Sunday, April 13, 2008

New Project! **Now With A Contest**

When we bought our house five years ago, the bathroom was a big selling point. We loved the elegant, understated wallpaper.


These days the wallpaper is looking a little shabby, peeling off in some areas, and scratched off by Oliver in other areas. Also, we're just tired of it and ready for a change. We've decided that a makeover is in order.

Now we're looking to make it a little more fun--a juicy, refreshing color is going to go on the walls as soon as we decide on one. It's funny though. With these samples taped up on the wall, I am starting to like some of them I had initially not even noticed. It's going to be hard to make a decision, that's for sure.


But nevertheless, a decision must be made. We're kind of committed to it now.


As for knitting, I started a Baby Surprise Jacket yesterday. No, I'm not having a baby--it's not that big a surprise.

Sarah and I decided to do a little craft swap. She's sewing me a tote bag, and I'm doing the BSJ for the baby she's got cooking. So unfortunately that means no progress shots because I want her to be surprised when she gets the package. But I'll show it off after she receives it.

****ETA: I totally missed my Blogoversary! It was April 10. I thought it was sometime in May. Poo, I was looking forward to doing a blog contest. It is too late, or should I go ahead and celebrate?

Ok, for my Blogoversary contest, please make a guess as to what color we will end up painting the bathroom. It will be one of the colors pictured below. Leave your guesses in the comments. In the event of a tie, I will write the names on strips of paper, wrap peanut butter in them, and let Elly decide.

She's totally excited already. Also a little bit confused about why she is being made to pose in the bathroom. It's a theme, Elly--go with it.


Did someone mention a prize? There will indeed be a prize for the eventual winner--a skein of the oft-coveted Wollmeise sock yarn. This is an intriguing blend of blue and brown, colorway (if that is indeed what Farbe means): Dani.


Leave your comments by 12 midnight Central Standard Time Friday, April 18th. The winner will be announced as soon as a color is chosen.

Hints and Tips:

1. This is a small bathroom, which means we are not likely to choose one of the darker shades.
2. Paul and I both have blue eyes. This may or may not mean anything.
3. We are still completely undecided, so once you post your guess, feel free to send me emails lobbying for your choice.
4. It's not likely to be purple. Our laundry room is already purple.

Good luck to all! Here are your choices:

86 comments:

Sarah Jackson said...

pretty colors! I'm partial to the greens, myself, with a bright white trim.

I'm really looking forward to this swap - I can't wait to see what you've picked.

Marianne said...

The swap sounds like Fun! Can't wait to see the BSJ!!

Oh boy! a freshen up on the bathroom, hmmmmm, I'm liking those blue/green colours.

Marianne said...

er... I just noticed the question, is it too late? Honey, it's your blog and if you want to celebrate... let's just all haul out the party hats!

Sheepish Annie said...

It's never too late to celebrate! I say, go for it!

Meanwhile, I'm loving the colors for the bathroom. So bright and cheery!

Sarah said...

Happy blogiversary!
I love a bright bathroom, it's easy to pull it off and when you get tired of it, it's a quick fix to paint over it. Nice colors you have chosen!

Jen said...

Ooh, those are nice colors. I like greens too, but that pinky violet at the top--that would be fun. My husband would have a heart attack if I painted our bathroom purple, maybe that's why I like it. :) Not because I want to give him a heart attack--just because it would be fun to do something so bold just for fun.

And you know, it's never too late to celebrate.

Amy said...

That's so funny! I was going to compliment the wallpaper, which I immediately noticed when my RSS reader loaded up your post. I love a lot of the colors you've chosen to replace it. I'm going to guess sweet midori as the replacement - midori was the first liquor I ever tried, and I love that shade of green personally. (Though, really, I don't think you can go wrong with those colors.)

Mari said...

I love the greens. Very pretty.

I will guess the Grape Green.

Beautiful color.

Happy blogiversary.

Chris said...

Happy blogiversary!! Um, gotta go with Lacy Sunday. :)

craftyminx said...

