Saturday, November 27, 2010

European Visions.......part one!

image via House Beautiful

Have you ever noticed that when you renovate or change a room all the other rooms off your “new” room seem to be lacking? Well it was no different for my husband and I, once our kitchen was done we decided the downstairs bathroom needed major help. Yes unfortunately there’s a bathroom right off the kitchen, not my favorite place in the world for one but it’s a 220+-year-old house and when bathrooms came into vogue it seemed the best place to put them was off a kitchen.


Since our newly renovated kitchen has a slight European flavor that can be seen here I had visions of old world European dancing in my head.

image via Maisons Cote Sud

At one point along the way someone had taken what looked like a closet in our bathroom and put in a nasty plastic shower insert that had to go! So dreams of stone wafted through my head. Hey, I can dream! I would also love a stone floor but that's an option I KNOW won't happen.


A rain shower head is one of my first choices!


I love the antique mirror with sconces but usually mirrors like that cost $2000 and up and isn’t in my budget…still dreaming here. And I know the husband doesn't like vessels sinks, sigh, must we always think of them too?

image via Relics they have some wonderful old stone and marble sinks

Since the husband hates vessel sinks I showed him some examples of marble sinks on decorative bases but he wasn't impressed.

image via Bobby McAlpine in House Beautiful

So maybe something unique like an urn.......

image via Barry Dixon

or semi vessel sinks, aren't those iron stands stunning?

image via Phoebe Howard

or a single marble sink on a chrome stand? That isn't reaching to far out there is it?


I was vetoed on every sink but one, the sink that's still in there from when the bathroom was originally put in circa 1925! Yep, that sink is from 1925, a good ole American Standard sink, still has the original brass tag with date underneath and the original faucet handles.  If you look real close under the sink and to the right you can see the bottom part of the water pressure gauge, it has this huge round gauge on it that Mister Man, aka the husband, wants to keep. He doesn't understand the words EUROPEAN, WORK WITH ME HERE!

Stay tuned, up next the finished results! (I hope)

15 comments:

Greet Lefèvre said...

You have a wonderful tast! I also love these vessel sinks! But I might say that your sink is so original! I would keep it!!
xx
Greet
PS Thank you so much for stopping by!

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

Love the first picture in your post, great colours.
Suposing you embedded your existing sink into a european style washstand/cupboard. you'd still have the charm of the orginal shape basin, but you could add some patina painted wood interest beneath?
Just an idea, I'm sure you've come with something wonderful
Sharon

Boxwood Terrace said...

The bathroom inspirations are gorgeous. I agree with Greet though--your sink is great and you can really do a lot with it, as I'm sure you know. Nice that it isn't some terrible fake beige, pink, and gold composite / plastic marble type thing.
Deborah

La Dolfina said...

I adore all your images and inspiration but I have to admit I love your original sink too!!
Can't wait to see the finished result!
xo

Room Seventeen said...

Wow, I love the inspirations pics!

for the love of a house said...

beautiful inspiration photos! i think the original sink is perfect for your antique cape!!! perhaps a skirt?
joan

Mona Thompson said...

I'm agreeing with everyone here. Gorgeous inspiration and a wonderful old sink that you already have. I really like the skirt idea. I did that in my laundry room and I have a picture that I just thought of that I am going to send you of a bathroom that Lisa Luby Ryan of Dallas did that is over the top. Whatever you do it will be wonderful! Mona

Stacey said...

I adore the bathroom inspiration in this post. I know it can be a headache to deal with our husbands and their objections:-). I have to keep reminding myself that my hubby also has to live in the house, so i must compromise. However, i do love the original sink and i'm sure you'll find a way to add some European flair!

Zabrinah said...

So beautiful! Yes, new things and and old things do not mix at times ... I have come to expect it!

:)

Best wishes,

~Zabrinah

Anonymous said...

I love the images you chose! Can't wait to see what you come up with for your bath!

French-Kissed said...

I love your existing sink! There are plenty of other touches you can incorporate to give you your desired European feel...you have great taste and I know the end result will make both you and your husband happy.

~jermaine

designchic said...

I'm obsessed with the bathroom with the scalloped sink, the chandelier and the gorgeous open windows...can't wait to see what you decide!!

Willow Decor said...

Ilove the sinks you pictured especially the Bobby McAlpine - I like yours as well. Great collection of images!
xx-Gina

cotedetexas said...

some of those are my favorites - esp. the bobby mcalpine sink - love that!!!

cotedetexas said...

just added you to my blog roll - didnt' know you weren't on it! why didn't you say something?

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