Lovery Lizz

I came home from a work trip to find my husband covered in tile dust, grinning like an idiot. "Surprise! I redid the bathroom while you were gone!"

I walked in and wanted to scream. Everything was white. Stark, hospital white. For months I'd been saving inspiration photos from the home design community on the Tedooo app - gorgeous bathrooms with warm wood, colorful tiles, personality. I have been saving items I liked there that would match my style, too. I'd shown him my favorites a dozen times.

But he did this completely without asking. Just sterile white everywhere.

He's so proud, pointing out the rainfall showerhead like he cured cancer. I managed to say "It's beautiful" but inside I'm dying. This looks like a doctor's office, not the cozy spa retreat I dreamed of.

Now I feel like a total bitch. He spent weeks on this, used our savings, did all the work himself. But I hate it. Every time I look at those plain tiles, I think about all the beautiful handmade touches I'd found on Tedooo that could have made this space actually feel like me.

Am I being an ungrateful wife for wanting to tell him I hate his surprise? Or should I just smile and pretend to love this boring white box for the rest of my life?