Saturday, September 12, 2009

ROOM FOR CHANGE~~PART 2

Before I start my redesign tour, I want to give a big thank you to Carolyn from Draffin Bears for the award she gave me. She has a lovely blog and is so very talented designing darling bears. If you have not visited her, please take the time to visit. She makes the most amazing bears and has a website with available bears to purchase. You will so enjoy your visit and reading her interesting posts. Thank you so very much Caroyln, I will add this to my slideshow of awards at the bottom.



Remember the HGTV show called Room for Change? Well it felt like an episode again as I redesign a very small powder room tucked under a staircase. The before room had blue stripes, which were nice at one time, and I still love stripes, but this room needed an upgrade to reflect the room it joins (library/family room) and the rest of our cottage style villa. This is a project I wanted to do for so long and our 2 week staycation gave me that time.


First I started by taking down the striped wall paper. Well, tearing it down in little strings is more like it. Even with the proper water preping, it is an awful job. The wall looked terrible at this point with parts of the drywall showing and layers of older paper. However, perfect for that old world stucco type look.
Now to achieve that look and style without stucco, I took sheets of unprinted newsprint paper. The type you collect antique shopping, when they wrap your purchases. Not as thin as tissue paper, but perfect to scrunch and tear to form wrinkles and folds. At this point, I soaked each piece in a bucket of watered down Elmer's glue before applying to the wall.

I know, it looks pretty bad! Remember, it always looks bad before it looks better! LOL!!
Next I applied mod podge to the stucco style papers and let it dry over night.

Now on to painting the walls right over the papers with a maple syrup color paint. It is a very warm and soft color.


The technique I used is one I tried many years ago for giving a stucco look without actually using thick plaster. I sort of made it up as I went along. This really makes it less expensive, in fact free, if you have saved the papers from shopping trips and less messy too. Any color can be painted over the dried papers.

As you can see in the finished pictures, I only did this on the bottom half of the wall, under the chair rail and old world style border paper I used on the top half.
After the paint is dry I again did the faux antiquing technique I shared below in my last post. This gives the aged look with shades of light and dark in the folds and wrinkles.


Over the "la toliet" area and shelf, I added a border of old books I found several years ago in a paper. I cut them out to look like they are real and standing on the shelf. Since this little powder room joins our library family room, it ties the look nicely.


I also covered a paper mache kleenex box with the book paper.

Some of the real books I used to accent are old school books of my mother and her brothers from the 30's and 40's.
The little side cabinet was made by my father and fits perfect to hold essentials. I also painted it with an off white ivory like the wall hutch in the family room.
Before~

After~

This got me to organize all the books in our little library. The TV is behind the center section. I really don't like to see it when not in use. Just a quirk of mine!

I also found this sweet little print at a resale shop. It had a gold frame and I also painted it the light ivory and adding it to the powder room.


Okay, now I am on a roll here and decided to make some short valance toppers in blue and white toile for the library windows. I kept them short since this room is dark and I wanted to let as much light in as possible.
Added 2 wall groupings along side the hutch and redesigned this charming floor lamp from the 40's with a chic shade along side a vintage table also painted in the light ivory. The lamp was my mother and dad's first living room purchase when they got married. It has a swing arm and perfect when I read or do hand work.




To finish up the area by the back door, I also made a small valance and placed it over a window type mirror that I painted light ivory along with a magnetic curtain rod and painted a larger mirror frame going up near the stairs, ivory as well. This is by a back coat closet. The mirrors open up the area and give it a larger feel.


Just these little touches made a big difference and I had so much fun. Thank you for stopping by. I'll be back next time with a few more little redo's. Till then, Have a great week and see you soon.
Blessings, Celestina Marie

35 comments:

Diva Kreszl said...

Just lovely!!! I love what you've done!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Your powder room is adorable. I love the cut out book border! Great idea for the kleenex box....this is really sweet!

Anonymous said...

All very warm lovely and inviting, Celeste!

"La toilet" Ha-ha!

I just might try that stucco look in my powder room! ♥

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Everything looks lovely! I especially like the books! They look great everywhere! I love the effect in the bathroom! You are always making your home even prettier! I get so many great ideas! Thanks!

