Basement Progress

Well, it's been about forever since I posted anything design related. You know, newborns require a ton of attention, who knew? My time is so limited right now, but I did manage to squeeze in a few moments to take some pictures of the basement updates. There's still some things to do in here, mostly styling and finishing the bathroom. But, here are some progress pictures of where it's at so far. Hubs loves it. He's been watching the Olympics down here every night after Evans and I go to bed. I have an early bedtime these days- whenever the baby is sleeping I try to do the same! 

Let's start with the way things were. Nasty old carpets, nasty old bathroom, and we basically used this room as storage. 

Now it's a usable space. We feel like we've added square footage onto the house just by this update. We started with the floors. I say we, it was Hubs and my dad's handy work. Hubs also painted all the trim white. I added the gallery wall here. It includes all of Hubs' sports memorabilia from over the years, along with some pretty awesome autographs. I still need to make a tailored skirt for the console table. Right now it's just a piece of fabric folded over like a table cloth. Hubs isnt sold on the idea. Says it's not manly. What do men know? Maybe I'll find the time to make it one of these days! 

How the heck do you photograph a not-so-well-lit basement, by the way? You got me, people.

 The large baskets I thought would be a great place to stash all of our board games and blankets. Right now they are sitting empty. Again.. the time... Oh me.

My first get-out-the-house trip post baby, I ran into HomeGoods and scored this floor lamp and white tray. 

I also got this basket on that trip. The blanket is made of Hubs' old jerseys and tshirts. Glory days. 

Pillows ala Etsy and HomeGoods. Hubs isn't big on throw pillows. But again, what do men know? ;)

Sometimes, we just have to hold their hands, bat our eyes, and tell them lovingly "you're wrong".

Am I right? 

Movie posters with all of Hubs' favorites. Andy, Sundance, and Rocky. These were part of his birthday gift back in October. 

And the room as it is now. Like the treadmill? Ha. It's for losing the baby weight, but of course I'm too tired to get on it. The rug needs a vacuum, everything needs dusting, but Hubs couldn't be happier.

I'll get to all of these to-dos as soon as I get the spit-up off my shirt. :)

Basement Bath- The Before

I'm currently in a sleep deprived state. Baby girl only slept a couple hours last night, so I had to put on my best 18-year old face and pull an all nighter. There's a reason people in the Bible had babies at 16. No-sleep hurts worse when you are, eh hem, staring at 30. I know, I know, I don't look a day over 22...

I finally got around to a cup of coffee today at 10:30am, and put the sugar dish away in the fridge. Yep. Who doesn't know that's where the sugar goes, and the creamer goes away in the pantry? Fail. 

In other news, I thought I'd share with you the basement bathroom befores. Hubs is almost done working on this project (he actually gets sleep at night, lucky butt). I can't wait to share the afters, but enjoy these horrifying pics of where the room started. May it haunt your dreams, if you are fortunate enough to catch enough zzzz's to dream....

Ok, off to continue earning my mommy badge of honor. She's making me work for it, y'all. 

Weekend Finds

Over the weekend we made some decisions for the basement bathroom. A trip to Home Depot for more wallpaper remover led to some other great finds as well... Including a vanity light, towel bar, and paper holder. I tried to pick stuff that's "manly". Hubs didn't fight any of these picks, so I guess I succeeded? That, or he's afraid of me one. It really could be either at this point in pregnancy.... 

Martha lighting

Glacier Bay towel and paper holders 

The room is coming along. Of course, projects always throw us curve balls around here. The wallpaper removal is taking longer than anticipated (especially since Hubs is working alone). But, it'll come together eventually! I plan to do a bit of shopping and browsing today. Maybe I'll come across the perfect vanity mirror... Tbd. 

As a side note, I really appreciate all the calls and texts and numerous messages from everyone about the baby. I promise to update friends and family if anything, I mean anything!, happens. But for now no news is, well, no news. Baby girl is still growing and doing her thing, and I'm going to let her. :) She knows when she's ready, and I can't go off an arbitrary date circled on a calendar (even if I'd like to!). Trust me, no one is more ready than this mama!

