Tanya Ott's Profile

Display Name: Tanya Ott
Personal URL: http://www.necessarypleasures.blogspot.com
Member Since: 12/2/10

Latest Comments...

We are 90% finished with a full gut reno. Here's the before http://necessarypleasures.blogspot.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-leftovers-mother-of.html ... in all its seizure-inducing wallpaper glory!

@Frankiesgirl - our is also a "master" (quotations intentional), just a bit larger than yours at 5x7.

Since the blog post we realized we were in a bit over our heads (too much electrical rewiring needed) so we called in a contractor we've used before to:

gut the whole room (we did most of the demo to save $$, but it was very challenging because the house was built pre-hardibacker so the floors and all shower walls were 2 inches of cement with inlaid metal mesh)

take out the wall that separated the shower and the linen closet (totally eliminated the linen closet but not an issue in our house - lots of storage abounds)

Move the shower plumbing from the removed interior wall to another wall

tile the entire new super large shower (and the new built in niche and bench) and the bathroom floor; rewire the bathroom for a wall fixture over the vanity instead of that ridiculous false soffit thing; replace the toilet, vanity (got a gorgeous one with a farmhouse sink), and all lighting (who knew they now make stylish bathroom fans with lights??); and drywall, mud and paint the walls. (all for less than $5k)

He's putting the finishing touches on right now (yes at 815 at night! We had tornadoes rol through town earlier this week, so he's working overtime). Will post "after" photos soon.

Can't wait to see the "finished" finished product myself!


Little Changes That Make a Big Difference: Bathroom Update Ideas
1/25/12 9:14 PM

2900 sq ft plus a 1200 sq ft unfinished basement with 14' ceilings, two windows and door (but, crazy enough - no internal access from the house). NOT a McMansion, though... 70's tri-level with the most obnoxious shingles coming down the side of the house thing going on. I've googled the heck out of it and can't figure out the architectural style.

It's much larger than our family of 5 needs, but it's a massive fixer upper and we love a good project (good thing, too!).


Average Home Sizes Around the World
7/31/11 9:58 PM

Here's another vote for swinging over to Alabama!

Oh, and the Nathaniel Russell House? We were just there last month. Gorgeous! The stairway is incredible.


United States of Design Road Trips: The South
7/18/11 10:41 PM

I really love this idea! I was a little suspicious of the price of the sawhorse, but sure 'nuff - checked out homedepot.com and it's $17. Now all I gotta do is find a large (free) table top and I'm ready to go!


Michelle & Josh's Salvaged Sawhorse Table
7/6/11 5:44 PM

LOVE the last picture ... large table ... great windows... wonderful view.


Inspiring Danish Interiors
Bo Bedre
6/22/11 6:39 PM

We used magnetic paint under chalkboard paint in our game room. Worked great! And it's the kids' favorite part of the room (even more loved than the pool table Santa brought last year...grrrr....)


Chalkboard Paint: Off the Wall
6/22/11 6:34 PM

That dresser does have incredible lines! I used to do these kinds of remakes and sell them on the craft show circuit, but after moving to Alabama -- boy, all I can find here is junk! Makes me jealous when I see all the great Craigslist finds in Chicago, NY, Denver, etc.

Nice work, Sarah!


Before & After: Paint Transforms a Vintage Dresser
Hart's Desire
6/22/11 5:53 PM

@HeraHere I have the opposite problem. I'm 5'2" and my husband is 5'4". We spent months trying to find a couch that we could actually sit in without our feet dangling a good 4-5" off the ground! Reminded me of that old SNL skit by Lilly Tomlin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxJFrWUlqmE

@Gentry I wondered the same thing about the chairs. That's a LOT of room between chairs! I'd have to portion kids into different rooms around my house :-)


Real Life Guidelines: Proper Furniture Spacing Basics
6/16/11 2:28 PM

thymeonmyside,

We took your advice and went with the gloves... even so, every little itch or tickle was a sign of impending doom! It was pure torture for Hannah... but we survived:

http://necessarypleasures.blogspot.com/2011/03/snakes-in-kitchen-part-2.html

Any of you ever tried making homemade pasta/noodles? We may try again... but definitely need some advice!

~T


Asparagus to Arugula: 9 Ingredients for Spring Cooking
3/29/11 5:16 PM

We're getting ready to try our first time cooking with Nettles tomorrow night. It's part of our daughter's "A to Z of Fruits and Veggies" series:

http://necessarypleasures.blogspot.com/2011/02/hannahs-to-z-of-fruits-and-veggies.html

I have to admit, I'm a little afraid of any recipe that says you have to wear gloves in order to handle the ingredients!


Asparagus to Arugula: 9 Ingredients for Spring Cooking
3/25/11 12:27 AM

We made a fabulous meal with coconut milk tonight, "Caribbean-Style Kale and Bacon"

http://necessarypleasures.blogspot.com/2011/03/caribbean-style-kale-and-bacon.html

It's definitely not for vegetarians (well, I guess you could leave out the bacon.... though my husband might holla atcha)


On Doing Without Dairy
3/25/11 12:24 AM

I love that after almost 4 years in our fixer-upper... our bedroom walls were *finally* painted last week! The kids' rooms have been done for years, but the Master is always the 'laster'. Now it's a lovely shade of light green. Heavenly!


What Do You Love About Your Bedroom?
3/25/11 12:21 AM

Pamela - your dad sounds just like mine! He brings all kinds of things home while "street shopping" and we even had a very embarrassing</B>, but defining moment involving Dumpster Diving (http://necessarypleasures.blogspot.com/2011/01/dirt-on-dumpster-diving.html)

I wonder if any of you have seen the documentary "Dive", about Freegans? I can certainly street shop with the best of 'em (and have even turned around and sold things I've found -- on Craigslist ... free $$!). But not sure I would ever eat out of a dumpster.


Dumpster Diving and DIY: Is It Really Worth Your Time?
3/10/11 12:00 AM