The Powder Room

HEY Y'ALL! Happy June! May kicked my tail and I'm just recovering. My oldest son graduated college AND has his own apartment (WHAT??) and Bear has been either practicing or performing in three different plays in two different cities at least an hour from us...so that's where I've been. Hello Summer!

So now that I've slowed down, I wanted to give you a peek at the powder room. I'm showing you one side of a two sided bath. There are no windows in here, so excuse some of the lighting on the pics. Past the arched sliding door is a vanity, shower/bath and a closet, and that side is attached to my oldest son's room. I consider the half that I'm showing you the powder room, since it opens up to the hallway.  Also, I didn't want ONE MORE TOILET TO CLEAN by having both a powder room and a full bathroom for my son. (I'm so over cleaning right now). 

For years I have wanted an old piece of furniture to double as a sink vanity. In searching for an old dresser to add a sink to, I happened upon one with a bowl sink already added at an antique shop in Tennessee. I wish I had some before pics of it, but it was a 'tiger' wood. Lots of grain going on. It wasn't the color I wanted but I loved the shape of the piece and the drawer handles. Thankfully our cabinetmaker has been amazing and agreed to paint it for me and he designed a place in the drawer area for the plumbing to go.

Two different paint choices later (the first coat was cream, which was a big fat NO after seeing it), it ended up a glossy black. The cabinetmaker painted it with a paint that is normally used on boats so it would withstand water a bit better. There's no countertop other than the wood top of the dresser and I'm learning after almost two years that even with boat paint the water droplets, etc are wrecking havoc on the paint job. I will probably have to put on a countertop in the near future. (i'd love to try soapstone!!)

It's fun to decorate with unusual items and this shield was suggested to me by my friend Steve - see some of his decorating here, he's fantastic. The shield was a prop that Russell Crowe used in the movie, 'Robin Hood'. Steve knows where to find about anything and when I told him I wanted a medieval look, maybe a family crest or something like that for above the toilet, this is what he found. I couldn't decide if I wanted to pull the trigger on it and when I finally did, it had been sold.  I was shocked to find it on Ebay a few weeks later so I snatched it up. I don't know if Russell Crowe/Robin Hood shields hold their value or not, but it's a fun conversation piece. 

If you are conversing in the bathroom and all. :) 

Still in progress, think I'll add something to the far blank wall. I keep seeing these cute little paintings with animals dressed in clothing riding bicycles etc. on etsy ...Hubby would think they are weird but I love them. :) OR maybe I could turn this into my library bathroom??? Shelving upon shelving with books galore?? Give me your ideas!

If you'll notice I have mixed finishes on the lighting. That was not on purpose, the chandelier was actually originally in Hubby's closet and it kept getting hit when he opened his door, so we moved it. I don't follow rules on decorating (is there a rule on this?) so I thought it worked out pretty well.

What unusual pieces have you found to decorate with? And anyone have any comments on soapstone countertops? You like? You don't? Let me know!

Have a great day!

Love,

Elizabeth

P.S. With summer here, as you've already seen, I will be posting a lot less than normal to have more time with family, but I miss you guys!

P.P.S. I'm humbled to say was featured on The Dedicated House a couple of weeks ago as their most viewed post listed on the Sunday Showcase! Good times!

You wouldn't be impressed with this 'most viewed post' business if you saw how many times Elizabeth tripped in a day. Bless her heart.