OLD THINGS NEW

FROM BROKEN, TO BEAUTIFUL

Navigation
  • Home
  • Painted Furniture & Misc.
  • Tutorials
  • Contact

A Powder Room & Learning to be Content

June 17, 2015 by Patti 21 Comments

Tweet
Sometimes I see too much beauty.

Botanical Powder Room

Favorite bloggers Homes on Parade.  Gorgeous magazine spreads highlighting the newest trends.  Unending Pinterest pins of serene master bedrooms, spa-like bathrooms, gourmet chef kitchens . . .

Botanical Powder Room

Though I love scouring magazines and blogs for inspiration there are times when it leaves me with a sense of discontent.  Is anyone else like me?  

Botanical Powder Room

When my friend Leslie of GoodbyeHouseHelloHome hears anyone complain about their “lack” she says,

     “Poor American!”

   Yes, poor me, with my large Southern Colonial filled with treasures pulled together over years of collecting, thrifting and inheriting.

Though my home is not what magazines scream that it should be, it is a home that reflects who I am and what I love.

Botanical Powder Room

This is one room I wanted to change when we bought our home in South Carolina last year. 

Botanical Powder Room

My powder room:  Standard issue cabinets, countertops made of some indeterminate material, and Dark. Green. Wallpaper.

In my discontent I made plans . . .  I wanted to take down the paper and replace it with a fresh graphic print, I wanted to find an antique piece that could be turned into a stunning vanity fitted with a gorgeous marble sink, I wanted new light fixtures that dripped crystals, I wanted . . . I wanted . . . I wanted . . .

Botanical Powder Room

Then something happened.

Tweet: Because I couldn’t have everything I wanted, or maybe because I began to feel like I shouldn’t have everything I wanted, my attitude changed . . .

. . . and my feelings about this room changed.

Botanical Powder Room

When I really began to really see the wallpaper, it’s botanical print and soothing color appealed to me more and more.  I love boxwood and have decorated with preserved boxwood throughout my home (HERE).  This wallpaper encompasses the powder room in boxwood and reflects the lovely view of nature seen through the bathroom window into our backyard. 

Botanical Powder Room

My solution was to embrace the beauty of nature by hanging some botanical prints (downloaded free from Vintage Printables).  I displayed them in CLEARANCE frames from Hobby Lobby (sometimes I buy my frames at the thrift store and paint them but this time HL’s were less expensive).

Botanical Powder Room

Next I put a few magnolia flowers in a vase (leftover flowers from THIS magnolia swag in my kitchen).

Botanical Powder Room

Botanical Powder Room

Finally, I put a large tray on the counter and dressed it with an antique lamp and vintage stacked containers (both belonged to my mom) along with some pretty green soaps and a couple of new hand towels from TJ Maxx.

Botanical Powder Room

The tray and the tissue holder are tiled with shell-like material . . .

Botanical Powder Room

. . . and when I put them on the counter I noticed that the sink is shaped like a large white shell. Insert SMILEY FACE here!

I’m happy with my new powder room now even though not much has really changed . . . except my way of thinking.

Botanical Powder Room

Mr. OTN and I have a long list of things we talk about doing with our house, but lately, I’ve been feeling the need to step back and make purposeful decisions based on what’s really important to us.  Maybe this week it is to do a fresh update in my dining room (hanging wallpaper this very week!) or maybe it is to take a portion of what we have and share it to bless someone else.

At peace in my Southern Home.

Tweet

Blessings,

My Signature

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
 UnderTheTableAndDreaming, TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive,
 NiftyThriftyThings,
SilverPenniesSundays, SundaySoiree, SundaysAtHome
Monday:
 IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor,  ModVintageLife,  TheDedicatedHouse, UncommonDesigns, WestFurnitureRevival, BoogieboardCottage, HuckleberryLove, CarrieThisHome, Dwellings, AnExtraordinaryDay,
InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, RedheadCanDecorate
Tuesday:
HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, Elizabeth&Co, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse,  NaptimeCreations, CedarHillFarmhouse, KatheWithAnE,NotJustAHousewife, 
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
TwirlAndTakeABow, TheWinthropChronicles, 7Alive,  Maison de Pax, VintageInspirationParty
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, IvyAndElephants,  DIYByDesign, TheStyleSisters, AdornedFromAbove,
SomedayCrafts, GreenWillowPond, Fishtail Cottage,  TheCityFarmhouse,
BeyondThePicketFence, TheBlissfulBee, Posed Perfection, Inspiration2
Thursday:
NoMinimalistHere, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, AllThingsWithPurpose, MyRepurposedLife, FromMyFrontPorchToYours, ADelightsomeLife, AKAWeekendRetreat,
KatherinesCorner, PrettyPreppyParty
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, MissMustardSeed, ThirtyHandmadeDays, CommonGround, TheShabbyNest, LizMarie, Redoux, JenniferRizzo, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme,  TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday,
 DIYVintageChic,
ShabbyliciousFriday
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, SixSistersStuff, It’sOverflowing, BeDifferentActNormal,
OneMoreTimeEvents,  SayG’DaySaturday,  SaturdaySparks,
TheInspirationGallery
Tweet

