Oct 10, 2010

Bathroom - Mini Face Lift

Whether it's on the market to be sold, or if it's the last home you'll ever buy, one of the most important rooms in any home is the bathroom. Though buyers and homeowners alike are looking for a 'spa-like' atmosphere, this post is dedicated to pure, utilitarian cleanliness (okay, with a LITTLE bit of updated style to boot.)

Not long ago, I was cleaning the bathroom and admired this clean, shiny porcelain surface . . .



(looks pretty clean, right?) . . . .













. . . until I realized the seat needed a little tightening. I pried open the tabs with a screwdriver, and that's when I found (insert scary music here) WHAT LURKS BENEATH. . . . .


Ew ew ewwwwwwww. . . . . . . . .
Ew.
A rational person would get a small brush (or old toothbrush) and clean up the Crust That Must Not Be Named, and be done with it. But not me.
I couldn't let it go. It was taunting me that I never knew it was there. Who knows how long it had been festering . . . . since before we bought the house? Was that someone else's germy build-up? How long would be before it returned?
I don't want to give the impression that I'm OBSESSED with cleanliness, because I'm truly not. But I will say, I was not on friendly terms with this particular type of toilet seat any more. What was perfectly fine and functional yesterday became 'contract grade' and a cheap harbinger of all things gross and repellent today. And, most importantly, I did not want to pull out a flat head screwdriver to open these plastic tabs every time I cleaned the toilet. There had to be a better way.
Taking note that toilet shape is round (not oval) I traipsed off to the nearest home improvement store and came back three brand spanking new seats. So easy to install. So easy to clean.



And with its brushed nickel finish, its so easy on the eyes. Potty eye candy, if you will.
I know, I know . . . a new toilet seat isn't exactly haute couture for the bathroom. It's one of those small upgrades that no one may ever notice, but any designer will tell you that it really is ALL about the details. Think of it as a foundation piece - like a really good undergarment that makes the outfit hang better on the body. (And it'll be our little Secret that it only costs $25!)