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Building the Nest

Just like in other aspects of my life, when it comes to Home Decor & Improvement, I can be a force to be reckoned with. And I am often my own worst enemy. My will and impatience often override that little bit of logic that lurks somewhere in the back of my brain.

On occasion my impulsivity and creativity merge to form something I’d like to think turned out pretty good . . .

Other times, it’s just a hot mess.

Yes, I glued seashells to the walls AND bathroom mirror but in my defense, we had found them all on our beach trips and I was feeling sentimental. Ok, that is a lie, I bought them. {Currently alternating cringe face and face palm emojis}

Most of my projects involved serious persuasion of #poorkent. (He has more than earned his nickname) and they often involved my circumventing the traditional approach of patience, savings, and a well thought out plan.

But every day I stare adoringly at what was the result of years of begging, zero logic, and a lot of steps we didn’t plan on, like removing 14 trees . . .our pool.

And I remind myself that my ideas are good, and I should totally get my way all the time.

Even if the last time I set foot in the pool (well technically not IN it, it was to share a swan ride with my mom) was over a year ago, it really does bring me joy and a little peace on a daily basis just to look at it, or listen to the fountain, and since I have no intention of ever selling this labor of love we call home, it really doesn’t matter if it adds to the appraisal value. Although I totally convinced #poorkent it does.

. . .

My home improvement adventures haven’t always gone as planned.

Like a couple decades ago in our former home when we really couldn’t afford new tile floors. I could no longer stand to look at the linoleum lining our master bathroom, so on a whim I bought peel & stick “faux tile” squares from Home Depot and went to work.

It actually turned out better than I thought and looked pretty realistic – at least that’s what 29 year old me assessed – but it really bugged me that I could see the lines between the squares, giving away my secret. So off to Home Depot I went again and came home with a bag of grout.

Now I know what you’re thinking? Did I know how to grout? Nope. Still don’t. But I figured how hard could it be? I knew it needed some sort of adhesive to make it stick to the lines I was applying it to, but what??

Obviously the answer was clear nail polish.

I know. Brilliant. Except I ran out about 3/4 of the way through the job.

I mentioned before that I’m not the most patient of DIYers. I wasn’t going out again for more, surely I had something . . .Yes! I found another bottle of Sally Hansen (because this was well before the days of OPI and Essie) hidden in a drawer so problem solved.

Except this bottle had glitter.

That remaining 1/4 of the bathroom? Yep, you guessed it. . . surrounding the toilet.

And we had it lit up like a night at Studio 54.

No regrets.

Let’s just take a second to appreciate my “Secret Garden” nauseatingly over-themed bathroom. This is my “80’s Big Hair” pic of Home Decor and I’m owning it. You’ll have to use your imagination for the glitter loo around the half wall to the right.

In this BUILDING THE NEST section of FILLING THE NEST I’ll be sharing my story of how we came to love “This Old House” (and a little of the one that came before her) . . . the before & afters, the good, the bad . . .and even the ugly.

So Stay Tuned!