BrushedByAnAngel said...

I thought the books were real until you said otherwise. You sure did a great job. It goes really well with the library. I like the valances - gives a lighter look to the room. I want to redo my main bath and the bath off the Florida room. I like the paper technique and may use it myself. Hope you don't mind.

Anonymous said...

Your little powder room is beautiful!! I am a "library nut" as I have books on book shelves in just about every room so-o-o-o I just love your library!! As for that little framed bird picture.... I have one just like it & I too painted it white!!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Love,
Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Sweetie,I love the La Toilet.....
D.H.

Unknown said...

Oh, wow, love the accents!! I especially ♥ the tissue cover box! It's awesome. I like how you truly strive to give a flow of continuity through your home...a true designer at heart aren't you! :) If I'm ever in your neighborhood I might just drop by just to use the "loo", LOL! ;)
Just kidding.

Congrats on the award.

~TattingChic ♥

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Celeste!

Oh you did it again! Another darling makeover... wait a minute... it was already adorable before the makeover! I know we all need a change don't we? The wall treatment with the torn paper is fabulous. It really gives that lovely aged look on the walls. Everything else is great too! Are you sure you relaxed on your staycation?? Looks like you were plenty busy to me.

And yes if you're ever in Ohio with Larry let me know in advance so we can try to get together. You could always stay overnight here at our home if you needed or wanted to!

Big hugs, Sherry

Thank you for all your advise! I'm investigating!!

Nélia Botelho said...

Como vai Celestina?

Venho apreciar o seu trabalho, sempre a inovar com muita criatividade e arte e desejar um óptimo final de semana.
bjs
Nélia

Mommys Online Garage Sale said...

How clever, I love what you did behind the toilet. We are in the middle of a bathroom redo.....hmmmm.

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Celestina Marie,

I am glad that you liked the Friendship Award and I can not think of a lovelier person to give it to. Thanks for your kind words.

I love what you have done in the powder room and library, the effect with the book border and the valance curtains is beautiful.
You are so talented and just love your home.

Enjoy your weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

A Hint of Home said...

Hey Friend,
You have been very busy again, I see. The powder room redo looks great! I love the way you do the faux finishes. They look very rich. The border of books adds to the richness for me. Cute idea for the kleenex box.
Your curtains turned out so pretty. I like the heighth of them.
I've gotten all my Fall decor out. That was a job, but so glad it's done.
Hope you enjoy your weekend!
Hugs to you!

Unknown said...

Very pretty - I especially like the use of the Mod Podge :D

Angela said...

I thought the door was a window until I read it and had to read it AGAIN to realize it was a mirror..What an AWESOME idea...That shelf that was your dad's, Randy has made me something like that..me thinkin I am going to be movin it to my bathroom now,,lol

Bearly Sane said...

Everything looks beautiful Celestina...I just love all those great earthy colours! You must be exhausted, after all that work...or high on adrenalin!! LOL!!
Hugs,
Sandi

roseroomnz.com said...

Celeste, you are truely amazing. Love how the powder room came up and the new 'curtain's are lovely too. You are so clever! Rachaelxo

Chany said...

¡Oh, que maravilla, como siempre un encanto toda tu preciosa casa,, y divina como vos Cálida, bonito fin sos una preciosa amiga Marie Cele, y que tengas un de semana. Chany .-

Gone said...

I can see you've definitely been busy!! Everything looks beautiful!

Ruth Welter said...

Celeste, I am simply amazed by how much you accomplished on this vacation. The bathroom is gorgeous and you may think I'm funny when I say that my favorite part is that tissue box cover. How in the world did you think of it?? That is so creative and wonderful and fits in with the book theme you have going...

Keep on designing.....

Ruth

Betzie said...

All I can say is WOW WOW WOW...I just love everything you do Celeste!!! Such a warm cozy room now and I'm not sure I'd want to leave...I'd have to sit and read there for a while and have some tea too! LOL
I LOVED that HGTV show "Room For Change"..I was wondering if that was still on...I don't like so many of the new ones now.
So many rooms here that I need to redo..love getting ideas from you, but how you do it all so quickly and perfectly is beyond me! xoxo

Ginny said...

