Alex and I hate our master bathroom. I actually think hate may be a bit mild of a word. In fact, this room is a dirty little secret we rarely discuss here at Old Town Home. You may remember that, right after committing to begin the renovation of this room, our dog Oliver was diagnosed with cancer. Thus the project was put on hold while we enjoyed our final months with him and helped him through his brave battle.

Now that life has returned to "normal" and the vestibule project we got a little bit sidetracked on is now complete, it's time to turn our attention back to the space that the Golden Girls, in all their 1980s glory, would feel quite at home in.

Is that really...

• Duct tape on a hideous HVAC bump out? You bet. 
• An impossible to clean and non-standard height DIYed vanity? Unfortunately. 
• A ginormous Jacuzzi tub...without jets but with a broken stopper? Good God, yes.
• Hideously cracked and out of level cheap-o white tiles that were installed when Knightrider was a hit series? David Hasselhoff and K.I.T.T. think so. 
• A mysteriously absent 5 pound ceramic T.P. holder where holes in the wall act as evidence in the spot it once clung for dear life? Embarrassingly enough, yes it is.
• A DIY attempt by the current owners (yes, that's us) to create a shower curtain rod out of surplus copper pipe, because the house was purchased as a bath-only master? <I'm nodding my head, but hiding my face in shame.>
• An original, but extremely drafty old window that lets blustery winter winds pour in as you stand naked and shivering, cursing the day you inked your name on the mortgage that put you in this hell hole each and every morning? FML. Yes.
• The most hideous 1980s backstage-at-an-off-Broadway-production monstrocity of a light fixture? We didn't install it, but we've also lived with it for nine years. Good grief.
• And last, but certainly not least...a strange piece of plastic affixed to the ceiling, with a long tampon-esque string hanging from it? That's affirmative. I have no idea why it's still there and we have no idea what it's purpose is..was...could have been. In case you need a closer look, here it is, and we'd love to hear your ideas.

Whew. So there's my breakdown of our dirty little secret. Does anyone need more convincing that this room must die? 

Through our many brainstorming sessions and conversations Alex and I can't seem to agree on the future layout of the space. In the "old" master bathroom, you actually passed through a narrow hallway with a his and her closet on either side. (As seen in the terrible dark photo below that I snapped during our home inspection.)

When we renovated our bedroom two years ago, we actually built closets on the wall opposite our bed so that we could free up this space in the bathroom. (The bathroom is the door with the transom on the left.)

In addition to getting a ton more space, we've also presented ourselves with a design dilemma. It seems the new bathroom space is just too big at a whopping 9' by 13' feet! It's like we don't know what to do with ourselves. As a result we've spent countless hours measuring, dreaming, pinning, bickering, and changing our minds. Until recently.

Which brings us back to my earlier point about good friends and good wine providing inspiration. Over dinner and drinks with friends we shamelessly pumped for their fresh perspective, I sketched our bathroom plan on a restaurant napkin. Here's the result of my alcohol induced vision of what the vanity wall will look like, complete with custom shelving thanks to my husband's mad carpentry skills.

Our goal is simple, create a classic, comfortable, elegant, and house appropriate space while we keep plumbing and major fixture locations intact (such as the location of the toilet). This will keep the overall simplicity of the project in check and will keep us from needing to move the toilet (which may have end up requiring us to ad an unsightly bump out in the dining room ceiling below). To accomplish these goals and to give us the most functional and versatile space we settled on the following floor plan for the new and improved master bathroom.

As Alex discussed in yesterday's post, we're planning on installing Eurofase recessed lighting (as noted by the "x's" in the sketch) down the center of the ceiling. These lights will add a bit of dynamic lighting depth and will shine on the vanity and custom shelving. We'll also place a light over the salvaged claw foot tub as well as within the shower. 

Right now, aside from my sketch, the plan is largely in my head. I'll soon be putting together details I can share with all of you on some of the design choices we'll be making in the space, like the beautiful marble hexagon tile I've had my eye on for years. I still have plenty of questions and decisions to make, and I'll absolutely want all of your input...if you're willing to indulge me with it.

So what do you think of the new space? Is there anything we've overlooked? Is there a layout that would make more sense? What do you think the weird plastic thing with string on the ceiling was? (Well, is. It's actually still up there.) We'd love to get your two cents.

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To be perfectly honest, Scandinavia wasn't on our "bucket list of destinations we need to see," but this fact is simply due to the fact that we didn't know that much about it. In an odd twist of fate while researching a new car purchase, we learned about the Volvo Overseas Delivery program. We jumped at the chance to save money on a new (and responsible/safe/reliable) car while getting a pair of free round trip airline tickets to see a part of the world that was unknown to us. You know I love a good bargain, so our bags were packed!

