Thursday, March 25, 2010

I'm in love with Sarah and a bathroom redo

As promised, here's my version of Sarah Woodham. Let me start out by saying that if you are on the fence about stitching her, fret no more. She is well worth the effort. I will come out and say that she is this close to being my all time favorite sampler. I heart her, big time. Even the pain of the over one verse is long forgotten. (sorta like labor and childbirth, when you see the baby). Speaking of the verse, click on the pic so you can read it. It's wonderful. I knew when I started stitching her exactly where she would hang. We recently updated the guest bathroom, and here's her place of honor.
I have to say that it is next to impossible to photograph a bathroom, but I tried. As always, I tried to capture a colonial meets farm house feel. Since we live in a typical tract home with the builder's choice fixtures, this is what I was able to do without ripping the entire room to the bare bones. Have I mentioned that I need to be living in a saltbox in New England?
Here's what I changed, I repainted the walls to match the rest of the house in my yummy salt-glazed crock color.
We then took down the humongous mirror, cut it in half and framed it. I hated our light fixture with a passion. It was one of those giant round bulb thingies that looked like it should be in a circus clown's dressing room. Ish...and then more ish. I think Home Depot sells them for $7.98, so that is why they go that route with new homes.

I love this hanging cabinet, but I think it needs to be a different color now. It looks gold but it's more mustard. I enjoy changing it out for the seasons.

We also replaced all the shiny fixtures with rubbed black ones, even the toilet handle. My hubby thought I was insane when I suggested black fixtures. We rarely have the same vision, but he likes it now.We have one thing left to do. We're redoing the medicine cabinet with blackened pierced tin, but it's not ready to show. Another day...another post.
Thanks for coming along on the tour of the loo. You might be wondering what I'm stitching next. I'm working on Lucy Maria Wiggins from the Scarlet Letter. I kind of like having a couple of samplers going at the same time, so I'm thinking of adding Ann Wragg to the mix.

33 comments:

Melody said...

Beautiful sampler! I agree with you, it's spectacular!!

Your bathroom turned out great. I really like your choices.

Deb said...

Sarah is stunning Tanya. I wasn't all that attracted to that sampler, but now that I've been yours finished I'm going to have to add her to the stash pile.

I love your bathroom redo, and I love your idea of cutting the mirror and framing it. I'm about to do my kids bath and they have one of those big, hog the whole wall mirrors with those movie set lights above it. That idea would look so much better in their bathroom.

Unknown said...

Congratulations Tanya! Sarah is absolutely stunning.

I love your bathroom redo - we have one of those humongous mirros as well and I really want to cut it in two and have two framed mirrors instead (yep, it's that big).

Oh, I really like Lucy and Ann - Lucy looks like she is all one color, is she?

I can't wait for these next 8 weeks to fly by so I can do some real stitching!

Speakinng of which, back to my homework...have a great weekend.

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

Sarah Is beautiful. I am thinking of stitching her later this summer.

Your bathroom is great love how everything goes with that Saltbox House you want !!!

Andrea said...

Love, love, love your bathroom redo! Gorgeous! And Sarah is gorgeous too, she looks good in your new loo!

xoxo

Faye said...

Your compliment of Sarah Woodson says alot!! Of all the people I know who stitch and love samplers, hearing you say this is one of your favorites definitely makes me want to make a purchase. the framed piece is absolutley stunning and it adds so much to your bathroom redo!! Congrats! Faye

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your Sarah looks fantastic. Love your newly renovated bathroom too. Thanks for the tour. Be sure to post a snap of the new medicine cabinet when you've finished.

Karol said...

The sampler is beautiful! You guys did a great job on the bathroom it looks great.

Susan said...

Love the new look in the loo! I like the black- we have it in our's.

the sampler - oh my! you are just too fast for words. the frame is perfect. I love Ann also - just read that blog - I'm a titch behind in reading.

Happy Stitching!

MyLifesAStitch said...

Awesome Awesome Awesome!! Love Sarah, and your bathroom turned out beautifully!! I am jealous of your "not builder grade" fixtures and lights!! Really looks beautiful... wonderful choices!!

Siobhán said...

Sarah is so beautiful! That frame couldn't be more perfect. I have her started but am still in the 'getting to know the sampler' phase. I can't wait to see what's next for you!

I love, love, love the bathroom redo. Fantastic! I love the paint color, too. You'll have to tell me what it is so I can get a sample of it when next I'm in the US and get it matched up over here. It goes so nicely with all your accents. Beautiful job on everything!

Margaret said...

Love your Sarah and the frame you chose! And I love where she's at too! Nice bathroom redo! You have a way with decorating.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Congratulations Tanya on a stunning finish! She is beautiful and I LOVE the verse.

