The next chapter

Today was the last day I’ll ever work as an employee. And I want to share my story.<br /><br /><br />Three years ago, I graduated college with six figures in student loan debt and a wake-up call that maybe I had made the wrong choice. I wasn't doing what I loved. I was in an office all day, generating thoughtless "art" for rude clients and making next to nothing. If this was what I had worked so hard through college for, the next forty years were going to be rough. <br /><br />After two years of getting nowhere, I jumped at the chance to move across the country and start over. Maybe I'd find my dream job in Florida... maybe I could finally enjoy those eight hours of my day. <br /><br />I was fortunate enough to find a job right away, but this town isn't exactly an artist’s haven. I had no choice, so I stuck it out. Outside of work, I focused on what I really loved—art and design. While we were living in a hotel waiting to find our new home, I sat at the computer every night, creating the art I would fill my future walls with. And I loved every minute of it. <br /><br />As my collection grew, I became inspired by others who had become successful at selling their own designs and thought "Wow... I wish I could do that. Must be nice." But as time went on, I had to stop and ask myself Why not? What was holding me back? Sure, it seemed like an unreachable dream and I had no idea where to start, but I'd been on this earth for 25 years with no real accomplishments, and I wanted more for myself. It was time to make my own destiny.<br /><br />I spent hours, weeks, months creating my art, building my brand, researching logistics, getting my finances in order. This was going to be a real business, and that’s exactly how I treated it.<br /><br />My preparation paid off—the very first day I opened <a href="http://jennasuedesign.etsy.com/" target="_blank">on Etsy</a> I sold 5 prints. I was over the moon... jumping up and down, thinking "Oh my God, what do I do now!?" I quickly figured it out and fell into a nice routine. This isn't to say that I was busy all of the time—there were plenty of days where I would go without a single sale. But those bad days did more for me than the good days, because they gave me motivation. The frustration and helplessness of a slow day caused me to create more, learn more, make my business even better. If I ever felt comfortable with where I was at, that would be settling—and that word is not in my vocabulary.<br /><br />Sales slowly picked up over the weeks and months, and I felt hopeful for the future. Maybe there was a light at the end of the tunnel and I could actually do this for the rest of my life. Everything was falling into place. Then, we unexpectedly received some <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2011/06/well-it-was-nice-while-lasted.html">bad news</a>, and I had even more motivation to bring in sales. I was also promoted to a manager at my day job, which meant we would be able to pull through on just my income until Brad was able to secure a steady job.<br /><br />While I was taking on more responsibility at work, I opened up a <a href="http://jennasuemaps.etsy.com/">second shop</a> on Etsy. My sales practically doubled overnight. This wasn't just for fun anymore, it was becoming a full-time job. I found myself stressing over my business during the day while at work, and glued to the computer all night until I had to force myself to stop and go to sleep. I'd wake up early every morning and work on whatever I could before repeating the cycle. I didn't mind it for a while... after all, I chose to do this. So I sucked it up and continued on, but I knew in the back of my mind that I couldn't do this forever. Brad's reassurance was "Sure, as soon as I find a stable job, you can quit your day job." I held out hope that it would happen, and it never did. I knew the west elm catalog was about to be released, and I was scared for the holiday season. I was slowly breaking down. <br /><br />On the way home from work one day I had a nervous breakdown. I called my mom, sobbing, and she urged me to just quit my job already. I told her I couldn't because Brad wasn't comfortable with it. Etsy isn't a "real job", he would say, "there's no guarantee." I understood his nervousness with neither of us having a guaranteed bi-weekly paycheck to count on, but I tried desperately to convince him that this was more than a job, it was a career, and failure was not an option. We agreed (sort of) that I would give it until the end of the year and put my notice in at work.<br /><br /><br />Fast forward to October. The <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2011/10/its-here.html">west elm feature</a> had been released, I had booked two craft shows in December, and I was freaking out. I hadn't slept well all week, my eyes were permanently blood shot, and I was mentally drained. Brad was out having fun with his friend Thursday night, while I was stuck home yet again, on my 15th hour straight in front of the computer that day. Annoyed and feeling resentful, I sent him a text message, blaming him for my misery. He jokingly replied with "Just quit your job then, I don't care" I called his bluff and wrote "Okay, I'm quitting tomorrow then." When he replied with a "fine, do it" something clicked inside me. Right then and there I decided, whether he was joking or not, I was going to quit the next day. I had made up my mind. Enough was enough. <br /><br />I have learned a lot from this experience. Life doesn't require eight hour workdays at the office. If that is not what makes you happy, you don't have to do it. You will never get those hours back. Every minute we have on this earth is a gift, so why spend your days wishing they would be over? It's no way to live. I believe you need to be able to look forward to the future and have hope in order to be truly happy, and you need to be happy to be the best person you can be.  <br /><br />No, I can't predict the future. I'm not saying my life will be rainbows and unicorns from here on out. There will always be good days and bad days, but you celebrate the good and learn from the bad. You will work harder for yourself than for anyone else, so learn to let go and trust yourself. If you really, truly want it, you'll find a way. Of course it's going to take effort, and often times lots of it. But working towards your own goals is always easier than working towards someone else's... and of course, so much more rewarding when you finally get there.<br /><br />Not only am I able to do something I love now, but I will become a better wife, daughter, friend, person because of it. I'll finally have the time to cook a meal, go for a walk in the middle of the day, play with my kitty, take a bath, learn to play piano again. These are small luxuries but they make all the difference. And just knowing I can finally do them again is what makes me truly happy. I am hopeful for the future because I've proven to myself that I'm the one in control. Now, I don't just wish... I make it happen. <br /><br />I'm about to close a 26 year chapter of my life and begin a new one. And this time it's going to be good... because now, I'm the one writing it.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

The next chapter

Today was the last day I’ll ever work as an employee. And I want to share my story. Three years ago, I graduated college with six figures in...

