2015/05/27

Concrete hooks and mirrors

I can´t believe it´s almost three weeks since my last post. There were many times I was on a mission to write, but then life happened! I believe in honesty and truth and I want to give you as proper picture of my life as I can. I battle with severe back pains and depression, which is under control. My husband has his share of difficulties, too, but he prefers I don´t talk about them here. You can probably understand why! Then there is our lovely son who suffers from selective mutism. I mention this only to raise the awareness of this form of anxiety, started in early childhood! So life doesn´t always be as positive and happy even though we try our best to enjoy all those little things! It certainly helps to stay positive and to enjoy every day, when our home reflects and feels us.

Speaking of decorating, you may remember that three weeks ago, we were left with our new refreshed powder room! But something was still missing, the hooks! I ordered them from an Etsy shop called Frauklarer and due to many customers had to wait a little longer than usually.They arrived a week and a half ago nicely wrapped and when I opened the package I was pleasantly surprised! It+s always hard to imagine how something looks in real and even though you are given measurements, it´s not the same as actually holding or touching the item. These were a little bigger than I thought, but I like how they stand out against that white wall.


I love the texture and roughness they add and how they compliment the modern feel of the space. There is something special in natural elements, like wood, sand, fire and water. Concrete is also quite natural mix, so it fits right in. 


I decided on three hooks, even though we usually have only one or two towels in use, because they are art works all on their own. I actually love them more without the towels. The only way to hang the towels is to just place them on the hooks, but I have a quick fix in mind, which hopefully gives us a way to hang the towels without covering those beautiful hooks ;) Hopefully it works!


You may also remember that I bought not one, not two but three different mirrors for the space! I loved them all, and knew I could use them elsewhere too! I only buy decor that I know I love and can use in many spaces in our home. In fact it´s been hard deciding where to put those two extra mirrors that left behind from the powder room! After going through many possible places the Ikea Skogsvåg mirror, painted black, ended over our shoe cabinet near our entry. I first kept it on the cabinet for a week and after being sure this is where I want it, I hang it in place. I like how it brings more light in this spot between entry and fireplace room, as far from the front door as the back door.


My goal was to bring more life and more green in this spot and I`m pleased how it turned out! I love this spot over the shoe cabinet as it´s a perfect space to add new things and to bring in seasonal items. Now I wanted to have a light and fresh summery feel! It really brings joy as we do see it many times a day :)


I love the mirror so much that I´d like to buy a couple more! It would fit in our bathroom, bedroom, living room and even in our office/craft room! These kinds of purchases are the best. The ones you are really in love and can use all over your house! This is just the thing Jackie Hernandez from Teal and Lime  emphasizes in her first book called Free decorating. That is a decor book worth reading! Many of her principles I have used before, but after reading the book, my eyes opened even more to what comes to my spending habits and settling on things I don´t really love. If I don´t find the right piece right away, I should wait, not rush to by something that I just appreciate, not love. Because, those things you don´t love, you end up getting rid off. They don´t have a real staying power and at the same time you loose money, which you could have used wisely!  I could write a whole post about the book and how it affected my values and made me really reflect things!


But back to our mirror ;). How do you like it here? On these light walls it really stands out and is a great contrast. I love monochromatic and analogous color schemes with a contrasting black and white.


These fresh colors are from my whole house color scheme. I like to stick with neutrals in big surfaces like furniture, but add some interest with light turquoise, aqua, jade green, basically analogical colors from blue to green.


The other mirror from Pentik, with a hanging rope is still waiting for it´s spot! It may end up in our living room, where I hung it to test how I like it there. It´s a little lonely there, so I may use it in our office/craft room, but I´m also very tempted to take it outside to our front porch or to our backyard deck. I´ll fill you with the details once I decide ;) 

Do you have pieces you love and have trouble finding a place, because they would look so good in many spaces? 

See you here again!

Warmly,
Jenni

2015/05/06

One room Challenge - The Reveal!

