Meet Elmer Huss. He's three years old in this portrait. (His name and age were on the back of his picture when we bought it from a fellow vendor at Junkee) Isn't he just about the dearest little guy?! Well, I mean next to these two doll babies. That's my own Dad, Harlan, on the left and my uncle Roger on the right. Couldn't you just eat them up?
They are all residing in my most favorite room of the new place-yes, many of you guessed it! The bathroom. The restroom, the loo, the water closet, the library..whatever you call it, it's a room full of charm in the little cottage on East Taylor. I could hang out in there all day. (*note* It is very hard to get good pictures in a tiny place like a bathroom, so bear with me.)
Oh, but wait. Let's go back to the beginning, about a month ago. (Wow! Is that all it is? We do work fast!) Here was the fabulous little room a few weeks ago....
Lots of mismatched tiles. And some rather interesting....modifications, like this one here...
Ummm...hmmm....I guess someone wanted to recess their toilet into the wall..? (Who does that?!)
We had the challenge of how to make this little bathroom work for us, on a shoestring budget. We decided we loved the floor, which is all original and in perfect condition. And we loved the original-to-the-house medicine cabinet. 
Everything else? Notsomuch. The patchwork-y tile was bad enough, but that hole in the wall. Augh! We were just not sure what we could do about that. Luckily, Juan, our incredibly-inexpensive-and-reliable-painter guy looked at it and said he knew how to do tile repair, and..get this..he could "bondo" the cut out wood area to look like new. We said "go for it, Juan." And he did. 
Our first plan was to cover the tile over with bead board. Too pricey for us, and it would be quite a challenge. then, we decided to paint the tile. I researched it, and yes, it can be done, with a lot of sanding and oil based primer and paint. Then, we hit upon another idea. Our signature look! Book pages! we have done it on bookcases and dressers, why not the walls? The added benefit is that it can easily be removed if someone else were to take over the home and need to actually shower in here. Three bottles of liquid starch later, and a whole lot of books and here is the finished product... 
The sewing Queen set up her machine in the bedroom and bless her heart, sewed so much burlap her machine may never be the same. (I had no idea burlap was so fiber-y and lint-y. What a mess!) She made us a skirt and a matching shower curtain (and the table skirt in the parlor in a lighter shade of burlap!)
There is still a little bit of tweaking to be done (replacing the shower head for a smaller one and seeing if the Sewing Queen is up for monogramming the towels with our name...thanks for the idea, Betsy!!!!)
*sigh* so there you have it- a tour of my favorite room in the new place. A bathroom with enough reading material (and charm) for anyone.
Wow! You two are decorating dynamos!! That's amazing...and beautifully charming!
Posted by: debi @ life in my studio | June 23, 2009 at 12:58 AM
Adorable! I love the textures and colors. The burlap is a pain but the end results are worth it!
You could seal the pages with water based polyurethane. It has to be water based or it will turn yellowish.
I would give it a few coats.
Posted by: natalie | June 23, 2009 at 02:57 AM
It's just darling Tracey! I can't believe what a difference you have both made in a month! I sometimes wonder if you are getting enough sleep, with a full time job and all these projects, where on earth do you find the time!?
Posted by: Kathy | June 23, 2009 at 04:24 AM
GENIUS! PURE.GENIUS!
Posted by: AJ | June 23, 2009 at 04:56 AM
WOW! Love it - I've been toying with the idea of book papering the bathroom in my old general store using old advertisements and pages from old catalogs. Just did not know exactly how to do it - I was going to use wallpaper paste........liquid starch?
I too wonder where you find the time to do all that you do??????????????
Posted by: DJ | June 23, 2009 at 05:57 AM
Tracey, what a transformation! Just wanted to pass this along to you because I thought the idea was so fun! Went to a restaurant in an old home, and in the restroom, they put a woman manequin seated, to look like she was bathing, and used clear balls, to resemble bubbles, and it was darling! Just a thought. Love what you have done with the place!
