Preorder Move Slow & Make Things, and enjoy a collection of thoughtful bonus content created just for you!

A Veruca Salt Moment

You know the moment.

“I want it now.”

This moment has to do with my True Value bathroom makeover.  (If you weren’t aware, I won a $2500 gift card for the DIY disaster in my 1940’s bathroom.  You can check out my entry video if you missed it the first time.)

I’ll get to my Veruca Salt moment in just a second.  First, I want to share the chandelier I ordered for the bathroom.  Isn’t it cool?  I love that it has classic elements about it, but it’s a little funky.  I think it will be the perfect “jewelry” for the space.  I bought it off CSN.com.

The other progress we made was the demolition of the window to nowhere.  We pulled out the trim and sill, so it can be covered with ply wood and then bead board.  I cannot wait for that to disappear behind a wall of vintage-looking beaded goodness.
Onto my spoiled brat “Daddy, I want another pony” moment. A friend from our church owns a flooring company, so he came out this morning to install my new marble hex tile.  Joy!  I was giddy as they took out the old toilet and pulled out the shoe molding.  Then, they got to the sink.
 “Are you keeping this sink or replacing it?”
“Replacing it with this pedestal sink.”
“Well, I hate to tell you this, but you need to redo the plumbing before we can lay the tile.”
My instant-itis was in high gear.  I was ready to have a floor done NOW.  Like, today.  And I don’t know if I can handle not having it done.  Thoughts of, “just do it anyway and it’ll work out” came into my head, but I knew that was foolish.  I composed myself.  I think I smiled, but it probably looked tortured.
“Oh, no problem!  We’ll get that fixed and have you back.”
My heart sank.  It’s just one of those things that happens when you’re working on a space.  This is a case where doing it right means waiting so it can be done right.
So, this is where we are…
…and this is where the toilet is…
…and this is where my precious marble hex tile is…
Patience.
Patience.
Miss Mustard Seed

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

you may also like

59 Responses

  1. Love love love love love (did I mention love?) the chandelier!

    Oh,if only I didn't live in military housing that would be coming home to live at my house today!

    I think this bathroom is going to end up being my favorite of your projects yet!

  2. Wasn't it the Wicked Witch of the West who said "All in good time, my dear" … I have that in common with you – I want my pony now. Love the chandelier – nice choice.

  3. Patience my dear! all will get done in due time and it will look better than you ever could have hoped!
    Until then, just smile at the fact that you have a potty sitting in the middle of your house. I really hope no ones undergoing potty training right now!

    xo

    Margaret
    http://www.sugarandspackle.com

  4. The title of this post is cracking me up! Hmmm, I think I have had a few Veruca Salt moments myself. It will be so gorgeous and lovely when it is all finished that you will do the happy dance every time you see the finished room. (hopefully, your boys will not do the potty dance in there…..)

  5. Doesn't that just drive you nuts? Once we make up our minds to do it and know exactly what we want done, we want it all done yesterday. And cleaned up. Yep. It takes a lot of patience, but before you know it, you'll be enjoying your new bathroom. It's gonna look so pretty, too. LOVE the chandelier!!

  6. I understand this, sugar! We once lived with our toilet in our living room for weeks before the remodelers got around to putting it in place. If hubs and I can survive adding a 2nd floor to our old house, we can survive anything!! I swore I'd never remodel again so we bought a brand new house. Love all the drains, etc. being new and not having them overflow. Good luck, chick.
    xoxo,
    Connie

  7. My very own "Veruca Salt" moments are lovingly referred to as my "Square Peg / Round Hole Syndrome" by my husband. Don't be like me. Patience. Patience.

    😉 hang in there Lady!

  8. Oh bless your heart!! I know the "instant-itis" I've just never been able to name it so eloquently! It will be perfect when it's finished!