Filed Under: Home decorating, Inspiration, My Home, Southern Living Tagged With: Home Decoratig, Inspiration, My Home, southern living

« Freedom Friday – When You’re Not Enough
Feeling sad . . . a Tribute to my Friends. »

Comments

  1. Stacey says

    June 17, 2015 at 10:15 am

    Love this post! Your bathroom is perfect just the way you did it.

    Reply
  2. Arell says

    June 17, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    Your bathroom is quite lovely! I am glad that you changed your mind about changing it. I really love the green wallpaper and what you have done. It is so soothing. Thank you for sharing. I get the same way about my home sometimes. But I try have been working on changing my attitude as well, so your post comes right on time!

    Reply
  3. Connie says

    June 17, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    I needed to read your comments today and I have recently had those same thoughts. I have lived in my house for forty-two years and worked on it constantly. I always had a plan and there was just one or two more spaces to decorate and then it would be finished. That has never happened in all these years. I’ve learned that there is constant upkeep and nothing last. That is God’s way of showing me that the things of this world are very temporary and have no eternal value.

    You have shown appreciation for what you have and are willing to add your touches that have made it satisfying. It looks fresh and pretty!

    Reply
  4. Sharon H says

    June 17, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    Oh, I know that feeling of discontent very well, Patti. But I don’t have the money to do anything about it right now so I have to think about something else! But it’s been almost a hundred years since we’ve added anything new….well, maybe more like 8 or 10 years. But my Living room love seat matches the couch in the great room and I’ve had those for 25 years. No I am not kidding.

    When I buy something, I buy quality. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, it lasts forever. And there’s really nothing wrong with either piece, except I’m sick of the upholstery. These are Riverside and SO. VERY. HEAVY. But well put together. I just long for something different! Someday…{;-)

    But I’m glad you changed your attitude about that bathroom. I think it’s so pretty! I love the soothing color of that deep green with the clean white. It’s so fresh looking!
    Phil 1:3

    Reply
  5. Wendy Johnson says

    June 17, 2015 at 11:15 pm

    way to love what you have! very nice post. Lovely bathroom too.

    Reply
  6. Sandra says

    June 18, 2015 at 8:10 am

    Patti:
    Lovely post! I am new to your blog as of today and what you have said here is so very true. I think we all get caught up in the magazines and we just need to step back and take a hard look at what we already have. Thanks for the reminder!

    Reply
  7. Carole West @ Garden Up Green says

    June 18, 2015 at 8:15 am

    I love this bathroom – so clean and simple. Those pictures look great in there and I agree a home should reflect the person living in it – trends come and go.

    Carole

    Reply
  8. Alice Cone says

    June 18, 2015 at 8:40 am

    Oh how refreshing, Patti!! There is something to be said for leaving the “old” things as it with just a refreshing every now and then. We get so overwhelmed all the time with “look at the new shiney thing” instead of, “appreciate what you have here and Be Thankful”! And your powder room looks absolutely beautiful.

    Reply
  9. Marlene Stephenson says

    June 18, 2015 at 11:55 am

    Sometimes what we already have is enough. I try to look around and see what i can do with what i have,and i have enough. lol

    Reply
  10. Susan says

    June 18, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    I love your bathroom. I especially love the wallpaper and the color of it. Part of the attraction is that it is timeless and not like what everyone else is doing. I would’t change a thing…ever.

    Reply
  11. Mell says

    June 18, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    I admire your attitude. Sometimes we forget just how great our space already is, just because we want change. I was constantly changing things around (still do, but not as often), chasing someone else’s dream and neglecting my family.
    One day I decided to loo through my blog at some of the stuff I had done, and I began to wonder why I changed something that I really loved. I did it because I could. I’ve come to realize that’s not a good enough reason any more.

    Your bathroom is gorgeous and I LOVE that sink.

    Reply
  12. Jen Y says

    June 19, 2015 at 11:04 am

    I love this post!