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Official bathroom befores (+ current progress)

Master Bathroom demolition has begun! <br /><br />First order of business was to take as many "Before" pictures as possible (there never seems to be enough of those after the fact). There had to be several shots taken since the room is so small and chopped up, and my lens is not wide angle {insert sad face here}.<br /><br />So in an effort to make everyone understand the layout... here they are.<br /><br />The room is comprised of 3 separate spaces: vanity, closet, and shower/toilet room. <br /><br />Here's the view from the master bedroom, looking in:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_41E_LInIug212ySLZShjhO85QbvtWlwQycEYEPhH9kBfIMH4AskVpCJXx8tPyHYcZZFkPIr9cnDa7wvkHOHX1X_jA3tBqfVI6B4FHF9AlGch_AtqgvUg0ApllpVZcK7zEYT_goKnXfdq/s1600/IMG_6647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_41E_LInIug212ySLZShjhO85QbvtWlwQycEYEPhH9kBfIMH4AskVpCJXx8tPyHYcZZFkPIr9cnDa7wvkHOHX1X_jA3tBqfVI6B4FHF9AlGch_AtqgvUg0ApllpVZcK7zEYT_goKnXfdq/s640/IMG_6647.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Here's the view after scooting to the left, looking at the vanity:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiI1OCtsddifpNn3lu9cmEmKeHG1pzoG_OUwrjBawvp0Vt8dvaHOPc0T5-qXAPzjDEIUjZrdRXR8B2qkneMZ9b1uF97X2lBgB__w6DLaGW7yGRL-WbLxQplVuyKTx2N_wClJDVg5il_UH/s1600/IMG_6646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiI1OCtsddifpNn3lu9cmEmKeHG1pzoG_OUwrjBawvp0Vt8dvaHOPc0T5-qXAPzjDEIUjZrdRXR8B2qkneMZ9b1uF97X2lBgB__w6DLaGW7yGRL-WbLxQplVuyKTx2N_wClJDVg5il_UH/s640/IMG_6646.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />Another of the vanity, for good measure.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqme2kiUQcqopihXInxELYf_hM0W7hCF7UqhTlC-l3sboiPZE5CJVNzySs3bew-ZW3Xr3rZAXNubReCDSOe_cKdlLhZoGR-9UqckvzcCp0jjF3THBSS_GFIdg9Jn3QvE8o5sEHW54PDi_0/s1600/IMG_6665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqme2kiUQcqopihXInxELYf_hM0W7hCF7UqhTlC-l3sboiPZE5CJVNzySs3bew-ZW3Xr3rZAXNubReCDSOe_cKdlLhZoGR-9UqckvzcCp0jjF3THBSS_GFIdg9Jn3QvE8o5sEHW54PDi_0/s640/IMG_6665.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Here's the view of the vanity from the closet:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7luan2kZQR9DH1nehB4Z-xOHnQLoKN6B0AyYMIrFND8bzC2jOC9jhHLDobKDaW3DN2QcFQ_PY4NiMZLFrwkg803e14MvCXCja9DgVYlBfiFRRJWtwTTtlC0qxGYAS8ueYFMD9B4huDagj/s1600/IMG_6655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7luan2kZQR9DH1nehB4Z-xOHnQLoKN6B0AyYMIrFND8bzC2jOC9jhHLDobKDaW3DN2QcFQ_PY4NiMZLFrwkg803e14MvCXCja9DgVYlBfiFRRJWtwTTtlC0qxGYAS8ueYFMD9B4huDagj/s640/IMG_6655.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this would be the view of the closet entrance...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFakhv_UuolmtaraOtgcTc-R7G5p7ndybp2QQM4WKZNibRBGPr9eWtYAVimZcQj9ZUGThN7sJ3F1zR1zxsPLQaTkUJVTyonn7uwW2aD9QP9HGRdTWQP2Rxurwxzjg5yoL_GC5WSI8yIUsa/s1600/IMG_6648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFakhv_UuolmtaraOtgcTc-R7G5p7ndybp2QQM4WKZNibRBGPr9eWtYAVimZcQj9ZUGThN7sJ3F1zR1zxsPLQaTkUJVTyonn7uwW2aD9QP9HGRdTWQP2Rxurwxzjg5yoL_GC5WSI8yIUsa/s640/IMG_6648.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now for some messy closet shots. Starting from the door, going clockwise:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3-tAvp0c1FhWn_wW4MbXSqAISn7Ifyw7-xl39QOYvi5o5i4FxAo-LY0nd4FwiHFReUTvgbxKc-PU_H6ugN-n3bzQ_acKMktNqFPn-hA1EezbF4Rcs_vCkU8vgdpgEyE26vbxJcrgukxK/s1600/IMG_6654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3-tAvp0c1FhWn_wW4MbXSqAISn7Ifyw7-xl39QOYvi5o5i4FxAo-LY0nd4FwiHFReUTvgbxKc-PU_H6ugN-n3bzQ_acKMktNqFPn-hA1EezbF4Rcs_vCkU8vgdpgEyE26vbxJcrgukxK/s640/IMG_6654.