I've seen that floor before...

We headed into the City on Friday evening for some steak at Blacklock. The steak - we had porterhouse, sirloin and Barnsley chop - shared between the four of us was great, and the pigs head on toast which we had beforehand was also good. With cocktails for a fiver - no surprises, mine was a negroni - there was only one other thing to check out.

And yes, I’m talking about the Ladies.

AND YES, I’VE SCUFFED MY PEWTER TRAINERS…

When I looked down, I saw a familiar flooring, and knowing my flooring I was pretty sure it was one I’d seen in a quinta in the Douro Valley. As it turns out, after checking the next day, it was a monochrome version of the flooring from the Quinta da Bomfim in Pinhao, which I’d spotted on our visit back in 2017. Never let it be said that I ever forget a good floor!

Looks like I’d dressed for the more monochrome version too, which isn’t the first time that I’ve found my outfit matches my surroundings.

THE DOURO VALLEY VERSION

The loos were all the individual sort with their own hand basin, and in this case an etched mirror which had a hint of vintage about it with the shape, the bevelled edge and the etched design. It gave me some challenges to photograph, you can’t see, but I’m on tiptoes here, which is why I’m sure I’m holding on.

It was also pointed out to me at work on Friday that I’d matched my outfit to my hair. Something quite unintentional, but quite amusing once it had been pointed out. My brown top was edged with a coral colour around the neck, and my orange and pink necklace is very similar to the colour that’s currently in my hair - and which I’m having done again at the end of the year, aiming to be even more bold with the orange.

If I wear this outfit again - and let’s face it I probably will - I think it’s going to be one I’m just going to have to own!

I’M CONCENTRATING CLEARLY…

There is one final photo from the Ladies which I’m sharing. I can’t quite work out if it was by design, through use or something else.

Let’s hope it wasn’t the latter.

Big Ideas: A spa-style bathroom

I’m sure we’ve all had days where we’ve wished we’ve had a spa to walk into as soon as we step through the front door, and while that may not always be possible, and we may have to plan our spa visits in advance, there are some style tips we can adopt to make the most of our own bathrooms to make them a haven of relaxation.

The Big Ideas for this bathroom are:

1. Tactile finishes such as natural woods and limewash tiles

2. A neutral palette which enhances the hygge design, but is also easy to update

3. A relaxing vibe, as we all know a calming atmosphere promotes wellbeing.

For me in this bathroom, it’s the tiles that make it. I’m sure they’re the type of tiles that builders love to hate and will tell you how hard they are to put up, but if they can look this good, I think that’s worth it. And if they are hard to put up, then I think I’d recommend a builder than trying to do them yourselves. I’ve said before that MOH and I are DIY-incompatible, and these don’t look like materials that would help with that.

He’d be a big fan of the shower though, even if the tiles aren’t quite his thing.

The other thing about this bathroom is that it’s full of texture. The wood, the tiles, the mats, even the basket with the candles in on the bench. Texture is satisfying for our eyes, and our soul I think.

It’s unusual to have artwork in a bathroom, often because they’re small and steamy places, and so it’s not practical. But if you have the space, then it’s worth considering. I like the picture above even for a non-bathroom space - it’s the type of image that challenges your eyes and brain, but also rewards them with a pleasing image once you’ve really seen it.

Even if we can’t fit all of this into our own more normal sized bathrooms, some of the Big Ideas would be relatively easy to incorporate, and I’m sure the benefit would be ten-fold.

The loo with a garden

Indeed. Who’d have thought? Not that long ago I shared the outside loo, so I should have expected the loo with a garden not to be too far behind. And it’s quite a garden.

HOW MANY YELLOWS?

Technically it’s to the side of the loo, but as the loos were the closest building I’m claiming it for them. The toilet block was less pretty though, despite the espaliered purple leaved plant, and plenty of lichen to liken (Sorry. Still not tired of that one).

Sadly though, it went downhill from there. Two cubicles. One out of order. And a Brownie pack in front of me. Though they were quite entertaining.

So unusually for a Loo Series post, there’s distinctly few loos. But there are exceptional knotted hedges to make up for that.

And a view. But really, look at the intricate box shapes.

Which reminds me I should look out and share my photos from the Chateau de Villandry, which I’ve still not shared here, and which popped up in my Instagram archive this week. Look out for more hedges shortly, or well my shortly, which could still be a while.

This picture from the gatehouse shows the small toilet block, the hedges (again) and the garden to the side.

I think though for it’s prettiest garden, it deserves its place in the Loo Series.