Remember when I talked about renovating my bathroom last year?

Remember when I told you about our bathroom renovation ideas and that we were moving walls and making changes and living high on the bathroom hog?

And then?

I never ever talked about it again.

I didn’t mention it or reference it or show you any more ideas.  It’s like the bathroom renovation that was never meant to be.

Until now.

Now this bright shiny clean bathroom with its sparkling sink and fluffy rug and claw foot bathtub and white bead board walls….

…..now it looks like this.

It looks like this.

Yikes.

Say whhhaaaaaaat?

Where did it go?

What happened to the rest of it?

Why is there a wall where the bathroom used to be?

Here’s the story glory.

We were about to start on the renovation.  We had everything lined up and ready to go.  We were heading toward the bathroom finish line.

And then one of the twins had her tonsils out.  And the other twin had emergency eye surgery to repair her torn retina.  And another surgery.  And then another.  It turns out she had a condition with her eyes resulting from being born extremely premature at 29 weeks.

You can’t work on a bathroom when you are working on your family.  You can’t concentrate on tile or bath tubs or vanities when you are Florence Nightingaling it.  Family comes first and they always will.

So we went through three months of surgeries and I didn’t tell you.

I didn’t say anything because I know everyone has so much on their plate right now.  I know there’s so much that everyone is dealing with.  Life is a little overwhelming for everyone, so I wanted to wait and mention it until eyes were healed.

And they are.

And now?

The bathroom is full speed ahead.

The wall went up between the bathroom and divided it in half.

Here’s the dry wall with a little mud.

And on the other side of this wall?

Another wall has been knocked down to make room for a big, amazing, incredible master bath.

I can’t show you that right now because it’s a giant hole and it’s all plasticed off.

It should be finished in a couple of weeks and I’ll show you every last little detail down to this inexpensive, amazing vanity I found ready-to-go off the rack.

Here’s one more look at the room.

From what it was to what it is now.

A little after to a little before.

My favorite kind of renovations. 🙂

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Comments

  1. Image for Nancy @ Slightly Coastal Nancy @ Slightly Coastal

    Oh I'm so happy her eyes are all healed. Hooray! I can't wait to see what you do with this bath...but more importantly, I can't wait to see what you do with a master bath! It's going to be incredible I'm sure. :) Nancy

    1. Image for Janice Janice

      I saw a rug yesterday at T J max very, very similar to this. It came in grey, navy, and taupe. Very nice and fluffy. It was $29.

  2. Image for Tina Matteson Tina Matteson

    So glad the eyes are all better! Bless your hearts. Can't wait to see the bathroom, of course! LOVE to you today.

  3. Image for Barbara Barbara

    So happy the eyes are healed- yes, family first! (I have that rug and got mine at World Market:) Can't wait to see the reveal!!

  4. Image for Carrie Carrie

    The best words in the whole story today??? "eyes are healed"... Amen... and full steam ahead for your twins and you!

  5. Image for Marisa Franca @ All Our Way Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    Wow!! You've done so much already even though you've been Nightengaling and taking care of families and doing videos and getting so many decorating ideas. Thank God you weren't Nurse Ratcheting. :-( I'm so happy that everyone is getting back to normal. Love normal!!! Can't wait to see what you do with the bathroom and the master bath. I'm just plain nosey!! Have a wonderful day and if I don't get the chance -- Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family.

  6. Image for Cindy Cindy

    Hello Ms. Thistle! It's been a while:) So glad your daughter(s) are doing fabulous, and the eyes are terrific:) Anxious to see this renovation! It looked purdy darn fab before;) Have a great day, friend!

  7. Image for Vicki Vicki

    The waiting is the hardest part whether it be home renovations or recovery from surgery/surgeries. On both fronts, hope all is concluding for you, the twins, and family. Looking forward to seeing the completed bathrooms. Keep the good stuff coming!

  8. Image for Michelle Michelle

    I wondered what happened to the master bathroom plans but I agree 100% -- family must come first. Always. So grateful and happy for you and your family that everything is OK now. And I can't wait to see the reveal! Happy Valentines Eve, friend!!

  9. Image for Teresa Gonzales Teresa Gonzales

    Phew- glad to hear her eyes are going to be ok. Nothing worse than having a sick child! Can't wait to see what you did with the bathroom!

