 |
The Queen's Bathroom
After a devastating house fire, the kids wished to return home, so we made a decision to reconstruct. We loved our neighborhood, and they wanted to stay in their school. I had attractive rose gardens, herb gardens, and apple trees my hubby and I had worked on for dozens of years. I just couldn't leave.
I was faced with a hundred years old stone shell to rebuild in any decor I wanted. My problem was I liked everything. Normal, ultra modern , Asian, Louis 1v, renaissance, I loved them all. I had 4 loos and two kitchens to do as well as a deck and a terrace to make from the start. A self taught, do it your self non-professional, I was faced with unlimited choices, and a restricted budget in which to create the home of my dreams. I decided to let everyone have their input, but I was going to have a Tudor styled bathroom, named'the Queen's Bath. ' My theme for inspiration was 2 ceramic tile portraits Of Queen Elizabeth, and her sick destined cousin Mary queen of Scots. I had purchased these for $30 on ebay.
I started dressing my rest room in layers. I imagined a gorgeous Tudor gown, and interpreted the layers of the dress as a room.
First the marble floors, and matching countertops.These I installed with heated flooring so that the floor was always warm. Instead of vanities, we used dark mahogany kitchen cupboards with crystal hardware.
The subsequent layer was color. Gold, green, and terra-cotta in the marble floors and counter tops was my color palette. Green paint for the walls, and decorative gold paint for the woodwork and doors. The accents were the key. I dressed my bathroom with Tudor clothes type fabric, medieval touches, and Renaissance style. Damasks, tassels, and beaded valances improved the richness if the space. The plumbing hardware was 24k gold plated, and the door handles were victorian style brass.
Luxury accoutrements included gold mirrored medicine chests, a green heated air tub, with a matching round green sink, and a beautiful tile shower with seating, accented with the same green listello.
The lighting was the next layer. Matching candelabrum, sconces, and a flush ceiling fixture, completed the tudor/renaissance design for the last touches of http://www.wheaton.edu/my tudor get a way.
The final layer was luxury, so the space developed into a spa, with heated towels, stunning art reproductions, and a tapestry of a french garden, my own paraffin wax machine, and a water resistant phonephone. The sunken bath is kitted out with a roman set complete with spray attachment for cleaning my luxurious tub. Naturally, the toilet had to be separate for privacy, and that's where the portraits found their home.
Using layers of color, texture, lighting, and art, I created a private splendid haven, for the woman of the estate. Many of those touches were chosen on the internet. Renaissance clothing and accessories, found on numerous websites offered a bunch of choices. Tudor accents, fabric, hardware, and fixtures were useful ideas found on sites with costumes and jewellery.
The Queens became the ideal theme, and the modern conveniences gave me the bathroom fit for a royal lady. I didn't need women in waiting to heat my bath water, that is where the Tudor times finished and the 21st century replaced the privy closet with modern plumbing. My window overlooking the garden is hung with a stained glass panel, for privacy, and implies a beautiful focus when the sun shines through.
If you're interested in period garments, historical style, and modern comfort, this is an easy to do project. Hardware, art, and lighting will simply convert any space into a classic luxury oasis fit for Queen. In case one requires more privacy, a gold door leads to a matching dressing room, adorned with a matching marble center island, mahogany cupboards, and a combo lock for security!
Other sites worth checking out:
Medieval Lady’s Bath
The Luxury Renaissance Bathroom
THE QUEEN'S BATHROOM
Send E-Mail to: caseybtt@yahoo.co.uk
Copyright © 2010 . All Rights Reserved