Monday, February 23, 2009

{Vera B. Inspired}

Last week, I decided I would "spruce up" my master bath.
I have put much thought into breathing "life" into this bland, stark space, without removing the white striped wallpaper. That will have to be a summer {kids are out of school} project! A couple of years ago, I painted the ceiling green, and used green-based floral accessories, but it seemed "cluttered" and not cohesive in the least.

So I thought I would try a soft teal blue for a serene look.
Didn't work, looked washed out and boring.

While I was in Wal-mart, I found a vibrant patterned fabric of blues, greens, and yellows. And the price was great....5 1/2 yards for $22.00. The fabric is a little "loud," but it really works well in this space. {The pictures do not do it justice.} I have it pinned under at the moment, haven't had a chance yet to hem.
I tried to tell my MIL over the phone, what the print looked like, but couldn't explain it precisely. Then at 10:00 that night, it hit me! It resembled a Vera B(radley) pattern. None in particular, just one that could grace a Vera B. fabulous tote.
I ordered a blue and white pillow in the Ralph Lauren Porcelain Blue Pattern , from eBay to go in the chair to the left below....

The picture and stand, below, I already had. But I found the porcelain carpet balls in blue and white, at Wal-mart for $9.97/3.
The white covered dish below was a thrifty find and I love this piece!

I changed the accessories on the countertops. One corner holds my very favorite.....
A picture of me with my maternal grandparents. My mom and I found this picture a couple of months ago in my late Grandma B.'s stash. What a treasure! :)

