clawfoot tub

Simplicity with ornate, reflective details. Found on flickr.com

I’m really craving a bathroom that fits the rest of our home. Or, should I say, ‘that fits US.’

We’ve done the best we can with the pink-beige nightmare that existed from the previous occupants. I’ve whitewashed and painted out as much as I can. But after a sink emergency that brought our plumber friend round to our house, this ‘house-proud’ lady was feeling sheepish about our upstairs bathroom. But like most things that I find embarrassing, I welcomed our friend to explore that awkwardness and give me a quote on how much it would cost to fix the offending room. It’s a little out of our budget right now, but I can start dreaming.

Now.

This colourful, white and turquoise bath features lots of living greenery and quaint details. Found on frommoontomoon.blogspot.co.uk

I fell in love with tiled sinks on our trip to Spain. Our villa in Altea’s hills had a gorgeous deep blue and white sink, with mosaics. Found on apartmenttherapy.com

A bohemian Parisian flat boasts tall narrow spaces, but doesn’t skimp on style. The classic black and white, with glass and antiques creates a balance in contrasts. Found on domainehome.com

I bet it’s a nightmare to keep clean, but this bath is just too romantic for words.

Again with the claw foot tubs. This time, taking it outdoors. Found on coastalliving.com

White all over brings attention to the beautiful details of this sink and it’s antique lines. Found on koduhaldjas.blogspot.com.

A playful mix of old and new, hard and soft in this eclectic bathroom. Found on styleandcheek.com

Charm and character in the warmth and texture of an area rug, wood floors and antiques. Found on thecurtiscasa.com

Beautiful drapes as shower curtains and a painted floor – imperfectly perfect. Found on introducingnewworlds.blogspot.com

These might be the shower tiles of my dreams. They are a perfect backdrop to personal, eclectic extras, with patterns and lots of light. Found on amberinteriordesign.com

My favourite turquoise and gilt details to add a touch of opulence in a vintage, bohemian retreat. Found on cotedetexas.blogspot.com

A shower you’d never want to leave. The doors. Wow. Enough said. Found on lilibaba.tumblr.com

Hammered metal, fancy hipster handsoap, live edge wooden shelves and more texture than you can shake a stick at. Love. Found on planete-deco.fr

Egg shaped tub and a room with a view. Found on snobfashionsource.blogspot.com

Uber-romantic. Maybe a little over the top, but oh so sweet. Found on homes.yahoo.com

Sweet nothings and memories. It’s all about the story.

Classic black and white with a stark romanticism. A study in contrasts. Found on brabournefarm.blogspot.com

High drama in a small space; chandelier and marble make this a slice of expensive cake. Found on gallery.apartmenttherapy.com

How would you style a master bath in a townhouse, keeping in mind a penchant for framed art, wooden trays on the vanity and shiny taps? Thinking pinks, grey and antique white.

Our shower curtain (Anthropologie)

Our towels (also… Anthropologie)

Old is often seen as synonymous with tired and passé, but in home decor (as should more often be the case in our own lives) old can be beautiful, historied and glorious in its uniqueness.

Antiques and heirlooms are long celebrated, but even in modern homes – pieces of the past can breathe new life into our spaces and create personal touches. Some of my very favourite pieces in my home are hand-me-downs, and pieces that remind me of my childhood. I’m writing from my office, that doubles as a guest room, where a white-painted iron frame bed (gifted after long-use from my aunt and uncle) is piled high with white linens. In my living room, my grandfather’s World War cargo trunk is my coffee table, still bearing his name and the designation Flight Lieutenant, with international travel stickers, scuffs and dents adding to its rich history.

Some aspects of old-time decor are more substantial, and worth every penny of the investment.

A sleek curved faucet is modern and clean against the backdrop of painted tin. What a beautiful way to add texture to a kitchen. I’ve always wanted a gilded tin ceiling, or one with peeling, distressed paint. Photo: Kitchen by Auhaus Architecture

H&M knows this trend is alive and well, and recently featured a velvet daybed, quaint cushions, chandeliers and waintscotting in its (not yet available in Canada) home line.

I grew up in a century home, in tiny Waterdown, Ontario, in a colonial center hall stone house. Our tiny second floor bathroom had a claw-foot tub. The beautiful tub, pictured here, perfectly balances old with new and the splash of graphic wallpaper makes it quite modern. Photo: Industrial Bathroom by Oliver Burns

This luxe w/c includes floor to ceiling touches of vintage style, but manages to look thoroughly ‘now.’ From the crown moulding, heavy drapes, brick and lighting, to the gorgeous tub and old step ladder, this is a perfect marriage of old combined in a new way. And, I’m guessing those are original floors. Photo: Tour London’s Most Lust-Worthy New Boutique Hotel via @Domaine

Check out more like this on my Pinterest Page, under “Home Sweet” https://www.pinterest.com/alisonjc/home-sweet/

and let me know,

What vintage touches are classing up your modern digs?

StyleSaVie

Life lived beautifully.

Romantic Boho Bathroom

Old is New