Posted by: Candy | June 23, 2009 at 06:15 AM
WHOA !!!! What a transformation? This room looks incredible.
Posted by: juanita | June 23, 2009 at 06:33 AM
Brillant. You two have done an amazing job.
Posted by: becky up the hill | June 23, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Very nice indeed!
I have old radiators that looked pretty dirty and depressing. Just a thought you can clean them up real well and paint them. I had one in the bathroom that I hated. With a couple coats of paint it changed the whole room to neat and tidy.
Best,
Kathy
Posted by: kathy | June 23, 2009 at 07:00 AM
You are so blessed to have the Sewing Queen for a mother. Her heart is in the projects as much as yours is and I'm sure her rates are terrific! Fabric makes all the difference in the world.
I can see why she married Harlan. He's a cutie!
The bathroom does look FABULOUS!
Just a thought: You and the other Tracey could host occasional "T-Parties"
Posted by: Betsy Derr | June 23, 2009 at 07:44 AM
I absolutely love the walls and the sink skirt and the soap holders and the tray on the radiator. It's pretty miraculous the way the hole over the toilet came back.
It's very smart to have mounted the the skirt under the sink. I don't care how cute they look, I can't imagine that the over mounts stay in place or clean for very long!
Posted by: Vicki K. | June 23, 2009 at 07:52 AM
Get. Outta. here. This is incredible!!! You two are absolutely amazing. You need to enter this room into some sort of decorating contest!
Posted by: Carter's Mama | June 23, 2009 at 07:53 AM
you guys are just way too creative!! love the work you have done, looks awesome!!!
Posted by: Donna | June 23, 2009 at 07:55 AM
I always knew you were a kindred spirit, but it is now confirmed. Guess what my grandfather's name was? Harlan! He had no middle name so when I was born, my Dad decided to name me his name as my middle name, so I am Jennifer Harlan. This was not something I was happy about as a child, but now adore it and am so proud to be named after my Grandfather.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 23, 2009 at 08:08 AM
And don't ever, ever decide to throw the burlap in the washing machine to soften it up a bit...what was I thinking??? Quite the mess and I didn't think I would ever get all those fibers out of the machine, lol.
Great makeover Tracy
Posted by: janet | June 23, 2009 at 08:42 AM
It is quite amazing the transformation your shop is taking! Can't wait to see it stocked and ready to go. Wish I lived closer!
Posted by: Catherine | June 23, 2009 at 09:17 AM
your landlord got a killer deal to have you two as tenants.
it is incredible. i love it.
diane
Posted by: diane | June 23, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Tres fabu!! What a makeover too!
Posted by: Sheila at Halo Hill | June 23, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Love your book page solution for covering the walls. They add so much charm to the space!
Posted by: Amber | June 23, 2009 at 10:56 AM
What a fabulous job you did with the bathroom. How adorable. Your new place is gonna be a smash. Just love it.
Posted by: Amanda | June 23, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Oh, my gosh! That is an amazing transformation.
I thought you had decopauged the pages on the tile. I had no idea the starch trick would work on tile.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | June 23, 2009 at 12:13 PM
FABULOUS!! Liquid starch instead of wall paper paste? Please share the process... I have always wanted to use maps in the bathroom for wall covering, I just love the colors of old maps... now I'm thinking old books. hee hee. I bet bathrooms all over the country will be showing up with book pages for wallpaper! How lovely!
Posted by: marion | June 23, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Hi, I'm new to your blog! :) (and I LOVE IT)
What a darling room! And a very original and sweet idea with the book pages too!