    I hope I’ve matured enough in almost 50 years to learn to be content. I’m definitely better than I used to be & there are very few things, if any that I can say I need/want to be happy. We’ve lived in our home since 1989 & did pretty much nothing to it until the last few years when we aged into the empty nest. It was hard to be content with my home with a growing family but now I am so glad we spent our time, energy & money on our family instead of our home. Now I have time & energy to focus more on home plus I know much better what I want so hopefully I won’t be as wasteful.

    I love your bathroom. The darker green of the wallpaper would not be my first choice either but especially after reading your post, it does change my perspective on just how beautiful it really is. Anything green & garden is on the top of my list!

    This is my first visit to your blog. I found it through ‘The Shabby Nest’.

    Reply
  13. Pat says

    June 19, 2015 at 11:20 am

    Patti,
    At peace. . .speaks volumes to me, dear friend!!!
    Instead of purchasing “new”. . .”Mr. Ed” and I are still editing and using what we have to renew our home of 13 years!!! I hear your message l o u d and c l e a r!!! Love your vintage botanical prints!!! The addition of the TJ Maxx towels and green cubed soaps are stunning accessories!!!
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    Reply
  14. All that's Jas says

    June 19, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    I love your little personal touches. Everything is nicely tied together. Thanks for sharing with Thursday Favorite Things and hope you have an amazing weekend!

    Reply
  15. Deb says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:25 am

    I love this! Making the most out of what we have! It’s amazing how peaceful it is to let go of what we “want” and just sit back and enjoy what we have. Great post! and love the botanical prints in here : )

    Deb

    Reply
  16. Teddee Grace says

    June 23, 2015 at 3:14 pm

    That dark green was one of my favorite “colors of the year” whatever year that was. I still miss it. I love your bath. Why are we so quick to think we have to jump on some bandwagon some designer has designated as being “in”? So many of the things that are “in” right now are starting to get kind of boring. When I look at the blog postings today many times they all start to look alike. Hang in!

    Reply
  17. Jann olson says

    June 23, 2015 at 10:17 pm

    Good for you Patti! It is easy to want, want, want, when we see so many amazing things out there in blogland. Did you ever stop to think that maybe people looking at your blog are doing the same thing? I love the botanical prints and they really are perfect in that room! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply
  18. kathy says

    June 24, 2015 at 6:21 am

    I think your bathroom looks fabulous. I love the prints and the wallpaper. I get those feelings too!

    Kathy

    Reply
  19. Sherry says

    June 24, 2015 at 10:11 pm

    I love these prints. Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!

    Reply
  20. Thistle says

    June 26, 2015 at 10:22 am

    Such a beautiful room! I love how bright it is! Many great pieces!

    Reply
  21. Cindy says

    June 28, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    Beautiful post Patti, great words of wisdom sweet friend! Your botanical prints look wonderful and I love your wallpaper!
    Thanks so much for shairng at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

OldThingsNew

Welcome! I am Perfectly Imperfect Patti and I’d like to invite you to come in and take a seat in this creative space of mine.

I love the process of hunting for orphaned and cast off furniture (particularly my Chosen Chairs) and then taking the time to transform each piece into something new and beautiful. This process allows me to reflect upon my own story of transformation and blesses me over and over with each piece I redesign.

Disclosure: Old Things New is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program, which is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com . . . or, in other words, Shopping through my links helps Old Things New keep the lights on!

Search this site

Click below to:

Follow on Bloglovin

Click on icon below to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, & Instagram

facebook twitter pinterest instagram

My HGTV Tiny House Hunter Experience

My HGTV Tiny House Hunter Experience

Instagram

It may be dreary outside, but it’s cheery inside It may be dreary outside, but it’s cheery inside when I get to be doing that thing I love. Chairs!
💜Valentines Day is the day of love!💜 That’ 💜Valentines Day is the day of love!💜 That’s why I chose this day to share the 🎉Grand Opening 🎉of my custom chair design shop on Etsy. Whether you’re in the market for a new chair or not, I would love for y’all to go to my shop and check it out. You might even learn some things about me that you didn’t know before by clicking on the About page. 😉

I’m very excited to do my creative thing and be able  share it with others. This is the first step in a new journey and I greatly appreciate any likes or shares so that I can get my Chosen Chairs shop name out into the marketplace🥰

Chosen Chairs, where every chair has a story.