  9. I have instant-itis too!! But I don't react nearly as self-composed as you do…It will all come together! Good things come to those who wait…

  10. Praise God, the man asked before he started ripping up tile and laying the new,huh!
    That would have really been UGLY!
    Not the floor…
    but YOU doing your Veruca Salt impersonation!

  11. oh goodness! Hang in there Marian!!! I would be doing the same thing right now. Im NOT good at waiting, when it comes to things like that.

    BUT- that chandy will be PERFECTION in there!!! Cant wait to see!

  12. Oh my goodness. Gasp, I know that was so hard to do.
    I know you will work it out, in good, purposeful time.
    Can't wait to see this done…and I am sure not half as much as you~
    ~Pam
    pamspaintparlor.typepad.com

  13. Renovation projects are always full of surprises no matter how much you plan. In the end better to do it right than do it now and wish you had waited.

    I also had to let you know that we now have another design element in common in our houses. The marble hexagon tile you are using is the same as I used in my basement bathroom!

  14. argh.. soooo frustrating! I would be the same way! Especially if I was putting in that incredible tile. So beautiful! I'm dying to see it down:)

  15. Marian–
    I feel your pain! I really do. I have been dying for my clawfoot tub to be installed. I've only been waiting 5 year, so what's a little more? It's sitting in my bathroom all refinished with all the hardware all ready to be hooked up. The snag was when the guys installed the plumbing, the didn't install it in the right place, so I had to rip up the tiles to get to the pipes. Now I just need DH to get better after surgery so we can reroute the pipes and git 'r done! The agony has been so bad, I found a way to put the feet on it myself today. Now, if I can just convince him to get it finished! Good Luck!

  16. Haha – I am sooooo like you and would have wanted to just cry with disappointment. However, it is going to look so incredibly gorgeous when it is done. I cannot wait to see it!

  17. ARRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!! I know patience is a virtue but that would make me crazy too! Here's hoping that'll be the last annoying obstacle in your way! *winks* It'll all be worth it though when it's all done right! Vanna

  18. Grrrrrrrr. Doesn't that make you nuts when something like this happens? It will be beautiful when you are done though. Deep breath…patience is a virtue we all work towards….patience is a virtue…patience…grrrr.

    Janie
    Romantic Domestic

  19. Ohhhhh I so hear you! I just had a bathroom remodeled and every delay like that ("we've discovered a big, rotted hole in the subfloor" or "did you know you can't do what you'd planned cause your wiring is from 1940?"…. lather, rinse, repeat).
    But it will get done and you'll be so happy you did it right.
    Oh, and also, I did the same hex tiles – I don't know if you've chosen or not but black grout really makes them pop and is easier to keep clean than white.

  20. Aw, that sucks. :o( But you will be so much happier (and proud of your self restraint) for having done it the right way. It will be gorgeous!

  21. AWW Dang, that kind of thing drives me nuts. On another note the chandelier is perfection. It will all turn out wonderful in the end.

  22. Can we just take a moment and say "WE HATE BEING PATIENT"! GAAAH!
    ok, that's immature, whatever….
    I believe there is a blogger out there who's header is "Impatiently Waiting for Patience"
    and I thought that was one of the most perfect phrases ever…

    Cindy

  23. If we could take off for the weekend, I'd haul my plumber (hubby) up to work on your bathroom. Unfortunately Saturday is my little Monkey's 3rd birthday, so we must stay home. Sorry! I know what you mean about wanting it now, I was like that with our half bath, it remained unfinished for almost a year after we moved into our new house. Hang in there!

  24. Are they moving the plumbing to the wall? I'm thinking that's where ours is for our pedestal. I love that tile. Would not want to mess that up with plumbing problems! How long til the plumber gets there?

  25. I am so sorry your tile couldn't be laid but you did the right thing by waiting and doing it the way it should be done. I can't wait to see how everything works out. I just know it is going to be beautiful.

    Penny

  26. I love the chandelier, and I can totally relate to your angst about having to wait. I am SO bad at waiting. I'm just hoping you have another toilet in the house!!!!