OOH yay for color! I pick balmy seas, just because it's fun to say. Happy Blogiversary and happy painting!

Penny said...

I can't decide between Tart Apple and Pastel Jade.... I guess if I had to chose just one, I'd go with Pastel Jade. Can't wait to see which you pick!

Phara said...

I'm going to say Fresh Water...but I'll have you know it's killing me as an interior designer not to know what other colors are in your home (except for the purple laundry room, of course). And don't be afraid to put a dark color in a small space...it can make the space more dramatic and make it feel more than it really is. Questions...call me.

Kat said...

I vote for Botanical Tint!
That's really close to the color of my bathroom, and a year later I'm TOTALLY in love with the color. Everyone who sees it loves it, too!

I've got pix on my blog if you click on the tag for 'remodel' if you want to see.

I have to disagree with Phara--that bathroom was originally a dark, dark, dark maroon and it was HORRIBLE. I swear the bathroom gained about 20 feet when we painted it a lighter color. The other bathroom was a horrible dark, dark green that took THREE coats of primer and TWO coats of paint (good, high-quality primer and paint no less!) to cover. I suspect that those dark colors were why this house took so long to sell, although that was good for us--it was still on the market when we came looking. :-)

Anonymous said...

I think Pastel Jade.

Happy Blogiversary!

Jody said...

Those are all totally "my" colors! I think you'll go with Botanical Tint.

Happy blogiversary by the way!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary!

I like Japanese Fern!

Anonymous said...

I say go for Aquatic Mist. That's a lovely color. Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will be wonderful and you'll both be happy, that's what matters most.

XOXO rori

Christy said...

Tart apple! Tart Apple!
Looks like there were a lot of greens and that green would go great with blue eyes ;)
Good luck on the redo.

staceyk said...

Tart Apple! I have a room in my house in a very close color! Go Green!! Hee Hee! You know, earth day is coming;)

Dawn said...

Happy blogiversary! I like refreshing pool or cool jazz. Both of those colors sound so relaxing and who doesn't want to be relaxed in the bathroom. Plus I hear blue colors are soothing... You could have your own at home spa.

Anonymous said...

Crisp Green! Love it!
Happy Blogiversary :)

nettie said...

Hi Emma, thanks for stopping by my blog. And good luck with the BSJ - you might want to stop by again to see how I'm going with my first BSJ attempt. And, by the way, I'm not so good with colours, so sorry, but I wouldn't dare vote on your bathroom makeover. Looks like you've got lots of lovely suggestions, though.

knitnzu said...

Hi Emma, Chris sent me over. Though I like the greens too, I'll guess Fresh Water... Caroline Parakeet is my second choice...do I get one of those? Without seeing any of the cards, I thought Fuschia! (only because I wanted to paint our dark hallway a bright waxy fuschia and hang our animal skull collection on it, I thought the bone white would be set off nicely by the cheery pink, but DH said no way).

Mia said...

I vote for the California Violet.. um.. maybe because it's about the same color as MY bathroom ::laughing:: looks great with white trim and makes the room feel soothing :)

Mia said...

I like the sweet petal (dark pinkish rose) one too.. it's kind of different and looks great with white.

sheep#100 said...

Fresh Water - because I like blues and blues and the bathroom just go together. After that, snow white trim (to remind you of fluffy clouds in the sky) and for accent colors in the curtains and such, Bubble Bath.

Very topical!
Good luck with the painting.

Krysstyllanthrox said...

Hubs and I are in the process of redoing our very small (and only!) bathroom. Because it is so small we are going with a light green, very close to the Tart Apple color, for the walls. The tub surround, cabinet, toilet, and medicine cabinet are going to stay a bright crisp white. And all of the accessories are going to be a shiny stainless steel since there is an old heater in the wall that is (mostly) shiny stainless.

When we go to sell we're hoping for a "Wow, great bathroom!" rather than "Wow...what a small bathroom."