www.chosenchairs.Etsy.com
Chairs! For many are called, but few are chosen. # Chairs! For many are called, but few are chosen. #biblewisdom #chosenchairs #reupholsteredfurniture #interiordesign #chairs #customchairs #chairdesigner #creativefurniture #uniquechairsdesign #artfulchairs #smallbusinessowner #etsysellersofinstagram #etsyshop
Instagram post 17981859046813542 Instagram post 17981859046813542
Instagram post 18163992019283795 Instagram post 18163992019283795
The morning routine changes everything. #biblestud The morning routine changes everything. #biblestudy #danielstudy #e2mcoffee #charlestoncoffeeexchange #siezetheday❤️
Etsy Shop opening soon for Custom Designed Chairs Etsy Shop opening soon for Custom Designed Chairs by Patti.
We’ll done Buffalo! ❤️💙 We’ll done Buffalo! ❤️💙
Christmas is put away but a little light remains i Christmas is put away but a little light remains in my library dining room. #twinklelights #diningroom #libraryroom #frenchcountry #coastalstyle #diningroomlibrary #lakelifestyle #piercingthedarkness
Delicious New Year’s Day frittata from Leslie Wa Delicious New Year’s Day frittata from Leslie Watkins at Feet under my Table blog. ❤️
We’re eagerly watching London’s New Year’s D We’re eagerly watching London’s New Year’s Day parade on PBS to see two of Bill’s granddaughters participate with their Fleming Island High School marching band in playing a tribute to the queen.
I’m thrilled with this beautiful necklace I rece I’m thrilled with this beautiful necklace I received from @beaglund for Christmas and want to give a shout out to her friend Ashley @livealohadesigns. All of her designs are gorgeous. #supportsmallbusinesses #madewithaloha #ohana
Still going strong after four rounds in the only p Still going strong after four rounds in the only program that has ever worked for me. Sure, I went off plan a few times over the holidays but E2M shows you how to get right back on track toward meeting your goals. It’s not about getting skinny but about being strong, and I feel better than I have in years. Sign ups are open for a limited time for the next 8-week round so check out the link for more info. #e2mpersonaltraining #e2mfitness #e2m #67strong

https://e2mfitness.com/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ
Instagram post 17951728424378926 Instagram post 17951728424378926
When do you take your Christmas tree down? 1. The When do you take your Christmas tree down? 
1. The day after Christmas
2. New Year’s Day
3. The 12th day of Christmas - Dec 6
4. After we’ve had some snow
5. Until Spring 
#ohchristmastree #ilovechristmastrees #christmaslights #thetwelvedaysofchristmas #lakelifestyle
For those wondering if this program really works, For those wondering if this program really works, I’m still going strong with @e2mfitness after four rounds, and now that they’ve released a new cookbook (available on Amazon) I am more excited than ever about my fitness journey. This is the first in a series of cookbooks, and this one features delicious beef and poultry recipes. It also includes dozens of recipes for dressings and spice blends to use in cooking, along with a weekly meal planner, water tracker, weekly exercise log, etc. 
What is E2M? It is a virtual, eight week, rapid body transformation program for adults, which consists of workouts, meal, plans, cooking classes, mental fitness, and personal coaching. Workouts are designed for all fitness levels and can be done at home or in a gym. Our fit family is made up of people from across the world, from various backgrounds and ages, and we all have one common goal: to encourage each other to reach our personal best lifestyle fitness goals. After the first eight weeks, the program is available for free to maintain progress. This isn’t about getting skinny. It’s about building a healthier lifestyle, living longer, and getting the most out of the one body you’ve been blessed with. The next round opens on Thursday, and I truly hope you’ll check it out!
#e2mpersonaltraining #e2mfitness #e2m #eager2cook #67strong #healthyrecipesforhealthyliving
Shumaker Christmas 2022. #christmas2022 #shumakers Shumaker Christmas 2022. #christmas2022 #shumakerstrong #familychristmas #prancerthereindeer #polarplunge
Shumaker Polar Plunge 2022. Participating family m Shumaker Polar Plunge 2022. Participating family members @joelshumaker @olivia.l.05 @sydneydthompson @philshu04 @pj_shumaker @billiamdollarman #shumakerstrong #polarplunge2022 #familychristmas #sothisischristmas
Santa Claus is comin’ to town! #christmas2022 #s Santa Claus is comin’ to town! #christmas2022 #santaclaus ##christmasdecor #goldendoodle
“In 1965, Charles Schulz, a devout Christian and “In 1965, Charles Schulz, a devout Christian and creator of the Peanuts comic strip, was asked to create a Christmas special for CBS featuring the Peanuts Characters. He agreed with one requirement, that they allow him to include the story of the birth of Jesus. Although the stations executives were hesitant and tried to convince him otherwise, Schulz was insistent. As a result, for the past 50 plus years, millions of people have watched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and heard the story of Jesus and “what Christmas is all about.”