  10. Image for Mir Graham Mir Graham

    Congrats to you and your girls on getting through the surgeries! It's awesome to hear they are doing better. You are one strong Mama! I can't wait to see your bathroom when it's finished :) That'll be a fun post!

  11. Image for Rebecca Rebecca

    Blessings on the two precious girls. So glad everything went well and you can breathe again! Looking forward to more reveals! What about your book? I think I need it!

  12. Image for Barbara Moore Barbara Moore

    Ooooo. A brand spanking new master bath!!! Can't wait to see what you do with it! And so glad that sweet peeper is good as new. Scary stuff.

  13. Image for Donnamae Donnamae

    So happy to hear that all is well with your daughter's eyes! And you are right...family always comes first. In today's world...that is the only thing we can count on! Oh...liking the bath too! ;)

  14. Image for Loryl Loryl

    So glad everyone is doing better! Retina surgery can be tricky. My husband had his done a year ago. The down side is the recovery. And that's literal. All that laying on your face or side depending on the surgery. He was a trooper. Sounds like your daughter was too. Thank God that medicine has come so far in fixing this!! Praise God they're well. Can't wait to see the reveal. I know it will be spectacular. And you're doing all this and the Hope room too?! Yikes! You are a Rock Star. ?

  15. Image for Kris Kris

    Oh, wow, what a difficult few months you have had. Sometimes excitement is overrated. I know I need to be more thankful for the "boring" times because that typically means that everything is going well--the family is healthy, no money concerns, etc. I'm sure you would be thrilled with a little "boring" right now. Your renovations are always a joy to watch.

  16. Image for Alice Alice

    KariAnne, The most exciting of this post ......the eyes! I know how relived all of you must be! Your designs are always spot on! ? Smiles, alice

  17. Image for Julie B. Julie B.

    I'm thankful your girls are all healed. Totally understand your thought process with waiting to tell your 'followers', however, know that we (I) would always be willing to shoot an arrow of prayer to the Lord for your fam when the going gets tough. We (I) like to see the real side of bloggers... it helps us to know you are 'real'. :-) With that said... I loved your bathroom before... I'm sad to see it go, but looking forward to the new and improved look! (Can't imagine something even BETTER!)

  18. Image for kim domingue kim domingue

    Ah. The best laid plans of mice and men......and women with children, families, in-laws, outlaws, homes, laundry.....you know, life. Life happens. Glad everyone is through the other side of the scary surgery looking glass and doing well. It's also nice to know that I'm not the only lunatic in the world when it comes to remodeling which in my case generally involves moving, eliminating or creating a wall somewhere. The words that strike fear into my poor husband's heart? "Babe, I was just thinking........" Lol!

  19. Image for Sue Sue

    Karianne, so glad to hear the surgery was a success. I'm a little sad to see that gorgeous bathroom gone. I loved that bathroom. The new bathroom has a lot to live up too. Just saying.

  20. Image for Cecilia Cecilia

    I'm so glad to hear eyes are healed! Nothing scarier than your child needing surgery and again. Bless you! I know it must have been stressful. Now as for the bath...it's going to be fabulous! I can't wait to see it all done. Yay for progress!

  21. Image for Marty Oravetz Marty Oravetz

    I totally understand. We just finished the kitchen remodel and I couldn't have dealt with any other issues at the same time. This is going to be amazing, can't wait to see it all pulled together.

  22. Image for Melinda Melinda

    Say whaaaaaaat is right! I know that telling all your business on here is not good,but so glad that everyone is healing nicely. God is good isn't he? yep. all. the. time. I am looking forward to the bath reveal as well as getting this little one done as well. Have a great day!

  23. Image for Suzy McCowen Suzy McCowen

    I'm so glad your daughter is well! Can't wait to see the new bathrooms!! We have been working on a bathroom redo for a very long time. Happy Valentine's Day!

  24. Image for charley charley

    What color is on the 'before' walls? We are redoing our bathroom because of a leak. It has been a nightmare due to the insurance subs that were hired by them. We have taken control and are now our own contractor. I feel confident things are going to be better now.

  25. Image for Betty Betty

    So glad your family is doing ok . Looking forward to seeing your finished bathroom. I was wondering about your daughter and how she was doing post surgery for a detached retina. In January 2008 I also had surgery for a detached retina. My first surgery was a scleral buckle and it was very painful. My second surgery was August of that same year and they did a vitrectomy. They did tell me that after the vitrectomy it would quickly progress to a cataract which it did. I am doing fine now and I am so happy your daughter is too. I thought about her so much after having been thru the surgery.