Like most, we use vacations to get away from our day-to-day concerns of work and those things that typically stress us out. But for us, we also use the opportunity to take a step back and think strategically about our renovation plans (yes, we're house nerds like that). It seems that getting out of the work zone allows us to think differently about the projects we're working on, how we want to manage and execute future projects, and gives us ideas and inspiration to try out back home. Our trip to London in 2006 for example, was the driving force behind our paint selection for our new front doors. 

The bright blue doors at the Tower of London...

...and the shiny black paint at 10 Downing Street...

Photo Credit: Maapu

...ultimately helped guide us to the final look we chose for the front of our home. (Please ignore the Christmas decorations in this photo.)

Our trip to Scandinavia, just like our trip to London, was chock full of inspiration. 

Not only did we see a wide array of interior design styles and home decor that inspired us (as we discussed in this post), but we were wowed by the intricate details and history of the homes, buildings, architecture, and public spaces. Don't get me wrong. We recognize how fortunate we are to live in Old Town Alexandria, an old (by American standards) town full of historic significance that oozes warmth and charm. But stepping away from our country to see other parts of the world recharges our renovation batteries so to speak.

Today we want to take an opportunity share some of the things we saw on our trip that got our creative juices flowing. Who knows, maybe they'll give you a little inspiration too.

At the time, we were working on our vestibule project and were still debating what type of house numbers we were going to use. I know I had doors and house numbers on the brain because I couldn't stop snapping pictures of interesting doors with Alex's iPhone. (Yep, not camera, iPhone. Why don't you ask me who forgot to pack the memory card for our camera when it was one of the few things he was responsible for?? <sigh> I'm still not quite over that one.)

Alex here:... oops :-)

Sorry, back to what inspires us. Just look at this beautiful door in Copenhagen, complete with traditional gold transom window numbers. As you can see from our decision on the numbers for our house, this is a look that we grew fond of.

Here's a shot of a home in Copenhagen that was also sporting transom house numbers. Although more modest (and let's be honest, in need of a fresh coat of paint and a little reinforcement for above), I loved this door and found the look very inviting.

Transom numbers weren't everywhere though. Here's a stunning entry in Oslo that proudly displays it's numbers on the home itself. And seriously, how beautiful is the iron scrollwork behind the glass? 

I was also drawn to this quaint gate, marking one of the water side entrances to the historic and charming fortress of Old Town Fredrikstad, not far outside of Oslo. Maybe we love all things "Old Town," but the sweeping vine and simple but patina'd light seem to call out to those passing by to come on in. 

Don't worry, we weren't totally fixated on doors alone. In addition to doors, as beautiful as they were, I was also struck by the interesting ironwork throughout Scandinavia. Even the park benches are a work of art in Copenhagen!

Though the red phone booths from the UK are iconic, the British shouldn't get all the credit for making this otherwise mundane and utilitarian item quite interesting. Check out Stockholm's version of a phone booth. Its fish scale roof and feminine shape gives the red telephone box a run for its money in interest and visual coolness. 

Also beautiful was this iron fence in Copenhagen. How amazing could this look surrounding a quaint and peaceful garden?

How about this majestic gate, also in Copenhagen. I can just picture this as an amazing way to admit visitors to a secret garden, perhaps in my Napa Valley vineyard. A girl can dream, right? 

On the subject of gardens, Alex and I fell in love with this little courtyard we stumbled upon in Copenhagen. From the cobblestone pavers to the lovely harlequin door, it was just dripping with charm. We already have the ivy in our own yard, maybe we can pull some of these elements in when we give it a makeover in a few years? 

While in Fredrikstad, I snapped this photo of a weathered historic building. Not only do I love the brick and stonework, but I could see incorporating outdoor lighting such as this along the wall in our garden. How cute would that be? 

Good things come in small packages, and this little gem in Fredrikstad was no exception. Using it as an example I could see building a great little potting shed, studio, or playhouse. I found the chevron pattern of the wood door beautiful, and the patina on the roof added interest and texture. 

Fredrikstad seemed to have no shortage of alluring and beautiful old buildings. I found this courtyard to be particularly appealing. I loved the roof, the stone pavers, and the casement windows. Maybe some day, when we look at renovating our sun porch, we could think about infusing some character into the space with windows like these. 

Just as quaint was this home in Oslo. The textured roof reminded me of the building above in Fredrikstad, and the shape and size of the home was so welcoming.

House colors can be tricky, and typically when I think of rust and gold I think southwest design complete with turquoise and kokopelli. But these amazing buildings in the heart of historic Old Town (Gamla stan) Stockholm showcased how beautiful and versatile these colors can be. 

So there you have it. A quick roundup of some of the things from our trip that have given us design inspiration. I can't wait to begin implementing them in ways around our home. At least we already have the house numbers under our belt, and we love how they look. 

