close match to the moulding that we removed at a place in Millbrae called The Moulding Company.  The staff there was helpful and we'll probably order from them when we're ready.  We are also planning to replace all of the doors, so we didn't bother to paint them for now.

Lemon Curd Favors

Mr.CP and I decided to throw a pre-baby party after all.  The get-together was co-ed, we didn't call it a baby shower and we did not play any weird baby shower games.  I was able to reserve a couple picnic tables at Presidio Heights Playground and guests each brought something tasty for a potluck style lunch.

As baby party favors, I decided to make good use of my lemons and made little jars of lemon curd for our guests.

Lemon Curd
(yields 3 cups)

Ingredients
9 Tbs unsalted butter, softened at room temperature 
1 1/4 cup sugar 
3 large eggs 
3 large egg yolks 
1 cup fresh lemon juice 
2 Tsp grated lemon zest 


Directions
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer for about  2 minutes.

Slowly add the eggs and yolks and beat for 1 minute total. Mix in the lemon juice - the mixture will look curdled, but it will smooth out as it cooks.


In a medium, heavy-based saucepan, cook the mixture over low heat until it looks smooth. (The curdled appearance disappears as the butter in the mixture melts.) Increase the heat to medium and cook, stirring  constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 15-20 minutes. It should leave a path on the back of a spoon and will read 170°F on a thermometer. Do not let the mixture boil.

Remove the curd from the heat; stir in the lemon zest and pour into a bowl or the jars and refrigerate.   I used 4 oz canning jars to make the favors.

Nice DIY Shelf?

I'm not sure whether the owners of this shelf made it themselves, but it looks like a relatively easy, yet super stylish DIY project if you can find a couple beautiful pieces of wood like that.

{via Apartment Therapy}

A Beautiful Yellow Pattern

This wall is striking...It was a DIY project. 

{via Apartment Therapy}

Much to my surprise, I saw the same pattern the next day but on fabric.

{via Poppytalk}

I really like herringbone and chevron patterns, so this is right up my alley.  It's not the perfect uniform pattern that requires loads of precise taping but is a little more freehand.  I think I've just been inspired to paint something similar with my acrylics.  =)

Updated Uses for Chalkboard Surfaces

They've been featured on blogs for a while now...chalkboards...

For those appreciate cute organization ideas, one can find chalkboard labeled jars and canisters and removable and reusable vinyl chalkboard labels. Or you can make cute DIY herb pots like the ones shown below.

Chalk Label Mason Jars from Hindsvik on Etsy

{via i-do-it-yourself.com}

Go ecofriendly while allowing your kids the freedom to be creative...or get a little creative yourself with chalkboard walls!

{via CountryLiving.com}

I like this key hook idea...Mr. CP has access to a laser cutter at school...so we can pick and design a shape of our choosing and then paint it with some chalkboard paint.

{via Helen Rawlinson's Blog}

DIY is inexpensive and easy.  Several paint companies make chalkboard paint and it comes in different shades.  According to the Benjamin Moore website, one quart of their chalkboard paint covers 100 square feet and costs around $16.

Benjamin Moore Chalkboard Paint

A New Project

As I mentioned earlier this week, Mr. CP is building us a dining table, but before he has finished, I've already signed us up for another new project.  While I still have my eyes peeled for a Selig Z chair, a couple of weeks ago, we picked up these vintage mid-century teak Danish style lounge chairs from a local Ebay seller.  Unfortunately, the chairs don't have any labels to indicate who designed them or where they were made, but the style is clean and simple, the chairs are pretty comfortable, and it looks like it will be relatively easy to have them reupholstered.

We plan to use eco-friendly material for the cushions (i.e., latex foam or maybe old school wool).  Though it would definitely be more economical to use a high density polyurethane foam, we want to avoid added flame retardants and the chemicals that are off-gassed from polyurethane materials.  As for the upholstery material, I'll be on the hunt for something neutral and maybe tweedy, but not scratchy.

Plans

Today, one of the Etsy treasuries featured a set of plans to build furniture.

