What a crazy couple of days it’s been! I got around to visit most of you from the Monday Thrifty party and then we started having some major computer problems. My hubby has been working on it for the last two days and I think we have it all fixed now, but I have been offline for the most part. Seems to have been a wireless router problem, so now we have a new one. Good thing he knows how to do all this or I’d be out of commission. And I got a new widescreen 20″ monitor too out of the deal, since my old one had developed a strange line down one side. This big one is great! I can really blog now. 🙂
So, on to important things now!
Ya’ll voted. I listened. The shabby cabinet is now in the downstairs guestbath. I was dreading putting this up, but it ended up being one of the easiest projects I’ve done, so I thought I’d share with you how I did it. I amaze myself sometimes. 🙂 I know from experience how projects can go and I fully expected this one to go downhill fast. My bag of tricks: Hammer, stud finder, large screws, drill, tape measure. First, with a large piece like this, you have to find the studs in the wall, so that’s what I did right off the bat. Found those and put a nail in them. Measured to see how far apart they were and made a note of that as I drilled holes in the back of the cabinet. The cabinet had those big honking silver screws that you see above, but I had some that were a little smaller, so I opted for those. They still stuck through the other side with plenty of grip power once I hit the studs with them. I measured down from the top and from the sides to figure out where I wanted the cabinet to sit once it was up there and placed my drilled holes accordingly. I promise you, math is not my strong suit, but I will persevere with a project until it is done. Even if I have to make one or three holes along the way. My mantra is: so what if there’s an extra hole (or 3). I can fix that with putty. Or it will be hidden anyway. I get away with a lot thinking like that and it works for me. And my hubby never looks over my shoulder, so that’s good too.
So, I used the black screws which were a little smaller than the ones that were with the cabinet. I figured I could wrangle with the smaller ones just a little better. I pondered and dreaded and then I just went for it. The thing is really heavy, so the first thing I did was take the door off so I could pick it up without worrying about breaking the glass. Plus that made it a bit lighter. Smart move! I got it into the bathroom, did my calculations, drilled the holes for the screws, got the placement figured out, found the studs, etc. So, I was ready to begin. Had no idea how it would go. Dread, sweat, anxiety. OK, I can do this. Now, you ask…why didn’t you ask your hubby to help you. 🙂 Well, I just know how that goes, he is not nearly as patient with these things as I am and will throw in the towel if things don’t go smoothly, so if a project can be done by little ole me, then I just stick to that. I can talk out loud all by myself if it’s not going well, as I’ve been known to do many times. My favorite word is crap in these instances.
Once I figured out where I wanted the cabinet to be after I held it up to the wall and saw where the screws would hit my pre-drilled holes in the wall, I saw how much space was underneath down to the top of the toilet. Huummm, I said to myself, I believe a paint can would fit under there and be my helper.
Perfect solution! The paint can stood in as a holder and the cabinet rested on it until I could get the screws secured. I used a little pliers to get them screwed all the way into the wood stud. Ten minutes later, I was done! Yipppeee! I had to go tell my hubby how brilliant I was. He was proud. And he didn’t have to help. Pulled out the paint can and it didn’t fall off the wall. Double yippee!
So, it’s up and looking good.
Screwed the door back into place and it was ready to decorate. I put the plates back above, as well as my yardsale bird up top. He was $5 by the way, last year.
Went around the house and found stuff to put in here, cause you know I have plenty to spare. Of course, with my vast collection of seashells they were perfect to add to the shelves and I stole a few things from the bookcase in the beachy guestroom.
Plates and bird.
It’s kinda fun to shop your own house.
Bath sign from Homegoods last year, all the rest of this was yardsale finds, including the shells.
Large blue bowl was a Homegoods find too. Dried hydrangeas from my yard.
Little blue crackled box is also from Homegoods, all the rest, you guessed it, yardsales. Picked up those olive shells on the beach at Gulf Shores last Fall and found the bottle at a yardsale.
All this was yardsale finds too.
Driftwood I picked up at the beach.
