Finishing Touches and Final Reveal

February 26, 2010 by | 10 Comments

I’ve been taking a break from soap for a few days and working on putting together the finishing touches for our half bathroom. You can see where I started here, and the sneak peek here. Yesterday, I went to Hobby Lobby and the Goodwill to pick up some items to decorate with. I’ll start with my finds at the Goodwill. I had been looking for an inexpensive wastebasket at Walmart and they have been clearancing out most of their bathroom accessories lately, so no luck there. I was so excited to find this white wastebasket at the Goodwill for just $4.00. It appeared to be practically new, except for the sticky residue from labels or tape, I’m not sure which. Enter my new best friend: WD-40. Not only does it lubricate locks, it removes sticky residue! Without much scrubbing on my part, the wastebasket now looks like brand new:

White wastebasket from Goodwill

Second find of the day: a greenish glass jug filled with very ugly pink and blue decorations – probably from the early 80’s? I knew if I could remove said decorations, I would have a very nice jug to put my decorative branches in from Hobby Lobby. Turns out those decorations had been permanently bonded to the bottom of the jug.

My husband suggested gently warming it in a pan of water on the stove. I tried that – then discovered how the decorations had actually been installed. Once the jug got warm enough, it magically separated at the bottom and whatever the nasty bonding material was came right out. The final photo shows the branches displayed in the jug, but I haven’t figured out how to glue it back together yet:

1. Glass jug, as purchased. 2. Warming it up in a pan on the stove. 3. All the parts separated. 4. Final display.

I made a wall decoration with some fun items from Hobby Lobby yesterday, but after I put it in the bathroom, it didn’t really go. Scratched that. Picked up a few more goodies at Marshall’s, Pier One, Michael’s and Target today, then dug out the seashells I collected from our trip to the Bahamas a couple years ago. Here’s the final reveal:

Dark brown basket from Hobby Lobby, Seashell from the Bahamas, Orange Citrus Coconut candle on clearance from Walmart, Natural wire wrap (around the candle) from Michael's
New light fixture from Lowe's
Glass jug from the Goodwill, decorative branches from Hobby Lobby, and some previously purchased river rock in the bottom of the jug
View from the toilet - Fresh paint on the cabinet with new brushed nickel cabinet handles from Lowe's, and hinges from a local ebay seller
Cabinet over the toilet - Top: Hollowed out piece of wood on clearance from Pier One, Seashell from the Bahamas, Blue and brown vase from Marshalls; Inside shelf: Blue beachside candle and washclothes from Target, Washcloth holder from the Goodwill, Orange candle and seashell holder both on clearance from Pier One

And because I know you are dying to see my work of art that got nixed:

My reasons why this doesn't work: 1. Colors are too bright 2. Too many different colors 3. The wall is too crowded 4. The fabric would be difficult to keep clean

I’m so relieved to be done! Now I can get back to soap – Amber Fig will be ready next week. I’m getting ready to stamp that one and the Pineapple Blossom. I promise to let you know when the Pineapple Blossom is fully cured. Have a great weekend!

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  2. Cool. All my centerpieces at my wedding were $.50 vases from Goodwill. I also have $.50 baskets from Goodwill all over the house. Looks great.
    .-= Staci @ TheSoapBlog.com´s last blog post ..Expanding Your Handmade Soap Product Line: Deodorant & Lip Balm (Part 4 of 6) =-.

  9. How awesome are you! I miss Hobby Lobby. We don’t have those here. I love your sense of style. Very nice. Happy Soaping!
    .-= missbmckay´s last blog post ..My handmade "Soaps in Sweaters" Felted Soap =-.

  10. The bathroom looks awesome! You are a pretty good decorator, I’m not half that creative. Good work!

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