  27. Patience grasshopper! I've done my fare share of rushing things and then it turns out to be a mess!

    Ummm…No doubt, I love that chandelier! I also love your tile! Where did you find it? TruValue? I saw some on overstock, but I don't think it looked that good!

  28. Woo Hoo! What a win you got and I love your pretty chandy! Oh, poor one, you'll get your tile laid. Too bad about the plumbing but better to get it fixed now.

    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

  29. I feel for you on the having to wait. It will be more than worth it.

    How can you go wrong with your amazing taste, that chandelier, and the marble hex tile?!??!!? It will be beyond fabulous!

    Kaye

  30. I would so be pouting and sulking right now if I were you. I definitely have "do it now itis". Ha!!
    The tile is fabulous and that pedestal sink is gorgeous!
    It will be done soon…but I know how you feel!!
    Hang on!!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  31. I know the feeling, but it will be worth the wait. I love the chandelier and tile (vintage look!). I'll be glad to see it completed.
    Gayle from Vintage Farmhouse

  32. Getting things situated and making choices and then finishing the work does take so long! So far in our house updates we have refinished the wood floor, installed the new center island, and finally picked out the new carpeting. Hopefully that will be in soon and then paint – paint – paint! I'm really patient, but my husband is ready for the finish!

  33. Oh my, isnt that the way it always goes with a remodeling project! Your patience will pay off and It will be so beautiful! I was drooling on my keyboard over the tile & chandelier. oooo la la!
    BTW, I hope the kiddo's realize that toilet is out of order, ha ha. NOT funny :/
    Have a great day, Jodi

  34. Having patience with these types of projects is sooo hard! But everyone deserves a Veruca Slat moment every now and then!

  35. So funny, can you believe I had to Google Veruca Salt to understand what you were talking about. Anyway been there done that. I am still working on fixing up my sewing room which was my sons room and he moved out last April. Whew, takes forever. Taking the time to do it right though is important. Hang in there.

  36. If it's any consolation to you…I'm pretty sure most if not all of your readers have great creative imaginations and we can just picture that tile laid with the new sink in place…yep, it's lovely 🙂

    I guess that's why they say "patience is a virtue" Now you can't add virtuous woman to your resume!

    Cindi @ Rustique Art
    rustiqueartblog.com

  37. LOVE the chandelier….
    Now as for patience I am always reminded of my hubby's aunt saying….Patience is a virtue, patience is a grace, if you have alot of patience you will have a happy face 🙂 True story!!

  38. Congrats on your win! I was scanning your blog and for a moment thought you had pictures of my bathroom. LOL We have that same black stick tile and pink walls, though mine are plaster instead of tile and I have a window to my backyard. Hope you can get the plumbing done quickly and continue on with your remodel. Can't wait to see it finished.

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

A book about creativity, intention, and making things with care. Sign up to receive updates, preorder details, and exclusive bonus content.

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From original paintings and art prints to Pup Club releases and curated goods, each piece is created or chosen to bring warmth, creativity, and character into your home.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

A handpicked collection of items styled and shared throughout posts, projects, and social feeds. Every product is thoughtfully chosen to reflect a timeless, collected aesthetic.

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories

Looking for more encouragement?

four things | seventy five

I had an original art sale yesterday, so I spent the bulk of the day babysitting the sale (answering questions, managing presales, etc.) and packing

Read More

Original Art Sale Preview | May 20, 2026

I typically post my previews a few days ahead of an original art sale, but May has been so busy that this sale snuck up on me! The next original art sale is tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 1:00 pm Eastern (New York) or noon for presale subscribers.  If

Read More

Lucketts Spring Market 2026

Before I share my Lucketts recap, I wanted to let you know my next original art sale is Wednesday, May 20, 20206, at 1:00 pm Eastern.  For those interested in early access at noon, you can sign up HERE. On Thursday night, we packed our van with oil painting supplies,

Read More
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This