New Shower Heads

I mentioned in my last post there were a couple things I would change to our house. Changes I wish were done during the construction phase. Some of those things I do not plan to tackle, but some I would or have changed.

On that short list, I mentioned the addition of showerheads in our large master shower. Mr. JCrew wanted it from the beginning and I turned it down. It became a joke every time the shower was used and then we finally looked into what it would take.

We’d make minimal damage to our walls as possible and add a second showerhead on the opposite wall of the current one and add a rainshower to the ceiling. Sounds pretty fancy!!!

I called our plumber to tell him he was right and we wanted to add the extra showerheads. He laughed. He mentioned it would be an easy update by adding a diverter. I then did my usual thing and researched. A diverter is a control for the multiple output in the shower. Our solution was a 3/6 diverter. This Youtube video was a great resource.

Basically, you can turn each showerhead on separately, or turn on a combination of the showerheads, all by the turn of the diverter. I couldn't buy just a diverter to add to my handle because it would not allow me to turn on all three showerheads at once. So the existing handle turns on the middle showerhead only. The new handle with diverter, turns on the two showerheads on the side. 

I went to our local plumbing supply place and picked out the finishes. Our plumber came and worked his magic to connect the fixtures. I ended up doing the demo to save money.

Originally, I thought the tile would need to be torn out and reinstalled, but we went through the back side of the wall, so I only had to replace drywall instead of tile (cheaper). But while the idea was on tearing out tile, I thought about changing some more things while I had the tile guy out here. I liked the trim border I have, but am not in love with it. And if you remember, he was suppose to install the tile in the 1/3 staggered pattern and he messed up and did it in the ½ staggered pattern. I could have him rip it all out and do the 1/3 pattern, too.I found a pebble tile square that I could cut into strips. I really liked it. But since we didn't touch the tile, I didn't get to change my border.

This was a project we thought about doing later down the road, but we wanted to take advantage of the time while our boys are still using our shower. They may get so spoiled they never use their own showers! Ha. Until they are teens.

One of those things we should have done from day one. If I wasn’t so stubborn!

Things I Would Do Differently

Now that we’ve been in the house for almost 4 years, I’ve had time to think of things I would do differently. I would build the exact same layout I designed because it has really been perfect! I find other things I like, but I just still really like our layout. It suites our needs. 

1. The bathroom window
   I picked tombstone-shaped mirrors for the master bathroom and LOVE them! They are such a sophisticated shape and dress up the bathroom vanity area. What I would change is matching the shape of the mirrors on the window to the shower. The shower window has always looked plain to me, but I didn’t know how to dress it up. An arch top would be perfect. And actually, an arch top to the door, too! Once I saw this picture of Holly’s shower, I knew I should have added more arches. I didn’t think arches were my thing, but I like them in certain places.
   
   

   

   Current

   
   

   

   Current

   
   

   

   inspiration - OurFauxFarmhouse

2. Sealed Brick
   I bought unsealed brick pavers for my flooring and I regret it. I love the flooring, but it is not at its full potential. Our installers quit on us while laying the brick floor. It was frustrating to them. If I had bought sealed brick, the grout process would have been easier. The grout would have cleanly wiped off the brick instead of having to avoid getting it on the brick. Had our installers read the box, they would have seen it said to seal the brick before you grout it, and then seal it again after your grout it. But if I had bought pre-sealed brick, it would have been one less step. Instead, I have dull brick that I have been sealing the heck out of. It is so pourous, that it took so many coats to seal it. That still didn’t make it shiny. To make the floor shiny, you have to wax it. I learned all this as I read the box THREE years later. I was going through the attic and read all the instructions. I have since waxed them and they look beautiful. I will now have to wax them once a year. You live and learn!
   
   

   


3. Not Dig Holes
   We learned a lot with landscaping our own yard. I would have had a more elaborate sprinkler system and French drain system installed from Day 1, but we have added to it, so it’s not bad, but recovering from the mess of an add on is temporarily unsightly. But the biggest thing we learned was to not dig holes for the plants. We dug them and then within six months, we dug every single plant back up and raised it above ground, then piled dirt around it and topped with mulch. Below is a diagram of what we did. If we would have done that, it would have saved us so much time not digging holes. It was a great workout, though. Oh, and I’d add good dirt on top of the clay before adding sod. And not trample on my newly laid sod until it was established.



4. Better placement of outside faucets
   What should have been the backyard faucet ended up being in the front yard because of where we put the fence. We ran the hose underneath the fence, but had to run to the front to turn it on and off. We later added faucets in the flowerbeds in the backyard.
   

   

    
5. More Showerheads in Master Shower
   Mr. JCrew requested two showerheads in the master shower and our plumber plumbed for two and I said, “No.” I thought it was excessive and didn’t need it. Now we are tearing down tile and adding shower heads! I realized how we use our shower, we need more showerheads. Mr. JCrew was right! And it would have cost less to do it then than it is costing to do it now.





6. Insulate Interior Walls
   With an open floorplan, things get loud. We insulated the walls of the laundry room and that was very helpful, but I wish I would have done all the walls and the space in between the first and second floor.

