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Friday, June 13, 2008

Fun Fact Friday: Hard work pays off

So, this week my kids have been at their Aunt Sissy's (my sister, Shelley). This extra free time allowed for some long overdue work on the house. Since we moved in last year, we've been wanting to paint the small half bath and our master bathroom. Both were just the "contractor cream" color or the standard off-white. But when we first moved in we painted both the kid's bedrooms, the office, and the dining room; and quite frankly, the thought of opening another can of paint around that time made me all twitchy.




Anyway, right before the kid's left I had found this cool little box to put in my half bath; and purchasing that box was the inspiration I needed to finally get the paint. So, while I was at it, I went ahead and got the paint for our bathroom too. I had also found a few accent pieces last week when I was in Atlanta, so I've had fun this week decorating.




The fact is I hate painting and I'm really not that good at it. But, the fun fact is: hard work pays off, and the sense of accomplishment you get with a little elbow grease is a nice little feeling, not to mention the great looking rooms (if I do say so myself.)




This is the box that started it all. I just really liked it, and thought it was pretty. I also found a great rug to match, and some hand towels that matched a flower on the outside of the box. (SCORE) The hand towels are actually rolled up inside the box, but the picture doesn't reflect that.



I am actually priviliged to have my own decorating consultants (named Tammy & Tamara ) who suggested that I hang the lid of the box on the wall........doesn't that look good?




It dawned on me that I should have taken before and after pictures, but I thought about it too late, so an "in process" shot will have to do. Did I mention I hate painting?





Here is the finished color with some new accents on the wall. I super love this iron shelf. It was a steal at my favorite places for home decor (Ross', TJ Maxx, and Marshalls). I'm not keeping the things that are on the shelf now, I just put them up there for the picture because I haven't gotten anything to put up there yet. I think I'm going to get glass jars with the chrome colored lids to hold cotton balls, etc. Or, maybe some pretty glass bottles that would have bath salts, etc. What do y'all think?







I had been wanting a large clock to put on the wall above my bathtub. It is a large wall, so it needed something big. Plus, we didn't have any time keeping device in the bathroom. I'm sure the new addition will aid in actually having us on time for church, but I think I've mentioned before that I need to develop a love for my alarm clock. So far, it hasn't happened. Anyway, the large clocks like that are kind of expensive; and if you know me very well, you know I'm cheap. So, I've been waiting to find one on clearance forever. Well, Saturday was my lucky day. Thanks to Michael's, I'm the proud owner of this clock at a whopping 60% off. Thankyouverymuch!! And, gosh y'all, I think it looks good. And yes, it was 5 'til 11 when I took the picture.



And, lastly, I just had to share this picture. This is our beloved Gigi. You've no doubt heard me mention her before. But, here is what she did the whole time I was slaving away. Every time I would emerge from a half painted bathroom, there she'd be, snoozing away. It was just comical. So, I thought another fact worth mentioning is that DOGS HAVE IT MADE.





















13 comments:

chelle belle said...

Awww! I love this post! I've always liked and admired your decorating, Shana! I SOOOO have to really, really work at putting a room together!

I LOVE your box for your powder bath! Looks just like you! Isn't that awesome to find a piece that inspires a whole room! My trouble is, I often have trouble FINDING that one piece to start with! Sigh...

AND, I LOVE your clock! The style of it, too, is just YOU! What a total BONUS to find it marked down so much! Don't you love it! Good shopper!!!! :)

You've got an AWESOME sis to keep your children for you to allow you some free time! Holy molie!

Lookin' awesome!
Chelle

PS: Love the dog, too!!!

Brad and Shana said...

Hey Chelle!

The best part of that box is that is was $6.99

Gotta love that.

Thanks for the kind words.

Tammy Howard said...

Hey!

I love that new color and clock and the box...and all of it.

It's great to get inspired isn't it?

Love the show of Gigi too. Nipper would be there trying to help me paint or getting in the paint or trying to eat the paint... he likes to help....

Great work!!!

Tammy

Tammy Howard said...

What does love the show of Gigi mean?

Duh! I was thinking I love the picture of Gigi too.... and I don't know why I typed show??

Tammy

Maddie said...

It all looks great!! It is amazing what a little time and few inspiration peices will do for ya!

chelle belle said...

$6.99!!!!
You made me laugh out loud!
Now it's simply GORGEOUS!!!
:)

Cyndi Lou said...

It looks GREAT!! ALL OF IT!! But, I must admit that the dog DOES have it made!! You did a great job and the clock is my favorite!! I would love to have a clock like that! Which Michael's did you find it at? (Hint, Hint, we are usually later than you guys to church on Sundays!!)

Great job!! Maybe we will be that inspired THIS WEEK while the kids are gone for the entire week!!

6.99 is UNREAL!!

Love ya,

Cyndi

Brad and Shana said...

Cyndi~

I found the clock at the Michael's in Kennesaw.....it was only 23.00 with 60% off, which I thought was a good deal. Usually, the larger clocks are $30 or more.....I told y'all I'm cheap.....I wonder if the sale has already changed since I got it last Saturday, but I suppose it's worth a try or at least a call....just keep your eye out!

Brad and Shana said...

Wait a minute.....It was not 60% off of 23.00

$23.?? was the final price. Sorry, that was confusing!! Still, it was a good deal.

Kevin & Lacey Hammontree said...

Shana,

It is so neat how we can brainstorm from one little thing.

Everything looked great and I love the colors.

Lacey

Jenny said...

Ever read "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie?" I'm sure you have...it leads to lots of things. Those things definitely paid off chick. It looks great! Now don't get me wrong, it looked great before. It's just a "change it up" kinda great now lol.

The Wild World of Richmond said...

It's obvious that my friends need to help me decorate. Your bathroom looks awesome. Tamara's stripes that I saw yesterday and her drapes look awesome....maybe I won't have you guys over anytime soon. My house is blah. I'm IDD...interior decorating delayed. I struggle really really bad and then once I get something done, it stays that way for a LONG, LONG, LONG time.
GREAT JOB!!! Will you come do my house?
Terri

Bridenstine4 said...

Hard work does pay off. I really like the blue. More than an inspiration piece, at times I have to feel desperation before convincing myself to paint another wall!