Welcome back to another edition of our ongoing “Dude Get On That Already” challenge – a series dedicated to tackling those lingering, forgotten projects that often get lost in the shuffle of life and home transitions. This week, we’re diving into a little corner of our guest bathroom that has patiently awaited its moment in the spotlight. Our mission? To bring back to life a trio of beautiful floating vases, originally from CB2, that have been yearning for a purpose for far too long. These elegant teardrop vases, which still grace the CB2 collection, once held a cherished spot outside our first home’s kitchen, adding a touch of minimalist greenery to our daily routines. Little did we know the journey they would embark on, or the eventual destination they would find in our current abode.
From Kitchen Charm to Playroom Purgatory: The Vases’ Revival Story
As you might have guessed, after we moved into our current home, these lovely vases, along with countless other items, found themselves in a state of temporary limbo. Their designated holding cell? The playroom. A familiar tale for many homeowners, our playroom became a catch-all for anything that didn’t immediately have a permanent spot. It’s a common trap – you move, you unpack the essentials, and then a mountain of “to-do” boxes and forgotten treasures accumulates, waiting for that elusive “someday.” For these three floating vases, that “someday” arrived this week!
The transformation was remarkably simple, yet profoundly satisfying. With just three carefully tapped nails into the wall of our guest bathroom, these vases officially shed their playroom purgatory status. They are now three more items proudly off the floor, contributing to a much-needed reduction in clutter. For now, simple grocery store blooms provide a burst of fresh color and life. However, I have grander plans for these beauties. Once these current blossoms fade, I envision them holding graceful leafy branches, exotic air plants, or other intriguing natural elements, perhaps even pillaged (with permission, of course!) from our own backyard. It’s amazing how a small decorative touch can completely alter the ambiance of a space, making it feel more intentional and welcoming.
A Glimpse into the Guest Bathroom’s Potential
Our guest bathroom is one of three bathrooms in the house that has largely remained untouched since we moved in. It’s a blank slate, full of potential, and honestly, a little overwhelming to think about with so many other projects on our plate. However, with our extensive kitchen renovation project finally nearing completion, we’re starting to see a glimmer of hope that we’ll soon be able to dedicate some much-needed attention to these secondary spaces. This little vase project is just the beginning, a small but significant step towards making this guest bathroom feel more like a tranquil oasis for visitors, rather than just a functional necessity. It’s a testament to the power of small projects in breaking down the intimidation of larger ones. Even a few fresh flowers can make a neglected room feel cared for and appreciated.
Declaring Floral Allegiance: The Unveiling of a Favorite
It’s official: after years of admiration for various blooms, I am finally ready to declare my absolute favorite flower. Drumroll, please… it’s the tulip! Yes, it took me almost 30 years to make this definitive statement, but now that it’s out there, there’s no going back. Well, unless I change my mind, of course. (A little humor never hurt anyone!). There’s something undeniably charming about tulips – their elegant simplicity, their vibrant spectrum of colors, and the way they gracefully open and close with the light. They symbolize perfect love and happiness, and their presence instantly brightens any room, making them the ideal choice for a quick and impactful decor refresh. For now, these delicate tulips in our guest bathroom are a lovely, understated accent.
Navigating the Post-Photoshoot Clutter: A Universal Challenge
Take a peek at the bottom right corner of this picture. See that conspicuous brown rectangle? That, my friends, is the giant mirror from our guest room, patiently awaiting its rightful place above the dresser. Our house, even months after a series of intensive book photoshoots, is still in a delightful state of disarray – “jostled” is indeed the perfect word. Random items, props, and furniture pieces are scattered wherever they last landed, creating an obstacle course of “someday” projects. It’s a temporary chaos, a byproduct of creativity and productivity, but it’s still chaos. We’re confident that eventually, every item will find its permanent “home.” In the meantime, chipping away at these smaller tasks, like hanging these vases, brings an immense sense of accomplishment and a gradual return to order. It’s a reminder that progress, even in small increments, is still progress. And if that means taking an “inordinate amount of photos” of these vases from every conceivable angle in this miniscule room, so be it! Documenting the small victories is just as important as celebrating the big ones.
The journey of decluttering and organizing after a major life event, be it a move or a significant project like a photoshoot, is often longer and more intricate than anticipated. It’s not just about finding a spot for things; it’s about rethinking purpose, aesthetics, and functionality. These floating vases are a perfect example of repurposing forgotten items, giving them a new life and a new role in a different part of the house. It’s a testament to the idea that sometimes, the best solutions are already hiding in plain sight, just waiting to be rediscovered. This process not only frees up space but also sparks new ideas for decorating and styling that might not have emerged otherwise.
Embracing the Imperfect: Finding Joy in the Process
Sometimes, decorating (or just existing in a semi-renovated home) calls for a bit of silliness. Look closely – here’s my best impression of a mannequin, captured during a moment of creative inspiration (or perhaps mild delirium from constant DIY!).
I even got a little “artsy” and laid down on the floor to capture a unique perspective. Perhaps it was a spontaneous celebration that this week’s project wasn’t animal-related (a frequent theme in our household!). Or maybe, just maybe, it was because so much of this room is still “rough on the eyes” that staring up at the ceiling offered one of the easiest, most aesthetically pleasing views. Either way, it highlights the often unconventional and enjoyable moments that happen behind the scenes of home improvement. It’s a reminder that the journey doesn’t always have to be perfectly polished; there’s beauty and humor in the imperfections and the process itself. This perspective also allowed me to appreciate the simplicity of the newly hung vases against the otherwise unadorned walls, emphasizing their impact.
Your Turn: Share Your Small Wins and Decor Confessions!
Now, we want to hear from you! What small projects are you currently checking off your long “to-do” list? Do you have stacks of artwork, mirrors, or decorative items just waiting to be hung? Are there any untouched bathrooms (or other rooms) in your home that are desperately in need of some love and attention? Or, perhaps you’ve been holding onto a secret favorite flower declaration that you’d like to finally share with the universe? We love hearing about your home journeys, your design dilemmas, and especially your small victories. These shared experiences make the process of creating a home feel less solitary and more communal. Every tiny step forward contributes to a more organized, beautiful, and functional living space, and there’s immense satisfaction in seeing those “someday” tasks become “today” accomplishments.
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for our ongoing projects and updates! We’re always finding new ways to make our home uniquely ours, one small but significant step at a time. This guest bathroom, for instance, has a long way to go, but these vases mark a happy and hopeful beginning.
Psst- In other exciting news, we announced this week’s big tile giveaway winner! If you participated, click here to see if you’re the lucky recipient of a tile shopping spree. Good luck!