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa4ShWEWAUKIBt60isLbI6TW-DwaFlrMvHKxIOcmqSXrmUrG8u41-OxMKaOWPjLbiP317IH-iDPNo1bl4kJZ-tCpldyJZRBHR6ImWCGm6HpDI7QAKJLlQpo-g-J2ljsxHVX464kltNlFF/s1600/IMG_6652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZa4ShWEWAUKIBt60isLbI6TW-DwaFlrMvHKxIOcmqSXrmUrG8u41-OxMKaOWPjLbiP317IH-iDPNo1bl4kJZ-tCpldyJZRBHR6ImWCGm6HpDI7QAKJLlQpo-g-J2ljsxHVX464kltNlFF/s640/IMG_6652.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurt3Rsy34bXRO4VUj-cZF0_R72PZAznlqb5BsdZZFMC4F66pRNohmD6FXuAjaQjOw-baVKLAxvXXaTKT4h1EuuZ_0AFW7_JKBEdZLZhjMrTxw6jNIT98_4NPpRAk6VuMIqSUmJO_cSolA/s1600/IMG_6649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurt3Rsy34bXRO4VUj-cZF0_R72PZAznlqb5BsdZZFMC4F66pRNohmD6FXuAjaQjOw-baVKLAxvXXaTKT4h1EuuZ_0AFW7_JKBEdZLZhjMrTxw6jNIT98_4NPpRAk6VuMIqSUmJO_cSolA/s640/IMG_6649.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGv68iLeeWnFWMgiaIoizLb_to3j5AKqFPme8-uZsd0vncS1D0fTPqRMgOvXdcWkPhtKqXYl2D_9nsv4F74MH9SK_ng-6rdO93Pa57PcUuD_AbUZ9mEGfXvApp7gAz6Bizbyx5KXi9pL6n/s1600/IMG_6653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGv68iLeeWnFWMgiaIoizLb_to3j5AKqFPme8-uZsd0vncS1D0fTPqRMgOvXdcWkPhtKqXYl2D_9nsv4F74MH9SK_ng-6rdO93Pa57PcUuD_AbUZ9mEGfXvApp7gAz6Bizbyx5KXi9pL6n/s640/IMG_6653.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This closet SO desperately needs a makeover... must start saving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, here is the shower/toilet room:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tCYvfdJS_0N9J1Cy92TqG7QVtgdyi3pZ0SN_K8O912d7DOgGX4bKYrhdujqsI3dd7IaaH5k1OnDstT_q-OvV97gl8aBRmuzK8MqVeehG3dPY5huuwbG4KoZNyoj744_hbsXiX58B4CsM/s1600/IMG_6658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tCYvfdJS_0N9J1Cy92TqG7QVtgdyi3pZ0SN_K8O912d7DOgGX4bKYrhdujqsI3dd7IaaH5k1OnDstT_q-OvV97gl8aBRmuzK8MqVeehG3dPY5huuwbG4KoZNyoj744_hbsXiX58B4CsM/s640/IMG_6658.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviWeNSKG1i_D94WKlArmGdCJhgg068q4U0kvxJkoGRQe9AQGrlGJZXxQs76KpbjkLSUh_ieCHBQ1a14JhrShEgMYEmygGHHnNeXr1ULUaeOcpBuXD6edbJxMLEVK8WcIMKQ3jXPPjQn7g/s1600/IMG_6662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviWeNSKG1i_D94WKlArmGdCJhgg068q4U0kvxJkoGRQe9AQGrlGJZXxQs76KpbjkLSUh_ieCHBQ1a14JhrShEgMYEmygGHHnNeXr1ULUaeOcpBuXD6edbJxMLEVK8WcIMKQ3jXPPjQn7g/s640/IMG_6662.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCYGYgjoqhaifFjJreJuErEJm9bs8lyvAZDw1GxCE_EH5e_LlGCusVGgseI_cJDNeN4bdAX58tfVlOyBaobf740Zzokji-BHY4OwDYsMCZdFtuWQu21PJNqrvwldL3KVFYthcGxuBl227/s1600/IMG_6657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCYGYgjoqhaifFjJreJuErEJm9bs8lyvAZDw1GxCE_EH5e_LlGCusVGgseI_cJDNeN4bdAX58tfVlOyBaobf740Zzokji-BHY4OwDYsMCZdFtuWQu21PJNqrvwldL3KVFYthcGxuBl227/s640/IMG_6657.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qpP_sONujiIfwAyuxM9m6abGYH27v4rx6JmoylNUZH_NyzA1G3GRDnVdFBhKVnKcU-UJONtMzFRN8TBr64_zWIMxU534V5nyBpFgNwKsVV3q7m4FzJZD6svbBN3Z5iuc-uVJ7Z1Z9uhb/s1600/IMG_6659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qpP_sONujiIfwAyuxM9m6abGYH27v4rx6JmoylNUZH_NyzA1G3GRDnVdFBhKVnKcU-UJONtMzFRN8TBr64_zWIMxU534V5nyBpFgNwKsVV3q7m4FzJZD6svbBN3Z5iuc-uVJ7Z1Z9uhb/s640/IMG_6659.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And one more of the vanity from the shower area:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimMLed6CcZINGyGAHo3uptHJr_ELcvPzEjTeXQtjJVlChgvesk9snxE9Eu8w3JZICCemSEZ-1QVhTsBKhSVXRTfj7_qFzg3fh6GQRk5NsRUpP3N5JxjDT7KK_dqoJau78TDsl1FFFvo5C/s1600/IMG_6663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiimMLed6CcZINGyGAHo3uptHJr_ELcvPzEjTeXQtjJVlChgvesk9snxE9Eu8w3JZICCemSEZ-1QVhTsBKhSVXRTfj7_qFzg3fh6GQRk5NsRUpP3N5JxjDT7KK_dqoJau78TDsl1FFFvo5C/s640/IMG_6663.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />I think that covers every square inch of the bathroom! As you can see it's a fairly small area (although it feels ginormous compared to our one and only teeny tiny bathroom in our LA house). So I can't complain.