House hunting and makeovers

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">In an effort</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > to stimu</span><span style="font-size:130%;">late the spring real estate market, I am dedicating the next few days to “before and after</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> photos. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">For all you house hunters out there, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >before</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> you walk away from what could be a dream home in disguise, think about temporary solutions that could transition you through potential design dilemmas until you have the ... <span style="font-style: italic;">(choose one)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A. time<br />B. energy<br />C. inspiration<br />D. funds<br />E. all of the above<br /><br />necessary to create <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> ideal </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >after.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Or, if you are not feeling the love for the living space you do have, these mini-makeovers may help ignite some decorating passion</span>.<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">When we bought our fixer-upper five years ago, this first floor bathroom screamed </span><span style="font-size:130%;">“do-over.</span><span style="font-size:130%;">”</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><br />BEFORE</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFz63hNBQOnVo05ljLPSUkw3WVMt50nx8nGKxWKWkO8lumAqVlivQ3itDL8xu547rlHckzLAHrrcidg-LCR8ck9GHwGnLauY6xtG_sHHaP0P8xpca8HQlkjFvCd96_V8to_I1omsd3z1M/s1600-h/bathbefore.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332883304820191394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFz63hNBQOnVo05ljLPSUkw3WVMt50nx8nGKxWKWkO8lumAqVlivQ3itDL8xu547rlHckzLAHrrcidg-LCR8ck9GHwGnLauY6xtG_sHHaP0P8xpca8HQlkjFvCd96_V8to_I1omsd3z1M/s400/bathbefore.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 400px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >(even this frightful scene did not scare us away at the open house ... brave, yes; crazy, a little)</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifA4VCb8MboP2JmL9vlpCFMu4_OGnMdLEbbGDeXzbCEVBzNRjx2VQYh5YVSVsuWBAFlnC8QmrmiWLuFh6wcC_pV1QRLOEDSmY5FkGaXppOV7Lf1qSHCc1p__IrACiOnrMpEj2HPEp-hCM/s1600-h/theloo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332883304175387666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifA4VCb8MboP2JmL9vlpCFMu4_OGnMdLEbbGDeXzbCEVBzNRjx2VQYh5YVSVsuWBAFlnC8QmrmiWLuFh6wcC_pV1QRLOEDSmY5FkGaXppOV7Lf1qSHCc1p__IrACiOnrMpEj2HPEp-hCM/s400/theloo.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 166px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >AFTER</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />With minimal effort, and a small-scale budget, the outdated space was transformed ...</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT2iNNcEnJee64uQr86FVpOlIWkg1V2PfK1av8AGReVWbo5DdQfepbQlafdbsX3GtaOhZ5leWhyphenhyphenPPepWvGfuwu68-yT7yFamcosf0HwrvluukT8HTDiVIP7l0EU9BKVIWJdCi996dR28/s1600-h/bathafter.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332883308602189618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT2iNNcEnJee64uQr86FVpOlIWkg1V2PfK1av8AGReVWbo5DdQfepbQlafdbsX3GtaOhZ5leWhyphenhyphenPPepWvGfuwu68-yT7yFamcosf0HwrvluukT8HTDiVIP7l0EU9BKVIWJdCi996dR28/s400/bathafter.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I re-papered the less than perfect walls with a subtle damask print that was more suitable to the vintage fixtures and mirror. By adding a simply tailored window treatment with contrasting stripes and black beaded trim, this small bath becomes more timeless elegance than kitsch.</span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFi4eoHo2Bj0vF51SlvjuLXa3KPSGflUpvmi6PaIbM7CHky1IwfqLFb3OVETEFWgOZ0DXKGu1TGk110Z2hC7b2iiKHi0CGtSS000mGzEw2PHF_OegAx_4zuTch6QxqP5nZ-p0FFKkEG8/s1600-h/window+treatment.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332885630004802146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFi4eoHo2Bj0vF51SlvjuLXa3KPSGflUpvmi6PaIbM7CHky1IwfqLFb3OVETEFWgOZ0DXKGu1TGk110Z2hC7b2iiKHi0CGtSS000mGzEw2PHF_OegAx_4zuTch6QxqP5nZ-p0FFKkEG8/s400/window+treatment.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >and AFTER again...