Skip to content

“Things you can hang on a wall” for $200, Alex

2011 April 19
by Katie

Wouldn’t it be crazy to write an entire post consisting of questions?  Like the answers on Jeapardy?  Wanna try it?  Am I up for the challenge?  How could I not be?

What do you put in the big blank spot above a vanity? 

Well wouldn’t a mirror fill the spot?  And did you know that Hobby Lobby has cheaper mirrors than any home improvement store?  Esepcially large round mirrors with a beveled edge?  And that The Hob Lob also has these 50% most of the time?  Isn’t this one well worth $45? 

Could wiring be any easier with mustard and sweet tea on hand?  weird?  How fast can you say um yeah?

Could I love the red undertones with the dark wood frame any possibly more than I do?  And doesn’t it look good with the dark finish of the lights?

Isn’t the scale of the mirror pretty good too?  Do you remember when Nate Berkus said that I was good with scale?  Could my head get any bigger with one little comment?  Do I still repeat that quote to Jeremy numerous times a day?  And do I use it in reference to judging body parts?  Do I need to answer that? 

 Oh and do you see that reflection in the mirror?

Wanna closeup?  Remember these framed art pieces that used to live in our old guest bedroom?  Don’t the red fabric mats look just smashing with the red vanity? 

And isn’t it crazy how the floor doesn’t seem so ‘blood-shmeary’ now?  Doesn’t it almost fade into the background?

And isn’t it an amazing transformation so far?  Isn’t it crazy what we did for $136? 

Wouldn’t it be cute to finish off the room with some other wall decor though?  Maybe you could suggest something that would fit with our equestrian look? 

p.s.  I think Alex Trebek would be proud of this post.  Sean Connery however would say “Moo”….you may only get that joke if you watch too much SNL :)

Related Posts with Thumbnails
93 Responses leave one →
  1. April 19, 2011

    Is your bathroom looking fabulous or what? Who would know that just a short time ago it was so hideous? Is Will growing his bangs out? Why is he so cute?

    TDM xx

    • April 20, 2011

      Will is growing his bangs out…we are hoping and waiting for those sideburns to fill in…until then, we aren’t getting it cut :)
      xo – kb

      • Abercrombie Wife permalink
        April 20, 2011

        You might be waiting a while for those sideburns to come in. My nephew didn’t get sideburns till he was almost 2. This no sideburn thing seems to be a trend among boys these days. I have several friends that have baby boys and they too have no side burns. Hate to be the one to drop the bomb.

        • April 20, 2011

          Oh we aren’t disappointed. We fully plan on Will having a ponytail before he gets a haircut. We figure this might be the only time in his life that he actually has hair – both sides of the fam have baldness!
          xo – kb

  2. Rachel permalink
    April 19, 2011

    I’ve been reading your blog for a little bit now (came over from yhl :-) )… I look forward to your posts each day!
    I saw your last post abt jeopardy and just had to comment…
    Ok for final jeopardy, write down any number. Just pick a number. Threve! Sean Connery is my favorite!!! Haha

  3. Stephanie Phillips permalink
    April 19, 2011

    Lookin’ good, Miss Katie. I do like the re purposing of the vanity. I was going to comment entirely in questions as well, but I sounded too much like Yoda. You just get me. :)

  4. Cindy permalink
    April 19, 2011

    Do I guess that you have quite possibly lost your mind? ;)

    SNL Sean Connery would say, “I ♥ BOOBIES.” xo

    • Margaret permalink
      April 20, 2011

      That one is my favorite :) Hee, hee!

  5. April 19, 2011

    Two posts in one day! Yay, Katie!

  6. Chrissy Henry permalink
    April 19, 2011

    I think that something more modern like this http://www.cafepress.com/+small_framed_print,448872480 could like nice in your newly updated bathroom. They are available in red, orange and yellow… for some reason I feel like you would need to do all 3… and in a nice dark brown frame. Yep. I think you could probably do something similar DIY style, they don’t look too complicated.

    Your Bathroom looks sooo much better by the way! I love the red vanity idea!

  7. April 19, 2011

    Love Love Love

  8. April 19, 2011

    Isn’t everything looking awesome? :)

  9. Mary permalink
    April 19, 2011

    what about some framed horse shoes?

