Last night, we had a professional contractor come and take a look at our master bathroom. (See our most recent plans here!) Take measurements, give us advice, and write up a bid. The truth is, we are considering hiring out a good portion of the work. It's really difficult to get a big project, like a bathroom, done with a little baby around and two other little ones and the master bathroom is not something we have the luxury of taking our time to complete. Not to mention, with such a large layout/plumbing shift--there are a lot of major things that can go wrong. When he arrived, we handed over our sketch of what we were thinking, hesitantly, and all the questions and he answered every one! He helped us feel confident in the direction we were going. He offered us solutions for the areas we were concerned about--is the toilet closet large enough? He told us he had the best cabinet maker for our vanity and widening a little here and narrowing a little there would really maximize the space.
At the end of our visit--he was probably here an hour--I felt really excited about our future bathroom. The layout is finalized and now we're moving on to materials which feels exciting, but also like, how will I ever decide between a wood or black vanity?! Lots more bathroom posts coming!
More fun things this week!
• In addition to a nice night out, Chris and I love to get each other a little something for Valentine's day--nothing big. Usually something sentimental or handmade just to say:
Here are a few favorites to celebrate Valentine's Day this year:
No. 1 | No. 2 | No. 3 | No. 4 | No. 5 | No. 6 | No. 7 | No. 8 | No. 9 | No. 10 | No. 11 | No. 12 | No. 13 |No. 14 | No. 15 | No. 16
• The most dramatic quiz yet. (I got Tia)
• Almost 11 years ago exactly, while I was feeling particularly sad for myself--I decided that the way to turn that around was to be happy for other people's successes. And I've been striving to live my life that way ever since. This tweet popped up in my feed this week and I couldn't retweet it fast enough, because the mindset has changed my everything.
• We ordered this rug for the cabin master bedroom and, talk about jumping the gun, but I can't wait to see it in the bedroom there...that we have so many other things we need to do to.
• A week ago, on our weekend sale post, I posted about this black welcome mat that I was eyeing that had gone on sale. It arrived and I couldn't put it down fast enough. I didn't know I needed a black welcome mat until I found this one. And it's incredible quality, with inset letters.
boots | welcome mat | buffalo check rug
Happy Friday, friends!
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I got Tia too! I guess I just want to eat food and hang with Caroline. And not have ANY intimate dates with Arie. Haaa!
Just discovered your blog in the past couple of months and I'm loving it. Your A Frame mountain home has me drooling and dreaming of one of my own. Keep it coming in 2018!
Wood vanity, black appliances - best of both worlds :)
Ha, I guess I am in the mood for deep discussion. Blog comments are probably not the best way, but here I go: I love that tweet, I love your philosophy, but we do need to make space and compassion for ourselves and others when things beyond our control are kicking us so hard they we just can't take another baby announcement, marriage announcement, vacation pic, etc. You aren't doing life wrong if you need to shut off your social media account for a while and you shouldn't feel one bit guilty or like a bad person for not being able to jump for another person's joy during really difficult times in your own life.
My sweet friend going through a horrific divorce posted that she just couldn't take another happy announcement right now and it was so great. She was honest about her sadness, and just like in the movie Inside Out it allowed everyone else in a better place to rally around her and help lift her up.
I know you probably agree with all these things and are just addressing people who are truly petty, but most people are actually really kind hearted and messages like this are just another "I am doing life wrong" message for the kind hearted person who is truly struggling.
I went through 12 years of horrific infertility and pregnancy losses and there was a time that I was so broken I just couldn't hear another announcement, or attend another shower. And I felt like a monster. And it increased the pain I was already feeling to "lose" my former But I wasn't a monster, just a human who had suffered beyond my ability to cope, and the kindest thing others told me in those moments were "Those happy people don't need your congratulations or happy thoughts right now."
Anyhow, none of this was to criticize that great message, just to give a shout out to the people who generally live by this gospel and are in a place where they are struggling. You aren't doing life wrong, you are simply human and it's ok to unplug and seek a hug.
I agree, whole-heartedly. For me, it means--life is not a competition. Just because one person is successful in one thing doesn't mean you can't or aren't successful in another and focus on that! I definitely didn't mean that when someone has had extended life struggles in a certain area they HAVE to be happy for others all the time in that same area. I'm saying that rejoicing in other's successes is NOT some easy thing. The process, which I've personally been working on it for 11 years, with my own successes and failures along the way, has been a beautiful decade+ way to live and I'm excited to keep it going.
"Just because one person is successful in one thing doesn’t mean you can’t or aren’t successful in another and focus on that!"
Yes, totally this! And I can tell how you are living by the lift others up principle like how you highlighted other people's great insta accounts - just to be a cool human - and some people were surprised about that you'd take the time to do that without getting something in return. That's nuts! Love your stuff and thanks for the reply.
I am so excited to follow along on the bathroom reno! You guys are the best, and I really love how you share all the details of the process, not just the finished product. You should TOTALLY use contractors if you're feeling overwhelmed with the DIY. You have shown your bathroom DIY skillz many times over, and yeah, you don't want to be heading downstairs to shower for months on end...
That tweet! Thanks for posting it. It's the only way, along with gratitude, even for the really small things.
Your and Chris's generous spirits, good will and humor are why I visit here. Well, that and the awesome content ; )
Thanks so much, Mary!
So excited to follow this remodel. We are currently selling our 1915 home in Portland that we took down to studs and remodel. We purchased a 1970s home in the country. So excited for another home and remodel ahead of us (along with baby #2due in less then two months) basically excited to see all your ideas and gleam off them for inspiration for our own sweet home. Can't wait to see this project unfold! So excited to be following along .
Ooooo could you share the cabinet guy? I'm local (Idaho Falls) and we're looking to redo our bathroom soon. The vanity is our biggest hold up.
We'll share as soon as we know.
Thanks!
Hi Chris and Julia! I have been an avid reader of your blog for about a year, and it has quickly become my favorite. If you do end up hiring a contractor, can you perhaps do a post about that process? In about a year, I have a dream to relocate a laundry closet, remove a wall and remodel my entire kitchen. It won't be DIY. I have no idea how to even start that process. Can a contractor do the design work? Do I need an architect? How do I find the right people to help me with this project, and not get ripped off? I am going to spend the next year educating myself on that process, but would love your take on it. Can't wait to see your bathroom!
We'd love to share all of those details!!
I love that tweet! Life is seriously so much better that way. Also, I am in love with that welcome mat! I wish it came in white though