Before: 1950's Black and White Tile Scheme

For many of my clients (myself included), new year = new home project. With optimism high, we make lists and obsess over plans to remodel, refresh or reorganize our homes. For me, this enthusiasm translates to a long awaited bathroom remodel. We are talking “down to the studs”, contractors here everyday and me sharing the tiny remaining bathroom with three boys.

This is real life renovating in an old house that is bound to be full of surprises. I’m going to share the whole process from start to finish, for better or worse. Sympathizers and curious onlookers are welcome to join in!

Before: My home was built in 1926, but we think the current version of this bathroom is a 50′s update. Even though the black and white color scheme is still chic, the layout is inefficient. There are broken and cracked tiles, leaky plumbing and damaged woodwork. After sixty years, it’s just time for a makeover.

The sink vanity is only 18" deep and too close to the doorway.

Unique 1920's corner bathtub

Although most of the bathroom has to be demolished, we are being careful to save what we can. According to Antique Home Style, the unusual shape of our cast iron bathtub was considered very modern when it was introduced in the 1920′s : “The old-fashioned clawfoot tub, available as an economical solution, was replaced in period advertising if not in fact by new tub configurations including a corner style, a single-sided unit to be placed in a recessed enclosure, or set into a deck with a tiled surround. “ We won’t be able to use the bathtub in this room, but we might find a place for is somewhere else.

1920's bathroom illustration with corner bathtub via 1912Bungalow.com

We also wanted to preserve the original built-in medicine cabinet and linen closet, which was another typical feature in 1920′s bathrooms. The challenge would be designing a new layout that would allow for maintaining these features, as well as the current location of most doors and windows. The plumbing would have to be moved, which always adds to the cost. With the help of an architect friend and after many sketches, we finally came up with a plan that included everything I wanted for a vintage bathroom in a modern age.

The original linen closet will stay in place after a coat of paint and new hardware.

What are your big plans for home improvement in 2012?

Even if you don’t have a vintage inspired remodel on your project list, it’s still fun to sneak a peek into the past. I could Research historical home trends through gorgeous period magazine illustrations at Antique Home Style. Warning: this may be addictive.

Peekaboo Coffee Table from CB2

Now you see it . . . now you don’t.

The almost invisible Peekaboo Clear Coffee Table from CB2 is a simple, acrylic table that is a copy of more expensive designer versions. It’s a miracle table that seems to take up no visual space and that manages to blend with modern and vintage furniture.

Here’s where the “Spark-it Market” comes in. . . one our Spark clients ordered this table from CB2 but won’t be needing it after all. This is a brand new table that she’d rather not send back to the company, which means a lucky Austin resident can buy it directly from her with no shipping charges. If you are interested in this table, contact us at hello@sparkinteriors.com and we will connect the decorating dots from one client to another.

Painting from jessicaerickson.com

The EAST Austin Studio Tour is a once a year opportunity to discover new artistic talent, see working studios, learn about artists’ tools, techniques, inspirations, and of course, to support your local arts community by building your art collection. Whether your art collection is big or small (or currently non-existent), living with original artwork in your home makes life more beautiful. It can start as just a tiny spark.

Just a tiny “spark” . . . that’s all it takes to ignite a love and appreciation for original works of art. There is something so indescribably touching about seeing the hand of the artist in a painting or sculpture. There is a thread of humanity that connects that brushstroke or fingerprint to the viewer. Art doesn’t have to be elitist or misunderstood or unobtainable. It’s accessible to everyone at the EAST Austin tour, where artists open up their studios and invite you into their world.

Find out all the details including a list of artists, maps, and special events at EAST Austin Studio Tour. This is an ongoing event from November 12th through 20th and it’s FREE. Even if you can’t afford to buy anything at all, visit the studios, talk to the artists, and find a spark of beauty.

Glitter pumpkin, courtesy of Twig & Thistle

Halloween has passed, so now we are in full fledged Holiday season!!!  You have to put  away the ghost, goblins and spiders but the pumpkins can stay out for another month.  In an attempt to find new options for my mantle I came across these great DIY pumpkin ideas.

This glitter pumpkin will add sparkle and bling to any tablescape, bookcase, or vignette.

In order to make this gorgeous glitter pumpkin I found on Twig & Thistle you will need a Styrofoam pumpkin, drill and hole saw attachment, spray adhesive/craft glue, glitter and a candle.  Slice off the stem of your pumpkin and use your hole saw attachment to drill out the section where the stem was, be sure the hole is slightly larger than your candle so it will fit. Using a spoon, continue to carve out the foam until your candle can be slipped in and not seen. Then you can either coat the pumpkin in craft glue or use a spray adhesive (the spray is much easier and faster but be sure to be outside or in a vented area) and cover with your choice of colored glitter. Once dry, spray the whole thing with hairspray (yeah!!! one more reason for Aqua Net!) This will set the glitter and reduce the amount ending up on your floor.

Pumpkin Pages, courtesy of Craftberry Bush

Grab one of those books you read on summer vacay and make it into a pumpkin book. I love the neutral, old world feel of the tea stained pages that make up this rustic pumpkin I found on Craftberry Bush.