    • April 20, 2011

      Yes, I definitely want to put in a horse shoe somewhere…so I am eating what you’re bacon :)
      xo – kb

      • Melanie permalink
        April 20, 2011

        You were just waiting for a chance to talk about bacon, weren’t you? ;p

  10. Tanya permalink
    April 19, 2011

    Maybe you could frame pieces of tartan to go with the whole equestrian thing?

    • April 20, 2011

      I love the idea of tartan…this space could use a little pattern!
      xo – kb

  11. Tanya permalink
    April 19, 2011

    Maybe a stretch of tartan could have a fabric ‘B’ centered in the foreground?

  12. April 19, 2011

    Too stinking awesome, I love that the post is entirely questions…..lol BTW the Mirror looks great!

    • LauraC permalink
      April 20, 2011

      Me too! So creative! (and I resisted the urge to comment in questions too, though it’s great others have.)

  13. April 20, 2011

    Nicely done!

  14. April 20, 2011

    Looks so pretty! What about a grass cloth behind the mirror, only on that wall …OR a plaid ( painted or wallpaper) focal point….or towels with monograms and plaid trim/ruffle? An big equestrian loving cup trophy would be fun as a plant holder/plant stand… lots of possibilities :)

  15. Katrina permalink
    April 20, 2011

    That was hilarious haha! I love it, beeyooteeful!
    Did will start walking already? Did that already happen forever ago and I’m just behind?

  16. April 20, 2011

    Night and day! Very good job. That vanity looks like something you’d pay $1299 for out of a Pottery Barn catalog. The only thing you need now is some saddle soap…har, har, har. Actually, what about hunting for an antique bit and bridle to hang on the wall? Could be awesome, could be corny.

  17. SheilaG permalink
    April 20, 2011

    How about a riding crop for the wall? riding boots to hold extra tp? :D And the final Jeopardy question is: Am I loony because it’s 2:30 am and I can’t sleep?

  18. April 20, 2011

    I have an option for 19 bananas!!

    Can you incorporate this guy anywhere??

    http://www.potterybarn.com/products/horse-hook/

    Love the vanity, and the mirror has the perfect tones! Once again, beautiful work!!

  19. April 20, 2011

    Hahahahaha. Okay, that tickled my funny bone — hilarious.

    And the bathroom is looking swish — great job with such a little budget. And I’m totally digging the idea of a horseshoe hanging up somewhere. Simple but effective.

    • Amanda permalink
      April 20, 2011

      Make sure you hang it open side up!

  20. Amy in PA permalink
    April 20, 2011

    Best looking makeover that I’ve seen in awhile! Way to go!!

  21. April 20, 2011

    You are too funny! I love your bathroom! It looks great.

  22. April 20, 2011

    I feel like there needs to be rope in here… not in the creepy ‘hang yourself’ sense, but I just think the texture of rope would look good incorporated somehow…. hmmm

  23. April 20, 2011

    WHAT A TRANSFORMATION! It looks fantastic, and yes, Alex would be proud!

  24. Katie permalink
    April 20, 2011

    A horse shoe, hung so it catches all your good luck!

  25. April 20, 2011

    Great Reference to SNL. “suck-it Trebek”-Has to be one of my favorite SNL quotes.

    Everything looks awesome and you nailed the scale. :)

  26. steph permalink
    April 20, 2011

    what about hanging some horseshoes? i think it would be subtle and not over the top equestrian looking :)

  27. April 20, 2011

    WOW. Seriously Katie, you did an awesome job on this! I didn’t think there was any way to make that tile look good…but dare I say it…that tile actually look pretty good now!!! The whole room looks great. You did a fantastic job balancing out that red in just the right amounts!

    Also, I LOVE Hobby Lobby!!! And their constant stream of 50% sales! :)

  28. Abercrombie Wife permalink
    April 20, 2011

    It is amazing what you have done with that room with so little money. You barely even notice the floors. I love it all! Good Job Katie!

  29. April 20, 2011

    Love the bathroom redo – it looks amazing. I can’t believe the transformation, and with so little! Great job!

  30. April 20, 2011

    OMG the before and after killed me. I guess I had blocked out the ground beefiness of it all. Ick.

