HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2020

 I am sharing some photos of my farmhouse Christmas decor as I chat, rant, and publicly share my thoughts today. First off I want to say - Happy Happy Happy NEW YEAR to y'all. All is going well here in the Appalachian mountains where I am for the most part, cozily tucked into my little mini (560') vintage farmhouse.

Today, (seriously)... I remembered I have a blog. Yeah, I know,, crazy - right? You probably wonder how someone can actually forget that she has a blog, but yes, I actually have not thought about blogging in months, until I got some snail mail from a friend.  Don't be concerned, it is not that my mind is slipping it's that I  haven't had much interaction with  my computer over the past several months. Y'all know I am a low tech girl. I see it as a good thing, for myself anyway. If the grid went down, I would be just fine and not miss a beat.

 

During winter months I tend to hibernate. I consider myself a happy loner and while I am not at all shy and am very chatty it comes as a big surprise to many that I identify myself as an introvert.

Introvert Definition: The definition of an introvert is someone who prefers calm, minimally stimulating environments. Introverts tend to feel drained after socializing and regain their energy by spending time alone. ... In other words, if you're an introvert, you were likely born that way.

Chilly darker and shorter days of winter give way to more time curling up near the fireplace and appreciating the opportunity to be still. Yes, I guess that comes with being more mature or in other words (older).  Mature sounds so much better...don't cha think? I didn't  slow down and chill out  when I was younger. I was always a hyper active kid and considered myself a human doing instead of a human being.  I only truly relaxed when I was alone, with animals or in nature. I feel blessed to have never experienced being lonely. As a child of God I realize I am NEVER alone.

 Tiny white lights are covered with white garland to give a faux snow effect. I enjoy the sparkle of light they give off and quite often leave them on during the darker days of winter. Snow flakes are on my trees and hanging from my chandelier as well as in my windows. I have always loved snowflakes.

 Decorating the farmhouse with Christmas lights and trees makes the winter months more enjoyable.. The twelve days of Christmas ended this past Sunday but I intend to leave my decorations up through this month of January. By now you must have figured out that I totally march to my own drummer. It is not like the decor police will come a knocking on my door.

 I really like these farmhouse window grids. They can be a pain to wash and dust but the fact that I can decorate each little sill  over rules the washing and up keep  part. The charm and cute factor over rules practical IMO. Maybe in 20 years I will change my tune on that. Sometimes I use cafe curtains or vintage dish towels on the lower half. Old chippy ceiling tin makes a great awning. I took apart an old chandy to create crystal fringe for the awnings. Not the norm, 'I know' but again this is how I roll.

 If you have visited here before and read any of my posts you know I tend to go on rants about technology on a pretty regular basis. So many people get upset and irritated with me because they are SO used to being in instant contact with everyone else they know.  I am out of their loop because for the most part, I'm a  technology rebel.. One of the few who has never sent a text and who does not use a cell phone. Heck, I don't even use, or carry a purse. I would have no idea what to put in it. And for the life of me I don't know why I would carry a tiny computer (phone) on my body to be in constant communication with anyone, not even a significant other. Hey, It works for me just fine and life is good this way in my humble opinion. Don't ask others though, they get irritated with my choices.

The past few weeks of cold chilly weather as well as more gray days than I like have given me flash backs to my life in WA State. YUCK... Some love it there and thrive, but for me the PNW.... not so much, actually not at all.  I so dislike dark gray dripping drizzle days and am forever thankful that we only have a couple gray days in a row before we have sun breaks, Bright blue sunny  winter days brighten my spirit. They are much needed for a gal who gets SAD (Seasonal affect disorder).

I recently had lunch with a freind and she told me that  I am in big denial of a sunny, simple lifestyle. That is my motto to help me keep on track for a peaceful life.  She lovingly tells me I have way too much stuff and well, I probably do. All right I DO have to much stuff in my little home. I just get so bored with looking at the same old same old and like to change things out now and again. However some things are in place for many years to come due to the size and layout of my little farmhouse. I mean where else can I put my sofa or the kitchen table? I am limited here but the feel of being mortgage free vs having a big home to shuffle things around works out much better for me.


 My friend has a beautiful farmhouse and prefers a minimalist home style. She tells me that I "romance the ordinary". A cute way of defining my style. I rescue what others toss out and add a new touch to re purpose many items. I have in my farmhouse cottage.

