What did you do over summer vacation? Part 1

As summer began, I was looking forward to tackling some decorating projects that have been put off way too long. When we were recently in Home Depot, I asked Joe to give his preference on several blues. Appearing confused as to why I wanted to paint the bathroom, he didn't recall the three colors splotches that have been in our master bathroom for over a year and a half. He asked me if I needed to think about it some more. Absolutely not, we have been in limbo so long that I don't remember what my inspiration was for the original colors on the wall.

After seeing my sister's ideas for her new place, I came home with a new direction. Black and white with a punch of blue. The secret was finding the right blue... not too light, not too navy, something happy. Also, I had to deal with the givens that are not in the budget to be changed- black sink, white counter tops and cabinets, black and white linoleum squares, gold/mirrored shower doors.

Exhausted from searching for linens that would match what I had in mind and coming up empty, I put a combination together myself. Thanks JoAnn's Fabrics for gray on black swirls, black and white checks and a happy summer-all-the-time blue. Also thanks to the ladies from the quilt show that showed me how to do "tubed pillowcases".

I will try to upload some before and after pictures of the bathroom. Can't promise how inline they will be, I've deleted them and reloaded so many times, so frustrating, I must find a tutorial...