Where do you go to find inspiration? Pinterest perhaps? Decorating shows and magazines? Or maybe a trip to a new part of the world is what gets you excited to roll up your sleeves and dig in. 

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How cool is that? I think they're a really beautiful vegetable. Their color and shape are spectacular! Am I alone in thinking that "Brussels sprout" would be a beautiful color for a front door or an accept pillow? Hey, you never know when and where you might get design inspiration. 

So naturally I was really stoked when I saw these stalks for sale at my local grocery store. (No really, I'm being totally sincere.) I practically skipped to the produce section to bag this beauty for $4.99. Remembering how amazing these little jewels were recently at a wonderful dinner at Central in DC, I knew I could probably transform them into something fabulous (and a little healthier than those from our dining experience).

So how do you take them from stalk to plate? Simple! First, cut each of the sprouts off the stalk with a small paring knife, removing any yellowed outer leaves if necessary.

Then you want to give them a good rinse under water to clean them.

Next, lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet. (Personally I like to cut the really large ones in half.) Drizzle them with four teaspoons of olive oil, and sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper and sea salt to taste. Bake them at 400 degrees for approximately 35-40 minutes until they're brown and golden.

And enjoy! You have a healthy, flavorful and delicious side dish. It was so easy, but looks so beautiful, I think I might have to serve this one up at my next dinner party. Maybe I can make converts out of my unsuspecting guests.

What's one thing I didn't expect, aside from becoming a lover of Brussels sprouts? Lulu has the same level of enthusiasm for this vegetable. (Our Facebook followers are familiar with Lulu's salad and vegetable obsession.) No sooner had I dropped the grocery bags on our kitchen floor than Lulu had her head in the bag, about to steal a green globe from its stalk. That's my girl!

Is anyone else a fan of Brussels sprouts? Are there any vegetables you've recently "discovered" and can't get enough of? C'mon, leave me a post and let me know. You'll make your mother very proud. 

As seen on...

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When I'm on the hunt for inspiration, I usually look for a color, fabric, accessory, or interesting item that inspires the look of my space. I do this during every day shopping, magazine reading, internet browsing (thank you Pinterest), and even going through open houses, but this goes doubly if I'm on vacation. Whether we're just in a different city for the day, or thousands of miles from home, I can't help but continue my quest for the new, different, unusual or just plain eye catching. After all, my number one design philosophy is to incorporate one unique item in every room.

When Alex and I visited Sweden last month as part of our Volvo Overseas Delivery adventure, I made sure to soak in the local styles and keep my eyes peeled for some Scandinavian inspiration to get my creative juices flowing. 

After we arrived in Gothenburg and took a short nap (we would have been toast without it), we set out on foot to explore the streets of the second largest city in Sweden. My first impression? Gothenburg is so charming! Even on a slightly cold and drizzly day, we couldn't wait to explore the cobblestone-lined streets and quaint cafes and shops.

One of our first stops was in a store just a few blocks from our hotel that reminded me of a small Bed, Bath & Beyond here in the states. But this was a Bed Bath & Beyond plus chic design. We found an amazing array of chandeliers, modern furniture, and fun and funky accessories. If I had to categorize it, It was sort of a Bed, Bath & Beyond meets West Elm with some pretty decent prices.

We continued our adventure and found ourselves in the primary shopping district and Old Town area of the city. There seemed to be cool and fun stores everywhere, from food to furniture to fashion. While exploring the Old Town section, we stumbled on a few very interesting shops, including one called Stajl.

This place was so cool! Think World Market but way more unique. I was in heaven, to say the least. And I'm very fortunate to have a patient and even interested spouse when it comes to this type of shopping, I'd say he might even enjoy it as much as I do...well maybe not as much, but close. One of the things that caught my eye was an amazing light fixture. It reminded me of the fixture Sarah Richardson installed in the powder room of Sarah's House season three. I can only imagine how great it would look in a dining room, and what interesting light it would cast.

Another cluster that caught my eye was this colorful display of silk lanterns. The soft light that comes from silk lighting is a great accent to most rooms.

I think they'd be beautiful in a covered outdoor entertaining space or in a bedroom.

I also spotted a collection of large metal trays that reminded me of the two Asian platters we recently picked up at a local estate sale. 

We currently have one of the platters hanging on the wall in our family room, and the other we're using as a table top, perched on two wicker storage blocks in our sun porch. I'd like to eventually find our build a better base, and this store had a great example of using it just for this purpose (we actually may have found one last night, I'll keep you posted). 

It was hard to leave Stajl empty handed, so I picked up a small gift for my mother in law, but sadly left without anything for our home other than lots of inspiration for future projects.