<br /><br />This morning, Brad and neighbor Joe did a bit of demo to kick things off. It didn't go exactly as planned at first... one of the water lines under the sink snapped and was gushing water for a good 5 minutes while Brad was running around trying to find the piece to shut the water off. The bathroom flooded but luckily it didn't reach the wood in our bedroom (the carpet helped soak it up—I guess it's good for one thing). <br /><br />All is well now and ready for tile...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQR-_mEijAeeFtTlAF6BHjjtyVtYYnaQ2H4OKf15y9yM2k3XXPxKsBxPHwYv89xvVh5gKOxQlaT4oqYD0BNQ-3933we3MfkqHfibl9jKDxbGNU5h1SUlCrPysBTNhODvNGlRfd7-2pxex/s1600/IMG_6685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQR-_mEijAeeFtTlAF6BHjjtyVtYYnaQ2H4OKf15y9yM2k3XXPxKsBxPHwYv89xvVh5gKOxQlaT4oqYD0BNQ-3933we3MfkqHfibl9jKDxbGNU5h1SUlCrPysBTNhODvNGlRfd7-2pxex/s640/IMG_6685.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBD6WT5z9U5-5vBL1rpVnSmz0ZVIdKqFcDY0Urkz3AVCN6qDBiRGTfuBLl1jGGxN6XYHNgGYY13ACqYdHDbkm7eYuSTmkTAPbgO1AUNEDTo7DOkcZ9H-PJvc6hKUo1NCLa55HYyZDaFIa/s1600/IMG_6686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBD6WT5z9U5-5vBL1rpVnSmz0ZVIdKqFcDY0Urkz3AVCN6qDBiRGTfuBLl1jGGxN6XYHNgGYY13ACqYdHDbkm7eYuSTmkTAPbgO1AUNEDTo7DOkcZ9H-PJvc6hKUo1NCLa55HYyZDaFIa/s640/IMG_6686.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4tFA12a5j24mLDFoxSsPAwbiiM7YQ_GKKqB0Q-uQQq1J9IdkX7-LZgxlxFt9GyDoAeESk5yVuhZYnuBDisPVcFqfRLHx0RW0cmed8QJ8iTPvaf8ETZFSm0A6uZevqDlrnXbuu_ZZJQCF/s1600/IMG_6688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4tFA12a5j24mLDFoxSsPAwbiiM7YQ_GKKqB0Q-uQQq1J9IdkX7-LZgxlxFt9GyDoAeESk5yVuhZYnuBDisPVcFqfRLHx0RW0cmed8QJ8iTPvaf8ETZFSm0A6uZevqDlrnXbuu_ZZJQCF/s640/IMG_6688.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2FVtPgMeoc-VjPGSSGdzgM0P74fICpZouPB62WVVWGcAjf6IH3by9C3q4SA-EuorIICRP8Sm7xTgZyZwsma_3DWiGHqKYZd1bTUGkcs0lvHj8trJXnb3ecfqUVvj19GZZMcU220uSu2o/s1600/IMG_6689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2FVtPgMeoc-VjPGSSGdzgM0P74fICpZouPB62WVVWGcAjf6IH3by9C3q4SA-EuorIICRP8Sm7xTgZyZwsma_3DWiGHqKYZd1bTUGkcs0lvHj8trJXnb3ecfqUVvj19GZZMcU220uSu2o/s640/IMG_6689.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />The tile guy starts tomorrow, can't wait! We also finally purchased the vanity:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8Llrg943zKJVEhdfT77ulrnB552GSkhQrllGU2Mj8OWmlDfS_v-YFG9490kf4A2kUcMMNbi2ajnxTz566UXSMXv0p8AKK0fK05U_UJ7qkBdivK53KxRDU-ODvfKEJqBO81EiMT2B31xV/s1600/%2524%2528KGrHqQOKjIE0c5ByOq0BNZElTHCEg%257E%257E_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8Llrg943zKJVEhdfT77ulrnB552GSkhQrllGU2Mj8OWmlDfS_v-YFG9490kf4A2kUcMMNbi2ajnxTz566UXSMXv0p8AKK0fK05U_UJ7qkBdivK53KxRDU-ODvfKEJqBO81EiMT2B31xV/s640/%2524%2528KGrHqQOKjIE0c5ByOq0BNZElTHCEg%257E%257E_12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Grand total came to.... drumroll please.... $910 shipped! A big chunk of change, yes, but a seriously good deal for a large vanity with storage, a top, sinks, mirrors and shelves. It was originally listed for $1010 shipped, but I offered $100 less in exchange for leaving the faucets out since we plan to buy oil rubbed bronze ones. I purchased it <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/MD59O22B-59-modern-double-sink-bathroom-vanity-/220743929164?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33655d0d4c">here</a> if anyone's interested. I'll be sure to give my review once it's here!<br /><br />There's a lot left to do in the coming weeks, but now that I'll be working from home after next week it should be much more manageable. Thanksgiving sounds like a reasonable goal to be 100% completed (that also marks one year of living in this house, woo!).<br /><br />Stay tuned, this is going to be one good before & after.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