Now, What to do about a lamp?
I found this one in storage and thought it was my late FIL's. But last night Kevin asked me, "Where did you get that lamp in the bathroom?"
{ME} "Out of the building, wasn't it your dad's? I remember you guys used it in the old office, and it later ended up at his house."
{Kevin} "I think my ex-girlfriend gave it to me!"
UGHHH...
It looks really good in the space and I've grown accustomed to it now! LOL! Later he said wasn't sure where it came from. He is a prankster and teases me terribly, so it is hard to say where the lamp originated!
Anyhow, I draped a piece of the fabric over the top, trying to determine if I should cover the shade with it.
What do you think? ~Is it too much???
Now that the upstairs is clean, I'm off to tackle the downstairs.
Keeping my whole house clean and tidy is a neverending BATTLE...
It seems, if one floor/story is clean, the other isn't!
I guess I will not win the war on this one, but I'm off to make a dent in it!
~Rhonda ;)
~~~~
NOTE: As I was completing this post, my pillow was delivered to my door. "smiles"

31 comments:

Susan said...

You always do such a great job with your decorating. Love the fabric and I think the matching lampshade would be stunning.
Susan

SmilingSally said...

Won't your window treatment get splashed? I think the lampshade would work. I LOVE your new pillow.

Beth at Aunties said...

You have the magic decorating touch in your finger tips. I love everything you do!
These colors are beautiful in your bathroom. Ex girl friend or not...He and the lamp are yours now!:)

onlymehere said...

I always love the end product when you use fabrics. I have trouble visualizing them on lampshades and such but when you do it (like the drapes and pillow) I love the effect! Seriously, I'm not kidding or trying to butter you up, LOL! I need to take your direction as my window only has blinds over my jetted tub and it looks so lonely but I'm too lazy to clean anything more than blinds! Have a great day and I'm glad your pillow came so fast!

Dawn said...

It's beautiful fabric and I think it looks lovely. I like the idea of a matching lamp shade!

The pillow is gorgeous!!!

take care,
Dawn

onlymehere said...

I forgot to tell you that I loved how you used the army men at the end of your post! I thought that was really clever. Kaje' is still sick. I actually picked her up early from school and she's upstairs "dying" (so she says, LOL!). In all fairness she is pretty sick though. Just a cold and some other bug I'm sure though. Hey, I'm sure we could find you a house too! Bridget said she'd live by me if we could get rid of the snow and I'm all for that, LOL! The house behind us actually is in foreclosure so I'm a little worried about who our new neighbors will be and how long it will sit vacant. In this case it wasn't bz of job loss or anything it was bz they couldn't quit spending money. Always new outdoor toys (four-wheelers, trailers, snow mobiles, etc.) and I've been told the inside was redecorated every couple of months or so. My husband knows the mom to the man who owned this house with his wife and she was telling him about it. I take stories like that with a grain of salt as most of the blame seemed to be blamed on the DIL. Take care and have a great day!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Just great girl like everything you do..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

onlymehere said...

You don't have to tell me twice...next winter I'll be there!! You're definitely closer to a beach than I am! LOL! I'll start cleaning the house waiting for everyone to arrive for the summer, LOL!

Nancy Rosalina said...

Rhonda, I love it! I would change out the lamp shade to match..I don't think it would be too much.
I am planning on doing a blue and green post on Wed. would it be okay if I used some of your pictures...I will link back to you. Let me know...if not, I understand! Nancy

Tardevil said...

I didn't know Walmart sold carpet balls. I think the shade would look nice covered (plus it would give you something to post on for Metamorphosis Monday! :O) That pillow is awesome!

Anonymous said...

The bathroom really looks nice and that fabric does look like Vera B. As for the lampshade, that fabric might look really great to bring that bit of color and pattern in if it is opposite from your window.

Becky said...

Gurl; I love the fabric....OMG, it does remind me of Vera Bradley too! Your bathroom looks so crisp and clean. Love the colors!

Melissa Miller said...

It's all very pretty Rhonda!

I do love the cheerful fabric and you're right it does resemble Vera Bradley.

Your new pillow is beautiful!
I really like how you displayed the apothecary jar in the corner.

Thanks for the very kind an uplifting words about our move.
I do hope yopu're right and we sell quickly when the time comes.
Fingers are crossed.
~Melissa :)

imjacobsmom said...

Cute fabric - I tell ya - Walmart has been coming through for us all lately. They must have some new buyers or something. I'd cover the lampshade - go for it I think that would look great. Your pillow looks like it was made to match! ~ Robyn

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

That fabric just MAKES this space! It is gorgeous, and I love the new pillow. I would definitely cover the lamp shade in the fabric. I love all of the tricks you used to add so much to this space. laurie

Tonja said...

Great job on the decorating. Love that fabric and it would make a great lampshade. All your accessories blend so well. You should be proud!

Bo said...

Hi Rhonda...That fabric came from WalMart??? It looks so high end..
and by all means, yes...cover the shade to match...BTW, I really liked the subtle stripe paper in there. ;-) Bo

nikkicrumpet said...

WOW Rhonda...you've done a beautiful job on the bath. I love all the pretty touches. Dang...I feel so bad because our master bath is so NOT decorated! I guess I never thought about really sprucing up that room. You've just inspired me to make that my next project! I sure hope it turns out as pretty as yours.

Kristen said...

Love that pillow!
Your bath looks amazing. You sure know what special touch needs to go where!

Alisa Lucas-Brown said...

Hi Rhonda,
Yes, you should cover the lampshade. It would look fabulous!!!! Love the fabric you have chosen. I love Vera B. and the inspiration bathroom using this fabric is lovely.
Smiles,
Alisa

Michelle said...

Turned out beautiful..I like the covered lamp shade to match!

Kim's Treasures said...

Rhonda~
The fabric is so beautiful! It looks great on the window!

I totally understand the whole trying to keep both floors clean! Ugh it seems like the upstairs is always waiting, unfortunately!

Have a great night!
Kim

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda! Oh, I love that fabric, too and it looks great over your tub! Love all of your accessorizing too! You're just plumb good! The pillow is beautiful! Go for it and cover the lampshade!
I'll enter your tiny name in my giveaway!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Hey I like the fabric. You did a good job ! And go for it on the shade too.

Picket said...

Morning Scooter....the fabric is beautiful girl! I adored that little photo treasure of you & your grandparents!

Thanks for coming by sweetie...that clock you ask about on the mantel was a great find I got at Home Accents a couple of years ago for $25...they are kinda like a Hobby Lobby and have some great sales at times...I just loved how it looked so old! lol

Take care my friend & have a great week!

Monogram Queen said...

Beautiful! I love Vera B (as you know)

Is that white covered dish milk glass?

I also love the pic of you and the grandparents. LOVE retro pics. Love them!

Darlene said...

It looks BEAUTIFUL and I think the lamp shade should be covered. LOVE all your accessories and the pillow is perfect! Have a great day!♥

Darlene said...

It looks BEAUTIFUL and I think the lamp shade should be covered. LOVE all your accessories and the pillow is perfect! Have a great day!♥

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful, Rhonda!!

Unknown said...

Very pretty! I do think you should cover the lampshade - it would tie in so nicely with the curtain.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Love the bathroom! Love the fabric! Love the pillow!

I did a post on carpet balls (called bowls) about two weeks ago, and I am thrilled that you found those at the Mart. I might have to head out there and see if they have any more. I was thinking I needed some more. GREAT price on those, Rhonda!

XO,

Sheila :-)