The 1/2 Bath

A 1/2 bath on the main level was a must for me while looking at houses.  I've been living in a 1 bedroom 1 bath for so long and I'm thrilled that my guests will no longer have to use my bathroom.  

For some reason I've wanted to paint this bathroom a purple color ever since I moved in.  I go back and forth between wanting a deep dark purple or a light lavender.  I know that I want white accents to play off the purple and this Sherwin Williams color just might be to right color.  It's not too dark but has the drama I'm looking for.  My mom has a new embroidery machine so I'm thinking of white towels with purple paisleys or flowers

I think a mirror like this would pop off the purple wall.  I don't really care what shape mirror is so I think I'll keep my eye out for an ornate mirror no matter the color and spray paint it if I have to. I found this one on Etsy!

I hate the toilets in this house with a passion.  I wasn't planning on changing out the plumbing fixtures when we were looking at the house but after living with running toilets that don't flush well I've decided I will put a line item in the budget for 4 new toilets.  I will definitely be getting water efficient toilets and I really like this dual flush option.  Not only is it good for the environment and will save me money but I like the way it looks too.  

The vanity in this bathroom is adequate.  It's a white cabinet with a cultured marble top.  Nothing spectacular but it's not something on the top of my list to change.  Part of my hesitation to change it out is that the floor and walls would need to be redone at the same time which seems like a bigger project than is really needed for the 1/2 bath.  The floors right now are a gray and white marble that I think would work really well with the purple. If I did change out the vanity I would like something like this

I love that it looks like an old apothecary cabinet and has cute bun feet. 

The Foyer

This is the foyer if you are standing in the living room looking at the front door.  When you come in the door to the left is an opening into the den and to the right are the stairs going to the basement and going upstairs.  there's also a hall closet and a nice half bath.  I've always wanted a hall tree and I was thinking the wall across from stairs would be a great place.

I love the look of this one but I'm worried the color might be a little dark

my grandfather made a bench for my family almost 30 years ago.  It's a throw back to the 80's with dusty blue and tole painted geese.  It's got a checker board painted in the middle so you can sit on either end and play.  Mom and Dad said I could have the bench so I'm think about painting it and creating something similar to this

I like the idea of having a place to drop my purse and jacket when I come in the house.  I also like the idea of having some baskets to put clutter that needs to go upstairs.  I liked the dark brown/black paint on the ones I've seen but I think that not having the back piece will help this stay light.  For the upper shelf I was thinking about using some corbels on the ends with a few hooks in the middle and a shelf on top.  I really like the idea of using old door knobs as hooks like this

so I'll definitely be keeping a look out for some old door knobs.

Before Photos

My parent's and I felt that the townhouse was a really great investment property.  It's in a great location in Sandy Springs right near the interstate and only 20 min. away from my parent's and my sister's.  I've lived in Sandy Springs for 6 years and really like the area.  The only problem is housing in that area is super expensive.  During my house search I looked at some single family homes but figured out pretty quickly that the good ones were out of my budget and the ones that I could afford needed a lot more work than I was looking for.  I also looked at some other townhouses but none of them had the space this one had plus the price was right.

Here's a picture of the outside.  It's a corner unit at the end of the row which gives it privacy, a nice side yard and an extra window.  The brick on the left is the garage with  a roof deck off the master.  The tall skinny windows look into the den off the garage (I haven't decided what function this room is going to serve yet).  There's a few steps up to the front door in the corner and the square windows are in the stair well and the upstairs hallway.  The guest parking is in front of the garage and there's a nice walkway up to the front door which has a nice view of the chandelier in the stairs.  I have dreams of a big white washed chandelier (we'll see if that happens)

Sorry about the quality of the picture.  I downloaded IT off facebook but it's the only one I currently have.  Bear with me for a couple weeks till I can take some new pictures.  (I'll explain the delay in another blog ;)

There's not much I can do to the outside of the unit.  The paint has to stay but that's ok because I don't mind the color.  I don't really like the hedges but I know nothing about gardening so I'll have to do some research as to what should go in there.

The New Place with a New Dream

When I bought this townhouse (with the help of my parent's) I had a dream of what it was going to become.  I knew it needed a little bit of work but I loved the fact that it was move in ready.  Well that original dream has changed a bit but the house still needs some work.  I'm going to use this blog as a place to plan my renovation and design ideas as well as keep my family and friends up to date on the progress.  I can't wait to get started but this is going to be a long slow ride.  Let the planning begin!!!