Official bathroom befores (+ current progress)

Master Bathroom demolition has begun! First order of business was to take as many "Before" pictures as possible (there never seems...

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The Masterbath Plan.

I last spoke about this back in <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2011/05/project-overload.html">May</a>, when we were in the middle of what felt like a thousand projects at once. Then the <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2011/06/well-it-was-nice-while-lasted.html">bad news</a> came and we had to put a halt to everything. <br /><br />Now that we're financially able to continue, we're jumping right back into our master bathroom reno. And I'm excited. Very, very excited for this one.<br /><br />First of all, let me show you how horrific our bathroom currently is.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKfa7AzXnXJ4ceiiv8E4xDI_aNxzUlfp9kiJDmZa53a9AKK3dy63Xv0tEoiUHFTDlIo7Mwy0U0zqV-kM_FVsOzcynbGuEfDE4CbVcnEDaVXoJxQesYEWcIIyNo-UwlvMdQ9owYefFaIdk/s1600/IMG_2447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKfa7AzXnXJ4ceiiv8E4xDI_aNxzUlfp9kiJDmZa53a9AKK3dy63Xv0tEoiUHFTDlIo7Mwy0U0zqV-kM_FVsOzcynbGuEfDE4CbVcnEDaVXoJxQesYEWcIIyNo-UwlvMdQ9owYefFaIdk/s640/IMG_2447.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>This was taken back when we were still moving in... excuse the mess.</em><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLxGU-fLyqTUcQzOpK23TuWbqIKtrrdWipJaQVMNPdHaRNQjT7WtNzoP3SKdwKZNlpw0r-DW6R8jJb5J2CrXUrmb2xKpYQA0I_tm9mU3TGoxzikCx1ZXYOfX-P9u-GznLsbv9OzqQAtbV/s1600/IMG_2442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLxGU-fLyqTUcQzOpK23TuWbqIKtrrdWipJaQVMNPdHaRNQjT7WtNzoP3SKdwKZNlpw0r-DW6R8jJb5J2CrXUrmb2xKpYQA0I_tm9mU3TGoxzikCx1ZXYOfX-P9u-GznLsbv9OzqQAtbV/s640/IMG_2442.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>It's small, so it's hard to capture all in one picture, but basically it's 3 rooms: a vanity/sink area, a closet, and a toilet/shower room. I'll definitely take some better before's before demo starts.<br /><br />The color scheme is beige everything. Walls, carpet, vanity, tile, even the toilet! It's not a good situation.<br /><br /><br />We left off trying to decide which color scheme to go with.... beige/green/blue, or white/grey/blue...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7zqvhQ-YI3j_yM8Huy21f0r0YUTKj1r-tYT4JcWG89Yqp8uRCJZ8JWStc-cuhl92V2VuKkxd7Kzci_qS_fZh_DLIU0cu40KA-PWVX9ZJcMZe3Ha6jdna7ICagI4WRaIzjdoO3_ETH9_2/s1600/IMG_4774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7zqvhQ-YI3j_yM8Huy21f0r0YUTKj1r-tYT4JcWG89Yqp8uRCJZ8JWStc-cuhl92V2VuKkxd7Kzci_qS_fZh_DLIU0cu40KA-PWVX9ZJcMZe3Ha6jdna7ICagI4WRaIzjdoO3_ETH9_2/s640/IMG_4774.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRx1CpBDOlxfc-URpIOWEyDTH4RbXnJkz42iCCkm0IH41ip6WnQltNAX-NAhyRda02N-bbqIfotfFG5vxL5hU1khrlEveUaMiENTu3V6aSA3cjQxZqrZS-0SIydZAZLBHZrBPl5K-eIjN/s1600/IMG_4780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRx1CpBDOlxfc-URpIOWEyDTH4RbXnJkz42iCCkm0IH41ip6WnQltNAX-NAhyRda02N-bbqIfotfFG5vxL5hU1khrlEveUaMiENTu3V6aSA3cjQxZqrZS-0SIydZAZLBHZrBPl5K-eIjN/s640/IMG_4780.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvBq_6Fg3RHy7aK0p8U-uPHypH-fWPKY4uxJJ-nK4N2TblHTVd8Ru1Tz5c56UqSQkkZf9ZAQYsq3Wl7JkIJFAAUBpNoYxn7JCQNHyLeLeejQ7M6txpmMrkIt50mMsWCVjZ-AbM6JRMdwF/s1600/IMG_4781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvBq_6Fg3RHy7aK0p8U-uPHypH-fWPKY4uxJJ-nK4N2TblHTVd8Ru1Tz5c56UqSQkkZf9ZAQYsq3Wl7JkIJFAAUBpNoYxn7JCQNHyLeLeejQ7M6txpmMrkIt50mMsWCVjZ-AbM6JRMdwF/s640/IMG_4781.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />And we've finally decided.... the winner is.... the greys! <br /><br />This mosaic tile had me at hello.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JkfE7xISMqIp7WOE9Jev6fAgPEK7vrgTjTf580M_JsBYEEMimz1i5s5o5YPbJWBnCtDCmNdh3vfMuSw_tmQUejNYVyihJv9PGwnnS0zZcNw-PZlMF57aDzY7-Ko1pMQilEClYRDfC8un/s1600/IMG_4770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JkfE7xISMqIp7WOE9Jev6fAgPEK7vrgTjTf580M_JsBYEEMimz1i5s5o5YPbJWBnCtDCmNdh3vfMuSw_tmQUejNYVyihJv9PGwnnS0zZcNw-PZlMF57aDzY7-Ko1pMQilEClYRDfC8un/s640/IMG_4770.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And here's my vision...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA7Z8HooN1gCcfENhQc-HLM_js8hRElWuBR1mWSl2u4BdFxaY6f4vRfcp0jsPMpCt1oqHvthYuo5QryYb4eob-3pY4sTIJjV0omrhH548-K4b8zZo94Q_nr2Q2yctRzi47_6ndsAeRmAq/s1600/C-_Users_Jenna_Desktop_MasterBath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA7Z8HooN1gCcfENhQc-HLM_js8hRElWuBR1mWSl2u4BdFxaY6f4vRfcp0jsPMpCt1oqHvthYuo5QryYb4eob-3pY4sTIJjV0omrhH548-K4b8zZo94Q_nr2Q2yctRzi47_6ndsAeRmAq/s1600/C-_Users_Jenna_Desktop_MasterBath.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This is the floor tile we chose:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BWah6CqqsjJNuGFH6CDXt5jh_BgZD4CwUDfNT59OmDufRKp83XXoFQZvMeMrmJJIWS7om_gY6x6iqoFDwlz3RpMz2z5qt8k4en8pmbhXgKsn9o2sytYspoYSBKHAtapGHRrEpRCsVlt1/s1600/floortile.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BWah6CqqsjJNuGFH6CDXt5jh_BgZD4CwUDfNT59OmDufRKp83XXoFQZvMeMrmJJIWS7om_gY6x6iqoFDwlz3RpMz2z5qt8k4en8pmbhXgKsn9o2sytYspoYSBKHAtapGHRrEpRCsVlt1/s640/floortile.PNG" width="201" /></a></div><br /><br />It's part of the Bambu series in Grigio, found <a href="http://happy-floors.com/bambu.htm">here.</a><br /><br />We're going to lay the 12x24" tile in a brick pattern on the floor (throughout the whole space, closet included).<br /><br />We'll be tiling the entire vanity wall with the mosaic marble/glass, up to the ceiling. We're also going to run an accent strip along the floor step into the shower.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGxX-njn9TzQWmKI9fTQFpUpeiC1vCEfDg44AsHA3SRfp-OLct18hOFkOqVoM_Mnk78aIhNa-vkJwiNhs1yIcUa1a9azRlzkq_0H7az_ASy3qTx10pTD9iiED6na__WKT7ko1Mh_MtBUc/s1600/GLSECPLNR-ET_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGxX-njn9TzQWmKI9fTQFpUpeiC1vCEfDg44AsHA3SRfp-OLct18hOFkOqVoM_Mnk78aIhNa-vkJwiNhs1yIcUa1a9azRlzkq_0H7az_ASy3qTx10pTD9iiED6na__WKT7ko1Mh_MtBUc/s320/GLSECPLNR-ET_1000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This tile can be found <a href="http://bedrosians.com/catalog/m=Glass/s=Eclipse/c=Eternity">here.