Soldiering on with the little sleep we had we came across this natural and organic stool in a kitchen supply store that also had a small furniture and accessory section. I love how eclectic all of the stores seemed to be.

I think it would make the perfect informal seating in a basement wine cellar tasting room, or could be charming as additional seating in a rustic or simple family room with natural or organic decor. Picture it: "Hey honey, pull up the bundle of kindling stool and sit with me next to the fire." Just don't get confused and use it as firewood. 

The price on this piece knocked our socks off (It was about $300!!), but it could be a really fun and relatively easy DIY project. All you'd need to do is cut the wood to size, glue it together, and bind it with a secure strapping, in this case they used metal.

All in all, we had a wonderful day exploring a part of the world we never dreamed we'd have a chance to visit. My only regret? Not bringing a bigger suitcase to transport some of these finds. And to answer what may be an obvious question, no we couldn't just pack it in the back of our new car and have it ship over on the cargo carrier, something about customs, homeland security, and not allowed...blah blah blah. 

What about you? Where do you like to look for your design inspiration? Is it an on/off switch for you, or are you like me and find yourself constantly on the lookout for something really cool?

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Several months ago, Wendy had to travel to New Orleans for business. Being the supportive husband that I am, I decided to take a few days off of work and head down to NOLA with her the weekend before her meetings began so we could spend some time touring the city. I had never been to The Big Easy, but had wanted to go for years. We were thinking about the trip several years before, but Katrina hit and thus our trip plans were put on hold.

Since Wendy's job was the reason we were going, I was able to tag along, only needing to pay for airfare, food, and the hotel nights over the weekend. It is really the ultimate in spouse perks, and a tough life, I assure you.

Given the age and charm of the city, we've long wanted to go. We're not really party people (whoomp there it is), so Bourbon Street wasn't really the draw for us. We appreciate the historic architecture and the food above all else. But, given the cold of January in D.C., the weather of the deep south was also a draw.

We stayed in the Ritz Carlton on the edge of the French Quarter, so walking around the French Quarter was fun and easy. As soon as we arrived, we set out to begin exploring the area. After a quick stroll down Bourbon Street, we quickly moved to the side streets to enjoy the slightly less seedy places. 

The whole time we were walking around the French Quarter, we felt at ease. I think it was because the city really reminded us of Old Town. The age of the buildings, style of architecture, and feeling of the cleaner streets all felt familiar. The main difference was the cast iron balconies. If you put several levels of balconies on Old Town homes, you'd have a very similar city.

While there, we were sure to hit many of the tourist destinations that are highly recommended, such as Cafe DuMonde and Jackson Square.

On our second day we ventured out to the Garden District on a street car (not sure of its name, but it wasn't desire). The homes in that part of the city were simply amazing.

We found a walking tour online and went the old self guided route. It was easily the most fun we had in the city, just leisurely walking around and taking it all in.

Knowing that Sandra Bullock had a home in the area, but not knowing where it was, the walking tour took us to a home that I absolutely loved. I took several photos of it, only to later learn that this was actually Ms. Bullock's home.

Like I said, simply amazing places.

We wrapped up our trip to the Garden District with a quick walk through a cemetery. We latched onto a group for this, just to feel safe, since all of the visitor's guides caution you to avoid cemeteries in small numbers. 

But, let's get back to the original point of this post, our entry vestibule and inspiration. Back in the French Quarter, Wendy and I came across a store we had seen on This Old House during their New Orleans season a few years back. It was the store that fabricates copper gas lanterns -- Bevolo Lights.

We've long thought about replacing the front light on our house with a copper gas lantern, but didn't know where to start. Where would be purchase it? How much does it cost? How much to run it? So many questions. We stopped in the store and spoke with one of their sales reps, and learned it's much more affordable and far simpler than we originally thought. 

Being obsessive good home owners, we had photos of our house on our cell phone, so we were able to show the sales rep the style and construction of our home. She then showed us several examples that might work well with the style of our house.

I don't know about you, I but we're partial to the one on the left. What do you think?

Several years ago we had our gas line replaced in anticipation of several major upgrades, such as a gas stove and boiler. This little upgrade was already on my radar, so I was able to plan for it back then.

We've been excited about this potential upgrade for a while, and learning how straight forward it may be was very cool. Although the inspiration and potential lantern was a highlight of the trip, I still think my favorite thing about our time in New Orleans was discovering the wonders of King Cake! 

Since we were staying in the Ritz Carlton's club level, they always had food and drinks available to the guests, including fresh baked King Cake. During our four night stay, I'm pretty sure I ate at least one entire King Cake. Mmmmmm, so gooooooood! But I never found the little plastic baby.

Do you like NOLA as much as we do? It seems like there are a ton of people who visit once and fall in love with the city. And, if you have an opinion on the front light style, please let us know what you think and which style you like the best.

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