Budget Minded Modernist
I looked at tons of too big/too small hooks and bars of all shapes and sizes for a hand towel in here. It finally occurred to me that maybe all I needed was another toilet roll bar under mounted, and out of the way visually. I hate it when obvious stuff seems to come so slowly. $19 price tag helped too.
Above photo added 11.15.12
So we got it done, just under the wire with a few days to spare. Granted, we didn’t go out much at all last weekend to make sure we didn’t fall short of this goal. Progress posts on the bathroom are here.
To refresh your memory on how we started out, here’s a snap of our previous half bath.
 
I moved my beloved Tretchikoff in here so she can judge all who come to do their bidness.
No pressure.
Those following on Instagram know that I had to do this wall twice. I’m still not thrilled with it, but I’m going to live with it awhile.
What job or photo shoot would be complete without an Otto photobomb? OTTOBOMB.
Here, we were trying to mark where to mount it propped up on scrap lumber.
The reason the soap dispenser and faucet are different finishes is simple – we had a hard time matching the Grundtal, so we decided to stop trying and go for contrast.
After multiple sandings, the CC finished the slab with Arm-R-Seal, which is a combination of oil and varnish that gets sanded in over successive coats to fill in any slight imperfections. The oil brings out the natural wood sheen and the varnish protects. After the sanding coats, the last few passes were just a wiped on finish. The recesses in the live edge had to be sealed against water, so multiple applications of epoxy sanded smooth with the wood allow them to show for character.
Those wondering how it is supported underneath can have a look-see.
We recycled the old mirror and mounted it lower so that it could act as a backsplash, and the other live edge could be seen.
I got the vintage Lightolier (we think Sciolari but are not positive) from the flea market. New bulbs and a little cleaning, and we were good to go.
And added a dimmer….
The monoprint is by our dear friend David Mah.
I think I want to get a tiny hook to hang next to the sink for the hand towel, but for the party, we just had to roll with things as they were.
The faucet had a tiny leak that dripped onto the counter, and we didn’t have time to fix it before the party, but the CC took it apart and fixed it yesterday…he’s kind of a rock star like that.
Rough Cost: $1000 ($963 plus a few screws and small hardware purchases where we misplaced the receipts)
White Oak Slab $80
Faucet $98
Sink $65
Stainless Undersink Bottle Trap $40
Quartzite Floor/Mortar/Grout & Sealer $425
Toilet $200 (American Standard Cadet with Apron/skirted bottom)
Lightolier Pendant $25
Soap Dispenser $30
Thanks for your patience on this one…we had a lot of fun doing it and are glad to check it off the list. Master bath? Hmmmm. Hopefully soon.
UPDATE: Took another couple of pictures today and I wanted to add my favorite here.
When I saw this post from Shannon at 8footSix, I knew I had the solution to my creamy colored old sheet I picked up at Goodwill to use as an extra ghost or something that never materialized.
Mine would NOT be pristine and white like hers, so I took the concept away from ghost and more towards mummy. This sheet had more of an “I’m old and may, or may not have been underground.” vibe, so work with your challenges instead of fighting them, right?
Behold the Mummy Bunting.
This was a fun and easy project I could do while watching TV. Just cut into strips and knot on the twine. I used a luggage tag/cow hitch knot. It’s secure, but easy enough to loosen so I can slide the strips where I want them.
I have some black sheets that are getting tired and I think I’ll make another one with them. What I love most about it is the weather tolerance. Too many of our decorations are paper based, and that about killed us this year when it was still raining on the morning of the party. Everything had to be put out the day of, which threw us way behind schedule…so much so, that I have ZERO pictures from the party. I failed you again. When the choice comes between having food ready, and a photo shoot, I’m afraid my inner hostess feels compelled to feed people.
I DO have bathroom pics though and I plan to edit those today, so I’ll make it up to you…k?
I don’t know when I’ll get the full bathroom pics up since I don’t have time for a photo shoot…the Haunted Forest is this weekend and we are slammed. I baked about 180 pumpkin chocolate chip mini muffins today, so that’s happening.
To see previous posts on our annual Haunted Forest shindig, click HERE.
I know, I haven’t posted here in over a month. Those following on Instagram, FB or Twitter know we’ve been everywhere except the bathroom. We took an unexpected trip to the UK because…life happens, and in our case, we’ve had a full dose of the best, and the worst of it this past month.
We made the most of our time with friends and family, and even managed to spend a day in the rain at Legoland…a lifelong dream destination for the Things.
Before we left, it was the CC’s birthday……
We’ve been working hard since we got back, and if all goes well, the sink will be installed TODAY and the bathroom will be finished enough for the Haunted Forest party this weekend. I’ll post photos soon.
I couldn’t get this posted on Friday again…sorry! If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen many of these in real time.
I hit the flea on a gorgeous, not too hot day with Kathy and Melissa, and here’s what we saw!
Big wheel keeps on turnin’………….
Melissa snagged that cute little bar cart.
My coffee table, with a matching side table!
I did find one thing.
Imagine the flame bulbs replaced with opaque round bulbs and a little cleaning and we’re going for a mini version of this look….
My plan is for it to hang over the sink in the new bathroom. BTW, it’s time to grout the tile so I gotta run. Happy Sunday!
For previous flea market posts, click here.
