After an overwhelming house fire, the kids needed to return home, so we decided to rebuild. We loved our neighborhood, and they wanted to stay in their school. I had beautiful rose gardens, herb gardens, and apple trees my husband and I had worked on for decades. I just couldn't leave.
I was faced with one hundred year old stone shell to rebuild in any decor I wanted. My problem was I liked everything. Traditional, ultra modern , Asian, Louis 1v, renaissance, I loved them all. I had four bogs and 2 kitchens to do as well as a deck and a patio to make from the start. A self taught, do it your self non-professional, I was faced with unlimited selections, and a restricted budget in which to form the home of my dreams. I decided to let everyone have their input, but I was going to have a Tudor styled lavatory, named'the Queen's Bath. ' My theme for inspiration was two ceramic tile portraits Of Queen Elizabeth, and her ill destined cousin Mary queen of Scots. I had bought these for $30 on ebay.
I started dressing my lavatory 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 the floor was always warm. Instead of vanities, we used dark mahogany kitchen cupboards with crystal hardware.
The following 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 ornamental 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 equipment included gold mirrored medication 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 subsequent 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, beautiful art reproductions, and a tapestry of a french garden, my own paraffin wax machine, and a water resistant telephone. The sunken bath is kitted out with a roman set complete with spray attachment for cleaning my sumptuous tub. Of course, 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 made a private splendid paradise, for the lady of the estate. Many of those touches were selected on the web. Renaissance clothes and accessories, found on diverse internet sites offered a number of selections. Tudor accents, fabric, hardware, and fixtures were useful ideas found on sites with costumes and jewellery.
The Queens became the perfect theme, and the modern conveniences gave me the loo fit for a royal woman. I did not 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 makes for a beautiful focus when the sun shines through.
If you're interested in period garments, historic style, and modern comfort, this is a simple to do project. Hardware, art, and lighting will easily 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, finished with a matching marble center island, mahogany cupboards, and a combination lock for security!
Other sites worth checking out:
My Dream Renaissance BathThe Finest Medieval BathThe Queen's Bathroom