Originally, N and I had seriously considered taking AE on a vacation this summer – just the three of us.  We were going to leave Miss T with the grandparents and head to Denver for a trip down memory lane.  None of us has been back to Colorado since we moved away almost six (!) years ago, and AE is old enough now to enjoy a trip like that, I think.  But we could never seem to agree on a time to go, and I hate vacations where renting a car is involved, and AE claims to hate flying, and finally we just decided to hold off for another year or two when Miss T is old enough to join us.

So now the money we had planned to use for that is burning a hole in our pockets.  And in a development I will no doubt live to regret, I believe we have decided to spend it updating the master bathroom.

Before we even moved into the house (July 2006), we knew that the master bath would require updating.  We didn’t have the money to do it before we moved in, what with purchasing a refrigerator, having the carpets cleaned and doing some badly needed painting.  We figured we would live with it until the next summer.

The next summer rolled around and I was pregnant with Miss T.  One should never make important decisions while pregnant, plus babies are expensive so we decided to wait another year.

Summer 2008 arrived, but given our out-of-control daycare expenses for two kids and the fact that N had recently been let go from his side job, we couldn’t afford it then either.

So here we are, sick of the old-lady wallpaper, tired of the fugly light fixtures, and annoyed with only having one functioning hot water faucet (I somehow broke the handle off mine sometime last fall).  The time has come.  And I am already considering putting it off for yet another year, just so we don’t get a divorce. 

Sweet fancy Moses, this is a bad idea.  Neither of us is good at interior decorating and we are both paralyzed by indecision.  We can’t even agree on what to watch on TV, is there even a chance in hell that we’ll be able to agree on a major decision such as this?  (Hint:  NO.)  I have an idea of what I want, but don’t know how to describe it to a professional and bring it to fruition.  N doesn’t really know what he wants, but knows that he doesn’t like my ideas.  (And of course has no reasonable or serious alternatives to offer.  Last night, after standing in the bathroom tossing around ideas, he suggested having an artistic friend sketch a mural on the wall - of a man sitting on the toilet.  Or a nautical theme, complete with anchors and fishing nets.  Thanks for the input, babe.)

Here’s the rundown:  we don’t want to gut the bathroom at this point.  While not ideal, the countertops, bathtub, shower and cabinets are all fine for now.  The floor will eventually be replaced throughout the entire house (You know.  Someday.) so we’re leaving that alone too.   I think that getting rid of the wallpaper and replacing the light fixtures and faucets will go a long way in updating the room.   Basically, I want something with a serene, spa-like feel.  I would like to use a pale shade of aqua if we can make it work.  We would also like to incorporate some tiling on the walls.  However, N strongly prefers subway tile, I like glass tile.  N is offended by the amount of wall space I suggested painting, and I am offended at the amount of money that would be required to tile all of that space.  And around we go.  You see our dilemma. 

See that stupid fake marble crap?  I don’t love it on the counters or as the tub and shower, but I can cope.  The real bane of my existence is that ugly-ass backsplash.  Why did they continue it onto the sides of the cabinets?  Was that really necessary?  I fail to see how.  Either way, it is ugly and I want it to go away.  (Also, do you see that little fuzzy-headed baby?  Where did she go?)

Not pictured:  ornate black and maroon flowered wallpaper border.  (Or the broken sink handle.)  The border happened to match our maroon towels all this time, but it has GOT TO GO.  Along with the brass-accented faucets and light fixtures.  Goodbye, Bathroom of the Elderly.  It’s been real.

Anyone have any input?  My sister’s friend is an interior designer and she has given us a few excellent suggestions already, but I always like to get tons of opinions on this type of thing.  I’ve been scouring the internet, looking for pictures that inspire me, but realistically it is going to be a bit difficult with the limited cash we are willing to spend.  But!  I do love a good challenge, so we’ll see where we end up.  Thoughts?  Ideas?  Cautionary tales?  I’ll take anything I can get.