I have a project to show you today that is a bit crazy.
I think it’s pretty but I can only imagine
some of the head scratching that might go on out there!
Inspiration comes to me in so many ways.
I save many magazines…too many, I’m sure.
Every now and then when I want to have a lazy day I take a stack
and go through them.
I tear out things I still like which could be tablesettings, floral arrangements,
garden ideas, room ideas, etc, etc.
I have, over the years even gathered similar themes and put them into page protectors
and then into binders.
I take this seriously as you can see!
I will also keep an eye out for great, timeless books that I can continue to refer to.
Last week I found these two when I was thrifting, remember?
I will also keep an eye out for great, timeless books that I can continue to refer to.
Last week I found these two when I was thrifting, remember?
I have, for years, carried notebooks so I can sketch ideas I may see in a shop or on TV.
I add paint swatches, fabric swatches and individual magazine pictures too.
I recently lost my notebook and I can’t tell you how much it hurts!
I am hoping it will turn up somewhere but in the meantime,
several years of ideas are gone.
Remember the petticoat I found at the thrift shop
which later became my Christmas tree skirt?
Well, a couple months ago I found another one….with a hoop.
It was also a crinoline rather than a tulle petticoat.
If you’re not aware of the difference, tulle is the soft, fine net that would be used for a wedding veil. Crinoline is a very stiff, coarser netting which is designed to hold a skirt out.
It’s not even the net that you would normally buy at the fabric store but is even stiffer than that..
it would be called “crinoline” if you went to purchase it.
So, this petticoat can just about stand up on the floor alone.
I was born in the wrong era because those gorgeous full skirts that ladies wore in the 50’s and early 60’s are just what I would love to have worn as a young woman.
SO feminine and SO pretty.
Just what a crinoline would come in handy for {sigh}.
Alas…the world belongs to skinny people in torn up jeans now…..
SO feminine and SO pretty.
Just what a crinoline would come in handy for {sigh}.
Alas…the world belongs to skinny people in torn up jeans now…..
First I’ll show you my tub area as it was earlier
It’s a very pretty setting.
I have wanted curtains since we moved in but haven’t ever spent the money to get them.
It’s on the second floor so privacy isn’t the issue
especially since we added the plantation shutters.
But, I really wanted to gussy it up a bit.
Above the tub is our original (inexpensive hardware store) chandelier
I don’t like the gold accents but the arms are covered in glass sleeves
and the gold can’t be reached to paint.
We bought this vintage metal tole shelf a few years ago.
It too is very pretty but I felt like changing everything.
Now, the inspiration part…..
I was looking through my new book from Victoria magazine, At Home With White
and saw this
and saw this
A common practice in the South back in the day was to cover chandeliers with netting
in the summer.
The reason was that windows were opened and since screens were not very common, the bugs would be attracted to the lights, making them dirty, bothering people at dinner,
let alone dying and dropping on food…..ick…
So, the netting kept the bugs from committing suicide on the lights and kept things cleaner.
Two other common practices (which we also imitate today) were to remove heavy wool rugs and replace them with lighter grass matting and to cover heavy, dark furniture with white slips. Both practices contributed to ease of cleaning and creation of a feeling of coolness.
I took the petticoat and did this
I loved it immediately….so romantic!
This will be my view from the tub…..yes, I laid in the tub for this….
after I woke up, I took a picture….
anything for the cause….
anything for the cause….
Then I turned my attention to the corner
I added a mirrored jewelry box for sparkle,
put my new little girl bust on top of some softly colored books,
added some shabby, rusty finials and a small white nosegay.
An orchid in a slightly tarnished silver urn…….
…….some rolled, fluffy white towels along with a shabby baluster candlestick….
Do you like it better?
Here’s the before
Here’s the before
Here’s the after….
I just might have to take a bath this week……
I know….it would look better with window treatments……
But, I’m loving it for now!
Do you?
