Sunday, April 3, 2011

Tour of the Bathroom

Our Bathroom

Eastlake Victorian is a very small house, under 1200 sq. ft. And we only have one bathroom! Unless you count this monstrosity in the basement:

Creepy Toilet

Our bathroom was added onto the house probably around the turn of the 20th century. It's 7' x 7-1/2'. The bathroom is attached to our parlor and has 3 exterior walls, and a full basement underneath.

TP

For the most part, I like our bathroom. It's good enough for the two of us. I also like the fact that it's white, because the rest of the first floor is going to be darker. The Victorians liked white bathrooms because it gave a sanitary appearance.

Hand Towels

Eventually, I'll remove the peel-and-stick flooring. I would love a hardwood floor, but I don't know if that's practical for a bathroom. And it depends what kind of floor is beneath the vinyl. If it's in bad shape, I might want to use those little hexagon floor tiles.

Toilet

Sink

The sink and toilet are in good shape. I recently put a new fixture on the sink. The tub is another story! It's an acrylic jetted tub with a shower, but the surround is plastic and is all cracked. I'm not going to show you, it's so gross! I'll need to tear out the wallboard because the plastic is glued to it. Then I would like to tile those walls, probably using white subway tiles. I've already purchased the fixtures. What I would REALLY want would be an iron claw foot tub, but that's just not practical. The tub needs to be a shower, too, and I don't want to run a shower curtain all the way around the tub.

Shower Curtain

I purchased our washstand several years ago. I think it's just perfect for the bathroom! I found the pitcher and matching bowl years later. Washstands like these were typically found in bedrooms, where people washed up. The large door at the bottom held the chamber pot. This piece of furniture is also known as a commode, but we prefer to call it a washstand. It's great for extra storage.

Wash Stand

On the washstand is a photo of my great-grandma, taken in 1911. She's the one on the right, with one of her sisters on the left. She died when I was 15.

Oma

The bathroom used to have a cheap plastic medicine cabinet over the sink, but I replaced it with a beautiful Eastlake mirror. I think the mirror adds a lot to the room!

Eastlake Bathroom Mirror

Bathroom Mirror

I also love this pretty latticed shelf. We usually decorate it with items for whatever holiday is coming up. A mustache cup sits on top, while pretty boxes and other knick-knacks fill the two shelves.

Mustache Cup

Lattice Shelf

The walls are decorated with pictures and other decorative items.

IMG_2680

I decided a couple years ago that the bathroom would be a great showcase for some of the beautiful antique cat photographs I've collected! I think they look sweet in the white frames.

Cat Images

IMG_2679

Somebody made this little shelf out of an old Eastlake piece and painted it off-white. I think it fits right in!

Eastlake Shelf

I decided I needed an enclosed area to display some of my antique packaging and old glass bottles, so I bought this hinged glass box at Hobby Lobby and added a shelf in the middle. I think it looks a bit like a medicine cabinet. The back is lined with padded canvas, so I can pin things up inside, too!

Bulletin Board

On the back of the toilet sits my fairy candle holder, clock and off-white vase. In the summer, I like to cut fragrant flowers from the garden for use in the bathroom, like this rugosa rose!

Back of Toilet

The bathroom also contains a linen closet, not shown. Other than the floor and the tub surround (and possibly a new tub), I am happy with my bathroom. I would probably like a window that opens. And I'll definitely replace the door with a solid oak one someday. I was also kicking around the idea of white beadboard halfway up the walls. Also, if I had my way, the bathroom would be down a hallway and not right off the living quarters. But we have no hallways, foyers or vestibules in the house! It's a very strange layout for sure.

Thank you for coming along on the tour. Any suggestions are welcome!

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30 Comments:

Blogger Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien said...

I love your bathroom! The Eastlake mirror is gorgeous! We are fortunate to have 2 bathrooms (one is a relatively modern addition however, so I don't really have it decorated 'Victorian'.) I love the washstand too; we have been looking for one for our guest room. I love how it looks in your bathroom. Perfect!

April 3, 2011 at 9:37 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Katie-

How sweet, thank you! I know you'll find a nice washstand for your guest room. They're still really affordable, I think because a lot of people don't know what to do with them! So far, after almost 15 years, my husband and I haven't had to fight over the use of the bathroom. Which is good, because I wouldn't know where to add another one! :-)

-Pam

April 3, 2011 at 9:46 PM  
Blogger Sea Witch said...

Gorgeous! Such a lovely bathroom and I love the Eastlake touches throughout. Our first Queen Anne had only one bathroom with 5 bedrooms and three floors (not counting the two attic spaces and full basement with 10 foot ceilings. How they ever managed with one I will never know. We ended up taking out the homemade closet under the stairwell and turned it into a first floor bathroom very similiar to what you did. It was small and only a sink and toilet but it was gold in our book. LOL Sea Witch

April 4, 2011 at 7:17 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Sea Witch-

Wow, that's a lot of house for just one bathoom! You were smart to add one under the stairwell, which a lot of Victorian homeowners do. In the 1970s-1980s, a family raised 5 children in this house. I don't know how they did it, since there is only one large bedroom and two tiny ones!

-Pam

April 4, 2011 at 8:07 AM  
Blogger Shortbread and Ginger said...

Looks fantastic. Love the wall cabinet it fits in so well.
Liz

April 4, 2011 at 11:30 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Thanks, Liz!

-Pam

April 4, 2011 at 4:24 PM  
Anonymous Georgene Lockwood said...