</a><br /><br />The tile is not available for purchase directly though, we went to a wholesale club and purchased through our installer to get the discount (50% off). We ended up getting the floor tile at $3.70/sf and the mosaic for $9.73. Total cost came to $808.40 out the door, which I think was a great deal. <br /><br />As for the vanity.... it had been a struggle to find something we loved that didn't totally break the bank. Originally we were thinking of using two separate vanities, but I couldn't find any in our style, with enough storage, with drawers (a must!) and in our budget. <br /><br />So I began looking for single vanities to fill our 60" space. I came across this 59" vanity on ebay and fell in love:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8Llrg943zKJVEhdfT77ulrnB552GSkhQrllGU2Mj8OWmlDfS_v-YFG9490kf4A2kUcMMNbi2ajnxTz566UXSMXv0p8AKK0fK05U_UJ7qkBdivK53KxRDU-ODvfKEJqBO81EiMT2B31xV/s1600/%2524%2528KGrHqQOKjIE0c5ByOq0BNZElTHCEg%257E%257E_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8Llrg943zKJVEhdfT77ulrnB552GSkhQrllGU2Mj8OWmlDfS_v-YFG9490kf4A2kUcMMNbi2ajnxTz566UXSMXv0p8AKK0fK05U_UJ7qkBdivK53KxRDU-ODvfKEJqBO81EiMT2B31xV/s640/%2524%2528KGrHqQOKjIE0c5ByOq0BNZElTHCEg%257E%257E_12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf30nt8oZJZrSVAIr5q_sknGdiozBvq3ZyZu06ZSb3NxqtlOizvwkR49mwXY_VFUPQE83Er6ki9z-sx7I3BiMF6mxD_p8jr8esVKtxb2WoIb3yequUqLcyHg2Ow483gg31WIY3Zp840ooS/s1600/%2524%2528KGrHqYOKiwE0qN3Q7ReBNZEle2qF%2521%257E%257E_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf30nt8oZJZrSVAIr5q_sknGdiozBvq3ZyZu06ZSb3NxqtlOizvwkR49mwXY_VFUPQE83Er6ki9z-sx7I3BiMF6mxD_p8jr8esVKtxb2WoIb3yequUqLcyHg2Ow483gg31WIY3Zp840ooS/s640/%2524%2528KGrHqYOKiwE0qN3Q7ReBNZEle2qF%2521%257E%257E_12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSt4UyYNXKOMqU4aQHgjOzhoL6X6U7C0uzqN1ov5rV2xfNUgfO_3NX8FEOfipgWDRtXgH_Y4qT5v-AZ49HoyPUwXMe27uZZ5DU4iolRiWdl_68Lt-pD-EapFCGZ1uuiS0R0j9hShn4vKqB/s1600/UM-3053-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSt4UyYNXKOMqU4aQHgjOzhoL6X6U7C0uzqN1ov5rV2xfNUgfO_3NX8FEOfipgWDRtXgH_Y4qT5v-AZ49HoyPUwXMe27uZZ5DU4iolRiWdl_68Lt-pD-EapFCGZ1uuiS0R0j9hShn4vKqB/s640/UM-3053-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />It was the right color, style, price and had everything included. We knew we wanted white vessel sinks, so this was perfect. I also love how it's a floating vanity so it will make the space seem larger. We haven't purchased this yet, but I'm about to make an offer. I'll let you know the price as soon as the deal is done :)<br /><br />The only thing I don't love about this is the frameless mirrors and chrome faucets. Once I see what I'm working with, I may try to frame the mirrors out with trim myself... or I'll just pick up some new framed ones (you can find them cheap at HD/Lowes, usually under $70). <br /><br />I also have my eye on some ORB faucets... like these on Amazon:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjgNPWR9qZibfW_GUAVjCHE_L5R7QtsePdTH9JoJ0jO4kO1a8tmNcb7lfpPxEa7SwGnJFT7z7RRWGBV7LTbXKEOoZprGBtv31lDZ58P0CthS8WGg4dx_eSTpW_IGJirlzDCqOU9R6cWSQ/s1600/31JwmvpOIZL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjgNPWR9qZibfW_GUAVjCHE_L5R7QtsePdTH9JoJ0jO4kO1a8tmNcb7lfpPxEa7SwGnJFT7z7RRWGBV7LTbXKEOoZprGBtv31lDZ58P0CthS8WGg4dx_eSTpW_IGJirlzDCqOU9R6cWSQ/s1600/31JwmvpOIZL__SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />That will take care of the chrome fixture problem.<br /><br />For lighting, we'll be installing recessed lights in the ceiling in each area. In ceiling speakers may or may not be added at this time as well (we skipped them when we were installing them in the rooms, but it would be nice to have).<br /><br />And, maybe my favorite part of this whole room.... we'll be removing the big horizontal bulb bar and installing one of <a href="http://www.lightinguniverse.com/outdoor-sconces/kichler-lighting-9022bk-seaside-outdoor-sconce_g13389.html?linkloc=cataLogProductItemsName">these </a>over each mirror:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEW3wy9tGv9oVT3qMqAnpbEBXeKmicJVWLCkqRbg1V4DqvhFnqNTtnSuVIrYf_jAL9PFNQeHVhINTDDO5AFHEhMQaSNRDls0U-T_r8QBNffbQRfWoKV-y3ADaaNPTczdfvPL_LutkPAZNC/s1600/light.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEW3wy9tGv9oVT3qMqAnpbEBXeKmicJVWLCkqRbg1V4DqvhFnqNTtnSuVIrYf_jAL9PFNQeHVhINTDDO5AFHEhMQaSNRDls0U-T_r8QBNffbQRfWoKV-y3ADaaNPTczdfvPL_LutkPAZNC/s1600/light.PNG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm so in love with the rustic/nautical feel of these, and I think it will be a great way to incorporate the beachy theme from the rest of the house into this modern space, without being too over the top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We'll keep the space light and muted by painting the walls a soft grey. Haven't picked out the exact color yet, but it will have to complement the gray tile. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course, we'll be ditching the almond toilet and getting a nice white push-button toilet (like we did in our <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2011/08/guest-bath-reveal-old-window-frame.html">guest bath</a>).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also plan on ripping out our built-in medicine cabinet (like we did <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2011/08/guest-bath-almost-there.html">here</a>), but instead of the wainscoting, we want to keep it clean and drywall it in. Not sure how that will go.... but we'll figure it out. And then blog about our attempts, of course.</div><br />As for the almond-tiled shower... in a perfect world we'd rip it all out and install some beautiful white marble subway tile. But we're not quite that wealthy at the moment, so I want to try to reglaze it ourselves. In our LA home, we paid someone $350 to reglaze our bathtub and loved the results. I know there are DIY kits though which might be worth checking into, so I'll keep you updated.<br /><br /><br />I think that about covers it for now. Our tile will be here in a few days, then it's demo time, and tile installation begins in a couple more weeks. In the meantime I need to get everything ordered and ready to go... be back next time with updates!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