Did you make any New Years Resolutions?  I didn't officially make any but I do hope to be warrior like in my 5 to 1 rule. For every new thing I buy for my home 5 things have to be donated. This self imposed rule worked pretty well last year.  I am so very thankful that my friends are finally on board with not sending me stuff that adds clutter to my home and stress to my life. I have more than I need..

Dual or multi purpose items work great for tiny or small space living. I do not think you have to give up changing out decor or completely restrict your desire to decorate your small home for different seasons. I bought this little truck and it was originally yellow. I spray painted it white and I have used it for so many things. I have used it as a candy dish (before I removed refined sugar from my diet). I have used it in my bathroom to hold guest soaps. I have used it on my porch to hold tiny succulents.
This year I mostly used it on my kitchen table to hold the salt, pepper and Tabasco. And of course here it is this Christmas under a vintage style silver faux tree.

I have not purchased any new Christmas decor for many years now. I don't think that I will ever need to either. I put up four Christmas trees this year in my little cottage. And I have a couple in storage that I have yet to bring out. Maybe next year?  I opt for ornaments that are tiny and reflective as well as flat ornaments such as my snowflakes which store away easily in minimal space.

 

 This old hand made vintage cabinet (above) is a prized possession of mine. I adore the untouched original patina and the mis matched hardware. It dates back well over a century. I was thrilled that it fit on this wall within less than one quarter of an inch. Once I measured it, I knew she was coming home with me.  Back in the day they used a LOT of this green paint color.


My farmhouse is mostly dressed in shades of white, off white, greige and gray except for this vintage piece. IT is sort of a sage green which is a calming color to me and works well in my home. The vintage scale is the same exact color. For winter I have a Hot Chocolate station.

 This little hand made snowman or snow woman was purchased at an art and craft show many years ago. It fit perfectly on this little Victorian shelf this Christmas. A thrift store scrabble game was a deal at just fifty cents and allows me to add messages in the tiniest of spaces.

Tiny trees from the dollar store line the top shelf.  I like using small shelf's in the farmhouse. They allow me to change them up as often as I want, with out adding nails to hang things.

I don't blog for months on end and then post a picture heavy update. I won't share my bedroom or front room holiday decor because..well because that would take a whole other post and you guys know how I roll by now. However, I am sharing a few photos of my tiny 42' sq bathroom dressed up for Christmas. Am I the only blogger just now blogging about Christmas? Ah, life is good in the country. 

When living in a tiny home, one must get creative when it comes to decorating. The bathroom window has a deep sill that holds seasonal and everyday items. Another 'Dollar Store' Christmas tree  keeps company with a sweet tiny vintage oil lamp that actually works and is used quite often.

What is this you ask? When my forty two square foot tiny bathroom was remodeled , I requested a built in spot for my toilet paper rolls. Actually one can be stored on top but why waste a great nook to decorate. I always say.. cute rules over practical. A vintage itty bitty nativity fit this nook perfectly.

A bit of shiny bling bling surrounds a faux silk rose. This spot is just above my claw foot tub.

Ah,, I so look forward to soaking in my tub at the end of the day. A perfect place to relax IMO.


Thanks for popping in to visit my corner of the world. I am looking forward to spending time this month sifting through my favorite blogs and catching up on what is new in your life. I hope this year finds you in good health and surrounded with blessings.

As always I will  not let a blog post go by without letting you know that - It is never to late to have a happy childhood. Many of us as children as well as adults have experienced hiccups, neglect, and dysfunction as well as early childhood trauma. We can choose to listen to the inner child, honor our inner child and re parent that hurt, angry, abused or neglected child.. Be kind to yourself and know that you are made in the image of God and he adores you just as you are now today. Blessings-

Should any reader desire prayer please do not hesitate to ask. I will not post your request publicly but will honor your privacy and hold you in prayer, just please request to not have your comment go public. If you care to have your comment go public so other believers can also lift you up in prayer that is also fine. Make your request for privacy or your comments will be public. Other believers in the Lord JESUS CHRIST-please hold up others in prayer. Prayer is powerful. Please visit back to share what God has done in your life as you see fit.

 God restores and turns ashes into beauty. He heals and I truly know that while I am a blessed child of God, I know that I am not home yet. I am a pilgrim in this land.  The JOY of the LORD is my strength and may it be yours.

                                                                   Love, Tonita

TINY (42'sq ft) FARMHOUSE BATHROOM TRANSFORMATION - Part 3

 For the rest of the story and 'before' photos of this transformed tiny farmhouse bathroom please see my last two posts, part 1 HERE and Part 2 HERE , or scroll down and click on 'older posts'. Warning-this post is picture heavy. One photo for every square foot of space...that's 42 pics.
Sit back, scroll and enjoy as I take you on a tour.

