Vanity Ideas | Myrtle House

One item in the Myrtle House that I am super excited about is the double vanity in the master bath. I firmly believe dual sinks are an important key to a happy marriage. ;) A few months ago we were on the hunt for a vanity, and ended up buying a used one off of Craigslist. I will spare you the gross details, but it was one of those unfortunate transactions where the condition was a lot worse in person than depicted online. We probably should have passed on it, but ended up taking it home with us. After a LOT of cleaning, it is prepped for a fresh look. Here she is in all of her faux oak glory.

Elizabeth Burns Design | Vanity Makeover

Here is where I am stumped. I always thought I would paint it a classic black - timeless and respective of a turn-of-the-century home. However, I have been seeing so many gorgeous gray options out there. Granted, I may love these more because they are usually paired with marble (definitely not in our budget), but there is something so fresh about this color. Here are a few of my faves.

But then there is that striking, classic black. It would definitely be grand. Would definitely make a statement... But in a small bathroom, is it too dark?

Even posting these photos leaves me more confused. If you didn't notice, almost all of these have glass hardware which is something I was able to commit to (these knobs and these pulls from D Lawless Hardware). However, the color choice leaves me torn. Which would you choose, friends? If you need an idea of what it will be paired with, we have chrome fixtures, white tile, and gray grout selected.

Farmhouse Style | Myrtle House

I love designing the outside of a house almost as much as the inside. You can really pack a punch by freshening up the exterior and turn a scary, old house into a welcoming cottage. This is my hope for the Myrtle House. Right now in it's current state, it looks a little sad.

Elizabeth Burns Design | Farmhouse Style

I could never really figure out what style of house this little guy was modeled after. It was built in 1901, but that is all I know. It would be so neat to find out who built it and who lived there. Eventually, I would love to create a cottage farmhouse look. I have always been partial to white and black combinations, and since the siding is already white, we will stick with it. Here are a few houses I have bookmarked to refer back to when we tackle the exterior.

Source unknown

Source unknown

I desperately want to add some black shutters and paint the windows white. What do you think? Could the Myrtle House pass for this style?

Lighting | Myrtle House

We recently learned that the electrician will be starting sooner than we expected, which is awesome, but we were lacking the majority of the fixtures for the Myrtle House. I prefer to collect things like light fixtures over time - buying slowly as I can find good deals instead of all at once. In a slight panic, Brian and I went to the Habitat Restore in Cary to see if we could find anything that would work and not break the budget. We found some amazing lights at such great prices! Most of them need a good cleaning and a few will get a coat of paint, but here are a few photos of the fixtures we picked up.

Elizabeth Burns Design | Myrtle House Light Fixtures
Elizabeth Burns Design | Myrtle House Light Fixtures

While we were not able to find everything secondhand, we did find some great deals at Lowes and on Ebay. I have been wanting to do a beach-y look in the guest room since I already have this "ocean" colored rug and am in love with the beaded and shell chandeliers that can cost quite a pretty penny. I saw this chandelier for 75% off at Lowes, and knew it would be great in this space. Plus, Brian had a gift card so I think we ended up paying about $3 out of pocket for it. :)

Elizabeth Burns Design | Myrtle House Lighting

We also decided to buy the guest bathrooms' lights new. I found these chrome three-light vanity fixtures on Ebay on sale for $25.49 each (free shipping, no sales tax!) and bought two. I had originally seen them at Home Depot, but they are out of stock until December. :/ Luckily, these ended up being even less expensive!

Elizabeth Burns Design | Myrtle House Lights

So between the old and the new, I think we have our major fixtures purchased with the exception of the kitchen light (thinking this for over the table). When all is said and done, we will probably end up spending close to $375 for all of the light fixtures in the house which I am happy with. I think it will be a fun mix of vintage and modern. :) Where do you shop for light fixtures?

Chicago | Travel

We are lucky to have some amazing friends. Two of said friends live in Chicago, and we had a fantastic time visiting them over Labor Day. These guys like to explore new places just like we do - by eating and walking... a LOT. :) We left the windy city with sore cheeks from laughing so hard. Thank you for being such gracious hosts, Wes and Katie!

This was round one of two of the macarons.... Can't get enough!

This was round one of two of the macarons.... Can't get enough!

Beautiful hydrangeas in the most beautiful floral shop

Beautiful hydrangeas in the most beautiful floral shop

Adorable window display

Adorable window display

These colors... I mean...

These colors... I mean...

If only I could get this chandelier on a plane...

If only I could get this chandelier on a plane...

<3

<3

:)

:)

Elizabeth Burns Design | Chicago
Elizabeth Burns Design | Chicago
Sweet Olive!

Sweet Olive!

September Goals

So excited fall is almost upon us! Autumn is my favorite time of year, and we have some fun things in the works. August was a stressful month and I am not too sad to see it go. We had some unexpected expenses and I am ready to get past all of the surprises and back on track financially. Here is how we did on our goals for the month:

  • New joists in place - Yes! Done!
  • New subfloor - So close. Happening this week!
  • New DETAILED floor plan drawn out - Yes, finally :)
  • Go to the Zoo with Brian - No :(
  • Sell remaining unneeded furniture on Craigslist - Pretty much done
  • Re-pack storage room - Kind of done...
  • Start planning for our Chicago trip - Yes! We had a great time with dear friends
  • Refinish/fix Craigslist dresser - Yes. I have a bit of touch-up to do, but it is photographed :)

We are now about nine months into this reno, and it looks like we have another six months to go. I never understood why people were so against "living through a renovation" especially when they wouldn't be doing most of the work, but now I get it. It is mentally exhausting to constantly be thinking about budgets and what is left to get done, all while living somewhere that is not your home. I will never underestimate how nice it is to have a home. There is something so comforting (especially for an introvert like myself) to know that you can come home to a quiet space after a long day that brings you peace.

September is already filling up! Here is what is on the list:

  • Finish subfloor
  • Finish framing (!!!)
  • Finish plumbing
  • Start electrical
  • Go to the zoo....
  • Set up at home office
  • Go to an apple orchard
  • Attend to a State football game

I can hardly believe we are tackling framing and electrical already. I remember thinking it would be forever until we go to this point, and here we are. It is really exciting. We found out the electrician will also be installing all of our light fixtures, so I am excited to go to the restore this weekend and do some shopping! Hope you all have fun plans for the start of fall!

Our fur baby turned 3!

Our fur baby turned 3!

Measuring the old doors

Measuring the old doors

I haven't killed my roses yet!

I haven't killed my roses yet!

Loved our friends stomping grounds in Chicago

Loved our friends stomping grounds in Chicago


Travel Photos Gallery Wall | Design

It is well known that a good gallery wall is all the rage right now. I too love the eclectic look said gallery wall gives, but if I am being honest, I am slightly partial to symmetrical groupings of photos or frames. Call me boring, but there is just something so clean about frames all lined up in a row. For a while now, I have been wanting a way to display photos from our trips. Brian and I love to travel, and it feels like such a shame to keep those fun memories sitting on a hard drive. This project is a little down the line (I kind of need walls first), but here are photos I am drawing inspiration from until we can tackle this project (click image to link to sources).

I love this look and size of this Ribba Frame. How do you display your travel photos? Any frame recommendations?