The Masterbath Plan.

I last spoke about this back in May , when we were in the middle of what felt like a thousand projects at once. Then the bad news came and ...

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No-sew cloth napkins

I wanted to quickly share how I made these cloth napkins for my tablesetting:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nJXlPt-4CN5DW0XEZFMi2TrkBNdeRAQ3ajseNaDHw9wmtOm_Nj4_1rr2f8EkMmSc5QhPCUEgUhvhUV5qTLrnQ0iBLj7KiZT3kfFksej-drtMf0fhmdkVyEF7wrsbmqJf7MM2_7C8LBzg/s1600/IMG_6526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nJXlPt-4CN5DW0XEZFMi2TrkBNdeRAQ3ajseNaDHw9wmtOm_Nj4_1rr2f8EkMmSc5QhPCUEgUhvhUV5qTLrnQ0iBLj7KiZT3kfFksej-drtMf0fhmdkVyEF7wrsbmqJf7MM2_7C8LBzg/s640/IMG_6526.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These were a quick last minute addition that I thought of to bring a pop of color to the table. I figured it would be a fun experiment to choose my own fabric and DIY them. So I headed to Joann's and came back with my fabric of choice, on sale at under $6/yard (I bought two yards)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRbn_-bDgivSfORaVibleGNBmIjGiEmT7BphRl3ymRZ6xNOnYIIY9ruCSqMVBsRtYRaAL7YBhjyVQS6M0EN4wbwgoVhwhseeEQNo_FrWw27qaDFDaCGmRGKReWioshdJhpPFwM1nwOEHl/s1600/IMG_6472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRbn_-bDgivSfORaVibleGNBmIjGiEmT7BphRl3ymRZ6xNOnYIIY9ruCSqMVBsRtYRaAL7YBhjyVQS6M0EN4wbwgoVhwhseeEQNo_FrWw27qaDFDaCGmRGKReWioshdJhpPFwM1nwOEHl/s640/IMG_6472.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />I knew the napkins had to be double sided, so that would mean using two pieces back to back and stitching them together somehow. Enter Stitch Witchery...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://dyn-images.hsn.com/is/image/HomeShoppingNetwork/4121927w?$pd500$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://dyn-images.hsn.com/is/image/HomeShoppingNetwork/4121927w?$pd500$" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This stuff is the bomb.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once I had my fabric laid out, I split it into four equal pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXmmzQlCcgF01d9rwUoa1Bg_np8LlEX3Muotg4nx2WKGxMBq3zVQKuKqN0zGDNONe85mJUqkcn56e721SA-Gnw1qLUw_0boY3W7Z93yThADqk0HTpOLu4xAzzFN3Vn-m41rGluOcOhdci/s1600/IMG_6475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXmmzQlCcgF01d9rwUoa1Bg_np8LlEX3Muotg4nx2WKGxMBq3zVQKuKqN0zGDNONe85mJUqkcn56e721SA-Gnw1qLUw_0boY3W7Z93yThADqk0HTpOLu4xAzzFN3Vn-m41rGluOcOhdci/s640/IMG_6475.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />I figured to make this as aesthetically pleasing as possible, I would need to trim the top piece around .5" shorter around the perimeter, fold the bottom piece over, and use the stitch witchery to "hem" them together. Like this...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml84LcUlSIqIxj4SzwFXL_dyuLo4COpAxPuT5loXqDLuRhP5jhQT7oCzOE0Yxs2DzzZEDyudxjivpJL1-3vcbVXX3tMKC2UnqAtMBeoleiikmEdMnMLO7sogkOaUcxYVNB-9vouX3vvTm/s1600/IMG_6476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml84LcUlSIqIxj4SzwFXL_dyuLo4COpAxPuT5loXqDLuRhP5jhQT7oCzOE0Yxs2DzzZEDyudxjivpJL1-3vcbVXX3tMKC2UnqAtMBeoleiikmEdMnMLO7sogkOaUcxYVNB-9vouX3vvTm/s640/IMG_6476.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />After my pieces were cut, it was time to iron. I made sure the bottom piece was long enough to fold over and hide the witchery...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv3qJaDgFbxs8IxbF602plAI1UPHhRAXypkgxmnd7obsrrdqoE7Uc6VTyR1Sh3UdAt-mybUOxAuS3Y2iOWb3E_jV17WM4E_LdoStSJt5dgfBNUyLvovZhUeYaeXHiwLZWsfyV8VR-mdEt/s1600/IMG_6490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiv3qJaDgFbxs8IxbF602plAI1UPHhRAXypkgxmnd7obsrrdqoE7Uc6VTyR1Sh3UdAt-mybUOxAuS3Y2iOWb3E_jV17WM4E_LdoStSJt5dgfBNUyLvovZhUeYaeXHiwLZWsfyV8VR-mdEt/s640/IMG_6490.jpg" width="513" /></a></div><br /><br />Once everything looked good, I folded the piece over, like so...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdfgmJO01oNtkNXvuoQMvJ3Xr23Jj4hf7SZ3x-aCSBlvqLyE2XwV0OIkFyD0pCMgxZRCY1t80mLg3F9lKPaTJGWSA2Xg8yFEsB1vPk88i4ZrJXrsPZhYOdGkg9E6yLxqPgfh2izshQhTH/s1600/IMG_6497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdfgmJO01oNtkNXvuoQMvJ3Xr23Jj4hf7SZ3x-aCSBlvqLyE2XwV0OIkFyD0pCMgxZRCY1t80mLg3F9lKPaTJGWSA2Xg8yFEsB1vPk88i4ZrJXrsPZhYOdGkg9E6yLxqPgfh2izshQhTH/s640/IMG_6497.