Sharing with
Our Home In The Maples
{primp}
DIY by Design
Savvy Southern Style
Beyond The Picket Fence
I Gotta Create
Embracing Change
At The Picket Fence
French Country Cottage
Jennifer Rizzo
Crafty Texas Girls
Freckled Laundry
I'm Lorraine. I have a love for home & design and I enjoy sharing that passion with others. I'm so glad you're here to join me.
email: missflibbertigibbet@gmail.com
your bathroom looks gorgeous, it would be lovely and relaxing to bathe there!
Really love the vignette – am a little worried about the crinoline – remember “back in the day” they used natural materials to cover their lights….today’s materials are nylon and poly blends and are VERY flammable.
I love the look – but don’t trust it to be safe for you if you leave the light on. That stuff melts easily.
Other than that, I truly love the look – just care about you, your family and that amazingly perfectly AWESOME gorgeous home of yours.
Hugs.
Not to worry Michele….there are glass hurricanes around each light! But you are right and nylon will melt!
Lorraine
I think the people who put netting over their chandeliers also had maids that cleaned the netting…..bet that wasn’t their favorite job! It does look pretty. I like the windows with just the shutters….are you ready for your trip?
Now that is a beautiful idea. Wow…that chandy is gorgeous and with the new petticoat…stunning. Would you mind sharing this inspirational post at our WIW linky party? Hope to see you there!
Paula
ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
I do like your tub area better with your changes. Looks fun and interesting with the great vignette. Love the plantation shutters and with all the nice wood trim, the windows look good without curtains, especially with the fancy chandy cover.
Mary Alice
Your bathroom is gorgeous both before and after. Hugs P.S. I’m you newest linky follower
I learned something new about covering chandeliers. What a fun addition to your gorgeous bathroom!
I’m glad you caught a few winks whilst creating this post. :@
Your bath is beautiful. What a serene setting! The petticoat adds a nice softness to the whole look.
What a beautiful soothing bathroom! Just gorgeous! I am hopping over from It’s So Very Cheri and am glad I found you. I am now following you on Linky Followers and would so love a follow back. I am looking forward to reading your other posts:)
Very soft and inviting bathroom! I miss the crinoline days myself, even though we weren’t around for them 😉 I am following you on Linky as well from It’s So Very Cheri.
Ok….if I got in that tub, I’d never want to get out! lol! What a beautiful space you created! Love your petticoat idea! 🙂
xoxo laurie
Your tub looks amazing, and your bathroom is beautiful! I would love for you to link up to my Linky Party via: http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/2012/04/live-linky-party-10.html
Mrs. Delightful
http://www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Absolutely Lovely!!
Your bathroom is so romantic! I would be taking baths by candlelight there!
Thanks for linking up to the Creative Inspirations Party at Embracing Change!
So happy you were here!
Stacey
YOur chandelier is too beautiful to cover but I do understand about the old gold under the glass. I have one that I’d love to spray white but need to climb up there and figure out how to take it apart. I’m afraid I’d never get it back together again.
I’m sixty-eight so I well remember the crinoline days. You wouldn’t be caught out without as many as you could possibly stack on.When you sat down they popped up high in front so you were looking over them. The old fashioned ARGO cooked starch was used for laundry and they hung on the clothes line to dry. They were so stiff they could stand alone.
Believe me, you don’t want to wear them.
Forget to add: I love that you sat your tub at an angle in the windows. Very pretty.
So pretty….so romantic
Cheri from Its SO Very Cheri
I don’t think I would ever leave if I had that tub! Its gorgeous!
Gorgeous!
Love your bath. What a serene setting!
Everything looks beautiful….like the shutters..
window shutters clayton, ca
It’s indeed a very pretty setting. The outdoor shade blinds makes it more relaxing and cool. I’m beyond jealous especially with your bathroom, it really looks exquisite.
not a fan of the petticoat. Sorry. I usually love most of what you do, this just isn’t my cup of tea.