the one with… a finished toilet

I'm happy to say that I've managed to keep the momentum going with getting projects finished.

The toilet was an eyesore that really needed to be fixed.

I honestly don't know what I was thinking painting it that bright colour but I'll go with being young.

I'm so happy with the end result and it only took a weekend to finish it.

The only downside was the toilet couldn't be replaced with the new one because the plumbing wasn't it the same spot.  Sure I could have a new hole cut and had the plumbing moved but it just isn't worth it.  The big plan is to completely gutter the toilet and bathroom (hopefully later this year) so I didn't see the need to pay for this when it can wait.

So the black toilet sit is staying for now.

This is my DIY painting hanging behind the door.  It was so much fun to make but it did take some time because eat dot was done individually.  Yep I sat at the table and dot painted with the bottom of a paint brush in a tray of paint and then on on the canvas.

I just have to remind you… this is what I started with.

The Before

No need for sunglasses anymore!

Lisa xo

the one… with updating the toilet

Well work has begun on the toilet.  I've managed to put the first coat of undercoat on the walls and ceiling before I decided that the new toilet needs to go in before I continue painting.

The next day I emailed my plumber (the same guy who did the kitchen and laundry - great guy!) and organised a day for him to come over and finally remove the old and put in the new.

I mentioned previously that I was given a brand new porcelain toilet from my uncle which has been sitting in the garage for a couple of months.  Well now thanks to Dad it's sitting in the entry ready and waiting for the plumber who is booked in at 7:30am this Thursday.

Say goodbye to the black lid (do you hear that sis!).

Then I can get back to work and finish the room - I think I'm looking at 3 coats of the undercoat to completely cover that lovely orange.

Lisa xo

the one... with the toilet

Yep classy title right!

I've never shared my current toilet with you because honestly I HATE it.

This is it now...

The plan is to renovate the bathroom and toilet but this just won't happen in the 12 months and I really can't live with it like this much longer.  I have already for the past 3 years, eeek.

I will confess that I chose that particular paint colour and yes I painted the room - though I do think when I rented the cottage that one of the tenants repainted the room, badly I might add!

As this is just a temporary measure I don't want to spend any money or very little.  I want to try and use as much of what I already have around the house.

I have the blind.  I have plenty of paint in the garage so I'm all good there.

This is what I'm thinking...

The room has a large window that gets lots of natural light so the white walls and pops of yellow should look good.

I'll let you know how I go with the budget and be back soon with the after photos.

Lisa xo

the one... with bathroom ideas

Last week I shared with you the horror that was my bathroom when I first moved back in after the cottage was rented out for a few years.

Within the first couple of months I did a minor makeover which was mainly just a coat of paint and some re-decorating.

Well, now I am planning the big makeover and when I say big, I mean BIG!

The wish list is to completely gutter the entire room and start again.

At the moment the bathroom and toilet are separate with a very narrow hallway.  The plan would be to enclose these two rooms into one large space.

I got out the tape measure to check the new room size and I would have 1.7m (wide) x 4.2m (length) to work with.  It isn't very wide with only 1.7m but I think the 4.2m in length certainly makes up for it and it would allow me to have a separate shower and bath (woohoo).

I have been collecting lots of photos for a while now and I've been watching the current season of The Block on Channel 9.  I got some great ideas from the show when they recently built their main bathrooms.  My favourite bathrooms would have to be by Dan and Dani and Brad and Lara (Winner).


Dan and Dani

Dan and Dani

Brad and Lara

I think it's time I hit the shops to see if my wish list is a possibility (fingers crossed).

I'll keep you posted.

Lisa xo 

the one... where I take you back

Let me take you back in time just a little...


I moved back into the cottage in 2010 after renting it out for a few years.  I used a local Real Estate agent to manage it - bad idea as I returned to find the cottage in a neglected state (I won't name the agency because of the 'fabulous' job they did - insert sarcasm here!).


After a much needed clean I finally moved back in and it wasn't long before I was planning the renovation.


The first room to get a mini makeover was the bathroom.  Don't you just love the lovely bright yellow walls AND the matching ceiling.  I still ask myself 'what were you thinking when you chose that colour'.

Well, what a difference white paint can make.

It was a big job because I had to put 2 coats of undercoat on before I could put 2 coats of paint on - so that the yellow was no more.

It's great because now I don't have to shade my eyes from the bright walls.