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then placed a damp cloth over the seam (per the instructions) and pressed the iron on for 10 seconds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLEkE2f4bqHzy-eywVkkEkfsD2ux0UxmxWuLZSGmG0jPWWIzg1-dizwLh2ngSKTxBpz6uDNZPlxXBFXxerROd7Gt66kOcvF3AVzS0uUx2-Ggb1N17A5bI4b9ZDdwHNVXCbDBKG2fToH9u/s1600/IMG_6500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLEkE2f4bqHzy-eywVkkEkfsD2ux0UxmxWuLZSGmG0jPWWIzg1-dizwLh2ngSKTxBpz6uDNZPlxXBFXxerROd7Gt66kOcvF3AVzS0uUx2-Ggb1N17A5bI4b9ZDdwHNVXCbDBKG2fToH9u/s640/IMG_6500.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Simply repeat around the perimeter of the napkin, and voila!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAiuvNZ4f9Cqv_VGAOKDHGQWyQLgul7bUI3huX2n_erbEaemQmkHhQo8y0-Go7knR05LKTpWEGltxXTS5AqOaRjbGfdumsDHzkybbkFHFdE1uFMu-8nY4yLdwuZ3OrHghsEtMQwSxXt4t/s1600/IMG_6503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAiuvNZ4f9Cqv_VGAOKDHGQWyQLgul7bUI3huX2n_erbEaemQmkHhQo8y0-Go7knR05LKTpWEGltxXTS5AqOaRjbGfdumsDHzkybbkFHFdE1uFMu-8nY4yLdwuZ3OrHghsEtMQwSxXt4t/s640/IMG_6503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A perfectly normal looking hem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlMyFytTcbw3Mq2poc4WVfYeHfHLBzCVpMIITeKUvS-TZNXjc8hHa_i6BZff6m9iNLo1RpZt0wmtStM6ic6owdv_hne7tVNKjQbwxWDoUUizB5EUH-JZp8JAwF_lROc0MdRn7zrpF8uIm/s1600/IMG_6486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlMyFytTcbw3Mq2poc4WVfYeHfHLBzCVpMIITeKUvS-TZNXjc8hHa_i6BZff6m9iNLo1RpZt0wmtStM6ic6owdv_hne7tVNKjQbwxWDoUUizB5EUH-JZp8JAwF_lROc0MdRn7zrpF8uIm/s640/IMG_6486.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I honestly was surprised at how well these turned out. I was playing it by ear this whole time, as I have never touched a sewing machine in my life so I don't know the proper protocol for hemming... but I have to say... I could totally see these for sale in a Target aisle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After my creations were complete, I noticed they were the perfect size for a placemat as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRCcXqDxAVMy_dONRKouFw_dbUPxB1iDbDMj_qS7BNt78YCsOqRyVJo0E_FRh5zoFvW46AZU2ALdTgR0VJKAyTLcbB9JwtTdDbSbHmiW34rVvpFp4dPUQ7gd4yZiJKuNnFkKvKbHRkQ6D/s1600/IMG_6509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRCcXqDxAVMy_dONRKouFw_dbUPxB1iDbDMj_qS7BNt78YCsOqRyVJo0E_FRh5zoFvW46AZU2ALdTgR0VJKAyTLcbB9JwtTdDbSbHmiW34rVvpFp4dPUQ7gd4yZiJKuNnFkKvKbHRkQ6D/s640/IMG_6509.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />And that's the story of my $11 custom napkin-placemats.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Rr3PKTJo2zRm1CwBtrOSIUbAk4wRR-FFxCy3pjWZAydocTIgpruc7JHuLO9g1nopTxFV7MCa_kr1Vy6EFSl0ULgChG_JML1MZZpRHFsWTW3iwKrZATESEyX1t6RkRkS_HCKPvvjYbPeV/s1600/IMG_6522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Rr3PKTJo2zRm1CwBtrOSIUbAk4wRR-FFxCy3pjWZAydocTIgpruc7JHuLO9g1nopTxFV7MCa_kr1Vy6EFSl0ULgChG_JML1MZZpRHFsWTW3iwKrZATESEyX1t6RkRkS_HCKPvvjYbPeV/s640/IMG_6522.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Master bathroom reno to resume shortly... having fun picking out materials now. I'll be back soon to share the plans!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

No-sew cloth napkins

I wanted to quickly share how I made these cloth napkins for my tablesetting:  These were a quick last minute addition that I thought of to...

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I quit my job.

Last Friday I decided to trade a job for a career. I want to share my story... and I will, soon.<br /><br />For now, I'll be hibernating in my office for the next 48 hours, doing what I love, until I go back to work on Monday and finish my last 15 days of employment.<br /><br />Also, check out where <a href="http://blog.westelm.com/2011/10/14/art-jenna-sue-maps/">I was today</a> :)<br /><br />Big things are coming.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuljJWZlecsnv-kb02LatBvmMp7FxANlOfNjHb5BjBbKYL-eqzZGTn3P-26bmjFvqRBEiR2CqIGNquE35XwPKpt-UIj-6xpVlBXhRvMncG7u2yUiIR1g7Mq6HSSMvuaUJWd-Lrbj4ccOEI/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div>

I quit my job.

Last Friday I decided to trade a job for a career. I want to share my story... and I will, soon. For now, I'll be hibernating in my offi...

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