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Monday, June 28, 2010

The All Black and White Room in my House!!

It is no secret to my readers that this girl loves Black and White! The other thing about me is I love to design bathrooms. I have shared my theory on bathrooms, especially a guest bathroom:
The bathroom is the only room in your home that your guest will go into, sit down and have nothing to do but look around at everything without any apprehension since there will be no one (Mainly YOU) watching them check things out! With that being said I believe one’s guest bath should be one of the best dressed rooms in the house for YOU and your guest.
Often bathrooms can be relatively small and in such cases I feel they should be like a jewel box so I will often have clients use darker, richer colors on the wall for a little drama.
living room and family room 188 (800x600)

Now, back to my all black and white room in my home, my guest bath.
When we moved into our home over thirty-two years ago ( Yikes, has it been that long, and I am still decorating and changing things?! You see it never stops!) At that time, I wanted to find an antique piece where I could place a sink. A common practice now, but 32 yrs ago, not so much. My sweet hubby wanted to just get the house finished being built. His father is a cabinet maker and made all my cupboards in the house so he built our bathroom cabinet. I agreed and it was 20 years later that I finally got my antique piece of furniture.
guest bath (800x773)

I have always loved black and white checked flooring and I knew the bathroom would be a perfect place to do this element. I chose to use white Carrera marble and absolute black granite for the flooring. I must say when the floor went down this girl felt like I had died and gone to heaven!! To this day I can not look at that floor without smiling.
entry hall to guest bath (499x796) 
The other piece in this room that I had looked for for years was a fretwork to put over the opening of the bathtub. I actually found this in an antique refinishing place that dips antiques pieces to strip them. It was literally hanging on a nail in the rafters, in pretty bad shape. It was a fret work off of an old Victorian home porch in San Francisco.
guest bath 001 (800x600)
When I brought the piece home, which had been stapled together and had been dipped and all the finish that was coming off was off, my poor hubby said that it was a piece of junk and could not believe I had paid what I had paid for it. I was deflated, but still determined since this is a piece I had literally looked for for years.
The re-finishing began. I used a drill with a sanding bit on it. I literally worked over 2 hrs on ONE!! spindle with very little success. This was a solid oak piece and I wanted to stain it. It had white paint in the grain. I did not quite know what to do, so I took it to an older man that was a paint specialist in our town and he told me it was not paint but a filler that they use to put on large grained wood to paint it. Oh No!! Not good news. What was I going to do?
I sanded a bit more, Hubby glued and clamped it together. He stained it. He shortened the length to fit above the tub and we installed it!! Here it is today after twenty years!!
All the lighting in the room is reproduction. The actual piece of furniture for the sink dates back to the late 1800’s so I chose the lighting according to the era of that piece. That is why all the fixtures are in a brass finish.
living room and family room 191 (800x600)
I have had a black and white bathroom for over 40 years, so I guess I am married to that color scheme, so to speak. Previously the bathroom in another house, and in this house had been wallpapered in a black and white ticking, which I still miss. When we did the re-do I chose a black and white toile’ which I have enjoyed, but lately I have been thinking of another black and white wall paper. Shhhh! don’t let hubby hear that. I will have to go slowly with that change, more on that later.
living room and family room 195 (800x589)
I have all white towels in my home but in this bathroom they are monogrammed in black. I love the look, it is so classic and sharp to me.
guest bath 002 (800x600)
guest bath 004 (600x800)
I put a few pictures of old world scenes on the wall and one black and white sketch of a building in Charleston, South Carolina that I got on one of our trips. I like to get black and white historical building on our travels.
Well, there you have it! The complete history of my all black and white guest bath in my home.
“Enjoy the Process” Of:
Waiting and planning to get a room you will truly love for years!
Kathysue

35 comments:

Ange said...

That is one stunning bathroom Kathysue!
My problem is we move house so often that I'm forever having to work with what I've got because of budget restraints, that the waiting and planning never seem to lead to much. Oh well, knowing me, if I did get what I wanted, I would be ready for a change before too long anyway,lol.
Angex

Allie and Pattie said...

Kathysue, that bathroom is just stunning!! I'd think hard before changing anything (I'm like you- I do tire of things) because it's just perfect
xoxo Pattie

Jeanette said...

What a beautiful bathroom and such lovely pieces! I used to like to change things often also but I would not touch a thing, it is beautiful like it is.
I have a cute giveaway going on right now, would love it if you would stop in and check it out!

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

Oh, so pretty. I love black and white toile and you are so right about guests checking out the space. Thanks for sharing the history here! Have a great week.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Kathysue,
Your bathroom is material for a high fashioned home decor magazine, like Traditional Homes!

It's stunning and beautiful. I love the wall prints and the wallpaper. The sink is 2di4!

hugs
Sissie

Acanthus and Acorn said...

It's so stunning! Love all your choices....especially the marble & granite floor!!!