So here we are, after five short weeks, it´s finally the Reveal time :) We were able to tackle this project during these weeks and it was a big deal to us. This is the only space, where my new style can be seen in everything, and that makes me smile :)

This post is loaded with photos, so let´s get to it! I got a little carried away with  photographing, but I just LOVE this space so much! Before the after photos, let´s take a look at how things used to look! And here you can check out the progress and the earlier posts!



Those before shots are quite depressing. I´m so glad we were able to finally redo this space! I bet you want to see the after photos already!


In my ideal world we would have a window in our powder room, so I could have a plant there all the time, that´s why I wanted to take photos with some greenery, too. However those branches are a little more practical solution for this windowless space.


As you can see, I finally went with the rectangular mirror, but not without problems. Remember me ordering one from Ikea? I was so exited when it arrived and went to pick the package, only to find out it was in bits and pieces. That was last Wednesday! We had a National holiday on Friday, so all shops were closed. I had no other choice than visiting Ikea on Saturday! I ended buying two mirrors, just in case ;), a round and rectangular Skogsvåg mirror. I painted them black to match better with the decor. I tried them both over the the sink and I must say it was a though decision between them!


I love how the rectangular mirror looks with the sink. It also makes the space look more open!


 Speaking of loving, that faucet and those pendants are really an icing on the cake. 

 

Wouldn´t you like to wash your hands under a waterfall? ;)


The drawer system below the counter top is essential in this space. It offers just enough space for everyday essentials!


By far the best things in this space are the birch wood planks turned to a counter top and a shelf. I´m so glad I game up with the plan of using them and the leaving the live edge!



Do you see the back wall, not empty any more! I tried many different art works and frames and ended up using these (for a while at least). I love to change things every now and then and for that reason I wanted a shelf. No marks on those newly painted walls, please!


I found just the perfect Himmeli wreath tutorial from Vintage and Revivals -blog last fall. It´s easy to make and reminds me of Finnish traditions, after all Himmelis are from Finland! I´ve made a Himmeli lamp, too and just love that technique! That wreath has been one of my favorite one since then. Now that this one is here, I may have to make another one to use elsewhere in our home.


I also framed some fabric and an art work I made at the weekend! It turned out great and it fits this space just right!


I dreamed long for Svedbergs Svea toilet paper holder, but it costs way too much, so Ikea came to rescue with Svartsjön paper holder. I attached it to the vanity using 3M Picture hanging strips. That Iris Hantverk`s toilet brush was my first purchase for the space and it gave inspiration for the whole space! 


The Himmeli wreath and that candle holder from Ellos go together so well! And I love that black against the wood!



So there you have it! How do you like the space? There is still four things missing from that space! I made an order from an Etsy shop called Frauklarer. I hope to get those three wall hooks and a medium planter very soon, so I can make the final touches to this space! They are going to be just the right add to this all! 
  


Thank you all for stopping by and following along. I truly appreciate you visiting and commenting! It feels so heart warming to know there are people who like my style and this little blog of mine! My journey has just began, so I´d be honored if you would follow along!


Here is the budget breakdown :
  • vanity and sink: 299 euros on discount at the time (taloon.com)
  • faucet: 149 euros on discount at the time (taloon.com)
  • counter and shelf: Free
  • mirror: 39 euros (+shipping 8 euros) (Ikea)
  • plumber: 147
  • lighting: 135 euros (Valomaja)
  • paints and brushes: 127 (Rautia Mäntsälä)
  • trims and trim paint: 106 (Rautia Mäntsälä)
  • brackets: 40 with shipping (Tuxford Furniture Hardware)
  • baskets: 14,99 piece (H&M)
  • frames: free
  • soap dispenser and glass jar: 7,99 piece (H&M)
  • toilet brush: 42 euros (Cilla´s)
  • glass vase: 18 euros (H&M) no longer available
  • art: free

Total of 1141 euros. We had budgeted about 1200-1300 euros, so we were able to do it under budget! My mother-in-law gave us some money to renovate the space and frankly without her, we couldn´t have done this. So thank you Anne!

If you haven´t already visited the other blogs participating now is the perfect time to head back to Calling it home to check out all the other Reveals! I´m going myself, too! Loads of ideas and pretty pictures to see :), who could resists! 

Remember though, you are always welcomed back here :)