PlanCanvas on Etsy

I'm not sure how comfortable that table and stools set would be, but apparently, apart from tools, all you need are 2 4'x8' pieces of plywood to make them. 

These side tables look very unique and modern.  According to the listing description, all you need to build them are one piece of 4' x 8' plywood, a few dowels, a jig saw, and drill. We have the tools, so all we'd need is some nice bamboo or veneer plywood.  Perhaps Mr. CP would like to make them over his Christmas break.  =)

Eames Style Side Tables by PlanCanvas

Frame Something

Check out these ideas.  These frames make everyday objects seem special.  With a little creativity, you can personalize your space with just about anything. 

Map Hearts for places you love

Old House Keys for significant places {via Apartment Therapy}

The "Perfect" Piece

Although I can appreciate the beauty in lots of different pieces of furniture, I find it very difficult to shop for it.  It's very easy for me to look at pieces and think that would look great in such and such a room, but when it comes time to actually making a purchase, I can take FOREVER to make a final decision.  Furniture is expensive and it is supposed to last forever, so you're making a very long term commitment which freaks me out a little.  What if I get sick of this color?  What if this starts to fall apart in a year?  What if something cooler comes out next season?  Yes, maybe I'm a little neurotic.

But today, I saw the most amazing dining table.

{via Apartment Therapy}

It's so modern and unique.  The best part is, it turns out that this table was a DIY project.  So, if we make it ourselves...there's no buyer's remorse to be had.  I must figure out a way to make this table! =)

Fun DIY Idea

This just popped up on my Google reader.  What a fun idea! 

{DIY instructions via Design*Sponge}

This would be perfect for adding some personality to a kid's room or a game room.

DIY Abstract Art

This painting project has shown up in a number of blogs since the original authors at The New Domestic posted it back in March.  I have a bunch of acrylic paint that I've been meaning to break out, a roll of drafting tape and the project seems manageable enough, so I'm excited to get started.  I just have to get myself a really big pre-stretched canvas first.

Modern Lace and Doilies

I am generally not a fan of doilies and lace.  I'm not sure whether it's just mental association with old, musty and grungy things in the attic or whether it is because it's simply too frilly for me.  There are exceptions though...

Two years ago, when I was on the hunt for a wedding dress, I saw the most beautiful deep v-neck mermaid wedding dress in a gallery of professional wedding photos.  I never did find out who made that dress, but it looked alot like this one by Jim Hjelm without the sash.

Lace V-Neck Wedding Dress by Jim Hjelm

I was certain it would cost more than I could pay though and our wedding theme was relatively casual, so lace seemed too dressy for it.

I thought of this exception to my anti-lace and doilies policy when I saw these cute drink parasols and bike basket this morning. 

The parasols are a fun DIY project.  Make them for your end of summer party!  You can download the free instructions here.

This "Granny-chic" bicycle basket is strengthened with a metal frame and comes with a set of hooks. It is also easily detachable and has a useful strap so it may be carried while shopping. 

Paper Trimmers

There are simply too many options.  There are guillotine trimmers and rotary trimmers.  There are portable trimmers and heavier stationary trimmers.  Plastic vs wood.  Some even come with lasers!  What makes it even more difficult is that the number of reviews on Amazon.com for these items are low, somewhere along the lines of 1-9 reviews per item.  That's a very small sample size.

Up until now, I've been printing only A2 size cards and 5x7 prints, so my paper vendor cuts and scores the paper to size for me.  This doesn't cost a ton, but I've noticed that some of the heavier weight papers I purchased were not cut with a sharp enough blade.  The cuts were not clean and I could see some fraying at the edges, so I end up having to clean them up with our office paper trimmer.  Unfortunately, the office paper trimmer sucks!  Things don't line up easily and the blade on that isn't super sharp either.  Also, I will soon be branching out to printing some items on smaller papers such as business cards and gift tags, so I need something that I can use at home.

I hear good things about Rotatrims, but they are way outside of my budget.  I think I might try this model by Carl, but if anyone out there has any suggestions, please let me know!

CARL 12220 Bidex heavy-duty rotary trimmer