Before and After bathroom tile

Did you know you are supposed to seal you tiles and grout? 
Hmm....  I didn't.  That was a hard lesson to learn. 
Here is my lesson:  White grout gets dirty.  Octagon tiles are charming until you have to clean the tiny grout around them individually.  If you seal your tile apperiantly it is supposed to stay clean!
We spent DAYS scratching away the top layer of grout, bleaching, cleaning, sealing.  If you are attacking a similar tile I would highly recommend spending $100 on a dremel to remove the grout.  It is worth your time and money.

It is nice having a brand new clean white floor!  :)  We applied two layers of sealant, and from what I hear (oh how I love Young House Love!) sealant should be reapplied every 6 months. 
Have you ever learned a home related lesson the hard way?  (If so, could you clue me in?  I'm not such a fan of learning the hard way!  lol...)

12 hours of painting....

Yesterday (after achieving fancy hair status - how I love the Aveda Institute!) I spent 12 hours painting.
Yes, 12.
Though, I have to say, the end results were worth the effort; my bathroom now looks like it belongs in a hotel! Originally scheduled to be 'clover brook' a dark blue green, this talk of selling prompted a change.  Now a warm coco color and matching the freshly painted entryway and accent walls in the bedroom and living room, the condo's color scheme seems to tie together nicely.  :)




Sorry for the dark pics, I was trying to capture my work at midnight!  :)  Anyway, I am on to the kitchen next, no more painting needed, but this room needs some reorganizing!
I know we have tons of stuff, everyone does, but I do love dropping stuff off at Value Village (for a tax write off!), so it always surprises me when I have to put this much work into cleaning and organizing.  What do you guys think?  Do you long for gifts of cleaning services, or just close the closet and walk away?  :)

Shiny and New!

I'm sorry I missed my self imposed Friday deadline, life (as always it seems) has been busy.  I spent Friday evening cleaning, organizing, and asking the question:  Would you buy my house?
I am meeting with my real estate agent on Monday to discuss the possibility of selling a space that has become far too small for us, in a neighborhood that has become a bit too dangerous for us.  It is nice to be able to walk to work every day, but I think if we are able to sell we will then rent for awhile in Ballard, my favorite part of the city.
We'll see what she has to say, but in the mean time, my house is getting quite the spring cleaning!  :)

Painting projects

Today I teased a co-worker about working overtime on weekends - I am pretty opposed to it myself.  However when later telling tales of my weekend plans, the same co-worker reminded that 'I don't work on weekends'.  I guess it is a question of what do you consider 'work'?

I painted our bedroom last weekend, from 'cool dip' a light an airy blue to 'jungle brush' a far more yellow than I anticipated green.  As soon as it hit the walls I knew I wasn't a fan of 'jungle brush', but thought I might warm up to it. 
Tomorrow I am off to Home Depot to find another color, something lighter, sunnier, but still green. 
I will probably paint the entryway the same new color, the bathroom will likely become a dark blue/green.  Dark brown trees added to an accent bedroom wall to form a headboard, and white birch trees featured in the soon to be dramatic bath.  Maybe black outlines around the painted art, and new white trim.  White doors too?
I am excited for the most challenging of my projects:  to flatten a textured wall in my kitchen and make a chalkboard wall.
I feel like spring is in the almost March air, it is time for a fresh coat of paint.