Window Tinting

When we bought new furniture for the Living Room, we were concerned about the sunlight fading the furniture. We installed shades on some windows in the back of the house to use when the sunset is a little intense, but we aren’t always home to draw the shades to protect from the sun.

Our answer = window tinting! I did research on tinting that is okay to be installed on double-pane glass. Tinting reflects the sunlight and it gets trapped between the double-pane glass and can cause it to crack or break the gas seal and allows moisture to get trapped and you have fog between the glass panels.

Our glass doors in the back became foggy within 3 months of moving in. It use to only happen in the Winter, but then it stayed. And when I contacted the manufacturer, they conveniently wouldn’t return my calls or emails. I received a quote to fix the glass, but I might as well buy new doors. It is on my to-do list in 5 years.

In the meantime, I used window tinting found at Home Depot to put on the doors. It’s awesome! It gives reflection from the outside, so it is harder to see in during the day, and it looks like we have sunglasses on in the house. The house is not as bright, but I have now gotten used to it.

Window on right is not tinted.

We installed the tint on the breakfast nook windows as well, because the sunsets in the Winter come through those windows as well and hit the living room. During the Summer, the sun shifts and it won’t be that much of an impact.

only bottom half is tinted

Windows on right tinted

In the picture comparison above, you can see how the inside of the house disappears with the tint. The bottom picture has the windows on the right completed and you can't see the window sill trim. But you can still see the trim on the left window. As long as the light on the outside is brighter than the inside, you cannot see inside.

Tips I learned while installing that I want to share:

1. Buy the install kit
   It comes with a razor, soap solution bottle, scraper and lint-free towel. They are all useful.
2. Don’t buy the liquid refill
   When the soap solution runs out, put a cap-ful of Johnson’s baby shampoo in bottle and fill with water.
3. Clean window
   Make sure window is extremely clean and if there is painted trim (like there was on our doors) that it is not on the window. Use razor to get excess paint off.
4. Measure window and add a half inch to the measurements on all sides for tint size
   I used graph paper to get efficient use of the film and have less waste. It is all about planning! Sometimes I only added 0.25 inch extra to the window measurements.
5. Mark tint with sharpie and cut
   Make sure your lines are not slanted. One side slanted will not be able to be installed on a straight line window edge. I used a sharpie to mark my lines. You have to work to get it off, but it should be on the excess that you will cut off.
6. Wet tint in sink
   To save on soapy solution, I filled up my sink or tub with water to dip the tint in before separating it from its protective film.
7. Spray window with soap solution
   Overload the window and film with soapy solution. This allows you to move it around freely while lining it up.
8. Use tape on corners to separate film from protective sheet
   A small piece of tape, facing each other become handles to separate the film from its cover.
9. Spray film as you separate it from cover
   To help with static and creasing as you peel away the two films, pull it down some and spray the sticky side with soapy solution. If the window is large, have someone hold the film while you spray it. This makes it less sticky while you install.
10. Work the air bubbles
    Spray the film outside with soapy solution and use the provided squeegee card to work out major bubbles. I kept a regular hand towel ready to get the soapy solution excess. I went back and forth getting the solution out and the air bubbles. I wanted to make crease of the edges so my razor knew where to go.
11. Cut corners with scissors, not razor
    The razor is great and takes time to figure out, but I noticed I had errors if I used it all the way to the corner. It would cut in. So I would start an inch from the top and take the razor down the edge until one inch above the corner and stop. Then I lifted up the corner and cut with a scissor along the crease formed.
12. Look for debris
    There might be debris that gets between the glass and film. If that happens, left up the film, spray it with soapy solution and use your wet finger to wipe it off. Spray the film again and repeat the process of getting the bubbles out.
13. Keep checking it as it dries
    You will think you have it perfect and leave. But go back and check ten minutes later. An edge might pop back up. When I noticed this happen was when my film was not cut exactly right and had overlap on the edge beyond the glass. The slightest sliver over makes a large air bubble.
14. Use ammonia-free cleaner for maintenance.
    Ammonia will break down the film and shorten its life. I suggest using the soapy formula used during install as your new window cleaner. Cap-full of baby shampoo with water.

Once you get the hang of it, it becomes very easy. Plan to buy extra because your first attempt will be a practice run (Even if you don’t think it will.)

We used this tint in the dormer windows upstairs, too. Not only does it block the UV rays, but it is suppose to help with heat transfer. Our ICF walls are awesome, but with so many windows, that is where you lose heat the most. I wouldn’t trade my windows, but even with Low-e glass, the tint should help. I’ll let you know how the Summer goes.

Maidenhair Ferns

I really love maiden hair ferns. I first learned about them when I was looking a wedding floral arrangements. I found a tiny potted fern used on the reception dinner tables that I loved.

I had never owned one until I found them at a local garden shop (The Greenery). It was not expensive, so I purchased it.

I never had my maidenhairs last more than a year. They’d get pretty frail looking and I didn’t have the knowledge to bring them back. And actually, I have discovered that by the time they show signs of distress, it is almost too late to correct it. These plants are finicky and need constant attention.