I would love to try the paper on the wall, but I don't have the confidence to do it! It would look great in our home, as it is a 1970's house and the walls are bad, not smooth, wall paper residue, etc. You did a fantastic job. I loooooove the look so much. Sigh..........such talent, Celestina!

Unknown said...

Hi sweet friend! I LOVE Draffin Bears!!! Her work is precious, she is so talented :) Congratulations on a much deserved award :)

The paper looks wonderful Celeste! You did such a good job, my gosh it looks real! I love every picture in this post, lol! You have such a beautiful home. That mirror is so cute, at first, I thought it was a real window! Just darling Celeste! Great job!
Love you,
Amy

Anonymous said...

WOW, I love it all. As I have said before you are one talented Lady.

Willow

Blind Fly Theater said...

I love your enthusiasm for what you do, Celestina... Incredibly inspiring. Your remodels look fabulous, love (love love love) the accents... Your place looks like heaven. So cozy, so inviting, so inspiring.
Thanks for sharing!
David *

blushing rose said...

Oh, Celest, how wonderful. The powder room is just fantastic ... your other touches & rooms are awesome ... you are sooooo creative. I love visiting you.

Pop over & meet a new blog lady @ shabbycottageshoppe.blogspot.com

TTFN ~Marydon

A Southern Rose said...

It all looks just beautiful! I'm gonna have to try that paper technique one day! I love your powder room.

Anonymous said...

Hello Celeste!

I had to look up what stucco means (oh poor me LOL). It sounded interesting and difficult too. But I see a beautiful finished project :-)

I like the la toilet! And I really thought they were real books too! I was making a mental note to comment on that and how I've never thought of putting books there. I was fooled! LOL You sure made this particular room elegant. And I never would have thought of associating both words in one sentence :-)

With your staycation, you really accomplished a lot, and I see there's more. I wonder what else you did, and looking forward too! :-)

Mizpah!
Li

Shabby Cottage Shoppe said...

Hi Celestina Marie,
Thanks for stopping by my blog and welcoming me in. Marydon has helped me tremendously and I really appreciate her efforts.
I love what you did to your powder room ~ Beautiful. Can’t wait to see what you do next.
Gail

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

Hi Celeste! What new prettiness you've added to your powder room. Love the old books border & the Kleenex holder you decoupaged. I spy the little navy ginger jar and trinket box! :0)

Love the use of mirrors on your wall and back door! The toile fabric makes such pretty valances, too.

Baby K surprised us with a visit today & he's coming back this weekend so I need to try to write you tomorrow while I still have time!!LOL

Love you,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Anonymous said...

Hi Celeste! My hubs and I loved that show. Is it even still on? We gave up so much tv time to do daily life things. :) I loved how she would show how easy it was to do some of the treatments, this one inparticular. It looks wonderful C!! Great job as usual. Hugs. Tammy

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

Unbelieveably creative! I am astonished at the results. Beautifully done. And I just love how you tied it all together with the books. Adorable...

Blessings,
Kitty

Mary said...

Hello Celeste, Are you rain soaked yet:) Thank You for the visit and Prayers.(The lab report was good) Your home looks so pretty and comfortable,you have been busy. Love the books in the bath and the walls turned out great! Sounds like a long process.Just taking the paper off Is:) Love your curtains and the mirror on the door. I too thought it was a window.Take care Sweet Lady and have a nice weekend.Hugs,Mary:)

Unknown said...

Hi Celeste,
I am so loving that book paper. It looks so wonderful in that room too.I also love the idea with the mirror and curtain valance on the door. This would be so great in one of my powder rooms. One is so tiny. I love all of your ideas.

Karen

Shirl said...

Hello Celeste, How pretty your powder room came out. I love that mirror on the door, how clever of you! Congrats on the award! I love old books, you have a beautiful collection. Thank you so much on the painting tips. I think I might paint a few pieces of furniture in our family room this winter. I painted them brick red last year but I'm not so happy with them. I think the black would be much nicer. I meant to tell you, I can't tell you how much I love my job. The students are so sweet. It's a very rewarding job, I feel blessed to be able to teach them. Take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Bless you, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..