    Also, how I love SNL Celebrity Jeopardy…

  31. April 20, 2011

    I love the way this has all come together! What about some framed horse ribbons? You could probably find some really neat ones online or at a vintage thrift shop. Would bring a little whimsy to the room, but still be part of your theme. Here are some fun ideas too: http://www.countryliving.com/antiques/what-to-collect/vintage-horse-room-decor-0910

  32. April 20, 2011

    I’m very impressed! This room came together great and the equestrian theme really works with that vanity and the details. I still can’t believe how well that floor works now that you’ve toned the walls down. That marble floor was worth saving. Great job!

  33. April 20, 2011

    “I’ll take ‘SWORDS’ for $200, Alex.”
    “I Garfunkled your mother.”
    Seriouslly funny stuff.

    I think the bathroom needs leather, weathered leather. Not butt-less chaps or anything, but something leather, whippy, stirrups. Ok this is going in a really weird direction. When I think of horseback riding I think of leather boots, saddles, reigns. I think you know what I mean.

    I wonder if they made a weathered leather toliet seat cover?

    Bacon. There, does that redeem this comment at all?

  34. April 20, 2011

    Awesome with the questions! I wonder if you could find some old stirrups or a bridle to hang? OR get a bunch of different type bits to hang in a row? Would that be too theme-y? I can ENVISION it, so you just need to come and see how I see. Easy.

  35. Christine permalink
    April 20, 2011

    Brand new follwer – (from yhl too).

    I love the vanity. My grandma used to always say – every room needs something red.

  36. April 20, 2011

    I’m concerned about the amount of paint fumes you may be inhaling :) Looking really, really good and you are so right about the floor blending in now. I didn’t think it was going to be possible and thought you would have the sledge hammer out within days!!

  37. April 20, 2011

    That’s not what your mother said last night, Trebek!

  38. April 20, 2011

    Katie, I LOVE the mirror in that space! It really brought everything together. The room has had such a transformation since the um, interesting state it was in before. :) Great Job!!

  39. April 20, 2011

    This post just made me smile. I am glad you’re funny. It helps me get through the work day. BTW the bathroom looks fab!

  40. April 20, 2011

    What an amazing transformation, Katie! I love how you managed to work around those tiles and make them look good.

    I’m pretty sure we have the same tiles in our bathroom. When we first moved in, I thought they were just dirty. Imagine my disappointment when I realized that no amount of scrubbing was going to get the “blood smears” off. Like you, we embraced the red, and accented the bathroom with a red bathmat, red toothbrush holder, and white-with-brown-design shower curtains.

  41. Holly permalink
    April 20, 2011

    LOVE that mirror! I really need to check out Hobby Lobby more often!

    http://www.ourlittleplacecalledhome.blogspot.com

  42. Brooke Buckingham permalink
    April 20, 2011

    BRAVO! It looks fantastic and the mirror couldn’t be any more perfect! And as soon as I saw the framed pictures in the shot of you taking a picture of the mirror I thought to myself, “well done Katie”! :) You’ve inspired me to tackle our basement bathroom – AND to get busy making a baby because Will is too cute! (was that TMI?) :)

  43. April 20, 2011

    (silently giggling at my desk) I’m recovering from laughing out loud by myself at work! thank you.. I love the post and I love your bathroom. I just started reading your blog – do you decorate with red a lot? It’s so intimidating to me – I feel like once you start everything has to become red??

    • April 20, 2011

      I love color…and red is a fabulous one. This is actually the first time I used it in a bathroom…so yes and no.
      xo – kb

  44. Emily permalink
    April 20, 2011

    Love the way the bathroom is coming along.

    Love that mirror, too! I have it hanging above my fireplace!

  45. April 20, 2011

    Just a curious question? What’s with the mustard?

    Bathroom looks good… not scary as before! Great job!

    • April 20, 2011

      Mustard is actually my favorite condiment…and it just happened to be out because I eat jumbo soft pretzels drenched in the stuff about five times a day. And then I wash it down with sweet tea :)
      xo – kb

  46. Erika Brown permalink
    April 20, 2011

    I LOVE what yall have done with this bathroom. I would love to have a neat sink like that!