I’ve had some really large ones that have done well. 

A coworker of mine said that she only has luck with maidenhair’s when they are planted with something else. I haven’t tried that yet. I love them so much by themselves, but I also like them in groupings. But whatever they are grouped with needs to love water as much as they do.

I bought a maiden hair fern for my desk at work. I transported it home on the weekends.

During one of the transports, the fern fell over. Because of the frail stems, the majority of the stems snapped and died. So, I stopped transporting the fern home on the weekends and would give it a heavy water on Friday to help it last through the weekend. I have been working on getting new growth, but was having issues. I would see new growth start, but by the time it got 2-3 inches long, it would dry out, shrivel up and die (just the new growth). I took the maidenhair home to see what I could do. I watered it every day (a lot) and noticed the new growth lasting longer than before. My guess was that the weekends without water were drying up my new growth. But I’ve come to a new conclusion that it was also due to the lack of light. They were only getting fluorescent light and that was not enough.

Now, the pot I have my maiden hair fern in has no drainage holes. I heavily water the fern in the morning and then about lunchtime, I turn the plant, in its pot upside down, to drain the excess water out of the pot. These ferns love water, but they don’t like to sit in it.

I have not yet fertilized my ferns. I am too scared. One time, I repotted a fern and within 2 days it was dead. I attributed it to the new potting soil that already had fertilizer in it. Which could have been part of the case, but I think I just didn’t water the new soil well enough during those days with new soil. The new soil was dry and these ferns like to be surrounded with moisture. I actually kept the new fern in the original disposable pot it came in because I was fearful of exposing it to new soil and it dying. But when I was having trouble with the new growth, I decided to officially transplant it into a new pot and I made sure to get the new soil good and wet. The fern survived!

 

I have two maidenhair ferns in the house and they look completely different. One is fuller and has stems coming from all over the pot. Its color is a lighter green.

The one I keep at work is a darker green and the stems are coming from the center of the pot only. 

It use to not be as dark in color, but I think that is because of the lack of sun it gets at my desk. There are no windows at my desk. 

I have decided to keep my work fern at home and keep it in the windowsill. You can see the new growth coming in and staying!

I also have a different maidenhair. I was told it was a “Silver Dollar MaidenHair fern.” I found it by chance once and loved it. I don’t remember what happened to it, but I wanted another one. They are hard to find. 

It wasn’t until someone told me the Brooks and Collier (a local shop) had plants! I thought they were a furniture only store, but they have a beautiful greenhouse. It is where I found the rubber plants that I use at the clubhouse!  It was while I was browsing that I saw their huge assortment of ferns and saw the silver dollar maidenhair! I was in heaven. I bought one and Mom bought one. I placed mine on the piano, and hers stays in her room.

The silver dollar maiden hair requires the same care as the normal maidenhair. A maidenhair fern can handle watering every-other-day, but for its best performance, it needs it every day. 

I think I have finally found out how to take care of the maiden hair fern. It takes daily watering, good drainage and indirect light. Seriously, it likes to be wet. I just use the sink’s spray nozzle and water it every morning. For the ferns in other spots, I keep a water bottle in my vanity and use it to water the ferns. 

I also noticed that my maidenhairs do best in the breakfast nook of both of my houses. They like the light from all the windows. It also did well in my bathroom due to the moisture from showers. 

Best of luck to you in owning a maidenhair. They are diva's but they are so worth it!

Faux Plants

I love my plants, but they are work. I won’t turn away a plant, but I do have to remind myself to fight the urge to get a new one because it requires time.

To balance out my desire for all plants, I am mixed in some faux plants. I find nothing wrong with it. I look for realistic varieties and am not afraid to use them outside.

At our last house, I had poinsettias I put outside. They were so realistic looking. I got them at Old Time Pottery and haven’t seen them since, but I know I probably had people wondering how I kept them alive outside in the cold!

I have seen some fake plants used outside that fade or turn bright green and have this ugly unrealistic color. I steer clear of making that mistake.

Back when I had Mr. Pfitzer, my plants in the window box were neglected. They had to be watered every day. I was up for the task!

But I eventually gave up and bought faux plants. I made sure they were real looking.

Now I am keeping my eye out for them fading. Once they start, they will be replaced.

I mentioned that I tried to keep a maidenhair fern at my office desk, but it struggled until I brought him home. I then bought a faux plant from Pottery Barn and it is happy. I can tell it is not real, but I keep it half hidden from view, so hopefully no one stares too long and can tell. There is a lot of detail that makes it look real.

I also bought a faux maidenhair fern for the screened in porch.

I like a plant out there on the table, but the winters are harsh.

I also bought faux herbs to keep in tiny pots. I tried real herbs in those pots, but the holder requires small pots, and it being kept on the porch, they get no sun.

I also repurposed some liquor bottles for stems of faux plants. I used stems of lavender, peony and lambs ear. All looked realistic to me.

I have them sprinkled in multiple places to tie the spaces together.

I still have my real plants inside the house, but mixing in the faux ones has been a help in maintenance.