Your supply list includes: an old paperback, a stick to act as the pumpkin stem, cardboard, scissors, hot glue gun, tea bag and ribbon(optional).  First remove the front and back cover of the book-leaving the spine intact.  Cut the cardboard into a half circle (or any shape you desire) and place on the book, trace and cut. Make a cup of hot tea then squeeze the tea bag over the pages to stain them. Once the pages are dry, glue the stick to the spine of the book. Then take the first and last few pages of the book and glue them together, making sure to adhere the pages to the stick as well. Add ribbon!

I love the holidays and creating my own decor using uncommon materials and colors.   I’m working on more resourceful, affordable ideas. . .stay tuned to Spark and be inspired!!

Julia and Her Pots via Interior Design Magazine

While having a relaxing “mom movie” night watching Julie & Julia, I discovered not only the joy of cooking but the joy of the pegboard (don’t laugh). Towards the end of the movie, Julia Child is in her kitchen, hanging up her pots and pans. Her husband was outlining each piece so it would be easy and quick to re-hang in the correct place. EUREKA!

Why is that I have only seen pegboard in my fathers garage? After a bit of research, I realized I’m behind the times. Pegboard is offered in many different colors and mediums at hardware stores like  Home Depot. There are multiple applications for pegboard organization from the laundry room to the craft studio.

Here are a few ideas from Real Simple.

In your home office for scissors, pens, a clock, etc

In your laundry room for all those random necessities

In your closet to hols jewelry, handbags, belts, ties, etc

Pegboard can also be used as a decorative industrial looking wall treatment by painting it a contrasting color.  If you are one to move your artwork often (as I am prone to do), this will save your walls from all those pesky nail holes. Now you a free to arrange and rearrange as your heart desires! You can even hang children’s artwork, chalkboards, mirrors or small plants in wall pockets.

When installing pegboard, be sure to attach the pegboard in all four corners to small blocks of wood (approx 1″ x 2″) as this will ensure you have enough room for the hooks and shelves between the pegboard and wall. I love these these stylish options from Ikea. If a large pegboard is not your thing, try strips of pegboard  in a mud room or foyer with hooks to hold purses, keys and coats.

I hope you love this ingenious, inexpensive organizational tip as much as I do!

RIP, Raggedy Ann and Andy. Poor dolls.

In honor of Halloween, today we are sharing some haunting home decor images. Most of these images are pulled from actual (shiver) real estate photos via Hooked on Houses. This is what happens when your worst nightmares come true and well intended “creative” decorating takes an evil turn. If you are living in the horror of  clashing textile patterns, peeling wallpaper or an infestation of furry animals (not living) or dolls. . . please march straight to the phone and call us.

Otherwise, comfort yourself with the knowledge that you don’t live in one of these rooms. . .

Lions and Bears and Tiger, Oh My!

These dolls are more scary than sweet. . .

Basement Bathroom with Red Carpet

{Unfortunately, I experienced this bathroom firsthand. It is in the basement of a friend’s family home. And yes, there is red carpet on the floor. Carpet in the bathroom is enough to send me screaming, but along with the village scene wallpaper it’s just too much. }

TreeHouse Store

Being green is easier than ever, with more and more stores catering to an eco-conscious clientele. The new kid on the block is Treehouse ,  a hardware store plus more. This amazing store is located in the Westgate Shopping Center next to Central Market South. They specialize in carrying products that are easy on our earth, many of which are locally produced. I’m in awe of the broad spectrum of home improvement items they offer.

The first item to catch my eye was this super fun Woollypocket. . .you can grow anything your heart desires, indoors or out! It would be ideal for planting herbs in your kitchen or for decorative flowing plants (as in the image below). This modern take on growing indoor plants is available in multiple colors to match your style.

Whoollypocket-Wally One

TreeHouse has everything related to building supplies and home maintenance, including the kitchen sink! Shoppers will find what they need from paint to plumbing, kitchen counters to cleaning products, and lawnmowers to pet toys. I was impressed by their selection of recycled glass, ceramic and terra cotta tiles. My favorites are the beautiful handmade tiles from Fire Clay.

Browsing around, I also found these sleek outdoor chairs from Pro Teak which would be a chic style statement on any deck.

Pro Teak chairs

TreeHouse  just opened their doors on Saturday and are enticing patrons by giving away 1 FREE EcoBulb and 1 FREE bottle of Earth Friendly Parsley Plus cleaner. So get out there and Go Green!

Vintage Train Cases

Shopping around at antique shops and markets, I started noticing vintage train cases. I think I’m drawn to them for their travel weary appearance and nostalgic nod to cross country train rides (as seen in old movies with very well dressed, sauve passengers). Some of these train cases still have lingering scents of aftershave or perfume.

It’s all well and good to collect something for it’s charm, but it’s even better to assign those things a function. Luckily, I found a purpose for my train cases. It so happens that these cases are  the perfect size for storing CD’s or DVD’s. A few of the cases I found had tiny interior side-rails that used to support trays. These rails can be easily pried off if they cause the case to be too narrow for dropping in CD’s.

Open Train Case as Storage for CD's

To vary my storage and create more interest, I mixed the train cases in with a collection of baskets (holding even more DVD’s). The necessary media components and speakers are there (sigh), but I tried to detract from those items by placing unusual objects on some shelves. Alas the vintage blue typewriter serves no purpose, but it belonged to my grandmother and it makes me happy.

Custom Shelving with Train Cases and Baskets for Storage

P.S. If you’re so “digital” that you don’t even know what a CD or DVD is, let alone own lots of them, then I have another suggestion. . . Consider storing your 8 different remotes or random USB cords in a train case.