 The house itself is 560' sq feet, and the homes only bathroom is 42' sq feet. Working in such a tiny space presented several challenges. To get an idea of just how small my bathroom is -  stretch out your arms and imagine that it's much narrower than the space between your hands. Yes, every INCH really does matter in a situation such as this. I originally considered making it larger but decided to work within the homes original framework to keep it small, cozy and simple.

A 1918 medicine cabinet hangs on the wall above the toilet.

 Demolition revealed original wood planks on two walls and the ceiling. New pine planks were added where necessary. I used a high end white glossy paint from Lowe's 'Reserve' line to  brighten the space and invite light to reflect off the walls. This tricks the eye and makes tiny spaces appear larger. The old shower/tub combo and tile was removed and a 4-1/2' 1924 claw foot tub and new plumbing took its place.

This tub came out like new, what a transformation in and of itself. I am so pleased with it.
I  used the Annie Sloan chalk paint color called 'French Linen' as my inspiration for the color of the tubs exterior. While you can paint the outside of a claw foot tub with Annie Sloan chalk paint, a different type of paint was  used when the tub was professionally refinished. I wanted to keep this room in a neutral palate, as I can easily add in pops of color down the road that will work well with  both the gray tub and  the white walls.

A galvanized milking stool works as a  towel stand and a vintage doily hides bubble baths, lotions and potions

A new higher toilet was installed and I'm not loving it. I  prefer the shorter ones

The Loo Watchdog

Using a tub to bathe is so 'on purpose'. You can't just jump in and out as quickly as you can with a conventional shower. Unless... you have a faucet such as the one below. It is really easy and comfortable to shower in a sitting position. For me, having a relaxing and super comfortable bath to soak in is part of my simple, sunny life plan. I don't want to rush as much as I did in years past. I make my tub time a relaxing ritual, that includes  good music, candles, homemade skin treatments, and sometimes a glass of Organic red wine, or hot herbal tea. For extra pampering I throw in a handful of fresh flower petals from my garden, and keep a good book or magazine nearby. Then, when my ritual is nearing its end, I can easily rinse off and get ready for life's adventures.
   

This faucet makes hair washing easy and tub cleaning fast and simple

There is a small nook about 31" wide and 12" deep on the left side, that allows this 4 1/2' tub to fit. How perfect it worked out. I have a few inches to spare back there, and use that space to store my toilet brush and some bathroom items. Again, when you only have 42 sq ft' to work with, every single inch is important and useful.

A vintage nightgown with lacework hangs behind the tub

Proper placement of mirrors helps to reflect light in tiny spaces

Using hooks allows me to switch up my decor on a whim

I painted the ceiling trim grey and did a white dry brush treatment on top

A wreath of roses adds a romantic touch over the tub

 I use small shelves and also hooks throughout my home. They allow me to change things up by adding, removing or hanging different items in just a few minutes. That way, I avoid hunting for a hammer and nails. Most importantly, I avoid lots of holes in the plank walls from pounding nails in them. That's.important for a person like me who gets bored and likes to change and switch things up ...as the mood strikes. If I want a picture or new painting on my wall, I just set it on the shelf instead of adding nails and screws all over the room.

A small wall shelf, where sweet things rest

Below, you will notice the vintage (once gold) frame I shared in a prior post. I gave a whopping $3.00 for it at a thrift shop. It now has a new life after several layers of chalk paint, crackle glaze. and dark wax. It's new job is to surround a piece of rusty iron (love birds) art work that I picked up at a flea market.

I purchased this old chippy coat hanger because it had such character. I especially like that it has really deep hooks that allow me to hang towels or some of my vintage items on it. I can change things out really fast and so at $9.00 it was a must have. I like the options that hooks and shelves provide both for practical (what's that?) items or fancy impracticable but pretty (must have) finds.

I have a thing for old wooden hangers that can do double duty. I use them to hold jewelry, towels and pretties in my bathroom

"T"  for TRUMP !!! embroidered towel.

