Saturday, July 14, 2012

Vintage Bathroom Makeover

I'd like to start today off with an admission of a 
senior moment.....
I've been sewing up a storm lately, making slipcovers that I will be showing off within the next week or so.
MY THREAD KEPT ON BREAKING!!!!!
Now,
I LOVE MY BABY LOCK SEWING MACHINE!!!!!
And was very disappointed in it.
I felt it was letting me down.
I thought I was going to need to bring it to the doctor.
THIS WAS NOT GOOD TIMING!!!!!
I STILL HAD ANOTHER SLIP COVER TO MAKE!!!!!
oy oy oy oy oy oy oy oy oy oy oy oy.....(etc.)
Sooooooooooooooo..............
I'm sitting at my sewing table.....
banging my head against the edge.....
and I think to myself......
"Betsy, have you done something stupid?????"
And I answered.....
"Probably....."
So I took a deep breathe.....
pulled off the top thread from the machine spool.....
and took a long hard look at it.....
It said...
clear as day!!!
bobbin thread
which is a lighter weight, not as strong, etc.etc.etc.
i am an idiot, i am an idiot, i am an idiot.
So, if or when you do something stupid,
 just remember,
 I'm keeping you company.....

Now, back to my cabin on Lake Sunapee!!!!
Today's post is the last one of this story.
(I think; one can never be sure, can one?????)

Off the master bedroom of my new addition was the
Master Bath!!!!!
You can see that this is the third room I used the 
Osborn & LIttle star wallpaper. 

 Each room had a different color way.
Steven Tyler's wife, Teresa and I
 both felt somewhat passionately about this color!
We put it in her house too. 
I wouldn't think an ochre wallpaper would have appealed to me, but there was just something about this that resonated inside my tiny brain.....  
I had fallen in love with this 
Belle Epoch sink, 
at the time it was a "new" look for a vintage bathroom, 
and I was hot to get my hands on one for my very own!!!!
Now, I have a nice set of legs, but check these babies out!!!!!

For a medicine cabinet, I had my carpenters hinge an old mirror I found on a wooden box and set it into the wall. 
Some of the box had to protrude from the wall, so the the door could swing open.

For lighting I had a pair of sconces installed, and I set two somewhat similar lamps on the chest of drawers on the opposite wall.
This way I didn't need to put in any overhead lighting, as the ceiling was very low.
There was a massive boulder under this part of the house, 
so rather than use dynamite, 
I raised the bathroom floor by 8", 
creating a step up into the room.

There was enough space for a longer than average footed tub.
I had a fantasy of submerging myself in deep hot sudsy water, lolling away  in soothing bliss.
So I went were any self respecting hedonist would go who has the hots for renovation.....,
THE PLUMBING SALVAGE YARD!!!!!
YEAH, BABY!!!!!
I found this beauty that was 72" long.....
I know the sink had great legs, but I also get weak in the knees for a nice set of feet!!!!!
They were something a little different
 from the standard ball and claw foot of your typical old tub.
I had the outside of the piece painted a dark bluey green and 
Bob's your uncle!!!!

Now let me share some words of wisdom with you guys.....
This is for women as well as men.....
Longer isn't always better!!!!!!
Now I know why most tubs were 60" long.
That's the perfect length for someone Betsy size.
(that's a new unit of measure)
You needs to be able to brace your feets against the bottom of the tub,
otherwise you slip under the water,
and that's not a fun activity.....
it causes bad side effects.....
like 
DROWNING!!!!!
Another thing to pay attention to is the placement of the overflow hole!!!!
If it's set down low.....
even if the tub is deep.....
YOU CAN'T FILL THE TUB UP ABOVE THE OVERFLOW DRAIN!!!!!
So there I was....
trying to plug up the hole.....
So that I could have 
at least one time, a fantasy soak!!
Then I learned my next lesson!!!!!!!
A big tub takes forever to fill!!!!!
So................
by the time you've plugged the overflow, 
waited for the tub to fill, 
and climbed in.....
YOU MAY FEEL THE WAY I DID, AND JUST HAVE BEEN 
OVER
THE WHOLE MAGILLAH!!!!!

But while we're talking about the tub.....
Isn't the shower curtain purty???
It's more Cowtan & Tout fabric.
I used all Cowtan & Tout on the lower level.