That and I have some really awesome metal art that is going to look FABULOUS in a bathroom that way.

All that being said... Pick out your favorite colors, buy a small test pot of the paint and paint a big splotch on the wall. Then live with it for a few days to see how the different lights play on it. Something that looks good at night may not look good in the Saturday morning sunshine. And just remember, you have to the be one to live with it...not us. :D

Unknown said...

Happy blogiversery! The colors are great and it would be so hard to choose. I think I will have to pick Botanical Tint.

Traceyleezle said...

I'm going with the Hidden Meadow. I love green especially in bathrooms. You figure that's usually the first room you head to in the morning so you want something fresh and lively to help perk you up.

Happy Blogiverssary!

Amanda Jean said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Amanda Jean said...

I'm guessing cool jazz. and happy blog anniversary. :)

Crazy For Yarn In Alabama said...

Tart Apple is my favorite...this room apprears to have a lot of light and I think the light green would look GREAT!!

Wonderful Idea for a contest.

Knit and fall back in it said...

If it were my bathroom I would go with the sweet rhapsody with teal ice on the trim. Elly is just her being her little adorable self.

Anonymous said...

Came from Chris's blog---I pick Carolina Parakeet--it look's most refreshing....

Anonymous said...

All those colors are gorgeous.

My vote is for Refreshing Pool.

Anonymous said...

Hmm. I vote for Lazy Sunday. Bubble Bath on Sundays!

So hard to pick from a gorgeous palette.

Olga said...

Happy blogaversy! I think the Japanise Fern is a nice peaceful color for a bathroom where one goes to meditate. Good luck with your project!

Bunny Queen said...

Happy Blogiversary! I've always loved water-like colors in bathrooms and (on my monitor at least) Cool Jazz looks like a lagoon. Plus, it's a great color name. ;)

Diana T. said...

Happy blogiversary!
I have a friend who painted her bathroom a really bright green and it makes everyone look a bit "green about the gills" when looking in the mirror. Its a happy color,but hard on the complexion!Its hard to pick, there all great colors, but I like Sweet Rhapsody.

Eve said...

C'mon, Cool Jazz!

I love teal-y colours.

Turtle said...

I am guessing Adriatic Mist as this is the color we just redid our bathroom in. I love the lightness of it, the color and light reflect well in the room.

5elementknitr said...

I'm going with Tart Apple.

Happy Blogiversary!

I once saw this home show where they soaked sheets in a starch/water solutin and "wallpapered" the walls with it. It was really cool because it covered the walls beautifully, was easy (albeit a bit messy) to get on and you could just peel it off (with no damage to the walls) and "change sheets" when you were bored with it!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary! I have no clue what you'll choose, but the greens definitely have the best names -- "Sweet Midori" and "Hidden Meadow" are my favourites!

Tara said...

Aqua Spray!! Aqua Spray!! Aqua Spray!!

Bathrooms should be blue. Or yellow. Depending on your personality. Blue=calming, oasis type zen. Yellow=Wake your fool ass up, you're late for work

Kate said...

Gorgeous colors. I think I would pick Hidden Meadow if it were my bathroom. So that's my guess, I guess! It looks just the right amount of juicy on the wall.

Happy Blogoversary!

Jason said...

I'm gonna go with Fresh Water.

wenat said...

I think that Bubble Bath is the perfect name for a bathroom paint colour. The shade is also lovely -- light and warm -- you don't want your bathroom to look too cool.

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogoversary missus!

I am going to guess Botanical Tint for the paint choice.

Sarah said...

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Mindori-whatever color. It's a bit bright, but boy does it pop!

Happy belated blogiversary!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to your blog!

I'm guessing Happy Meadow!

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

Happy Bloggiversy

I'm guessing cool jazz for most of the walls with blue rhapsody on the wall with the window.

whatever you choose will be great thought - they're all pretty colours

Anonymous said...

Happy Blog'oversary.... I would vote Botanical Tint...

Veronique said...