<br /><br /></span>If I were to take this bathroom and re-do it with a more generous</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> budget – using the old wallpaper as my inspiration – I might use this classic <a href="http://www.marimekko.com/ENG/interior/frontpage.htm">Marimekko</a> print for the shower curtain ...</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTBP4aW0poHVnWvhowwtV9hDEGPsTIwzo18Q848Mo_l7IQJzWp_IRiMBNO5IwRDAbfS9NVQzK9CCp3xOZ2p2IEHOBJUAS5rhY3LX8Ljc90RFf-mXammIgng4wNwiu3_4tA6hovV5K9Kg/s1600-h/unikko_43_big.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332944734351821250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTBP4aW0poHVnWvhowwtV9hDEGPsTIwzo18Q848Mo_l7IQJzWp_IRiMBNO5IwRDAbfS9NVQzK9CCp3xOZ2p2IEHOBJUAS5rhY3LX8Ljc90RFf-mXammIgng4wNwiu3_4tA6hovV5K9Kg/s400/unikko_43_big.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 322px;" /></a><a href="http://www.marimekko.com/ENG/interior/fabric/maijaisola/unikko/unikko_43.htm" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}">Marimekko - Unikko</a> (designed in 1964)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.kallista.com/onlinecatalog/collections/entireresults.kls?collectionSubsection=Barbara%20Barry%20Glamour%20-%20Bathroom%20-%20Mirrors%20and%20Cabinets&collection=Barbara%20Barry%20Glamour&designer=Barbara%20Barry&collectionFlag=true" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332907669147295490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEG1VW6rX-DOwmM3eH7Ip49EwGpVuyA_bBwx4g_qFYZC8xrwt8ANP0MxXX0aMTYBvmmSHa6a6skfbwqqcITsL5vyqFKpHsTrjPDXn074FXhthddVbTXgoyZLt0U3nNOTNAglpKv784S0E/s400/KS000330_ro.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 235px;" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />and this curvaceous mirror from the <a href="http://www.kallista.com/onlinecatalog/collections/suite/landing.kls?collection=Barbara%20Barry%20Glamour&designer=Barbara%20Barry">Barbara Barry Glamour Collection</a> by Kallista. And while I am at it, how about the Kallista <a href="http://www.kallista.com/search.kls?searchString=janeway#">Janeway</a> Console Table (love the legs) ...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.kallista.com/search.kls?searchString=janeway#" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332928715056783586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRvS0dKOT7LN25PazXGsQJB8dB5Cz5jgQNG0syZYwHmrOKWeBF2fIy8Z9KbG89zkx1v8HfAsByyEFSreQfTGP_O2w4lOR8omlrkcR3evV8ascY2bKlGOH1mMbSByq4iqXcswZZ5mCCfc/s400/aaa66345.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 329px;" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">The modern sconces paired with it in this photo from the <a href="http://www.kallista.com/home.kls">Kallista</a> image gallery would be a nice touch.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.kallista.com/inspiration/roomgallery.kls" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332911326235544930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbjxrsz2z520Wsoqc3fPmC-GmCk-z8cc71Oj3lwWAscDSelz7CmHXpd7kMSUXvpor1x35l-2W6ZrMu1hO9gts9BSTxqqQjmu6YFJnjvL2tHq7_S1wajRL829IxhAGSbFCd37cEEuHeSU/s400/Kallistabath.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 313px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">But instead of white, I would go with this putty-colored glass tile ...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpBCBttljjkunJV_FjctXgIknbhXqYDdSe9tnKC81uYCiVNeKNJZzi-XUWYBV2ubJltAYH3MXxG8Tm8n4SkAKaCbe-6v1bZ_Om88oEoIYlWhTg4bR4zFTh9MD8JWyX9msqQ0zhLJUZmk/s1600-h/Lush5x2Dune_300.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332905771353603314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpBCBttljjkunJV_FjctXgIknbhXqYDdSe9tnKC81uYCiVNeKNJZzi-XUWYBV2ubJltAYH3MXxG8Tm8n4SkAKaCbe-6v1bZ_Om88oEoIYlWhTg4bR4zFTh9MD8JWyX9msqQ0zhLJUZmk/s400/Lush5x2Dune_300.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 304px;" /></a><span class="producttext">Modern 8mm Thick <a href="http://www.modwalls.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=320&HS=1">Mini Glass Subway Tile</a> from <a href="http://www.modwalls.com/">Modwalls</a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">Add some big, fluffy white towels and a couple of accents in black, and I would have a fun, sparkly like-new bathroom. Until then, I will keep this vision in my “I can dream” files.</span><br /></div>

House hunting and makeovers

In an effort to stimu late the spring real estate market, I am dedicating the next few days to “before and after ” photos. For all you hou...

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