finishing vintage touches to my white bathroom

You may have already seen my bathroom from my previous post. As I explained, I jumped the gun and photographed the room before it was completely finished. I was still working on the blind at the time but I was so excited I became snap-happy. Now that the room has changed a little, I thought I had better update everyone on the finished product. For the blind, I took some French linen that I bought as part of a collection on my last trip overseas... The linen is actually a French wine harvest tablecloth and dates to around c.1900. I believe that the French would use such tablecloths for al fresco dining during the wine harvest season. I can just imagine it spread on a small table under an olive tree with baguette and cheeses upon it. Oh and wine, of course. And probably wrinkled, too, as French people have a relaxed approach to dining...tablecloths and napkins were often not ironed as far as I know. That is my way of life! This particular cloth had a tear near one of the edges but it was larger than I needed so it was perfect. And a perfect way to recycle an otherwise damaged piece.

Voila! The roman style blind for the bathroom window. It is lovely and textural as it is handwoven linen. I like the light coming through it (I have backed it in one pass curtain lining) as you can see the weave of the linen.

Next I brought home from the store a deerskin rug to give the room some warmth...

It is a nice contrast with the oak flooring, I think.

I painted the dark brown waste paper basket with a lime wash paint. I am not sure whether it looks good or not, but it sure looks better than the dark brown...

And finally, flowers in a vintage milk jug. I think they are freesias, but I am not totally sure. All I know is they are pretty and also have a gorgeous perfume...

Another view of the room with my finishing touches. Definetly warmer and more homely, I think. As usual, I would love to hear your your comments.

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...

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...

Beautiful (and mostly white) bathrooms

(Image from The Stamford Wife http://thestamfordwife.blogspot.com/)

As my life returns to "normal" I have had to face the bathroom renovations again. It has been on hold ever since the arrival of our overseas goodies for the shop in August. I have been busy in the store as well as helping at the Sydney antiques fair. I must confess, my first point of call is more photos. I know, not a lot of action or dirty hands but it motivates and inspires me for the challenges that await. I hope you enjoy this compilation of bathroom images...

His and her showers with white (or off-white?) subway tiles. I definitely do not have room for two showers! But I love simple white tiles in brick formation. (Image source unkown) Again, the tiles struck me in this bathroom, they appear to be bevelled like our kitchen tiles. I also love the basin on chrome stand. This bathroom looks very English with the vintage style toilet and basin. I prefer chrome legs though. I like the simplistic mirror, it looks to be from the 1930s. There is no colour in this room, it could maybe use a splash of something... This bathroom has a near identical basin to the one I have bought for our bathroom. Rejoice, it looks great in this room, so it should work in my bathroom. Again, the classic pedestal basin looking good. I really like the soft blue, but I may go more neutral for the wall colour. Any ideas? Imagine having French doors leading into the bathroom...this is really gorgeous.

(Previous 5 images all from Katy Elliot http://www.katyelliott.com/blog/)

Classic white once again but with black details, reminiscent of the Art Deco period.

(Image from Griege http://greigedesign.blogspot.com/)

I think these last images decide it for me, white subway tiles it is (well, in the shower, our only tiled area at this stage). It is hard to go wrong with such a classic tile. And I love this neutral colour above. Again, if anyone has any colour suggestions, I would love to know.