Basement Bathroom

Oh, the basement bathroom. Maybe I will start with the positive. It's a full bath with working plumbing and electricity. Ok, I'm done. That's about all this room has going for it. It slightly resembles the scene of a murder. Ick. Not that I don't love pink wallpaper half missing, missing vanity, mismatch fixtures and 80's trim. 

The good news- it's in the process of changing.... Ala Hubs hard work. I'm still pregnant and big as a house, so my helping is merely directing from the couch... Do this, do that. ;) 

Brushed nickel fixture 

New vanity

Walls are going Behr Classic Silver (leftovers from our master bedroom)

A few hand towels via Target and West Elm

And some Pinterest inspiration

Via Design Sponge

Via Decor Pad

Still searching for the right rustic mirror.... To be continued....

Basement Accents

I've been doing some browsing lately, mostly on O.co, for basement accents. I found baskets at World Market on Cyber Monday and took advantage of the 20% off plus free shipping. These oversized tubs will hopefully work great on either side the console table under the gallery wall. Can't wait for them to arrive! 

I'm also in the market for 2-3 more toss pillows for the large sectional. Did you know O.co carries pillows, and cheap! Includes cover AND insert. Hot dog! 

We also need an accent table next to the sectional. I want something round since everything right now is rectangular (console, media stand, coffee table and sectional all rectangles). Something round will help break up the jigsaw puzzle a bit. I like both of these tables since they are interesting but not too girly, and are around the same price point (under $90!). 

I also want a floor lamp. Lighting can make or break a room. Currently, the overhead lighting consists of a ceiling fan with light kit and two large, gulp, fluorescent lights. Yuck! I don't have time to express my hatred of fluorescents, nor do I have the $$ to replace them right now. So, the plan is to bring in accent lighting. Hubs picked out lamps for the gallery wall all on his own (I'm so proud). 

I like this floor lamp for the couch area.  Modern but not space age looking. And affordable. My favorite adjective of all! 

Hope to share some pictures and updates soon of the room. We are still working away on the bathroom down there. To be continued....

A Whole New Floor

I feel like Jasmine this morning- a whoooole neeeeew floooor, a dazzling space I never knew! Over the weekend, Hubs and my dad worked in the basement and finished the flooring! I am so proud of their hard work. Here's what the room was before... These pictures are actually after the carpet was ripped out. You can see the red carpet pad in the background though. The carpet was not in great shape, so up it came. We weren't lucky enough to have solid smooth concrete flooring underneath it that could be acid stained. Instead, we found this glorious white tile circa 1980 something. I think the last time it looked good, Pat Benatar had a #1 hit. In her defense, this room did resemble a battlefield. 

We basically used it as a "storage" room for 2 years. Aka throw whatever randomness down in the basement. There were times you couldn't easily walk from one end to another due to junk. It's baffling to me how Hubs and I shared a 1 bedroom condo in the city before buying a house in the 'burbs. Oh, those were the days, though. Livin' on love...

Once all the debris was cleared out, the men got to work. This was Friday around 10:30 am. Laying the first few rows.... I was deliriously happy and praying the baby wouldn't come until they finished, haha. She continues to cooperate, jokes on me. :)

This was around noon or so, I went down to tell them lunch was ready. I couldn't believe how fast it was going! They (Hubs' knees) probably disagree. 

Aaaahhhh!! 

And this was later that afternoon. They were finally working their way to the last corner.  I know they were exhausted. But dang they did an awesome job! 

The work was finished up around 6 that night. Hubs says "Victory!"

A quick reminder of where it started...

And voila... Cleaned up and ready for furniture. It's unbelievable how different this room looks just with new flooring. 

I am in love! 

We managed to get the furniture in place on Saturday, and started on the sports gallery wall. I've got a few finishing details and styling to do yet. Hubs made me promise no "fru-fru", but I somehow snuck in a few toss pillows. I'm thrilled that Hubs finally has a place to call his. Although, I'm certain this room will house Barbie dolls at some point..... ;)

Still to do: 

Paint doors

Install new bathroom vanity

Remove bathroom wallpaper 

Paint bathroom

Replace locks

6x9 rug for game area

Game table/chairs 

Recliner

Styling/finishing details