Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Curious Case of a Perfectly White Powder Room Turned Blue




After ten years of living safely with a white on white powder room, I felt the need to go deeper, and darker. Once again, playing with my favorite pick of Aura by Benjamin Moore, in the color called Luxe. Although I love a nice, clean white bathroom, the urge for deeper roots pulled me to follow a more library look. My collection of blue and white Chinese ceramics. Following will be another collection of my Mother-in-law's oil paintings, which are all her interpretation of the Museum Masters..Degas, Vermeer, and so on.
The gallery of "May Lee" will be the new title of this space.

Cast of Characters:

The Tub: An original from the "Montana Grand", Missoula, Montana. It had been claimed by a friend's husband, after the hotel's remodel, but remained perched in the snow of her drive way, just waiting for a better home. That would be mine; thank you.

The Sink: Often mistaken for a Bird bath!...stands proudly on guard at it's post; despite the fact that my husband insisted it stay out in the backyard, beyond eye view.

The Hand towel: Missoni..! comes and goes.

The Mirror: My Grandmother's Federal style framed mirror that graced her home for many years, long before my time. I took it to be mine.

The pair of Sconces: Wish I could remember which Japanese architect, designed these simple "soft-modern" interpretation of American traditional lamps, with their round pleat, paper shades and brushed nickle finish....

The Towel bar: ...Hiding along the other wall, hangs a double rung, vintage, hotel silver towel bar. It was found at the Downtown Los Angeles Architectural Salvage house.

The Rug: An Afgan-ish find, during a road trip to some where, and followed me home.

The Paint: A blue called "Luxe" from the Affinity colors collection, Aura paint made of low V.O.C. by Benjamin Moore. www.benjaminmoore.com

The Rest: ...all Kohler; chrome.

Note: Quite deliberately, none of the metal finishes match.
Quite naturally apposed to the concept of matching.

And yes, the tub has remained with out a face lift, choosing instead to reveal the history of all it's years of service, up until it was unearthed from the historic landmark. All of our "things" do have a story if given a chance.

What do your 'things' claim to be?

12 comments:

Manon said...

WOW! Your new blue powder room is awesome! Aura is the perfect name for that blue!! I love that you kept the tub unpainted... perfect!

My Inspired Reality said...

Beautiful blue, love it. Yes, I am not into matching either and love the stories behind the finds:))

Creative Coquette said...

Beautiful job! Looks very inviting. :)

Shadow said...

oh i love the blue, such depth. it's wonderful!

martha miller said...

I love the blues. Beautiful!! Alland being a Picses, this color ought to suit you inside and out!

martha miller said...

meant to say and being a pisces and all...

Cecile/DreamCreateRepeat said...

Beautiful, clean & inviting bathroom.

Everything in my home (in my life?!)has a story. I am a great believer in the power of narrative. I think the ability to construct narrative is what makes us human....

Rachel Follett said...

I love the blue and it looks great with the white wainscoting! Great job!

WendyB said...

Love that shade of blue.

Campbell Jane said...

I love the bathroom makeover!

Julie @ Belle Maison said...

love the blue paint! the transformation looks wonderful!

Tashai said...

The new blue is awesome. Makes the room seem warmer and cozy.