  47. April 20, 2011

    Could your bathroom be any cuter? Was the old wall treatment the ugliest thing I’d ever seen? Am I super impressed with your mad skillz?

    And since you started the Celebrity Jeopardy quote fest:
    “This color ends in ‘urple.’”
    Bzzzt.
    “Mr. Connery?”
    “What is light urple?”
    Hahahahaha.

  48. Erin E permalink
    April 20, 2011

    Not bathroom related, but my 2 year old does not have side burns either. We just cut his hair real short so you can’t tell :-)

  49. April 20, 2011

    Yay! Looks great! I really like what you’ve done :)

  50. April 20, 2011

    OK, I am so in love with that mirror. Crazy how well it ties together the red vanity with the dark lights. Quite the bathroom transformation!!

  51. Caroline permalink
    April 20, 2011

    Was this the post awesomely amusing? Can you ever have too many questions? Yes and no. hahaha love it, Katie!

  52. Chaela de Gouveia permalink
    April 20, 2011

    Hey…the bathroom looks amazing. I love the item on the right side of the sink that appears to be holding a towel. It reminds me of a cake stand. Super cute idea!!! I would love to have one painted a bright color for a child’s bathroom or something:)

  53. Kristin permalink
    April 20, 2011

    Whoa- totally missed the first sentence my first readthrough. I think I will be thinking in questions all night long! We actually have a tiny bathroom which started off like yours, but w metallic gold “cracks” or something as well. My goodness is that a whack choice color paint for a wall – we painted ours yellow, but your bathroom is so dreamy! Gonna have to show the hubs for a future redo (not near, but still)!

  54. Marissa permalink
    April 20, 2011

    Alex: “this word is used to express approval, mainly via shouting”
    Answer: “What is BRAVO, Alex”

    YAY no more ground beef. Air 5. Whoot Whoot. Fab job Bowers :)

  55. April 20, 2011

    Katie, you are awesome! I love how a little bit of effort goes such a long way! You are an inspiration. :)

  56. April 20, 2011

    How about some towel racks made from horseshoes…something like this you could make really easy! (http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/equestrian-room-decor-2) ?

    An old white pitcher on the sink may be a nice touch (not that you would actually have to pour the water from there to wash, but, well you get the idea!

    A rope hanging somewhere??

    Maybe some sort of rustic, metal star?

    A wagon wheel…or is that a bit too country?

    And for laughs…
    ” Mr. Reynolds has apparently changed his name to Turd Ferguson.”
    “Yeah, that’s right. Turd Ferguson. It’s a funny name.”

    LOVE the bathroom so far!

  57. Linda permalink
    April 20, 2011

    Love love love it! Couldn’t be more perfect! Good job Katie.

  58. April 21, 2011

    Very niiice… that mirror is yummy! And reading an SNL Sean Connery reference first thing in the morning is sooo my cup of tea :)

  59. Joya permalink
    April 21, 2011

    This is one my favorite posts of yours ever! (and I love that SNL skit :)

  60. April 21, 2011

    We have finished 3 out of 4 bathrooms. They just amaze me. And I could keep touching them up every day. We have many rooms to go. . .and miles to go before I sleep.

  61. mypatsyann permalink
    April 22, 2011

    Did you say $136? Am I impressed? Could anyone NOT be impressed? Shall Katie Bower be named Queen of Chic-and-Cheap Bathroom Transformation?

  62. April 22, 2011

    I was in an antique shop recently and saw on old rider’s helmet. Ya know, like the little black velvet kind..that would be pretty adorable to hang from an over sized, old ,rustic looking nail!

  63. Michelle permalink
    April 22, 2011

    Your transformation already looks amazing! That before was AWFUL!! What a horrible thing to have done to such a gorgeous house!

  64. April 26, 2011

    Love what you’ve done. I found some old equestrian/horse bit thingys at an antuque market and you can use those to hang ont he wall and hang towels. It would have been a much more relevant comment if I had a link…

  65. February 9, 2012

    We were looking for Bow Wow, or Ruff.

Leave a Reply

Note: You can use basic XHTML in your comments. Your email address will never be published.

Subscribe to this comment feed via RSS