I love this shabby piece and it’s big. Really looks good in here, so thanks ya’ll for urging me to put it here. It really is perfect, plus I didn’t want to have to move anything in the kitchen or diningroom. 🙂
I think this is the most rustic piece in the house now.
Monogrammed shower curtain from Ballards.
And you can see how it looks with my shabby towel holder I got at Stray Cats in Irondale. I really love this bathroom. My hubby’s comment when he saw it: I’m glad it’s not my bathroom!
Really, he’s very supportive of my compulsive yardsale shopping habits and is happy that I have a fun outlet. And he loves it when I find good clothes for him, espresso machines for $3, and $5 wheelbarrows. Hope you enjoyed the tour and how it all came about.
Rebekah says
Perfectly shabby. Beautifully staged. As usual. 🙂
Karen says
Wow, I love that cabinet and that is a perfect place for it! Like Stephanie at Fine House, I too am curious about the frame around your mirror. How was it done?
Love your bathroom,
Karen at Pine Cone Retreat
The Main Ladybug says
Love it! I'm hoping that it has inspried me . . . I have a bathroom medicine cabinet (oak) that doesn't have the shelves (I accidently threw them away in the box). Any ideals for what I could do with it???
Have a great Wednesday, and come visit when you can.
Kristi says
It looks BEAUTIFUL and PERFECT there!! I was goint to ask what your hubby thought of it based on his opinion of other shabby type things you've done. LOL, wasn't surprise on his reaction. Well as I said, looks good, to me! 🙂
its so very cheri says
It looks wonderful. I must say I also LOVE your towel holder/shelf-that is so cute.
Cheri
http://www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
Darlene - Our Creative Life says
Simply Fab-u-lous Rhoda!!!!!!!!
Kara says
That looks even better than I imagined! The entire room is just gorgeous. Love it!
the BLAH BLAH BLAHger says
Rhoda, it looks fantastic!!!
Joanna says
Oh how beautiful! I want one too!!
Suzann @ Lavender and Roses says
LOVE it. I have just the spot for one at my house.
Melissa Marie says
This looks perfect… and fits perfectly in the space! Love how you decorated it! 🙂
Deserae says
Absolutely perfect! Love how you have it accessorized too!!! Your downstairs powder room is one of my favorite rooms :o) ~Des
Funky Junk Interiors says
Wow, adorable! That cabinet is much larger than I originally thought it was. I LOVE how you accessorized it! So pretty!
Donna
Richella says
Oh, this is just wonderful! Thank you for showing us what you did with the cabinet. I don't think it could have turned out better.
On another note, I wanted you to know that I referenced you in a post that I wrote today. One of your posts from last year was really inspiring to me. I provided two links: one to your blog home page and one to that particular post (about your guest bedroom redo). If you want to check out my post, go to http://impartinggrace-richella.blogspot.com/2009/06/matter-of-taste.html . It's always an honor for you to stop by.
Blessings!
Richella
Michelle says
Rhoda, you ROCK!!! Looks fabulous!
Marsha's Mpressions says
Rhoda, LOVE LOVE LOVE it! You did an awesome job. Your special touches on the display shelves are just perfect. I studied them! 🙂
I'm going to the beach next week and you've inspired me to look for shells. Hope I come home with a car load! I don't think you can have enough.
midnight macaroons says
Oh my goodness, that is the cutest bathroom shelf I've ever seen. Looks adorable, Rhoda!
KK says
So thankful your computer woes are over!
I LOVE the cabinet. Will have to check yardsales out to find something similar. You did a fantastic job as always, congratulations!
Probably a dumb question, but how do you dry hydrangeas? Any help would be greatly appreciate. I bring them in and love them, but they don't last long fresh, so I'd love to 'dry' some if possible.
Blessings today and always,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
Kathi says
Kudos for doing it herself!
Love the cabinet! You found a whole jar full of olive shells?!
Wow! I only have a handful…
I'm in awe of how much you get accomplished Rhoda! Great job!
Robyn says
It looks perfect!!