the little things

We recently painted our small bath - outdated, moldy wallpaper finally sent us over the edge. What a difference the littlest details make!

The only before pic we have is quite murky & grainy, but besides the encroaching floral wallpaper, you can just make out some of the first things to go shortly after we moved in: the plastic knobs with screen-printed citrus fruits bedecking the lovely corner built-in, white plastic outlet covers, lucite green toilet seat with suspended dried flowers floating about inside, & the faded light-blocking paper window shade. Brushed nickel knobs, ceramic outlet covers, a plain white wood toilet seat & mattress- ticking blind stepped in to freshen things up. Left as-is was the gorgeous woodwork (maple that was handcrafted by local Estey Organ woodworkers, from what we've been told) & original fixtures from the 30s.

I love how clean & fresh & bright it feels now, & how the wood stands out with the lettuce-y green walls.

weekend DIY

Here's a weekend DIY I did a few years ago, a pair of Swedish mid-century dining chairs whose original tweed upholstery was far too nubbly & tempting for the cats to keep their claws off.

before

After treating the wood & covering up scratches, I reupholstered them with bleached linen on which I'd printed a hand-drawn twig pattern in a deep slate blue. I am happy to report that the cats have since left them alone for the most part, except to nap on during hot, humid days.

after