Repeat after me:
You can never have 
too many cabbage rose fabrics!!!!!
The bathroom was large enough to hold a piece of furniture.
Across from the sink was this wonderful painted chest.
The window on the left opens up onto the study, as this is an interior room. It is directly opposite the study's French doors,
so the view from the bathroom, even though it's through another room, still is of the lake.
I was able to snag this chest of drawers before a local antique store stripped and waxed it.
It was in the pile of things to be stripped!!!!!
I KID YOU NOT!!!!!
People are out of their freakin' minds, I tell ya!!!!
I think it's gorgeous!

I bought the oil painting for a song because it was ripped.
The guys in the stores up around Lake Sunapee thought I had a screw loose because I never minded that the paintings were ripped.
WELL....
THEY WERE CHEAPER THAT WAY....
SO WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE!!!!!
I had a collection of fish plates that I hung around the painting, continuing the lake/mountain theme.....

As I mentioned earlier, I used the little lamps on the chest as part of the ambient lighting in the room.
They were controlled by a switch at the door.
They are a sort of pair, they are similar, but not identical.....
For added height, I used my old trick of placing them on a stack of books.

Here's another cropped shot, I've already covered everything, but I may as well share this, as I have nothing else to do with it....,

So that's it for my Sunapee Cabin.
As I said, I sold it 10 years ago, but one of you eagle eyed readers pointed out that it is back on the market.
I sold it completely furnished, 
so I don't have any of my bears
 or plates
 or nothin'......
If you keep your old stuff,
you can't buy new stuff,
and then where would the economy be?????
See?????
I am patriotic!!!!!
That's why I buy so much @#$
Latah, Gatah
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36 comments:

Becki said...

I've thoroughly enjoyed the tour of your cabin! And the commentary was fabulous! Can't wait to see what you share next!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Fabulous bathroom. I would love that in my house now. Hugs, Marty

Pondside said...

You had me laughing with your tub discussion. I have to sort of hang my head on a tub pillow to keep from slipping underwater. I'll never buy such a long tub again - although it's perfect for two!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I do believe that you might just be sillier than me, Ms. Betsy. And that's saying a lot. Maybe our middle name is "stupid." I was thinking that after I fell off the back porch in my haste to photograph a morning glory (that now must have come and gone without so much as one click of the camera), lunch still on the counter waiting, and I'm sitting on the concrete with an ankle that looks horribly distorted. Now I'm "stupidly" lying in my bed with water coverings around both legs so's I don't get blood clots. Wish I had that bathroom. Mines not even big enough to get my youth wheelchair all the way in!
Brenda

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Such a pretty bathroom! Gorgeous chest of drawers. I found out how unfun really BIG clawfoot tubs are while visiting a friend who had one. It was the only bathing option. LOTS of water to fill. And then I had to sit upright in the middle. Nothing relaxing about it.

drue hartwell said...

I turn the overflow's upside down in my baths and get that little teeny extra bit of water to soak in!!! Might be frowned upon by a plumber, but that's how I role.

pipigirl said...

a bit late, but i just wanted to thank you for the wall fireplace advice. its officially 3 to 1 vote for. yeaaaaa. so now im gonna do it. and yea, i show off my babies as much as i can. my little maf girl. shes so precious. thanks again. really do appreciate your advice. love your lakehouse. how could you leave it???? have a great weekend. stay kool, susy

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

That chest of drawers was gorgeous, and the room amazing. You are so talented.

Nita Stacy said...

Love this bathroom and the chest of drawers. Another fabulous room by you.

laney said...

...oh my goodness...is it ridiculous to want to live in a bathroom?...you simply have to buy that cabin back...we need for you to do that...more more more...i say again...more...blessings laney

Jayne said...

Beautiful, just beautiful!

Amy Chalmers said...

I adore this bathroom!! Its not really my colors, but you make me love it anyway!! Loved the chest of drawers in the bath~the fish plates around the painting on top of the star paper~yummers! I loved the sink too when they came out and I got one for a client I had! Still love it. I can't believe you sold everything with the house....did you really?

Connie@Connie Nikiforoff Designs said...

Thanks for the total tour of your cabin. Very "cabin-y". I hope you had some great times there.

Can't wait to see what's up next on your blog :-)

Marsha said...

