Monday, August 27, 2012

The First Mission of the Potty Princess (The PP)

I started noticing public restrooms that were unexpectedly decorated about a year ago. I'm talking specifically about public restrooms in places where you wouldn't expect them to be decorated, like a convenience store or fast food restaurant. It makes me giggle to think about an employee or owner of a convenience store or fast food restaurant bringing in decorations. You don't get much more thoughtful than that! I started an album on my facebook page of some of my favorite public restroom finds. Some of you have already seen them, but I'll probably blog about them eventually. 

But, hold onto your hats! I have a special treat for you! I decorated my first public restroom! Oh, yes I did! I snuck in with some second hand decorations and sticky hooks. Just like my mama always taught me, I left that bathroom looking better than I found it! I didn't tell anyone who worked there what I was doing. I wanted to surprise them! Maybe they were having a bad day, and now they're not. Because maybe they were amazed that some mystery person would care enough to make their potty a better place. Or maybe they think it's just weird.

I have been searching for the perfect public restroom, and I finally found it tonight. I wanted a one-room potty for maximum privacy, a counter area and a blank or ugly pallet. I found everything on my wish list at the Pizza Palace in Traer, Iowa! We met my parents there because it's about half way in between our houses. We love their BLT pizza with mayonnaise! Yum! 

The Before

The walls may look like marble, but it's just that plastic stuff you'd expect to see in a 1970 trailer home bathroom. It needed help!


The After!

And now the fun part! I started by adding a ceramic flower, pink glass vase and some silk greens to a counter by the sink.

I added a lacy wood shelf and a cute little bunny. The shelf was raw wood when I got it, so I spruced it up with some white spray paint. I was careful not to get the spray paint on my car (lesson learned). The bunny was a dusty rose color from the 1980's when I got it. There was some actual dust on it, too, so I brightened it up with some craft paint.  

I added a banner above the full length mirror that I made out of ribbon and paper doilies from The Dollar Tree. I also made a longer one that I'll save for another bathroom. (I have my eye on the Waterloo Walgreens. Shhhhh!)

Here's the focal point! Two princess painted canvases! The one on the right has a round mirror so YOU look like the princess. Clever, right?! I used Command hooks so I didn't damage the walls and everything can be removed if they aren't 100% thrilled with the new look.
Isn't it fun to think about how the employees will react when they see their new decorations!? I hope they appreciate it, and I would love to see everything up the next time we visit The Pizza Palace. It was so much fun!

10 comments:

  1. Love it Ann!! I love the before and after pictures. Btw, there is a bathroom in Plano, TX waiting for you!! -- Radhika.

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    1. Oh, Kari! That would be great if you could check on the decoration situation!

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    2. Oops! That comment was meant for Kari. Radhika, I'll start planning my trip to Plano!

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  2. My vote is they thought it was slightly funny but mostly weird. As for me, I think it is mostly funny and just slightly weird (but I am also related to you). I'm interested if, or how long, they keep your decorations so keep us posted!

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  3. since I am also a relative and enjoy your funny antics I will personally drive to Traer and check it out for you! thank you for doing it so close to my home!! i am hoping it is still there!! it did need a little help!!

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    1. Ann, I am sorry it has taken me so long to check out the bathroom renovation project you were heading up at the pizza palace in Traer. Tonight I ordered pizza to go and when I arrived to pick up my pizza it was totally dead in there. Appeared to be close to closing time and the lady seemed to be ready to go home but I asked if I could use the restroom so I could check out the decor! I would like to report that all is still there:). You really have an eye for color and detail!! You may want to consider a change of careers. You know when you turn 40 you do need some exciting new challenges!!

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  4. I totally agree with Ryan - mostly funny and slightly weird (but I'm related to you also). Can't wait for the follow-up story. Perhaps you could start leaving a small video camera to capture the reactions of the owners. P.S. Would have loved to see you carry in the bag of "supplies". That shelf doesn't look like it fit in your purse!

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  5. Did mom create a diversion while you snuck in the goods? Zeno's in Marshalltown is in dire need of a makeover but I want in on that one (or at least in on the pizza)!

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  6. My bathroom at the Ash could use a make over. I think that is so totally cool!!!

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  7. You are crazy and slightly weird but that is why we love you!! So glad you have not lost that personality!! Don't tell Mark and Linda but Goos Implement's is in dire need of sprucing up. I bet the farmers have talked about it over coffee! I can hide a camera to see if it is a topic of discussion!!!!

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