Happy blogiversary :)
Ooh, I like pastel jade! It's hard to choose, isn't it?

melissa said...

i'm just going to go with the one that i think has the best name - salty tear! :)

Maureen said...

oooo! Love it! All the color swatches are fun!! I think I chose "Refreshing Pool" Wouldn't that be fun to say! "Walk this way into our 'refreshing pool' ... yes the bathroom!" Good luck making your paint choice! BTW if it helps, my eyes are blue too! :)
Happy Blogiversary!

Miss T said...

Happy Blogiversary! I think it's Botanical Tint. Beautiful color, perfect for a bathroom, gorgeous with your white accessories.

Anonymous said...

And I, the longtime lurker, think that you will choose Sweet Midori. (Or maybe that's just what I would choose...)

Although any of those colors will be beautiful and fresh!

Anonymous said...

I love the Fresh Water, I think that's your pick! ;)

limedragon :-: Harriet said...

I think you all will choose Fresh Water. : )

Happy belated Blogiversary! : )

Anonymous said...

Teal Ice, I just painted my small dark bathroom with it and it looks very nice, if I say so myself.

CC said...

Carolina Parakeet just because I like the name.

ikisti said...

sweet midori

i think it's pretty and sassy.

everyone likes a sassy bathroom.

Jeanne said...

Refreshing Pool.

Knittymama said...

You're making me want to paint my bathroom! :-)

I'm going with Tart Apple

Joan K said...

I like sweet rhapsody. Great name and a great color.

Anonymous said...

This renter is feeling such color jealousy. Who would know I could yearn to *paint*?

I'm going with Pale Jade because it's part of the color scheme of the bathroom in the house I grew up with and I really liked it then.

Anonymous said...

I say "Cool Jazz" It seems so tranquil for a bathroom.....Calgon take me away!

Jen C said...

Happy Blogiversary.

I'm going to guess Japanese Fern.

knitmomma said...

Wow, cool colors! I'm going to guess the one I think I would use on that space: Sweet Rhapsody

Anonymous said...

I KNOW you said probably NOT a darker color but Aqua Bay is just gorgeous!!!

Happy painting :)

wenat said...

I've already left my colour choice, but then stumbled across these wallpaper photos and thought of you -- http://emmas.blogg.se/1208201822_bjrklund__wingqvists_.html

BEESTLYproducts said...

HIDDEN meadow!!!!

i effing lurve it.

Anonymous said...

I can't decide between Cool Jazz & Refreshing Pool. I think those are along the same color lines as we're going to use in our bathroom.

Happy Belated Blogiversary. I missed mine also if that makes you feel any better.

Irie said...

Fun! I love choosing paint color, imagining the room in each different shade and how each color would change the room.

I vote for Hidden Meadow! :)

Anonymous said...

'm going with green. Nice and bright to get you going in the morning. Although I love the aqua too1

Kenyetta said...

Elly is adorable!
I like botanical tint and Salty tears.

nicole said...

I vote for Adriatic Mist (my eyes are also blue, 'natch)

Happy Blogiversary!

ikkinlala said...

I'm going to guess Salty Tear because I think that's the one I'd pick.

helenlam said...

Happy blogiversary! I'm voting for Lazy Sunday. Enough blue in it to make it pop, but not TOO bright.

Sanders said...

Great colors! I can't begin to guess... but I will tell you that I have a wallpaper steamer, if you'd like to make the paper removal quick and easy- you're welcome to borrow it!

Susan said...

Oh decisions. Adriatic Mist. I like ths sound of it. We actually re-did our bath recently in light gray and white and I love it.

Anonymous said...

I'm guessing "Honeydew". My second choice would be Pale Jade, but it kinda looks more like a mint color to me.

Anonymous said...

I just painted my bathroom Aqua Spray and I love it.

PictureThiz said...

OK I know it is late but I say Aqua Spray

Heddy said...

I think you'll go with one of the mauves -- vary fresh looking, yet soothing

Happy blogiversary!

Unknown said...

Japanese Fern!