Vintage lace, wood and pearls

I choose wood plank flooring for the bathroom. Actually, I first did a special order for the tongue and groove type at a big box store, all against Mountain Man's (my carpenter, friend) recommendations. He installed them anyway and it turned out that I was a few planks short.  I didn't have time to wait for a special order for just a few more planks and remembered that Mountain Man  told me from the very beginning to buy the cheaper NON tongue and groove planks. He was right, I was wrong, I admit that here to the world, or the few who read this. The cheaper ones actually had straighter edges and Mountain Man fit those babies together like a puzzle on my floor. They were way better than the tongue and groove flooring. Keep in mind he is the guy who on purpose cut some wood into like three thousand pieces, stained them different shades and then inlaid them in an amazing artistic pattern on his OWN floor. So, I should of went with his suggestion to purchase the less expensive boards for my flooring. Lesson learned.

 I used. two coats of Min wax stain on the floor boards for the base coat and then I used a white paint dry brushing technique on top of them, before I sanded and sealed them with a Min wax product topcoat. Before the stain products, I think I was right around $93.00 for flooring.

If  you have a boxy room adding circular or oval shapes helps to soften the space

                              
           In a  wee little loo such as this one you have to get creative in finding ways to store your stuff. I definitely am on a journey to downsize but I have not fully embraced that concept, quite yet. I am a bit of a prepper and that can be a drawback to, or incompatible with small space living. At this time I only have two dresser drawers under the sink, a deep medicine cabinet and the vintage pieces above, which sit on the floor and hold my necessities (and then some). I do have plans to increase my storage space in this tiny bathroom in the near future. More about that in a later post.

                                                                     

The galvanized box is an old milk man deliver box

                                     

A tiny vintage suitcase holds my cosmetics

Below is my beloved 1918 (see the last post for details and before photos) medicine chest. She went from being a brunette to being a blonde. I really wanted to keep her original patina, but the old white Annie Sloan chalk paint transformed her into a softer more feminine lady. She went from being brown to being a white girl. Calm down,- Nancy Pelosi and other liberals. White is beautiful too !!!!
                     
                                                                  

From brunette to blonde with Annie Sloan Old White chalk paint

                                                                    

Hearts appear in all  the rooms of my home

Great storage for Chinese medicine, herbal tinctures, and homeopathic remedies.

I have always had a great fondness for vintage architectural pieces. I have several salvaged Victorian gingerbread pieces that I won't ever part with. From old doors, windows, corbels, columns and more....well - I adore them all. So naturally, I had to incorporate a few pieces into this bathrooms decor. Below, you can see the vintage window that I rescued from a dumpster. I used chippy old legs salvaged from a vintage baby's crib to flank the freebie dumpster window and then I dressed her in a .25 cent vintage doily and topped her with a rusty iron crown, that was purchased at a flea market.

                                                                                         

A perfect little cubby for my toilet paper

The vintage window that I scored from a dumpster

                                                                      

                                                                      

At my request, Mountain Man made me a double decker toilet paper cubby. A second roll of toilet paper can be stored in this recessed nook. However, in my world cute over rules practical. Why waste a perfectly good space on toilet paper when it can be used for a crowned bird and a tiny nest? I plan to add a tiny mirror or maybe wallpaper it's upper section. Why do I adore tiny spaces so much? I do not like to see appliances, so I hung a ceiling tin to hide the wall heater just under the window. Easily removed when it is in use.

My toilet paper cubby

                                                                                 

                                                     

                                                         
 This area below shows a tiny door build into the wall right next to my bathroom vanity / sink. Did you know that if you leave your toothbrush out in a holder sitting on your vanity you are essentially brushing your teeth with what ever bacteria floats in the room when you flush your toilet? Yeah, think about that one for awhile. It is VERY important to keep your toothbrush in good clean shape to do it's job of cleaning your teeth, instead of swooshing around toilet water ingredients and bacteria in your mouth.. So- get yourself a mountain man if need be to get your toothbrush in a good place to do a great job for your health and your smile. You don't have to have a room built just for your tooth brush, but you should never leave it exposed and open in the same room that you flush your toilet in. No charge for the tidbit. Here is my toothbrush cabinet with a sweet crystal knob for easy access.

My toothbrush has it's own room

Inside my toothbrush cubby

The wall light fixture (below) was purchased at a big box store. They didn't make a ceiling fixture to match. So, I made my own. I had a stash of IKEA electrical cords, where you can just add a bulb and a shade to quickly make a new light. I called the manufacturer of the wall light fixture and ordered a matching fluted glass shade to have an extra one on hand should I break one in the future. Won't tell you why I thought to do that. As it worked out they said that light fixture and it's shades were discontinued and they just happened to have one left in the warehouse (after I pestered them to death to please double check while I held on the line). Sure enough..very last one and a steal at $3.00  plus postage. I used that shade paired with electrical components from my stash, and Mountain Man installed it on a dimmer switch. I was so excited to create this (below) ceiling light for under $12.00.

