Bathroom transformation progress!

You've seen lots of photos of other people's homes on my blog.  I don't always time to work on my own home but I have spent a little time on our bathroom.  Wanna see??? Let's start with the "before" photo.  I took this picture when we were looking at the house.

Not bad. Right?  The problem was that I'm not exactly a "brown" person.  Getting up each morning and showering and getting ready for the day in a sea of brown was kind of a downer for me.

Very simple changes.    I love this color.  It's Sherwin Williams "Silvermist."   It's relaxing and bright, and it looks great with the black counter and the wood floor and cabinets.

I found this mirror in a thrift shop over two years ago.  In fact, it's probably one of my first thrift store purchases!  I think I paid $12 for it.   I loved the shape and architectural detail.  I was not crazy about the gold finish so it's been sitting in storage waiting for it's moment in the sun.   I painted it with brushed nickel spray paint to match the light fixtures and hardware and I LOVE it!  It's the dramatic piece I needed.

I found this Champagne bucket at Goodwill a couple weeks ago for $3.50.  I cleaned it up a bit but it's still a bit tarnished.  I've decided I like it that way!  It adds character!  It's handy for our washcloth supply!  I also considered putting a houseplant in it.  Maybe one day!

   

I love the smell of this lotion.  It's the aromatherapy "icing" on  the cake !

 Now on to another room!    Thanks for stopping by!!


Linking to "Wow Us Wednesdays!" at Savvy Southern Style.  Check it out!

Lori

Planning a weekend with my BFF!

 

The boys have been out of town all week and my sweet hubby just left for a fishing weekend.  Perfect time for a girlfriend visit with Holley.  IF she can make it!  She sent a text earlier asking if I had made plans.  She should know... I ALWAYS have plans.  When I asked her what she'd like to do she said "Shop.  A little peace and quiet.  Maybe a craft project of something.  Let's create something inspirational!"   So...


Shopping... mmm...so many choices for treasure hunting!  Garage sales are looking good this weekend and I've never been to the  Nashville Flea Market.  It's said to be among the top ten flea   

markets in the country. Dealers and vendors from 30 states and 1300+ booths with a huge variety of gifts, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, arts and crafts, tools, house wares, handmade clothing, and more.

Of course, we can always try our regular stops at 

Or perhaps we'll check out the antique stores! 

Maybe an estate sale???  

And then.... PEACE & QUIET!

I have the perfect place for that.  My porch!  

We can sit in the "sky chairs" and listen to the birds.  If it rains this weekend, we'll get to enjoy the sound of the stream running behind the house.  The last time Holley visited, we put a twin bed on the porch to nap on.  Maybe she was planning to come back for a little R&R???  She IS the planner! 

A craft project...

Certainly something I am well equipped for!  Choices are:

Painting

Jewelry Making

I found this bench project at Lowe's Creative Ideas.  
We could make one for each of us!  Maybe?  
Sounds like work and neither of us likes to sweat! 

Another project from the Lowes Creative Ideas website.  I don't think we'd make the box but it would be fun to fill  one with notes of encouragement and trinkets that celebrate our friendship.  Since we live close to four hours apart now, it would be great to have something like this on those rough days when we are calling
1-800- GOD- HELP!
(a personal joke we share - not too hard to figure out!)


If Holley can't make it, I'm sure I'll pout stay busy.  I have a project I thought I'd take on to surprise the guys when they get home.  They know I'll do something so why disappoint??
I'll share that one later.  Just in case they are reading!  

Everyone have a great weekend!  Give your best girlfriend a call and if you can spend some time together, take advantage of the moment and find something fun to do!

Have a great weekend!
Lori

Ahhh... a little treasure hunting catch up!

My staging work has really taken off so I haven't been able to post regularly.  Even worse I haven't had time to treasure hunt or play with all my finds!  I finally got a chance to do a bit today.  Want to see the latest?  It will be quite a hodge podge but here goes!

My little rooster lamp.  A Goodwill find for $5.00.  I had her on the porch but brought her into the kitchen this weekend.

A close up.  Isn't she a beauty?

I've been seeing silver gilded shells and think they are gorgeous.  I thought I'd give it a try.

I think they turned out great!

What do you think?  I can hardley wait to find some other bigs ones to work on!