I would kill for a larger power room and couldn't agree more that making these spaces little jewel boxes is always the right decision!

savvycityfarmer said...

stunning in every way ...
just what I imagined your surroundings to be

PAT said...

Gorgeous bathroom, Kathysue! Love every bit of it!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

That is probably my favorite bathroom ever! Beautiful, Kathysue - so many stunning details. Linda

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

Kathysue, I absolutely love it! Where did you get those great brass sconces - I know they are vintage, of the Sheffield style - highly sought after! And your bathroom stands the test of time - looks like you could have done it this year!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jules said...

Kathysue what a truly beautiful bathroom. I need you to come and do mine NOW!!!!!!!xx

Tricia said...

It is incredible Kathysue, though I'm not at all surprised!
Happy Monday my friend.
T

A Perfect Gray said...

Kathysue, that wallpaper is stunning in your bath. Love your art, too, just the right touches. Bravo.

La Dolfina said...

I adore this bathroom of yours. Every element is perfection and has stood the test of time. Now I just need to see it in person :)
Can't wait to hear about your trip! I've missed you!

vignette design said...

I love everything about your bathroom Kathysue! It took forever to get it the way you want, and it was worth it. That cabinet is wonderful with the marble top. I've always wanted to do that too, but never found the right piece. I'm wondering what new wallpaper you are thinking about?.....

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Kathysue, I drool over this bathroom every time I see it. So pretty. You have added such wonderful detail to it. Just perfect. So glad you are home and had a great time. Hugs, Marty

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Kathysue, I was a huge fan of this bathroom when you posted it on rms. I had kept it in my favorites. I love everything about it.

Karen said...

Black and white is truly a timeless choice, but regardless, if it makes you smile each time you see it, it's the ideal choice for you.

Averill said...

Beautiful! And it just proves that classic design is truly timeless. Love the fretwork over the tub -- such a creative and brilliant idea!

Cashon&Co said...

This is STUNNING. I have always had a true affection for black & white checkerboard floors and marble is even better! wow! I love the whole room but i really enjoyed seeing the peek into it from your hallway. so elegant.

Unknown said...

AS always, you have created a haven for your guests. I'm sure there is not a spot in your home that isn't a welcoming place. You clearly took timeless elements and created a classic space. Love that you took old and new to give the bathroom the feeling of casual elegance. I can't wait to see what you have decided to change the paper to. Toile is such a distinctive look, so I don't think you can do it with out the hubby noticing!! LOL
Beautiful as always!
www.divinedistractions.blogspot.com

Pinky said...

Gorgeous bathroom! LOVE the black and white....and the picture of outside the bathroom is gorgeous too! I, too, like to change things and am going crazy this year as ALL our $$$$ is going to my daughters upcoming wedding:):) Next year the fun begins again! XO, Pinky

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

Magazine worthy! It's all beautiful. I love the mirror over the sink and am crazy about the toile wall paper! O

Bring Pretty Back said...

Kathysue~ How classy! Absolutely gorgeous.
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! Eddie and I can't wait to see it in person!

xo
Eddie + Jaithan

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hi Kathysue!
I adore your bathroom! Love your philosphy about this room. I know I love to check out bathrooms when I go to a party. Does that make me weird? LOL It really is fun to see how this room is decorated. Yours is absolutely perfect!
Susan

Marcus Design said...

Kathysue, I am totally drooling over your flooring, no wonder you smile every time you look at it, it is CRAZY GORGEOUS! I love the paneling in your bathroom, and your amazing vanity, and those lovely pictures hung on the wall! All stunning, you did a wonderful job.
Nancy

Marcus Design said...

PS. It makes me happy to see that with patience, and a little time and elbow grease, if you wait for exactly what you want you will be happy every time you look at it!! So rewarding.
Nancy

Privet and Holly said...

Kathysue, what a gem of a bathroom!
I took a picture of the toile wallpaper
at the B&B guest bath off the lobby
while I was in Savannah. It's navy and
white with colonial American "liberty"
theme, which I'm dying to find out the
name of, as I'd like to use it in my own
powder room, which is currently painted
a very bright periwinkle blue. Your toile
is so classic, but it's always fun to
have a change! I love all of the details
that are so YOU : ) xx Suzanne

Bring Pretty Back said...

Kathysue~ I love your view on friendships! Great comment today on my blog. Thank you!
Have a pretty night,
Kristin

Unknown said...

Black and white is so classic and modern all at once. What a gorgeous job, could absolutely be in a book or magazine!

DesignTies said...

Your guest bathroom looks fantastic!! Love the wainscoting, and the Victorian scrollwork is beautiful. Your guests will have LOTS of wonderful things to look at while they're sitting there :-)

Kelly

Kelley Moore said...

Kathysue!!! That floor is absolutely stunning! Thank you so much for sharing.

xinex said...

Your guest bathroom is gorgeous, Kathy Sue, but that fretwork, OMG! Can I buy it from you when you get tired of it? LOL!..Christine