It's beautiful, Pam. I love the Eastlake touches. Gives me some ideas for my bathroom! I live in a modern house in AZ but put in Victorian/Edwardian touches whenever I can. I just HATE the stucco walls everywhere though. But I'm afraid I have to live with those. I like the way you've used your photos and that gives me some great ideas. Thanks!

April 4, 2011 at 5:53 PM  
Blogger Richard Cottrell said...

Ms. Eastlake,Thanks for stopping by, thanks for sharing your home. You would love Clarksville. It is only 5 hours from Chicago. And a pretty trip and lots of good places to stop on the way. You are always welcome. Remember Victorian Homes coming out next week.Richard at My Old Historic House

April 4, 2011 at 7:25 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Georgene-

I'm glad you got some good ideas from some of the things I did in my bathroom! I know what you mean about the stucco. Sometimes you just have to make due with what you have. I think we all have that issue to some extent! :-)

-Pam

April 5, 2011 at 7:57 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Richard-

I can't wait to see your home featured in Victorian Homes Magazine! How exciting! If I ever go down to Clarksville, I'll stop by for the tour and to meet you and Sissy Dog! :-)

-Pam

April 5, 2011 at 8:00 AM  
Blogger Miss Sandra said...

Dear Pam,
I think your bathroom is absolutely lovely! You've created a visual feast within a soothing, tranquil space. I love the decorative touches!

I do hope that your world has been kissed by true spring weather!
Blissful tidings to you! xo

Sandra

April 5, 2011 at 11:17 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Miss Sandra-

Thank you!

We have not had Spring-like weather here yet. I'm hoping it starts to warm up soon!

-Pam

April 5, 2011 at 11:28 AM  
Blogger Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

O MY!! I think this white bathroom is so pretty and your antique pieces like the wash stand are stunning!!

You did a fantastic job!!

Hugs,
Debbie

April 5, 2011 at 1:40 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Thank you, Debbie! How kind of you! I love my washstand, too. :-)

-Pam

April 5, 2011 at 8:43 PM  
Blogger The Thrifty Reenactor said...

Oh my goodness your bathroom is gorgeous!!! I love it! Thanks for sharing it:).

Blessings,

Kim

April 6, 2011 at 8:20 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Kim-

Coming from you, that's high praise! Especially since I read all about your old bathroom redo in your last house... now THAT was a gorgeous bathroom! :-)

-Pam

April 6, 2011 at 8:56 PM  
Blogger Bloggin bout my Boys said...

Pam, your bathroom is so elegant and period respectful yet so cozy!! Love the shadow box vignettes and that washstand is GREAT! You have fully utilized the space perfectly. I too want to tear out a poorly done shower surround, replace the vinyl squares with a moisture friendly wood laminate and get rid of the monstrous 70's vanity and opt for a pedestal sink and vintage cabinet for storage. More than anything that sad Marlite wallboard needs to be replaced with beadboard. Yep, I have a plan, just need the $$ now:D. Thanks for the tour of your lovely bath!Sue

April 7, 2011 at 9:10 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Sue-

I hear ya about the $ situation! I love a challenge and will tackle most things myself, which usually saves us a lot of money. It also takes a lot more time to get things done that way! But it's the best way to get something done to my liking. I'm very particular about details! :-)

-Pam

April 7, 2011 at 10:13 PM  
Anonymous Cindi @ Rustique Art said...

You are a testament to the phrase "a picture is worth a 1000 words" I found your blog from another blog you follow, I liked your avi...quirky I know. But then I click on your blog! That first photo got me, haven't even read the post yet :) Now following, this is going to be fun!

April 8, 2011 at 9:56 AM  
Blogger Savories of life said...

Very pretty.

April 8, 2011 at 1:40 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Cindi-

I'm glad you found my blog and like what you see so far. It's nice of you to become a follower! So you like my little owl... :-)

-Pam

April 8, 2011 at 4:28 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Thank you, Savories!

-Pam

April 8, 2011 at 4:32 PM  
Blogger The Rustic Victorian said...

I think your bath is lovely, the floor is quite an effective pattern in the photo. Hardwood, and bead board would be wonderful. The photo of your Grandmother and her sister is really special.

Marcie

April 25, 2011 at 9:08 AM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Marcie-

Thanks! I'm not sure about what kind of floor yet, but the vinyl tiles are getting worn out. As for the photo, I love putting out vintage photos of my ancestors. It makes the home special and unique!

-Pam

April 25, 2011 at 4:02 PM  
Anonymous The Victorian Times said...

I just bought my own Eastlake Victorian in Galveston Texas and will definitely be studying your blog for inspiration. Love it.

May 29, 2011 at 4:23 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Victorian Times-

Congratulations on your new Eastlake home! I'm glad you found my blog because now I found yours. What great Victorian topics! I'll be following your blog as well.

-Pam

May 29, 2011 at 9:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon this blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your posts. I'll be subscribing to your feed anyway and I hope you'll post again soon. Big thanks for the wholesome info.

November 23, 2011 at 11:14 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Thanks! I'm glad you stopped by for a visit! :-)

-Pam

November 24, 2011 at 8:56 AM  
Blogger Lisa said...

Very pretty! This is probably a stupid question, but where do you store your bathroom stuff? Where's your toothpaste and combs, and dental floss?

November 24, 2011 at 3:05 PM  
Blogger Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Hi Lisa & Robb-

There's a closet in the bathroom... you can see it in the shot of the mirror. I just didn't photograph it because it's boring. It's opposite our toilet and has plenty of storage for all our bathroom supplies!

-Pam

November 26, 2011 at 11:13 AM  

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