Posted by: sasha | June 23, 2009 at 01:16 PM
Tracey, I don't have a blog, and have always been a little nervous about leaving a note...I guess I felt like I wasn't really in the "in" crowd, just someone on the outside watching all of you having a ball. BUT...I have just got to leave you a little message now. I found your blog a few months ago, and spent a day in tears going back and reading every word you have written. At the time, I was going thru some of the darkest moments of my life. Because you have chosen to be so honest about your heart and things you have gone thru...I have been able to find so much comfort here. I have watched you become strong again, to have hope again...and to finding joy. I am a few steps behind you, but I am going to choose joy too. I just have too, I will choose joy. So...even though you don't know me, you have made me laugh and cry, and even hopeful...it sounds crazy but somehow I feel like we are friends. You have made a difference. Thank you. What you do, matters, at least to me, so thank you very much. ~nancy
Posted by: nancy | June 23, 2009 at 02:23 PM
WOWZERS. It looks AMAZING. I just went to a shop this past Friday(pictures on my blog-Posted Sat or Sunday from the flea market and a special little shop.) They used old paper but just in bits and pieces with compound around it. You would love it.
Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
PS I linked over to your blog today.
Posted by: Cheri Peoples | June 23, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Tracey -- you know we don't mind bearing with you any time you request, as in tight camera shots, etc. but must be BARE with you, too? Oh, my!
Sorry, I couldn't resist!! I love your blog and you, too! Good luck on the new shoppe!!
oo, Darlene
Posted by: Darlene | June 23, 2009 at 05:51 PM
I don't know if you have ever seen pictures of the rest rooms at Curious Sofa, but she has done a similar thing with the pages and old pictures on the wall and I love it!!! Call me crazy, but I go in that store and HAVE to use the rest room, just so I can be in there and take it all in! I would do the same if I lived near you!! :) Stunning. Adorable. And so very Chic!! Love it.
Posted by: Linda Castro | June 23, 2009 at 06:53 PM
Loveloveloveloveloveloveitttt!!! Sensational!
Posted by: Cynthia, Kansas City | June 24, 2009 at 03:54 AM
I just love what both of you have done to the cottage! What a difference!
Good luck on your new venture!
Ciao Helena
Posted by: Helena | June 24, 2009 at 05:24 AM
All I can say is - Oh my gosh. Wonderful. You have inspired me beyond words. My journey to bliss will not be for another year, but I'm planning and shopping and hoarding for the day! Thanks for the inspiration and kick in the butt that I needed. You're both FABULOUS!
Posted by: Lisa | June 24, 2009 at 04:06 PM
Tracey, we are currently living in a rental with the world's ugliest wallpaper in the bath. Do you think the liquid starch would work over wallpaper? I'd love to post old book and music pages all over it.
Posted by: Polly | June 24, 2009 at 04:15 PM
love it! how did you fasten the burlap skirt to the inside of your sink...I have a sink just like it and would love to do that! thanks.
Posted by: gail | June 24, 2009 at 05:23 PM
So charming! And I love Candy's idea about a lady in the bathtub. I was going to ask if you'd considered turning the tub into a bench... with a fat, upholstered cushion on a wood base that covers the tub opening and lots of pillows or bolsters piled around. Seating on top, storage underneath. I'm sure you've seen examples of that. (but, still, Candy's idea sounds more fun!)
Posted by: Tracy | June 25, 2009 at 07:53 AM
I just love this. I too have a little cottage with the old style tile and the old melamine wall board (white with gold flecks) that the previous owners covered up with pink rose wall paper and I am sick of it. Can't afford the beadboard as that would be my choice also. You have inspired me to try this on! Do you think I could use wall paper paste or does the liquid starch just hold better to smooth surfaces? And where do you get the liquid starch?
Thanks for sharing
Maureen
Posted by: Maureen at Cottage Panache | June 25, 2009 at 10:50 AM
OMG, I love it. The old sink and cabinet are great. How do you do the walls with the pages?
Looking good,
Tracy M.
Posted by: Tracy Martinez | June 25, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Love the lace curtains on the windows, where did you find these?
Posted by: kathy | June 27, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Tracey,
Please give me directions on using the book pages for wallpaper.
Thanks,
Shelly Johnson
Posted by: shelly johnson | October 19, 2009 at 03:45 AM
Oh what a good idean. I would love to wallpaper my bathroom in Pride and Prejudice.....
Posted by: Sharon | October 25, 2009 at 06:12 AM