Master Bathroom revisited

Our master bathroom is an ensuite, one of four bathrooms in our home. I don't have any before pictures, just think builder basic. It is still mostly builder basic, but I am working to add a bit of character to it. I thought I would repost some pictures for Beneath My Heart's Bathroom Organization Linky Party. 





One of the best things I have found to keep bathrooms organized is towel hooks. These were the shiny brass type that I spray painted black (I need to touch up the screws.) With three guys in the house (although they seldom use this bathroom) I find it much easier to have towel hooks instead of towel bars.  Otherwise, I would be forever obsessing about the towels being straight! As with most rooms in our home, I have plans for this room as well, including a different tall storage cabinet, new taps, new lights, and trim around the mirror.





This bathroom has a separate shower stall and a large oval soaker tub, perfect for long bubble baths.





My sweet SIL "G" gave me this cute pair for my 40th Birthday. She knew I had been admiring them, and she's sweet like that. The wall colour is an aqua mistint and, along with the accessories, contributes a beachy feel to the room.
  



A favourite little black hand basket stores design magazines. I have a stack of white fluffy cotton rugs for the floors, so comfy on bare feet and super easy to keep clean.





A tall apothecary jar holds bar soap.





More of my much loved collection of aqua Crown jars. The shower stall is opposite this medicine cabinet.





I also have a love of milk glass and use many pieces for bathroom storage. This is the freestanding cabinet I hope to replace one day. It is practical and tall, with a storage door below, but I would love a piece with more character. Hmm, I wonder if the white and aqua pie cabinet in our kitchen would fit here?! I may just have to measure and see. Hoping you have a bright Monday!

edited to add: I measured and the aqua cabinet is a bit too wide!



Post Title

→

Master Bathroom revisited

Post URL

→

http://learningwithimpact.blogspot.com/2011/01/master-bathroom-revisited.html

Visit Learning with Impact for Daily Updated Collection

Tulips and Green Apples

Simple white tulips and green apples from the grocery store have a way of brightening a day.





I've been off work this week, dealing with vertigo, and after a week of being house bound without the balance to do the stuff I love to do when I am home, I was glad to feel a bit better this afternoon. I may not be up to home improvements, but playing with some tulips and apples from the grocery store was fun.





The bold greens are so much more colourful than this overcast snowy winter day.



One of my favourite aqua CROWN Imperial jars with an assortment of silver spoons found at a yard sale. The large pitcher and napkins are from HomeSense, the cutting board from Canadian Tire, the bowl, tulips and green apples are from Real Canadian Super Store (grocery.)





The IKEA storage shelf in the background is temporary until I find the perfect shelf or hutch.





Another centrepiece, from Summer 2010 in the family room, saw hydrangeas from our yard in a galvanized pail with a rusty star accent, a flameless candle lantern from a dear friend, and an old ironstone pudding bowl (the ottoman slipcover was in the wash after an unfortunate meeting with a yogourt cup!) Ah sweet summer!





I'm linking to Saturday Night Special centerpieces at Funky Junk Interiors. Hoping you have a wonderful weekend! Do you ever treat yourself to a bunch of flowers?



I've also been invited to link up some projects at The DIY Home Sweet Home Project's The More the Merrier Monday.

Post Title

→

Tulips and Green Apples

Post URL

→

http://learningwithimpact.blogspot.com/2011/01/tulips-and-green-apples.html

Visit Learning with Impact for Daily Updated Collection

My Visit to Not Too Shabby Boutique

I love finding local businesses that have unique home accessories and vintage furniture.


 


Lisa from Suburban Retreat posted about a store in downtown Brampton, Ontario, that had an adorable boutique called Not Too Shabby. I made plans and stopped by for a visit today. Am I ever glad that I did.



 
The window displays alone are worth the drive and the owner greeted me at the door with a friendly hello.





Gorgeous colours and vintage loveliness throughout the shop. I love that so many of the items have been given a new life. Perfect earth friendly shopping!





The owner has created and collected some lovely pieces and they are reasonably priced. There were so many interesting pieces, and I took my time, making several trips around the store. I purchased an antique washboard to go with two others I have. The metal with the worn wood is just perfect.





After my package was wrapped, I was heading out the door when I spotted the ladder. I had walked by it twice, admired the vintage linens on it, but didn't truly notice it until I was on my way out the door. So perfect a colour, with the most wonderful patina, I had to buy it. I have been trying to find a ladder at yard sales with no luck and this one came painted the perfect colour for our home.




So far today I have placed the ladder in our dining room, family room and it is now in our living room. I may hang some throws and quilts on it. One of those great pieces that can be used in so many places.




I love the chippiness and the colour goes so well in our home.





I will definitely be making another trip to Not Too Shabby before too long. There are several pieces that I could easily find a place for.





