Bath time............................

As promised, a glimpse of the bathroom re-do. This upstairs bathroom is a really small space and the one I use often. Shown above, it was previously Tuscan in style since we visited there about 10 years ago and I loved that look....for a while. It was however definitely time for a makeover/freshen up, but nothing huge and expensive like a renovation! 

Needless to say, things didn't go quite as smoothly as planned!  Textured ceiling was removed and smoothed, wallpaper was steamed and peeled, everything primed and painted......that part was OK. Removing the old wash basin 'threw a spanner in the works'.................apparently the guy who installed it glued it in never to be removed so when it was it took the laminate vanity top with it!

So this it what I have now - and I'm loving it!  A quartz vanity with nice deep sink, and lovely Delta faucets.

All my accessories are now brushed nickel - the wall paint a warm greyed beige (like natural linen) with white trim.

I don't want the space to look too modern so kept my useful little vintage wicker piece - painting the grey top and stripe in Annie Sloan's French Linen, a grey chalk paint. Also using the old heavily textured matelassé shower curtain, another favorite.

And finally, what did I decide to display on the wall?  After some thought, I decided to hang some of my own photos starting with African animals. I played with these two changing them from color to b/w with a touch of sepia to warm the grey tones - perfect with the brushed nickel frames. I think they work well.......what do you think?   

DIY can be a real pain...................

The bathroom makeover has become larger than life. 

How could such a small space bring so many problems? This 

weekend saw me dashing from from one DIY to another, 

several times over. Lifting and loading the car, hauling 

things I had no idea we would require. 

I had hoped to be gardening as the weather was so pleasant, 

but that didn't happen. 

Do you ever get into situations such as this? What was 

planned as a quick paint job, with a few added pretties 

such as a shiny new sink, has turned into what might be a 

total renovation! If I'm lucky, today will bring a guy with 

a saw and a diamond edged blade or some such contraption!

More later..........I will hopefully be able to show you

a usable bathroom one of these days.

Edited this afternoon: Thank goodness the diamond blade worked - and the guy took his time and cut off several inches of the new quartz vanity top without cracking it!  We're in business now - even the plumbing is in. Tomorrow we hang the bathroom towel bars, hooks etc., and I'm working on 'art' to hang on the wall.

Yippee, I'm almost happy again!

A Personal Photo Challenge..................

..............black and white photography.

I've just found this fun photography site and decided 

to join in the challenge today at the last minute.

These amazing animals were seen up close on my safari to several southern Africa countries last year. Toward the end of the trip while staying at Mala Mala in South Africa, a sunny afternoon game drive found us surrounded by lazy lionesses waking up from nap time, and a huge herd of Cape buffalo crossing the trail causing us to brake quickly! Both these animals are extremely dangerous and require respect when on their turf. 

The before shot gets the fact across that the lioness has amazing teeth........changing to black and white and cropping highlights them even more.  The Cape buffalo's stare seems more fierce in black and white. I added a few extras in order to frame these photos to use in a wall display. 

Camera - Canon EOS 7D with Tamron AF 18-270mm lens.......

All editing via PicMonkey........

This fun photo challenge is hosted by Donna at Cottage Days and Journeys. Stop by to see some great black and white photos at her photo blog A Personal Photo Challenge. Maybe you will be inspired to join in........each month Donna will encourage us with a new challenge enabling our creativity to shine through, and on her website she shares the future monthly challenge topics so you can be prepared well in advance. Thanks Donna.