  26. Image for jae jae

    So glad the eyes recovered! Harder when its your kids than when its you. And yes, we all have lots on our plates but remember, there is always time to pray for one more! Looking forward to the reveal.

  27. Image for june june

    Happy to read your daughter is doing well. My brother had retina surgery two weeks ago had three tears...worries me still cant see. They told him it takes time for that gas bubble. EXcited to see the new bathroom.

  28. Image for Preppy Mountain Farmer Preppy Mountain Farmer

    What a relief that the surgeries were successful, and your daughter is well. I thought your bathroom was beautiful before, but I can't wait to see it after renovations. Hopefully you won't find any hidden "surprises" of the negative kind. I hold my breath every time we start a project in this old farmhouse or the cabin. Best of luck!

  29. Image for Lynne -Australia Lynne -Australia

    I can so relate to your story. We were about to start a new bathroom renovation and our grandson, 4, became very sick and spent a lot of time in hospital. He was finally diagnosed with Glycogen Storage Disease, but thankfully not in its worst form, so will lead a relatively normal life. He's most disappointed about not being able to ride his little pony (because his liver is enlarged he can't play contact sport or do anything where he may damage his liver) The bathroom renovations didn't seem very important then, all we could do was sit in hospital holding his hand. Now he's back to his cheeky self, the bathroom renovation is on! Now I can breathe properly again, I'm about to go and pick fittings. Really looking forward to your bathroom reveal! I thought your "before bathroom" was very pretty too. Lynne

  30. Image for Sue Sue

    The suspense. Our houses are never done, just as pages of stories from every day life continue to accumulate. So happy to hear that surgeries and healing are all behind you and your family.

  31. Image for Kelly Kelly

    So happy to hear about your kiddos' successful recoveries! And I can't wait to see both bathrooms finished and looking wonderful :) Best, Kelly

  32. Image for Leslie Leslie

    Thankful for healing eyes and successful surgeries and happy Florence Nightingales who love their families! And so ready for the amazing reveal. I am so ready for two bathroom redos here so I can't wait for your inspiration. Happy Valentine's Day, my friend! And wishes you will trade in your nursing hat and apron for a painter's one.

  33. Image for Kathleen ... kj Kathleen ... kj

    Oh, my ... Bless you all, dear ones! So sorry you did not have us praying for you during the stressful times of your sweet twin's follow-up eye surgeries. But God is indeed good, and all is well now ~ which is the most important thing. Sending prayers of thankfulness for this blessing of healing for both your "baby girls" ... Your plan to create two baths sounds wonderful ~ I can't wait to see how they turn out! Hugs & much love ... kj

  34. Image for Gwen Gwen

    It seems every where I look people are going through big trials like you just have done. How very frightening to have her eye need repair. How miraculous your girls are both doing better?✝. God hears our prayers. You are always renovating!!! Very very impressive!!!! We await your reveal!!!

  35. Image for NormaJean NormaJean

    KarieAnne, so good to learn that after the third surgery her eyes are finally healed. We have been praying and waiting to hear how she was doing. Tonight, we will be praying a prayer of thanksgiving that God chose to save her precious eyesight. Can't wait to see the big bathroom reveal!

  36. Image for Cindy Keller Cindy Keller

    Hi KariAnne, so happy to hear the twins are healing well. I can imagine how much you must have worried over them. A mother's job is never over and it is true - family comes first! Still, amidst all this, you've managed to stay courageous and positive - truly remarkable! Of course, I truly can't wait to see the work you've done on the bathroom. Will keep an eye for that post!

  37. Image for MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

    KariAnne, how we thank God for answered prayers! Such great news! Don't ever hesitate to let us know when prayers need to be sent! It is truly a blessing to be able to keep you all in our prayers! We care about you all! You will be busy working on your Master Bath which, I know, will be absolutely beautiful! Looking forward to seeing it once you have finished everything! Have a blessed week!

  38. Image for Jeni Jeni

    The best news, is your daughter's eye surgeries are over and her eye is healed! As someone who went through that same surgery and recovery I know this is not a small thing. Since then I have met several others who have had this surgery and some had it numerous times, most of us have no reason why it happened. Thankful to God for his blessings on all of you through this time. Can't wait to see the bathroom in due time when it fits your families schedule to get it completed!

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