The Little Things Do Add Up...

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you have probably read how the mirror in the hall bathroom has been framed with trim. The result is looking good, just a bit of caulking and paint touch up is left, and I can't wait to show you how it was built in a tutorial. However, the photos taken to illustrate the steps show other small updates to the room. So, I thought I'd show these first, and how the little details do add up to make a difference.


This is Isabella and Max's bath, so their vote trumped mine in all decisions. I wasn't completely sure about this shower curtain, and another came home with it just to make sure. But the happy colors are fresh and lighten up the space.


When they spotted this clock they made a big case for how it was an absolute must for the bathroom. Will this help them get moving on an early school morning? One can only hope, and for $3.99 it is certainly worth a try.


A bright wastebasket on clearance...


and a smaller bowl, great for storing washcloths, bring in more happy color.


These "smiley" tooth brush holders were a big hit with the kids. They put them in the basket, I took them out, they put them back. I finally gave in.


Perhaps it will help with the top task on the chalkboard?


Before. I've never been a fan of these fixtures and the shades in particular. When I started sourcing alternative vanity lighting the prices stopped me in my tracks. New fixtures would double the budget for this bathroom update...not good.


Instead I turned them upwards (to make room for the frame to be installed around the mirror) and looked for replacement shades to give the fixtures a fresher look.


These seed glass shades and fun round bulbs were found at Home Depot, during a trip to get the lengths of MDF cut for the mirror frame.


Kind of funky. They bring in an industrial look and are definitely lighter and brighter. Plus, what great shadows.


Then the towel rings were hung. What an easy addition, costing very little. One is placed alongside each sink, adding function that was previously missing to the vanity area.


I usually am not a fan of matching sets, but just had to pick up these hand towels as well...all this color is really making an impact on a space that used to be quite dull.


Finally, here is the start of the mirror frame project. Measuring accurately was probably the hardest part, to ensure all the pieces to fit together just right around the mirror, which runs up to a wall on each side.

When Max saw the nearly complete mirror last night he asked, "What did you do with the other mirror?!" I told him it was the same one, that I had just framed it. "No, this is much bigger. Did you break the mirror?!" No, it's the same one. "No it's not."

I wasn't going to argue with him all night, but obviously it made an impression on him. More on that project tomorrow...