my white and vintage inspired bathroom

Finally the bathroom is completed! Well, nearly...there is always a little something to be done and in this case I am still working on the blind. But I thought the room was good enough to photograph and I couldn't wait any longer! Above is the view from the hallway looking into the bathroom. The flooring is French oak with a lime wash finish. The walls are painted in an off-white colour called "Limed White" (half strength) and the trims are painted in "Antique White USA", both Dulux colours. The Victorian claw foot bath is original to the house and is against the far wall under the window. We gave it a fresh finish of paint. I am yet to use it!

The mirror above the basin is an antique. It is quite ornate but the simplicity of the rest of the room is a good contrast, I think.

This cast iron table is from the Victorian period and has a white marble top. It would have originally been used as a garden table. The towel rail is also antique.

These silvered Italian candlesticks date to around c.1800. Again, I am yet to use them but I have some candles ready.

The taps are by Nicolazzi, an Italian tap ware company with products now available in Tasmania (see previous post).

The painted cupboard is one I bought last year on one of our overseas buying trips. It has finally found its true resting place (it has been in our living room for a little while, see previous post). It is used for storage and is filled with towels, soaps, lotions etc.

An antique lavender water bottle (and original contents) that I found in New Zealand years ago. Actually, it was on my honeymoon which gives it special meaning to me.

An antique French glass jar holds soaps.

Antique jars, pots and Victorian footbaths in the painted cupboard are used for storage. I am particularly fond of this little Roger and Gallet pot above, which is French. "Creme de Savon pour la barbe" translates to shaving soap for the barber. It now holds hairpins!

These antique apothecary jars are also used for storage and are on the bottom shelf of the painted cupboard. I found these earlier in the year overseas and bought them immediately with the bathroom in mind. Most of them have their original apothecary labels on them.

This large Victorian bowl is also a recent find. It is huge! It is on top of the cupboard as it didn't fit inside as I intended. I am unsure what the "K" stands for, possibly kitchen? Or it could represent the family name. We had a smaller such bowl, also with a "K" in the store but it sold last week.

The best part about using antique furniture for storage? You can take it with you if you ever move houses.

The shower is tiled with simple white brick tiles and a pale grey grout. The tap ware and overhead rose is again Nicolazzi.

I am happy with how the room has turned out, I feel like it is in keeping with the rest of the house and is a calming, restful space. As a bathroom should be. Please let me know what you think...

new in store! antique Turkish kilim cushions

We have just had a gorgeous selection of antique Kilim cushions come in to the store, some of which are above stacked on our early Indian trunk. Each one is different and has its own story. Kilims are flat weave tapestries as opposed to carpets which have a pile. It is for this reason kilims are more fragile than carpets which have pile to protect the weave from wear.

The kilims used for these cushions originate in Turkey and are mostly wool. They were either made for decorative purposes e.g. as wall hangings or to use as floor rugs, horse saddles, bed covers etc. I am particularly fond of the patchwork style cushions where pieces from various kilims are sewn together. This striped example is sitting on an English broad arm Windsor chair. The colours would certainly help to brighten a dull couch!

a visit to the greenhouse restaurant in Perth, WA

I have just returned from a break in Perth and the Margaret River region of Western Australia. One of the highlights of my holiday was the Greenhouse in St. Georges Terrace, Perth. I was expecting the food to be very good as the Greenhouse has made it into the Gourmet Traveller's 2011 Restaurant Guide. But I was gobsmacked walking up to the exterior of the restaurant with its amazing vertical garden, juxtaposed directly in front of modern sky rise buildings.

The vertical garden consists of thousands of small terracotta pots and plants encased in the metal framework. It gives something pleasant and green for passersby to admire, the walls almost look like they are breathing.

Inside, the walls consist of raw plywood. The light fixtures are made from wound lengths of fencing wire and it was very effective in creating a relaxed and natural, almost country, atmosphere.

The breakfast menu consisted of many tempting options, including spanner crab omelette and an upside down quince cake.

But I decided upon the wild mushrooms with slow cooked eggs and grilled polenta. It was an earthy and hearty start to my day.

And I resisted the pile of doughnuts which were sitting at the bar next to me, tempting me with their sugar coated good looks.

After breakfast we were directed to the rooftop which functions as a bar area in addition to a rooftop vegetable garden.

Most of the plantings were leafy green vegetables. For more on the fabulously "green" Greenhouse, visit their website.

chateau de moissac...a French dream

The most beautiful chateau in France? Quite possibly... I fell in love with these images, all from Chateau de Moissac.

Candles make an impact upon entrance.

French doors opening to a gorgeous room with a French chandelier.

The kitchen really sealed the deal for me, I could move in immediately! Note the unusual step ladder, we have almost the exact model in our store right now (and many others very similar just arrived). I particularly like the floor to ceiling cabinets stacked full of white china...

Another view through into the kitchen. The stone flooring is divine.

A rustic dining room with an antique trestle table and benches. Note the French cheese board on the table. We have a fresh supply of these boards in the store, but they are selling fast!

The urn in the corner appears to be marble or stone of some kind. The hall lantern is lovely too.

A French chaise longue in the bedroom. We found a similar chaise on our last buying trip, but it didn't fit into the shipment. We now have to wait even longer for it!

A very comfortable living room. And cosy with the open fire. I like the use of the table at the back of the sofa.

A dreamy bathroom! The double pedestal basin is unusual. And the wall sconces either side of the mirror make sense.

More antiques including a French painted oak cupboard in the corner.

The chandelier is amazing but I am more drawn to the collection of mercury glass candlesticks on the buffet.

A more formal dining room, it looks ready for a white Christmas. For more visit Chateau de Moissaic. In the meantime, we can just dream...