Big Ideas: A vintage bathroom

This is the first of the Big Ideas room sets from the 2019 Ideal Home Show, and I’m sure it’s a first in that I’m posting about the show while it’s still on. it’s amazing what an early-in-the-show visit can do isn’t it?

The Big Ideas to add glamour to a vintage bathroom are:

1. On-trend shades: using pinks and greens to create a Miami vibe

2. Roll-top bath: adding a bespoke finish or a freestanding finish, or both

3. Statement walls: using decorative wallpaper and a panelled effect

It’s quite a statement bathroom isn’t it?

And it’s totally got the Miami vibe. I’m not sure it’s for me, but it was one that was drawing the crowds and encouraging discussion from the strangers viewing it. Most of the comments when I was there was about the size of the roll-top bath. It is quite diddy.

And quite high up.

The conversation I had with four ladies I’ve never met before, centred around how we’d get in, and once in how we’d get out, as well as if it was possible to stretch out and relax in a bath like this. None of us were sure about any of those, although we seemed more convinced about getting in, than getting out. But only with a step ladder, which might spoil the look.

I’m not sure this roll-top bath is for me.

I do like the wallpaper though. Even now I’m trying to work out the pattern, and which birds have their wings up and which have them down. I think the overall effect, along with the pink clouds (?) give the sense of movement and I have to wonder where we’re flying off to.

Remember my trends from the Ideal Home Show? Well one of them was ‘wire furniture’ - well this bathroom, has one I didn’t clock until just now. Like the commenter on my earlier post, I’m not sure about the functional-ness (yes made up word alert) of this kind of furniture. The basket/stool above looks great, but put stuff in it and I’m sure it’s charm evaporates. It’s not ideal for a washing basket now, is it?

And how about that for a radiator and towel rail that’s in keeping with the style of the room? In fact, it’d look great in any kind of room, but what’s your view on this room set, and what about the bath, could you get in and out of it easily?

Reflecting on my week #77

I wasn’t going to write a ‘my week’ post this week, as when I sat down it seemed that I’d be writing that it was busy at work, again. Which, while it’s true, isn’t very exciting to read, or to write.

But here I am, and although it’s late, it’s still Monday. And so I’m writing it.

We visited MOH’s family at the weekend and it was great to sit down, relax and kick back. There was good food, good wine and generally a good time. I’d forgotten my contact lens solution and case, and my thyroid tablets, but I think that says more about my working week than I care to admit.

I’d had a foot appointment during the week, which was another assessment. I left with some exercises - calf stretches, another appointment and the advice to wear trainers. That final bit of advice was a bit deflating if I’m honest, I’ve been mostly wearing trainers for the best part of a year now, and while I love my Vionic trainers which are still oh-so-comfortable, most of my wardrobe isn’t a trainer friendly wardrobe, and nor am I up for shopping for a whole new wardrobe.

I realised that I’m getting fed up of wearing trainers, fed up of wearing socks - my feet get hot and then the rest of me overheats too, and I’m fed up of wearing the same clothes. This sounds a massive whinge, and it is a bit, but it’s also partly the time of year I think. Now the nicer weather has hinted it’s around the corner I’m keen for it to be here and to shed my winter wardrobe and pull out something a bit more colourful.

Colour has been a bit of a theme, as instead of writing this post when I sat down Sunday evening I somehow started a new gardens and gardening linky. I know, funny how at times, something what seems quite random manifests itself. You may have seen the post earlier - ‘Get creative with colour’ this April which is part of a campaign to show how gardening is good for us.

I think I just needed an injection of colour. I thought the blue skies and yellow pom-pom bushes on the way to work might do it, but not even that was enough. Mid-morning when I looked at my messy, but productive desk I realised that that too screamed out colour, and that made me smile. There’s no escaping it colour is what gives me a boost when I need it. That and some shoe shopping - I’ve another pair of trainers, that have a bit of bling, on the way.

I’ve also been suffering with aching hips this week, so much so that alongside working later than I planned to and life generally, I’ve now missed a week of my new exercise routine, which doesn’t fill me with joy either. Through monitoring when they ache I’ve learnt it’s not related to my foot issue, it doesn’t hurt any more or any less if I adjust how far I walk, but they can feel better if I sit with my feet up. That was something I discovered quite by mistake in the reclining sofas which my SIL has. That means I’m off to the doctors again this week to see if those blood tests showed anything, and to see if there’s anything more on what the joint pain might be.

If not I think I’ll be in the market for a pouffe that I can put my feet up on!

Lanterns and loveliness

Joyful Living has been a regular stopping point for ogling interior loveliness when we’re in Norfolk, but it’s been a while and I was long overdue a visit. That was something remedied on our recent visit to Norfolk and it was reassuring to discover that while the stock has changed, the quality and ethos hadn’t. On this visit it was the lanterns that caught my eye, and the succulents of course but that goes without saying doesn’t it?

The intricate patterns and weathered finish are great aren’t they, and would work as well indoors or out, with a candle or without. The round shape makes a change too, as often lanterns are the more traditional square shape. But if more traditional is your thing, then there’s also those as well. I love the finish of both, and would happily have them indoors, but only if I could be certain that MOH wouldn’t set about polishing them, which could take quite some negotiation.

But there’s plenty more than lanterns here, and it wasn’t long before I found myself drawn to the yellow pouffe and blankets. The pouffe, especially, was a favourite. I’m on a mission to get more yellow in our house, but I wasn’t quite sure about this one just now.

It’s just as well I hadn’t seen these cushions though when we were on cushion-hunt. A couple of these might have ended up on our grey sofas as the constants. And I think that would have given our living room a very different look, possibly a more grown up and sophisticated look, but there’s still time to grow into that I’m sure.

Had I seen this star in the run up to Christmas I’d have left with as many as I could get my hands on. I’ve a plan, that may or may not actually come to fruition, to make some of these giant stars myself from wire we have left over from our gabion baskets - yes I know that’s quite random - but I think they could look really good. I’m still working out the lights, but we’ll see how far we get with this before worrying about that just yet.

It’s also the type of place that manages to make bowls of shells look effortlessly stylish. Maybe it works because it’s on the North Norfolk coast, and that’s more authentic than a South London dwelling, who knows.

And as ever, there’s always room for some sequins. And more stars.

What I’m seeing more and more of is macrame-type holders for jars and plants. These have that feel to them too, but expect to see much more macrame around. Even in the Facebook craft groups and craft magazines it’s making an appearance and reminds me of growing up in the 70s - I’m sure we had a spider plant, with many many babies hanging in a window complete with louvre openings at some point. Our 70s house rocked.

Ah yes, more succulents. Aren’t these little pots lovely? I was quickly ushered out of the shop at this point, but look at the shelf too - it’s a scaffold board painted white. Something that would work equally well in a home setting too.

So lanterns and more loveliness as usual, I won’t be leaving it so long for my next visit either.