Not Too Shabby is located in downtown Brampton. In winter be sure to bring your skates as only one block away is the quaint Gage Park with an outdoor skating surface that meanders through the park. Any time of the year, Not Too Shabby is located in front of the new and gorgeous Rose Theatre. We were fortunate to attend two quality performances there this year. Directly outside the back door of the shop, and in front of the Rose Theatre, is a vintage carousel. The downtown area has many festivals and events, including a Farmer's Market from June to Fall. If you are in the area, I hope you get a chance to visit

Not Too Shabby
46 Main Street North
Brampton, Ontario
L6V 1N6
(289) 752-7911
Email: info@nottooshabbyboutique.com

Post Title

→

My Visit to Not Too Shabby Boutique

Post URL

→

http://learningwithimpact.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-visit-to-not-too-shabby-boutique.html

Visit Learning with Impact for Daily Updated Collection

My pillows were featured at WhisperWood Cottage

I am thrilled to have my project featured at WhisperWood Cottage's 2011 1st Project of the Year Party!

My denim and whites pillows were featured on Day 9 (5 fab fabric projects.) 

There are so many other great projects links, so be sure to stop by the party and daily features posts.


Thanks so much, Amy, the little feature button you made is so cool!

Post Title

→

My pillows were featured at WhisperWood Cottage

Post URL

→

http://learningwithimpact.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-pillows-were-featured-at-whisperwood.html

Visit Learning with Impact for Daily Updated Collection

Sweet as Can be!

I love finding accents that remind me of agriculture and this local Ontario label makes this piece a keeper.





This honey can was a $5 find at a local antique place. The sticker said $8 but when I got to the cash, the guy said 5 bucks. I had a choice between this blue and white, or a red/white/green can, but blue fits our style better. I think I need to spray the interior with a matte sealer of some sort to keep the rust from transfering.


Rusted, scratched and a bit dented, it sure would have some stories to tell. The '8 pounds net' is definitely a sign of age (Canada has used metric for a number of years), as is the absence of bilingual labelling (French and English).





I also discovered some snowshoes at the same antique place, but for $75 they will stay there. I'll stop by occasionally to see if they get marked down.


I'm joining Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm. Stop by to see some great finds.

Post Title

→

Sweet as Can be!

Post URL

→

http://learningwithimpact.blogspot.com/2011/01/sweet-as-can-be.html

Visit Learning with Impact for Daily Updated Collection

Ramsign Winner

 Thanks to all who entered the Ramsign giveaway.


Ramsign offered an enamel sign to one of my readers.

I used the not-so-earth-friendly old-fashioned print it out, cut into strips and draw by hand method, because I can not get that little random generator to copy!

For the draw bucket I used the vintage Ontario Honey pail I bought at a local antiques mill.

Blurry photo and all (10pm and poor lighting)...
And the winner is... 
Amy of ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage and Junkologie

ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage and Junkologie said...



These signs are gorgeous! Glad to be a follower!!
Amy
January 1, 2011 9:17 PM


Congratulations Amy! Thanks to all those who stopped by and entered. Thanks also to Ramsign for offering this giveaway.

Post Title

→

Ramsign Winner

Post URL

→

http://learningwithimpact.blogspot.com/2011/01/ramsign-winner.html

Visit Learning with Impact for Daily Updated Collection

More Guest Bedroom and Living Room Inspiration

This month's Country Living magazine arrived recently and I was happy to find some more inspiration photos for our basement guest bedroom.


Although not as impressive a collection as these examples, I do have a few vintage paintings that I have added to our guest bedroom for interest. I also really like the plaids, blues and whites.





I prefer a few more wood tones, so I won't be painting our vintage skis white, but I do plan on hanging them on the wall. I'm still searching for a great deal on snowshoes.




 More interesting landscapes.


All images above: Country Living

Our living room is lacking this awesome height and fireplace, but the leather chair and the lighter upholstery with the pop of blue pillows is the direction I am taking in our living room. I guess I really am learning to define what I like and how to get a simpler similar look in our home. Do you save images in an inspiration file?



 

Post Title

→

More Guest Bedroom and Living Room Inspiration

Post URL

→

http://learningwithimpact.blogspot.com/2011/01/more-guest-bedroom-and-living-room.html

Visit Learning with Impact for Daily Updated Collection

Meeting a blogging friend and Design Sleuthing

I had a wonderful opportunity to meet a blogging friend this past weekend.


Image: Sense and Simplicity blog
Grace from Sense and Simplicity and I had been planning to get together for coffee, and on Saturday it finally worked out. We had a great visit in a cute little coffee and espresso bar. Grace was 'in the know' on a Sarah Richardson new build house and planned a little 'design sleuthing'.

Image: Sense and Simplicity Blog





 Image: Sense and Simplicity Blog


We had a blast checking it out. Security camera and all. For the whole story, stop by Grace's Sense and Simplicity for...
Meeting Elizabeth and My Visit To Sarah Richardson's New House

Post Title

→

Meeting a blogging friend and Design Sleuthing

Post URL

→

http://learningwithimpact.blogspot.com/2011/01/meeting-blogging-friend-and-design.html

Visit Learning with Impact for Daily Updated Collection