Big Ideas: A vintage bathroom

This is the first of the Big Ideas room sets from the 2019 Ideal Home Show, and I’m sure it’s a first in that I’m posting about the show while it’s still on. it’s amazing what an early-in-the-show visit can do isn’t it?

The Big Ideas to add glamour to a vintage bathroom are:

1. On-trend shades: using pinks and greens to create a Miami vibe

2. Roll-top bath: adding a bespoke finish or a freestanding finish, or both

3. Statement walls: using decorative wallpaper and a panelled effect

It’s quite a statement bathroom isn’t it?

And it’s totally got the Miami vibe. I’m not sure it’s for me, but it was one that was drawing the crowds and encouraging discussion from the strangers viewing it. Most of the comments when I was there was about the size of the roll-top bath. It is quite diddy.

And quite high up.

The conversation I had with four ladies I’ve never met before, centred around how we’d get in, and once in how we’d get out, as well as if it was possible to stretch out and relax in a bath like this. None of us were sure about any of those, although we seemed more convinced about getting in, than getting out. But only with a step ladder, which might spoil the look.

I’m not sure this roll-top bath is for me.

I do like the wallpaper though. Even now I’m trying to work out the pattern, and which birds have their wings up and which have them down. I think the overall effect, along with the pink clouds (?) give the sense of movement and I have to wonder where we’re flying off to.

Remember my trends from the Ideal Home Show? Well one of them was ‘wire furniture’ - well this bathroom, has one I didn’t clock until just now. Like the commenter on my earlier post, I’m not sure about the functional-ness (yes made up word alert) of this kind of furniture. The basket/stool above looks great, but put stuff in it and I’m sure it’s charm evaporates. It’s not ideal for a washing basket now, is it?

And how about that for a radiator and towel rail that’s in keeping with the style of the room? In fact, it’d look great in any kind of room, but what’s your view on this room set, and what about the bath, could you get in and out of it easily?

Tempted by some Norfolk antiques

On our trip to Norfolk at the start of the year we headed off in a different direction than normal and headed across the county to Hingham. It’s more central Norfolk than the North Norfolk coast which we’re used to, and while it was nice and just as picturesque it didn’t really feel like Norfolk to us. To us it had more of a feeling of Suffolk, which we also like. But without the coast close by, it was strange how different it felt.

We stopped for a look around, and somehow found ourselves having a nose around an antique shop. In fact I think it was this peacock-like chair that drew us down the alley. There were a pair and I think MOH knew we were on dodgy ground. While we didn’t have his bike in the back of the car, it was in Norfolk and so getting them home would have been tricky.

That’s likely to have been the saving grace, which is a shame really as they’ve got a fantastic shape. It would have meant more cushion sewing again, and before that some fabric hunting, but it wasn’t to be. But aren’t they great?

And while we were in the courtyard, it seemed rude not to have a closer look.

Next up was the tree bench above. I’ve always wondered where you’d buy one, and now I know. None of our trees are suitable for such a beauty, as most are on the border and are snug up against the fence. But wouldn’t it be great to have a bench like this?

Heading inside, we did well to make it out without any purchases. Though I thought MOH might crack when faced with this display cabinet full of old tools.

And that’s even before we saw these brass spirit levels. I’ll admit I’m not sure I’d have put up much resistance to these. They’re stunning and show real craftsmanship, don’t they? It’s a shame that we’re so programmed to think of spirit levels as the plastic variety. While they’re functional and practical, I can’t see anyone coveting the more modern versions. Tools like these would encourage care and pride in the items they helped make, I’m sure.

Leaving the tools behind, we moved onto crockery. I was happy to dawdle and admire but MOH sensing a weak point was keen to chivvy me along as usual.

But that could have misfired, as we found ourselves poring over a table of antique tins. Recognising some and pondering others, I mean what on earth is desiccated soup? Maye, I don’t want to know…

Pretty tablecloths and crisp white linens were also worth a stop. Like the crockery, I could sort through piles and piles of these and leave with almost as many. My favourite here was the colourful, what looks to be, cross-stitched decorated tablecloth at the top of the picture. Such work, and for it to be discarded like this.

Upstairs we stumbled across a room of old machinery, of all types. An old runner bean slicer, and at least three old sewing machines. This was the most decorative one, again another world away from the modern day versions.

I’d forgotten just how much time you can easily lose in a well stocked antique shop…

The Grow Your Own Garden at the Ideal Home Show

This was one of the garden room sets that I’ve already said I was keen on, and the keen amongst you will realise that that’s because of my penchant for growing my own, but also for the geometric print rug, which is reminiscent of the cushions in my conservatory, and made from recycled plastic straws. But there’s another reason and it’s mostly how four crates have been fastened together to create a good looking and functional table. I’m forever saying I need a small low height garden table, mostly for my gin and tonic, and while this isn’t exactly what I’m after (it’s a little on the large side) I do admire its design.

The garden focuses on sustainability as well as the grow your own element. It shows ways of using your garden space making use of the latest Gardena technology, as well as featuring sustainable designs with items from the decking to the furniture made from recycled plastic bottles, milk cartons and tyres.

Which means, that everything might not necessarily be what it seems.

As well as the funky crate table on castors, I’m also quite taken with the raised, slatted looking planter at the rear of the picture above. The vertical struts provide extra growing space, for what looks like herbs, as well as looking stylish. It’s a bit too tall to have alongside my greenhouse - it’d block too much light - but otherwise I think I’d be tempted to look into recreating these raised beds by made from sustainable British timber.

Even the classic shaped Adirondack chairs, another long term favourite, are made from recycled plastic bottles. Which makes a lot more sense - they’re by Polywood if you’re also interested.

There were plenty of herbs in this garden - as well as the rhubarb amongst the hydrangeas above in planters made from old car tyres - and herbs are no bad thing. They’re great for flavouring food and are a good substitute for salt, as that’s something else that we all more than likely need to cut down on.

The final thing that caught my eye was this planter full of unruly peas, who look as if they’re arguing with each other about climbing up the cane supports.

On closer inspection the container is a milk churn, which is another way to reuse an container and to introduce some charm to your garden at the same time. It’s one of those garden spaces that has plenty going on, and much of which you don’t spot on first look.

What do you think, are there elements you’d have in your garden?