Ideas for the kitchen

From IKEA, so, presumably I could go there, discover what exactly all these things are and figure out how to get them. I am intrigued by the circular thingies, which I am taking for spice racks. I could be wrong, though.

The point of this is to show off  the motion-sensor strip lighting. It's a darned good idea. Believe it is also from IKEA.  Might use that on bookcases in a bedroom, or, maybe in closet situations, too. Except, I wonder if that means they would also come on in the day time, when they are not needed? 

This is by Kohler, comes in various colors and finishes, and is a disposal flange with stopper that says it fits standard disposals. It's the "with stopper" part that intrigues me, most.  Kind of expensive, but, probably well worth the cost. 

Am busy looking at things from HGTV

Hoping to find some interesting design, decorate and/or cleaning show to watch, but, in the meantime, finding interesting tidbits, including some lists of top bedrooms. Most of the bedrooms I could do without, but, a few had something that really caught my eye.

This one, above, really appeals to me because it expresses comfort, simplicity, and has an exotic, romantic feel. Practical and romantic and exotic are hard to find, all in one shot. It's not perfect, but, it would be a perfect corner of a very large room, maybe. Or, if one had a Captain's bed, dressed up fancy, with curtains and netting, that could be very cool. Yes?  Yes!

This one is all about the color. I love the balance of "pop" colors and the neutrals that help bring them into play.

Generally, me and fru-fru (froo-froo?) don't have much to say to each other. This one, however, is saying a lot to me; and, I am saying, right back "Hello, Froo Froo!". It's the variety of shapes and the wonderful, beguiling drape of the bed skirts. The shelf on the wall is charming, too; but, I only recently noticed its existence.

This is the first room that caught my eye, and it still has it! I think it's mainly the texture of the comforter, but, it is also the contrast of textures and the mix of patterns, the subtle contrast of colos. It's just beautiful. However, I would not be thrilled with it, I don't think, if I actually had to live with it. Too much neutral, not enough exotic and bold. Mix exotic and bold in with that comforter and whatever that leather thing is at the end of the bed, toss on some mosquito netting and I am so there!

Today ..

my daughter is leaving for Alaska. The place is a rock-solid mess. Later on, I'll take photos of what she left me to work with.

I celebrated this change, by using the self cleaning function on the oven, last night; and, today, I found a small "bookcase" which I intend to change out for the big, bulky one in the front bathroom, so that I can use the bigger one for - surprise! - books! It's not a pretty bookcase, in either case (with or without pun intended), but, right now, I am striving for decluttered and functional..

One big problem I have is nowhere to put sheets or blankets. Maybe I'll just have to store them all on the upper shelf of my closet, until I can get to them and distribute them to the appropriate beds.

8:42 pm :

Having looked over my blog, I feel the mess is already adequately represented. Earlier today, Dad took me to Lowe's, bought some different screws, some faucet washers, and, bought me a drill and drill bit set (the cheapest ones there, mind, but, still and all, ones I am very grateful for), so I have a good deal of what is needed to effect repairs and hang curtains.

Oh, plus, while I was looking around, surveying the damage, I found a white sheer curtain that may fit the smaller window in the living room area. (Thank you Jehovah).  lol No, I don't think he brought the curtain to me, based on my prayers, but, I do think he helped me to notice it, because, it has been here the entire time and I didn't notice it.

I've been wracking my brains, trying to think of where to put what, especially now, because, there might be two men moving in. and, yet, the house needs to be functional.

I think I might suggest to Jordan that he put this desk in his room, after he puts the smaller bed in. I'll miss it, of course, but, at least  it would be out of the way and put to good use, to hold the computer.

blah blah blah .. there is still much to think out, but, I don't want to think, I want to do. Please and thank you.

A little bathroom dream

AThe first bathroom one comes to, in my house, the one that is not off the master bedroom, is very tiny. There is a sink with cabinet, toilet, small tub/shower. Nothing more, nothing less, except I put an over-the-door shoe rack in there, to hold things and a bookcase. The bookcase, it takes up too much room, so I need to come up with a plan that will make the bathroom functional.

Now, here is the thing. I started thinking about adding slide out drawers under the sink, which reminded me that the cabinet really does need to be replaced, per what Danny and the inspector said. Mind you, I do not trust Danny as far as I can throw him, but, the inspector had a suspicion of mold being present, in that area.

My feeling on these things is that, if the cabinet needs to be replaced, one may as well try to go for both functional and beautiful, in the bathroom. There are some things that are needed, like a way to hold towels and safety rails/bars for the sake of getting in and out of the tub; but, not much is needed for storage, when all is said and done.

That being said, here is an idea for the sink pedestal and vessel. Both are from http://www.signaturehardware.com/product9192 , and, the vessel comes in beige, as well.

