Skyrim bathroom 007: Winterhold sigil

So the request from the kids was more city sigils EVERYWHERE.. And thusly, Winterhelm over the light fixture was conceived. 

I'll admit this template/stencil was daunting for me.. Until I said to myself- white out. It made figuring connectors so much easier, and I simply added them in. 

Template on card stock

I used white out to make connector lines so that my stencil doesn't fall apart. Then I cut the stencil with an exacto knife. 

Yay, stencil done!

Traced it in pencil centered over the light fixture, and set up a second template as a reference guide for painting my outline.

Outline done, coat one.

Filled it in white, coat one. 

Fill in, coat two. 

Outline, coat two. 

Finished!

I also did a Falkreath sigil the same way: 

Skyrim Bathroom Final Pics Aug/Sep 2015

Here's some finished pics:

(Everything listed, I think, will get all the photos up with the tag as I am able) 

Throat of the World/High Hrothgar Mural:

Wall Art:

Skyrim canvas burned map

Fus Roh Dah

Storage Unit:

Riften Door Frame:

Nightingale Mirror:

Winterhold crown:

Dragon (ceiling):

Dragon sculpture over door frame ( inside):

Dovahkiin:

Entry Door:

(WIP)

Projects:

- We painted everything solid in 'comes the dawn' then did the Throat of the World/High Hrothgar mural.

- We painted several other Skyrim elements like dragon thu'um, dragons, and city/guild sigils.

- We reframed the mirror and door. 

- We changed out the wall art. 

- We repainted the door and added a sign and painted locator art

- I painted/stained the storage unit. 

- Chris changed out to a more efficient/eco friendly light and fan light.

- He also put in new switches, gfci outlets, and a fan timer. 

- New faceplates for the switches/outlets. 

- New high efficiency shower head. 

Of course we've more yet to do, but this was the biggest bang for the buck I think, and once we've more time and finances to tackle the rest of this list we will get to this too (some of it slowly, as we go, but some in a chunk)

-new cabinet

-new counter top/backsplash

-new faucet and tub spigot/handles

-new towel bars/hooks

Skyrim Bathroom 006: Nightingale Mirror

So we had this big 4' wide by 3' tall mirror over the sink. I love it, but the very edges are starting to go bad.. And it looks dated. So it needed... Dare I say it.. A Skyrim treatment. Bwahahaha. Of course it does. Did. Yes. 

See.. It's a lovely mirror.. Just needs, anchoring. Weight. Love. Nightingales. 

So I made templates:

And sketched them on 2 1/2 x 2 1/2" hemlock blocks:

Then wood burned them. 

Then stained them. 

I used 2 1/4" hemlock board  and stained it Bombay Mahogany (baseboards actually- it's got a lovely groove cut in the center backside ready perfect for my mirror hangars to fit when I mount this so I don't have to move/remove the mirror at all!):

( pieces for the door and storage unit here too)

Then, we had to figure out a hanging option, because we refuse to use liquid nails and ruin the mirror AND because I nearly cracked the wood with the picture frame bracket options -the wood was too thin or I didn't to something right :(  I was about ready to break something because my plans of a well made frame were literally beginning to splinter. 

But Hubby, glorious, brilliant, hubby.. He's my hero. He said- Command picture hanger strips.  They make them with Velcro: 

Perks here:

- I can take down the frame to wash the mirror

- I can change the sigils when I want

- It's not ruined my mirror with liquid nails!

- Each piece is separately hung so The weight is distributed in smaller bits on the mirror than one heavy frame

Any it looks cool! So much better than un-framed.:

Seriously loving this mirror frame DIY and not a drop of liquid nails in sight. The day is save thanks to the Power Puff Hubby. Duh duh du-duh-da-da-dahhhh... 

Skyrim Bathroom 005: Riften door casing

We started out with 1 1/4" mdf white painted and cracked-crap-boring-old casing around the door. Blah. That had to change for sure (mind you the bathroom was initially primarily accented white and painted sage green with blonde woods when we started this) 

The goal was to make it look a little bit more... Skyrim, but really just less white mdf blah! We dig the wood and raw metal tones, the rich earthy stuff, even if it's not perfect, and the reclaimed and renovated bits. Loved pieces rather than new and pristine and mass produced. Which is probably why the Skyrim bathroom in the first place I guess.. 

So this is the door when we got the first base coat of 'comes the dawn' on the walls.. Pre removal of that craptastic mdf:

Here is the base mountain mural, but more importantly, the door sans mdf casing:

I printed Riften sigils on card stock, used an exacto and cut templates to use as stencils for my cornices:

Then I drew them onto 2 1/2" square hemlock blocks my hubby cut for me ( because he's awesomesauce- he's my measure and cut man, I'd never get anywhere without him, unless you want lopsided and unopening doors) I did the nightingale sigil too for the mirror, so that's what's pictured.. Along with a solid block pre-stencil. 

Then I wood burned them, and stained them. Sorry no pics- they seem to have been eaten by the voracious data stream sharks :(

Meanwhile we measured and cut side and header pieces and stained them with poly shades:

You also see pieces for the behind the door storage cabinet and mirror there.. 

Hang it all up using wood tone nails and voila! I did nail at an angle through the tops of the cornices into the wall- secure but invisible. 

Now on a side note: we did have to chip out one piece of tile on the mural side to fit the frame but it fits like a bloomin' glove! And hubby made a strategic cut or two to the back hidden side of the frame around the tile that was not removable because they tiled to fit that cruddy 1 1/4"  casing. It's not noticeable unless you get down face level, and really, the ease of this method far out weighs the status quo of cracked nasty mdf, or having to retile/repair a chunk of wall ( which is where THAT would have gone. It's just unavoidable.)

All in all, we are quite pleased. Simple, basic, sort of utilitarian, but easy enough to replace the cornices whenever you want a new look, new sigil or room revamp. 

Skyrim Bathroom 004: Fus Ro Dah wall, behind the door storage

So I created a template and painted a Fus Ro Dah and helmet on the wall, an painted our storage cabinet ( that used to be a spice rack) Actually, it was a storage shelf glued to the door of a cupboard at our old apartment, and housing said it was killing the for and removed it and wanted to throw it away. I asked for it, attached a base and used it free standing. Now I've upgraded it, attached a bracket for a basket at the top.

Wall:

Stencil on card stock, exacto cut

Hand stencil

Coat one, hand painted

Second coat

Valspar colors: hematite for wording and crucible helmet. It is not centered but that's intentionional.. 

Shelf:

Starting to paint, the base is mahogany stain

The short ones are shelves ( also shown are the door and mirror pieces minus cornices)

Painted! 

Installed behind the door

And filled. It's anchored to the wall for safety with mollies/screws. Go safe or go home. ;) 

I'd like to switch out the bins if I can find something better, so keeping my eyes out.. Green and white not in keeping with my theme but, eh. It works :) getting there!