Your bathroom re-do is very pretty!

Bertie said...

Gorgeous sampler Tanya and admire the verse over 1, must admit is is not my favorite over 1, but when finished it is worhtwile.

The bathroom is lovely, gorgeous taps, love the black and the lamps over the mirror are fantastic. It does have a colonial look, like the cupboard on the wall.

Unknown said...

Love the finish on Sarah! Beautiful!

The bathroom is perfect,; you did a great job!

HAPPY STITCHIN'
Terri

Glenna said...

How wonderful! I love the salt-glazed pottery paint color (is that what THEY call it, or is that your name for it? It is the right color!) and of course, the most excellent Sarah W in her frame. I wouldn't have gone with dark bath fixtures, but now that I've seen them, I would! You have the vision. I can just see you in a salt box--I have got to tell you that I have actually lived in one and haaaaated it. It was old and drafty and the bedroom ceiling slanted most horribly and I hated the random-width wood floors (I grew up wanting wall to wall carpet which I have taken out of my house because it doesn't work with all these pets) and the claw-foot tub (I wanted a shower!). LOL!

Michelle said...

Oh, I'm in love with your Sarah too! She is magnificent!!! And she looks beautiful in the bathroom redo. That mustard cabinet is a real find. And good call with the new hardware - it's perfect in there!!!

Kelly said...

The stitching and decorating look great.

woolwoman said...

Tanya - I missed posting on Ann - she is spectacular - LOVE IT ! Sarah is just lovely as well - so demure a sampler and looks awesome on your guest bath wall. Love all your decorating elements - so perfect! I took Ann Wragg at a workshop at the Charleson Museum where the original is in collection - All of the southern samplers from this area are fantastic - good luck with her. Mel

Loraine said...

I love your bathroom, and your sampler is absolutely wonderful! I know what you mean about husbands rarely having the same vision! We have had to compromise on several fixtures in our house.
It looks perfect! Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

OK, Tanya, you've convinced me. I've been admiring your "Sarah Woodham" from afar, but this post makes me want to stitch it. Love the border, love the verse. No wonder you're so taken with it!

Nicely done!!

Alice said...

Sarah looks just beautiful in her frame. I must say, that border has totally captured my attention. You don't like borders but its the first thing I notice on a sampler. If the border looks poor or the corners don't come together properly, I don't want to stitch the sampler unless I can fix it.
You bathroom make-over looks great. Nice touches all over. Are you not just a bit scared that the humidity can attack Sarah? Ok, that would be ME lol!
Alice
xxx

Deb said...

Wow, Tanya. Your Sarah W. is just gorgeous. Why can't I stitch and get them finished like you do??? I love her and really appreciate that you took the picture of her on the wall, too.
Lovely bathroom finish, as well.
Hugs!

Catherine said...

I loved that sampler since the first time I saw it - it's on my wish list - and seeing your finished makes me want it even more!

Your bathroom is lovely! What brand and color of paint is that - I love it!

Sherry said...

Sarah is just beautiful! Now I wonder how I will do this design since the verse is one over and I stitch on Aida. Another block in my stitching world!

The bathroom is lovely and Sarah is the perfect touch!

Anonymous said...

I think you did a a great job with the bathroom. Love the mirror. Also love your Sarah sampler. I agree the verse diffinately makes you want to add this to a home. You sold me. I'll have to put Sarah on my list of charts to purchase.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

That it is beautiful, your blog is wonderful!
Best regards of FRANCE
Peace and love at home!
Mary

le blog de marylin
http://poussy-stiches-my-love.over-blog.com

Katrina said...

OMG, she's gorgeous!!!! I can't wait to stitch her :-). Your bathroom is very pretty too. Thanks so much for sharing.

Karoline said...

Sarah looks gorgeous, congratulations.

Your bathroom looks lovely, thanks for sharing.

Robin said...

Your sampler is beautiful and it looks lovely in your newly redecorated bathroom! Congrats on both finishes!

samplerlover said...

Hi Tanya, your Sarah is stunning. Looks like you found the perfect spot for her.
Your bathroom redo is lovely. I just need to get my DH to do ours. Ah oneday maybe - Sandra.

Michelle said...

Wow! Your sampler is stunning! Your bathroom redo is really neat.. and love all your special touches.

Theresa said...

I stop in once in a while to see what you're up to, and thank you so much for the big plug for Miss Woodham's sampler. I fell in love with the original about a year ago, and am so pleased so many stitchers are taking the time to stitch her. I love the verse, because it's very sweet and timeless. And the colors are wonderful, too. Good old Sarah would be pleased as punch to know so many of us are talking about her work today! (And remember, she was only NINE when she stitched hers!)