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 I think, though it is hard to envision if it would work, as a certainty, that this is the bath set to go with this vesel/pedestal combination, as they are all three about natural elements and natural tones.
http://www.organize.com/collection-bamboo-bath.html

 Likewise, would this be the best toilet bowl brush, it seems. http://www.organize.com/formbu-reg-natural-stainless-steel-bowl-brush.html and for now, this would be the best plunger http://www.organize.com/stainless-steel-plunger-holder.html  and a bamboo/bronze tension mount shower pole wouldn't be remiss http://www.organize.com/formbu-reg-tension-caddy.html along with matching adhesive wall hooks http://www.organize.com/formbu-reg-natural-medium-adhesive-hook.html, a matching woven hamper http://www.organize.com/clothes-hamper-bamboo-wicker-tall.html, a banana leaf woven toilet paper holder http://www.organize.com/baletotiho.html, a banana leaf storage bench http://www.organize.com/banana-leaf-storage-bench-whitney-design.html, oak corner shelving  http://www.organize.com/oakshelf.html, and, bath mat http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=13312&itemType=PRODUCT

A bamboo peg towel rack and matching toilet tissue holder:

And, of course, we need a faucet and stopper for the vessel 

That, above, was all chosen last night/early this morning, while I was very tired, which is some of the reason I don't have more pictures of the items. However, from what I remember and what I have seen posted, it all sounds basically good. But, there is more needed. 

Such as, I would like to replace the bathroom door, or, redecorate it to make it look good. It's a hollow core door that has been highly abused and is holey and lightly duct taped, as a result.

  *ahem* That happened before I moved in! 

What else? Oh, well, I had thought of using tile on the walls, but, I am not sure now. Maybe just paint. Let's see!

Here is something that would definitely help in changing the look of the bathroom: Painting the tub surround with epoxy paint. Could be a bamboo stencil would be good to be used.

What color? Hmmm ...  I have a wonderful idea. Let's run with it, and see where we get. In the meantime, take a look at these potentials:  

The Sierra Copper Fabric Shower Curtain by Manor Hill sold at Bed Bath & Beyond, where one also finds 

the Sierra Copper bath ensemble

and, the Sierra Copper Towels:

                                                 

and this wonderful Sea Isle toilet seat and this Wooden Bamboo Zebra Toilet Seat and this other toilet paper holder and these lovely, slightly out of touch with the design, fleur de lis shower curtain hooks.

And this hand rubbed bronze tension shower curtain rod

and the Delta 5-Spray Brass Finish Handheld  Showerhead and this lovely Teak Asia Stool 

And this lovely Bamboo Wall-Mounted Shelf with towel holder

                                     

Okay, my idea, which I am still looking into is to paint the tub so that it looks like granite and matches the sink.  Though, I might have to settle for a dark brown or a green, instead.

Then, the surround could be painted blue, for the background, then repainted with bamboo stencils. Something very fancy, Moroccan in feel, and time consuming to paint.  Probably paint the toilet the same color as the tub, and, maybe paint the inside of the bowl with a design, as well. Hmm m...

A little Moroccan (inspired) day dream

LARGE Egyptian Moroccan Mother of Pearl Coffee Table $165

Some things happen by accident

Mom and Dad had brought in this totally horrific - to me, at the time - roller blind. It was a sacrifice to them, but, a frightt to me, as a possibility to go into my living room.

Tonight, as I was preparing to put it on Craig's List, hoping to make enough to be able to buy a curtain rod, instead, the beauty of it, and how it could go with the living room, struck me. It could be so right, considering the white of the patio doors, and if I had a matching one for the other window in the room. I could paint a design on them, or, add some scarves over the top, or, place curtains around them, or whatever..  it would bring the door into being part of the room, and, my little wooden word would be an intriguing, matching part of the room, suddenly.

Lovely!

Time to think

Okay, if the situation was that I could, and did, get the couches I wanted, here is what needs to be considered:

• What would I need to go with them, to make a comfortable/functional living room?
• What do I need to sell, then replace, to "earn" those couches and make room for them.
• Is it feasible?

I have several pieces that can be sold, such as my Captain's Bed, and the queen-size mattress and box spring. Which, if I sold both of them, might make enough money to buy the ouches and coffee table. However, then, I would have no bed. That would mean sleeping on the floor, which is unpleasant, or, sleeping on the couches, which could not be done for very long, as I want to keep them in good shape. So, how feasible would it be for me to sell enough of other things to be able to get an adequate bed?

Headboard/footboard brackets $12.50 x 2 = $25.00 plus tax (not needed right away)

Premier Platform bed frame, full - $90, plus tax. Not available right now, but, there is a potential.

Looking around, I have decided that I would need to try to find a mattress, first, for free or cheap and then buy the frame that fits it; because, wow, are mattresses expensive! I figure about $150 for a decent mattress, if I can't find one for free. So, no, this is not really feasible to sell both beds. I must keep one or the other. Or, I must make a commitment to sleep on the floor. 

Pictures of what is.

Keep in mind that all this is AFTER me making a renewed effort to clean, and, having thrown out a whole city garbage can full of stuff, plus all the boxes that are in the recycle can.  AAGGGGHHH!

Well, now you know the horrible truth, as much of it as I could get on camera, so there is nowhere to hide and no place to go but up, from here.