Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Makeover revealed...


This is our old WC (water closet) as it is called in Holland. It is such a tiny room that it is literally a closet so the name fits. It seems too fancy to call it by the American name half bath. Most bathrooms there are much bigger.


This space has been the same for us as far as the decorating in three houses. I have used this sea shell theme for over 17 years. It is very 1980s when I look back at it and it was high time for a change. This stitched piece will have to find a different use. Perhaps, I will get it out in the summertime and use it with a vignette with my sea shells. Can you see some of the starfish which we hung on the walls? Jos carefully removed tiles which were needed to replace some in the upstairs bathroom as we did not change the wall tiles in that room. You can see where he removed a few which were needed right away.


Here is the new WC. We have tried to make it look classical with...


...a retro spigot in 1930s style...


...real marble accent strips...


...and Italian floor tiles layed out in a checkerboard fashion. Sorry that the photos are dark. I took them in the evening and the flash had to be turned off as not to overexpose the surfaces.


This cupboard was a find in a shop up north while we were still in the planning stages. I knew when I saw it that it had to come home and hang here. I love the old look of it. I had so much fun searching the house for the items I wanted to use in it. I placed some hand towels on the bottom shelf for easy use, two of my grandmother's crochet doilies, and my collection of small glass carafes. I thought they looked really sweet in the unit and allowed the aged look to still be well seen. I will now be searching for a perfect mirror to go with this look.

12 comments:

Tammy said...

Heidi - I LOVE your new bathrooms! I think my favorite thing is the marble tile stripe in the smaller one, but I really like the floor in the bigger one, too. :o)
I hope life gets back to normal for you now that the work is done!

Mary said...

Another great bathroom re-do - wow you guys are really good at this!! Love the tiles - wall and floor - and the little cabinet is perfect to display your pretty objects.

We drive about 5 hours to Asheville tomorrow - not in any hurry so can stop when we want. While there I'll return to that fabulous shop 'Screendoor' which I visited back in the Spring. (I don't do the big after Thanksgiving mall sale thing - hate those crowds). 'Screendoor' has great vintage treasures so perhaps I'll return with something special!

I guess I eat everything but the turkey! When I cook this meal at home I always make a separate dish of stuffing so I can have some with my veggies - and make vegetarian gravy for me. This year I will be waited on in a restaurant on Thanksgiving Day - in a way I'll miss cooking for the kids but they now want to do their own thing, so Bob and I decided to take off and spend the Holiday alone. I'll be thinking of you and Jos - hope your day is fun Heidi and you enjoy some rest after all that work.

Karen said...

Heidi your bathroom turned out darling and I love that blue cabinet and the tile work. I bet your glad to have the done.

Hugs - karen

Nancy said...

You really put warmth in that little bathroom. I love the tiles going around the room, and the tiles are great. The cabinet looks very right too.
I finally finished my project today with Bill's help. I stood and looked at the paint can thinking yes or no. Finally I opened it and did it. I ended up with red towels and rugs, and bought new curtains. I have to hem one though. I am happy with it now.

regina barnett said...

I think your new bathroom is very nice. I have never seen a towlet like the one in the first picture.

Reginas Cottage said...

Heidi your new bathroom looks very
great,with all the loveley details.
I love the spigot and the new Italian
floor,but I really like the blue
cupboard.It's so nice with all the
loveley decorationen.
I wish you a wonderful day Regina

Kristen said...

OH, It came out wonderfully! I love the tiles they look great! The cabinet is quite nice! SO, you want my basket, and I want your cabinet.... Hmmmmm...... :)

Nancy said...

Heidi your new water closet is gorgeous! I love everything you have done - the spigot and wall and floor tiles - gorgeous! My favorite is the blue shelf. It is so pretty, and you have it decorated just perfect. Enjoy! Isn't it fun to have a fresh, new room?

the tattered nest said...

great job Heidi! the tiles are perfect! and I love the little cupboard...

Anonymous said...

Heidi, it looks fabulous!! I love the new look ~ you and Jos did a great job! Your cabinet looks perfect where it is ... glad you trusted your instincts. :) Love the retro faucets too! How difficult was it to do the tiling yourselves?? I'm thinking of doing some tiling myself but wondered if I would be getting in over my head! Thanks for sharing the finished results. ~ hugs, Lynda xoxo

Anonymous said...

Hallo Heidi, wat fijn dat de WC nu klaar is! Het is mooi en inderdaad landelijk geworden. En,...zit het lekker op deze nieuwe plee? Grapje! Bij ons is het nog steeds een WIP. Mike is nu ook weer aan het werk, dus offer ik me op om te gaan koken. Liefs Sonja en groetjes aan Jos en Dodge (ik weet niet meer hoe je dat schrijft).

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Wow Heidi, you and your dh did a great job! It looks wonderful and your cabinet is so sweet! You're giving me ideas for decorating my bathroom cupboard...thanks for the inspiration, dear friend!
Love, Kim