I love this bathroom and wish you could come to my house and work your magic. I'm just wondering if I have out-of-date taste because this is 10 years old but these are the colors and the look I would want today.
Concerned,
Marsha

Cynthia said...

I love this bathroom! I love the chest of drawers being used as a vanity. The room is so warm and inviting. I also love the sconces. Again, great room.

Cynthia

Anonymous said...

I so remember this room! It is the inspiration for the guest bath in our home which is covered in a Waverly Cabbage Rose. I did it 15 yrs ago & have never for a minute tired of it. Every person who has been in there remarks on how much they like it regardless of their personal esthetic. I was working w/mid century construction that had pink fixtures that were in incredibly good condition. My little granddaughter tells her friends that her Nana put pink in the bathroom JUST FOR HER & she loves to come here! I was so taken w/your wallpaper that in the en suite bedroom I stamped the star shape with iridescent gold paint to mimic the paper...every one loves that room, too & think it is wallpaper. I so wanted a dresser like yours but no room :-( I am sure I still have that magazine photo somewhere...thanks for breaking it down for me, all I could do is copy but the explanation makes it all so much easier ti understand...in the words of Tony the Tiger, "YOU'RE GRRRRRREAT!"

Honey at 2805 said...

This room is wonderful, like everything you do!

Anonymous said...

I remember the articles on your cabin and I loved it then and love it now. That's when I decided to memorize your name so I could see more of your work. I also added cabin-y stuff to my house I was so inspired!!

I'm anxlous to see your slipcovers. I sew alot but haven't had the courage to give slipcovering a try. I'm sure I'll be inspired by yours. Nancy

Pam said...

Wow, what a beautiful bathroom!!! Love it all.

Marian said...

Thanks again for revisiting your cabin. It was a fine capper on a decorating story I have always enjoyed.

allisamazing said...

Your bathroom is beautiful!

Elaine said...

This bathroom is gorgeous! Now I have to go back and see what I missed! Visiting from MIP Monday!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Betsy, The bath is beautiful and I so understand the tub thing. We had an antique claw foot in our previous home and I loved the look. It was not the most comfortable and yes it was a drowning hazard.

chateau chic said...

Betsy, Your vintage bathroom is fabulous!! Love that chest of drawers, and so glad you snagged it before it was sanded and painted.
Mary Alice

Unknown said...

Looks lovely as always!
www.iheartpears.blogspot.com

Shingle Cottage said...

I love this bathroom,the shower curtain is a slice of heaven...i really like the chest of drawers with the oil painting,plates and lamps it looks fabulous....excited to see your slipcovers! x

cathy@my1929charmer said...

I have enjoyed the tour of your cute cabin, but I am loving this bathroom. You can use as many cabbage rose patterns that you like because they are gorgeous! The chest of drawers is awesome, and love the fish plates. So glad you shared your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best!

Kathryn Ferguson Griffin said...

Great bathroom and I love the chest of drawers! I'm swooning. Been there with the bobbin thread. Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again next Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

Karin said...

Holy cow, I remember that Osborn & LIttle star wallpaper! Hadn't thought about it in years. I cut out a stencil when I was a newlywed in the early 1990s and painfully stenciled that star onto ochre painted walls in my sitting room. Maybe the stencil came in my Better Homes magazine. I can't remember. Anyway, I was so proud of my little cottage. I loved your style then and I still do today.

Connie said...

;-) I'll bet I'm more humorous than you, sugar!! LOL I love humor and laughing. I also like that bathroom you did. Hubs and I are in our "last" house because we're retired and plan on NEVER, EVER moving again!!!! Nice to meet you, honey.
xoxo,
Connie

Maria Elena said...

What a gorgeous bathroom! Every detail is so pretty! The chest of drawers is amazing!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

So charming~ thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday!

MONICA LIVAS said...

Absolutely Gorgeous!

Cheerios and Lattes said...

Looks amazing! I would love to invite you to share this on Saturday Show and Tell: (www.cheeriosandlattes.com/saturday-show-tell-20/). I know that my readers would appreciate this and some of your other posts. Thanks and have a great weekend.
-Mackenzie
http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

Always lovely to tour your house Betsy. Thanks for linking up at Shabbilicious Friday.

The Charm of Home said...

Just gorgeous!! Love that cabinet, would never strip! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

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