I've seen other bloggers Champagne buckets and finally found one!  It's a little rough but I like it!  I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do with it!  Suggestions?

I love to find original works of art like this.  Someone wrote "Katy" on the back but it's not signed.  Pretty nice.  Don't you think??

Well friends... I wish I could spend a little more time catching up!  Especially studying all you blogs and latest!  Perhaps this will be my week to slow down a bit???

A special hello to my son, Robert, who told me this week that he had been reading my blog.  I love you Robert! 

Lori (Mom... for Robert!)

Countertop Makeover... Pretty cool idea!

I came across this video on Lowes website.   I stage many houses that really need counters updated to compete with similar homes but there is often no budget for replacing countertops.  This may be aone solution.  I can't find the price for the kit but I think it's around $250 to do up to 50 square feet.  No bad!  I haven't tried this but I watched the video series.  If you are a DIYer, you may want to try it!    Here's the first video in the series. 

Be sure to let me know if you try it! 

Thanks for stopping by.  I've got lots of updates for you once I slow down! 

Stay tuned!

Lori

Tables to stage and treasures to find

I recently decided to focus more time on building my staging business, Lori Bishop Designs.  I already have several Realtors that call me on a regular basis but it's time to take this a little more seriously and make my dream a reality.  Thanks to loyal clients who pass the word along, I'm busier than I could imagine and I love it!  Today I spent some time developing tablescapes for several properties I have pending.  I needed color in several homes so I bought the napkins above  and started dragging out my dish collection.  It's like painting with tableware!  

This is an update to Kinwood, an earlier post.  the Realtor wasn't crazy about the tablecloth and had hoped for something more dramatic since the ceiling was so high.  I'm not thrilled with this but it's minus the tablecloth and the tall candlesticks add some height and drama.  I just can't seem to get this one to a point that I can say I love it.  Frustrating!

I did find this great coffee table and the matching side table at a garage sale last weekend.  $40 for both!

Did I ever show you my front door "after" shot?  I really like it!

I found these pewter bowls and the mug at Goodwill for $1.49 each.  I've always liked pewter.  These are great  to use for salad.  I place them in the freezer first, then set them out for salads.  Everything stays crispy and cold.  

House to Home - Staging Kinwood Court

I've spent the majority of the last 3 days staging homes.  The good news?  I MUST go treasure hunting soon to prepare for additional homes that are on the schedule.  The bad news?  I am exhausted!  Nonetheless... I'm pleased with the results.  Here's one for your viewing pleasure.

The dining room before.

The dining room after.  My sons suggested placing the table at an angle.  Good idea guys!

So... how do I offer staging at affordable prices?  Well... those treasure hunts pay off well.  The centerpiece is a Goodwill find.  

This beautiful dishes are from Goodwill.  $1.60 each for the dinner plates and $1.20 each for the salad plates.  The tablecloth is actually a single panel Shabby Chic  drapery panel from Goodwill.  The glassware, chargers and flatware came from Big Lots. 

The master bedroom is quite large and just a bare and lifeless!

I was able to use a recent find.  I made the upholstered headboard and it goes perfectly with the toile duvet cover, shams and accent pillows.  The toile set and the houndstooth bedskirt and two shams were found at Southern Thrift in Nashville for a total of $18.

Here's a close-up of the pillows.

I added a cute black wicker chair (found in front of a neighbors house and  spray painted!)

The master bath was interesting.  We had to add bulbs to the lights and try to add interest without clutter,

I carried the black from the bedroom into the bathroom.  It was tricky adding accessories without adding clutter.

A great garden tub - although a bit boring....

That's better.  Don't you think?

I added a few items at the vanity table.

The hall bathroom.

A few little additions and it's a little more appealing.

A HUGE rec room... Always a challenge.  

A simple black futon.

A game of scrabble.

I staged the middle bedroom as a children's room.

This front bedroom has a great window.

We added a simple desk and some art.  Much better.

The back bedroom.  It's a bit larger than the prior two.  I considered placing a bed in this room but decided that most people would see and appreciate the size.  The goal became adding something "cozy" to give the room some warmth and appeal.

A reading chair, afghan, lamp, etc. works welll without the time and expenses of adding a bed.

The reading set-up.  

This beautiful home is in Island Brook subdivision in Hendersonville, Tennessee and is listed by Lindy Gaughn of ReMax Choice Properties.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lori