These architectural pieces will eventually be used as brackets for an over the door shelf for bath towels

 

Hand made ceiling light by yours truly

And now... the other end of my 42 square foot tiny bathroom. If you remember this dresser/vanity was spray painted glossy black when I brought it home. It had a wormy chestnut topside which I really liked. I chalk painted the base grey and it was just to much grey for such a small space. Next, I  painted the drawer fronts with Annie Sloan's 'Old White' and added new scroll work on the legs. I kept the same drawer pulls that it came with. Please note, - the pulls were removed at the time of these photos. I am considering doing some graphics on the front of it or adding french script across the front of the drawers. Not quite sure? Maybe I will just leave it be once the hardware is in place. I just realized that I do not have full frontal pictures of this vanity to share now.

A  very heavy, and beveled edged mirror with a beautiful wood frame was a free find left behind in an old barn

Fancy flower shaped soaps are for everyday use. Life is short - use the fancy stuff

Chippy painted tin tiles work great as a back splash

Below, (and also above) is a lamp base from the 40's. Once I laid eyes on this cast iron, heavy duty, chippy, gem - I claimed it as "mine".  I like to re-purpose items for use in unconventional ways. This lamp base was naked (no lamp shade) or wiring and it's owner would NOT come down on the price, not even $1.00. I knew that this bad boy was still coming home with me, even after seeing the 'no bartering' note on it's price tag. Hey, I tried anyway. It would stand duty, as a towel holder in my bathroom. It set me back $45.00 but I was in love at first sight, well maybe it was lust.

I hunted for a  tall scalloped shaped vintage lamp shade to top it off and finally found the perfect one for $3.00. Perfect. match. I promptly stripped the shade down to its metal bones. Just what any  normal vintage, rustic, industrial, farmhouse, french style loving girl would do. right?  Now the shade or what was left of it and the bad boy lamp base do duty as a vintage hand towel and jewelry holder. Perfectly shabby chic. Just how I like it.

Lamp base re-purposed as a towel holder

I found this vintage reproduction enamel cup and holder (below) years ago. You may recognize it, as I have one just like it in my tiny (8'x18)' house  Before I moved to NC I knew that I wanted to use one in my farmhouse bathroom and I searched online high and low to find another one. It seem to blend right into the wall when I hung it so I layered it onto a french chalk painted frame. It is filled with a hen shaped soap bar with tiny little egg shaped guest soaps. As you can see, I just add pieces of decor that I enjoy. NO RULES.

Whew.. I need to run some hot water, fill my tub and take a long bubble bath after this huge picture heavy post. I included FORTY TWO photos. One photo in honor of  each square foot of my tiny bathroom. Yes, it is small, really small- as well as the rest of this farmhouse cottage. I intentionally created this type of lifestyle. ON purpose and with great thankfulness. I am blessed to have been able to create a mortgage free, sunny simple life style. I worked for it, it was not handed to me. I had to sacrifice many things to create this lifestyle. It was not an easy path but oh so worth it.to get to this place in life. I do not regret downsizing my last home and the lifestyle I had back then. The large mortgage, massive property taxes and huge utility bills over shadowed the few positives. And the rain, well that was definitely torture for me. And now I can look back and be thankful for the rain as it motivated me to change my life sooner than not.

 I am such a low tech girl, it's been exhausting to sit at my computer and get these pictures posted. Much rather be doing hands on demo work and remodeling or a hundred other things than to sit in front of a computer this long. I realize all over again, how thankful I am that I don't have any use for a cell phone,  never sent a text and don't pay to much attention to emails either. However, this blog remains a way for me to keep in touch with long distance friends and family and also stay in touch with those of you who take the time to visit here.

 Life...for me is better lived in a small house. It is like being wrapped in a hug. Easier to buy, build or pay off, instead of being owned by your homes costs. I encourage those of you who have considered changing your lifestyle to go for it. Yes, it is a journey to downsize but a much easier road to travel IMO.

While I have less room it allows me to have much more freedom in so many other ways. 

Life is so short, use the good dishes, use the fancy soaps, and remember that no matter your age, it is never to late to have a happy childhood. No matter your age find a way to play.

BLESSINGS,

 Tonita 

   I shared this post with The Charm of Home blog. A wonderful blog where you can be inspired.