It wasn’t until a few years back that I realized a “hidden message” in the film. Linus, a child who seems to have some insecurities as he carries a security blanket with him at all times. In fact, Linus NEVER drops his blanket, except once....

While sharing the message of “what Christmas is all about,” Linus drops his blanket at the exact moment he says the words, “fear not!”

In this seemingly innocent moment, Linus delivers a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. We are to “fear not”, for Jesus is born. We needn’t rely on material things for security, we have God with us, “Immanuel”, (Matthew 1:23) Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior - the true meaning of Christmas.

Awhile back, someone informed me, indignantly so, that Linus picks up his blanket at the end of the speech so my interpretation must be wrong. Well, he was right, Linus does pick up his blanket at the end of his speech. However, he “drops” it again later... 

Amid big, bright, colorful, shiny artificial trees, Charlie Brown chose the least of these, a little, wooden tree with just a few branches. Shortly thereafter, Linus uses his blanket to wrap about the base of the tree and says, “Maybe it just needs a little love”. In that moment, the tree “awakens”, stands tall and firm. A reminder that no matter who we are, how many mistakes we’ve made, a “little love” can make all the difference.

Let’s strive to “fear not” (Luke 2:10) and “love one another” (John 13:34), not just at Christmastime, but the whole year through.”

(Copied & Pasted)
Follow on Instagram

See what I’ve been pinning lately!

Color Washing Technique

Color Washing Technique

Chalk Painted Kitchen Cabinet Tutorial

Chalk Painted Kitchen Cabinet Tutorial

Fab Over 50 (or 60, or 70 . . .)

Fab Over 50 (or 60, or 70 . . .)

Love Fashion? Follow my Fab Over 50 Board on Pinterest!

Archives

  • December 2018 (2)
  • October 2018 (31)
  • September 2018 (2)
  • August 2018 (3)
  • March 2018 (1)
  • December 2017 (4)
  • November 2017 (3)
  • October 2017 (3)
  • September 2017 (4)
  • August 2017 (9)
  • July 2017 (7)
  • June 2017 (8)
  • May 2017 (9)
  • April 2017 (7)
  • March 2017 (1)
  • February 2017 (5)
  • January 2017 (5)
  • December 2016 (1)
  • November 2016 (1)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • September 2016 (3)
  • August 2016 (7)
  • July 2016 (3)
  • June 2016 (4)
  • May 2016 (5)
  • April 2016 (6)
  • March 2016 (7)
  • February 2016 (6)
  • January 2016 (9)
  • December 2015 (12)
  • November 2015 (11)
  • October 2015 (7)
  • September 2015 (3)
  • August 2015 (3)
  • July 2015 (8)
  • June 2015 (6)
  • May 2015 (1)
  • April 2015 (8)
  • March 2015 (10)
  • February 2015 (8)
  • January 2015 (7)
  • December 2014 (9)
  • November 2014 (7)
  • October 2014 (7)
  • September 2014 (3)
  • August 2014 (2)
  • July 2014 (5)
  • June 2014 (5)
  • May 2014 (4)
  • April 2014 (12)
  • March 2014 (7)
  • February 2014 (1)
  • January 2014 (3)
  • December 2013 (7)
  • November 2013 (4)
  • October 2013 (6)
  • September 2013 (6)
  • August 2013 (6)
  • July 2013 (7)
  • June 2013 (11)
  • May 2013 (8)
  • April 2013 (7)
  • March 2013 (9)
  • February 2013 (10)
  • January 2013 (6)
  • December 2012 (5)
  • November 2012 (2)
  • October 2012 (2)
  • September 2012 (2)
  • August 2012 (5)
  • July 2012 (6)
  • June 2012 (3)

Tags

Addiction Antiques and Collectibles Blogging Books Chalk Paint Chalk Painted Furniture Christianity Christmas Coastal Style Crafts DIY Drop cloth projects Entertaining Faith Fall Decor Flowers Food Freedom Freedom Friday Freedom Session French Country Friendship Furniture Painting Gardening God's grace Home Decor Home Decorating Hospitality Inspiration Junking Lakeside living Marriage My Home My Story old junk transformations Prayer Recipes Recovery Redemption Shopping southern living Spring Summer thrifting Tutorial

Fistbump Media, LLC

Copyright © 2025 · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Blogger Boutique for Old Things New Blog

 

Loading Comments...