Wow wow wow I have to start this post with a great big thank you for the love and warm wishes on my video collaboration with Style At Home. If you're just joining me, I recently completed a renovation of my Toronto semi-detached home which took so long I had not one, but TWO babies in the process. And we filmed it, just to add to the general chaos. You can also check out the other videos in the series here and here.
There were 2 aspects I found really difficult while renovating:
1. Indecision. I had paralysis about EVERYTHING, for fear of making the wrong decision. I over thought every single decision and carried around finishes in my purse everywhere I went. It was terrible. If I were to do it again I would have tried to be a bit more objective and treat myself like I would a client.
2. Exhaustion. Partially from the decision making, and partially from the regular displacement and lack of routine that can come from living through a major reno.
But we made it- and the bathroom in particular really helps our family to thrive. Using a barn door and a wider than normal door opening allows us to make the hallway feel like the bathroom, giving us the extra space a family of 5 kids desperately needs.
I've seen it with countless parents as clients- and we were exactly the same- parents often put themselves last. The master bedroom is way too often where stuff gets dumped. And as you'll see in the video our closet was a literal avalanche of crap. I'll let you in on a secret- the film guys asked if we made it look that messy on purpose cause we were filming. NOPE! THAT IS JUST HOW GROSS WE WERE!!!!!
You can watch the transformation below or click here.
I hope this video has given you some inspiration to put yourself first and tackle your own little oasis.
To help get you started I’ve compiled all the items used in my house, PLUS a fun PDF on how to survive a renovation with kids to jump start your plans.
Just enter your email below to get all the goodies in your inbox.
So excited to share my completed #CILPremiumBeauty bathroom! But first, HUGE congratulations to the TWO winners of the $250 Home Depot gift cards courtesy of CIL Paints, @aliasmith06 and @jemsw16!! Please email me your address via my contact form so we can get those over to you.
After what felt like an eternity agonizing over what colour to do, I finally committed and went white on the walls with CIL White Wisteria.
I'm so happy with the results. I decided on white as the bathroom is super small, and while I am a huge fan of dark colours (my bedroom is a deep indigo blue!), in this space with the lack of natural light I felt like white was the best choice.
Going white on the walls allowed me to paint the shelves black for some high contrast drama – and I love the polished pop that occurs when there's a strong juxtaposition of black and white. This is where I think throwing in an accent colour can be really successful – highlighting architectural elements through a contrast paint brings attention to these design details.
Using black and white as a design scheme in a bathroom can lend a modern edge. With metal shelving and industrial lighting, a black and white palette can be fresh and fun.
While my paint paralysis is now over (finally!) I want to know about yours. I've partnered with CIL Paints on a fun contest to get you in the redesign mindset.
The Beauty on a Small Budget contest challenges Canadians to make a room beautiful on a small budget using CIL Premium paint. So pick your space – paint out the fireplace, change up your favourite accent chair, or tackle the walls- and simply post a photo of your completed space on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the paint can in the photo (remember to look for CIL Premium specifically) and the hashtag #CILPremiumBeauty.
The grand prize will consist of a two-hour home design consultation with either myself, style-maven Erica Cook, or editor-extraordinaires Earl Einarson and Jan Halvarson from Poppytalk (pending location of winner) and (HELLO!) $5,000 CDN in The Home Depot gift cards.
The contest closes on November 29, 2015- just one month to enter to win! You can enter as many home projects as you like – just be sure to include the hashtag #CILPremiumBeauty and a can of CIL Premium paint in your images. The more projects you tackle, the better your odds! Can't wait to see your projects!
Renovating a house requires lots of coordination- so any chance I get to streamline the process of purchasing products I take it. And I certainly took at The Home Depot this summer shopping for materials for my #canningreno. While big box stores can be overwhelming to navigate through, you are able to accomplish A LOT within an afternoon. Here are all the goodies I was able to pick up in one shot (with my daughter in tow).
I grabbed all my bathroom tiles at the Home Depot- we went with a beautiful marble mosaic on the tub surround, and a simple 12" x 24" porcelain tile on the floor. The Home Depot organizes coordinating tile together- so you can pick up a suggested combo of tub surround, flooring, and accent, all in one shot. A quick tip- if you aren't shopping with a designer and are stuck for grout colour- the Home Depot even suggests best grout colour and where to pick it up alongside the tiles on the board displays.
For my bathroom vanity, I wanted something with a minimal, European style flat front profile- but I wanted to keep the cost reasonable so I selected a Canadian made vanity by Cutler. I have purchased similar looking vanities in the past for a price point in the thousands- I'm happy I was able to find something in a similar stylish esthetic, but at a price point in the hundreds. Here's a tip- the Home Depot sells tons of product online only. I was able to check out the construction of Cutler vanities in the store, but found a colour and size more appropriate to my space online. You might be surprised what you find online that can then be delivered to your front door.
I have reflected in the past that it has not been as easy as I thought to work on my own house. In fact, there is still a ton to do. So sometimes it is VERY WELCOME when something can show up at your doorstep, like, yesterday. The Home Depot has some rapid delivery laminate flooring options that makes it super easy to stay within your schedule (and help souls like me who sometimes forget to pick certain finishes because they are so busy and fail to realize that floors on schedule for the basement would be important!!!!) So we selected a dark grey flooring for the basement that got delivered 2 days later.
Shopping at a store the size of the Home Depot can be very daunting. Here are some quick tips for making your shopping experience a success:
1) Make a list and write it down. I am notorious for not making a list and having to make multiple trips. Things I always forget when shopping for myself or clients are light bulbs for lights, grout for tiles, batteries, underpads for carpets, etc. etc. etc. Use a list making app on your phone or plain old pen and paper so you don't forget.
2) Measure before you leave the house. Again, from experience for both myself and clients, I have found myself on more than one occasion sadly standing in the window blind section trying to remember how wide my window is. So actually take inventory, record on your phone or write it down, and then go shopping. I promise it will make for a more efficient experience!
3) If you know you will need help, try to go at off peak hours. Middle of the day on a weekday if your schedule allows. And if you can't find someone to help you, you can go to customer service and ask them to page someone to the department you need.
Love to hear your thoughts- what tips do you have for making a big shopping trip a successful one?
Thanks to The Home Depot for partnering with me on my home renovation and for hosting us in the store. Photos by mdd photography.
For more from this series on shopping for items for my #canningreno check out my recent shopping trips here and here.
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Using black and white as a design scheme in a bathroom can lend a modern edge. With metal shelving and industrial lighting, a black and white palette can be fresh and fun. 
