Making it Lovely

Tag: Basement

  • Basement Floor Paint

    Basement Floor Paint

    I’m having second thoughts about using Benjamin Moore’s ‘olive tree’ for the floor paint. Maybe I should go a shade or two darker? Brandon said the basement color palette was looking a little Easter basket-like, complete with the green Easter grass on the floor! I think going a shade or two darker might be the way to go to keep things from floating off into pastel territory.

    The other two greens (‘mossy rock’ and ‘okra’) are both from the Martha Stewart line at Home Depot, but I’d have them matched in Benjamin Moore’s floor paint. I’m going to use IKEA’s Stockholm Rand rug for a little punch too. As you can see, this paint decision has been weighing heavily on Eleanor as well.


    (unedited photo here)

  • Basement Bathroom: The Main Pieces

    Basement Bathroom: The Main Pieces

    The basement remodel is nearing completion! I think. First on the list to be finished is the half-bath. It’s the smallest room (4’x5.5′) so theoretically it should be the easiest. Theoretically. I’ve mentioned my indecision regarding the bathroom lighting and accessories, but thankfully I do already have the basics chosen.

    I wanted something that looked like it belonged in our hundred-year-old bungalow, so I looked to our existing original bathroom for style inspiration. I knew all along that I wanted small white hexagons or octagons, and after shopping for tile I chose octagon and dot (with charcoal gray grout to highlight the pattern). Then I found a pedestal sink from the same period as the original one on the main floor. As charming as our vintage sink is though, I didn’t want separate taps for hot and cold water. I did however stick with cross-handled faucets, and they even say “hot” and “cold” on them just like our original ones do. Awww.

    I mentioned on facebook that choosing a toilet is not the whirlwind adventure one might expect. One piece or two? Round or elongated? Even with the myriad of choices it’s just not the most exciting thing, right? Someone commented that I should check the MaP (Maximum Performance) toilet ratings when choosing, so that’s what I did. I went with an American Standard Oakmont Champion. It’s kind of cute. You know, for a toilet.

    I think the rest of the bathroom will come together as soon as I choose a paint color. I’m going with a white porcelain light, and I found a toilet paper roll holder that matches the shape of the faucet handle base. There’s a matching towel ring available too, but I’m thinking of going with a cute hook instead (Anthropologie always has a good selection). And for the mirror? Yeah, I still have no clue. I’m liking this vintage style medicine cabinet, but I don’t know if I want to spring for a medicine cabinet when we only really need a mirror.

    Thank you, Vintage Tub & Bath, for providing the toilet, sink, and faucet.

  • Basement Paint Colors

    Basement Paint Colors

    We’re tiling the half-bathroom and laundry room in white Octagon & Dot with charcoal gray grout, and we’re going to paint the rest of the basement floor. Since it’s just paint, I figured I’d pick a fun color (as opposed to tan/brown/gray), so I’m going with “olive tree” by Benjamin Moore. The studio is getting my favorite shade of pink (“wild aster”), and I think the play space will get “sweet pear,” a lighter version of the floor color.

    I still need to choose colors for the laundry room (something that will work with our red washer and dryer, which you can kind of see in this lovely picture), and the half-bath (with its very short ceiling and lack of windows). I had a dream that I painted the bathroom orchid, like the Crayola crayon color, but I don’t know if that’s the way to go in reality. And maybe a creamy white for the laundry room? I think a robin’s egg blue would look nice too, but I’m not normally a big fan of blue.

    Any suggestions?

  • The Basement Drywall is Done

    The Basement Drywall is Done

    Remember the drywall photos from last week? Here’s what the walls are looking like today.

    So much more finished! The trim is starting to go in today too. Hooray for more progress!

  • We Have Drywall!

    We Have Drywall!

    Well, some drywall. And it hasn’t been taped and mudded yet. But hey, it’s progress!

  • In Search of a Bathroom Mirror

    In Search of a Bathroom Mirror

    I’m looking for something interesting that I can paint. Basically, I want to do something like this.

    I love the look of the mirror extending over both the sink and the toilet, but the ceiling is very low in the basement bathroom (75″) so we need sconces. And I think the sconces should be centered with the sink, right?

    I’m hoping to find a mirror that’s no larger than 20″ x 36″ (like this, but without the spooky glass).