Bathing Beauties

Women love bathing. Personally it fits in with my ethos of never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, which is why it's unfathomable that I've avoided them for a few years in favor of showers. It may have been that I find the average English bath so inadequate compared to those I've relished abroad. Last week I was bullied into one by the owner of the house I had just toiled an 18 hour day on doing up, well into the second week. She looked at me and commanded a bath. Being in no fit state to argue, in I went, and it was a revelation! Aching muscles ebbed over by waves of hot suds. How could I have abandoned them with such callous efficiency? The next day another client begged me to accompany her to the esteemed halls of Catchpole & Rye, London Emporium of all things bathroom and purveyors of fixtures to Harrods. She wanted to pick out a Victorian cistern but I was stopped in my tracks by...

...but then rounded a corner least expecting to see THIS:

Oh my word. So with the universe putting baths in my path it was a good excuse to explore some elegant and tasteful British examples of claw foot tubs, which will then descend into something bordering on insanity. 

Here, New England comes to Old England in the form of this serene blue Victorian. May I just point out that the shower is clapboard? Inspired. 

I promised tasteful, so here is the epitome of style and taste. The doors alone deserve an award but it's marvelous how in the midst of all this sublime design the bath is still the star due to careful placement. 

This may be my favorite, because of the attention to detail. The fireplace. The Torchiere that picks up the footed gold of the bath. Then, the gorgeous antique green glass door knob as a final flourish. 

Then, this hip London pad , rocking the antiqued silver look in stunning splendor.

Egged on, I might just have to stray into the land of bonkers with this daftness:

But even bonkers can be sublime, such as the original Art Deco splendor of Eltham Palace in South London:

Finally I'll share with you the bath that started my passion for their design...Joan Crawford as Crystal Allen in the wonderful, original version of The Women. It's transparent, exactly like Crystal turns out to be. But what glamor! Note the bath rest for her personal phone line and the velvet pillow headrest. Fantastic.

Chinoiserie Chic

Chinoiserie Chic is 'In'...and has been for the last 400 years - ever since Delft pottery emulated what was being exported from China. Recently it has been reinterpreted and freshened up with current colors and departures from blue and white, although with regard to murals it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between a chateau painted in 1740 and a De Gournay hand painted piece from 2014, so skillfully are they being created.
With a nod to the old, here are the exciting, elegant and beautiful directions Chinoiserie Chic is going.  
Contemporary meets traditional here:

 A garden room enhanced with red touches and a stunning hanging lamp in this house

Brilliant new mix of color teamed with a wallpaper print that echoes bamboo and a show piece cabinet

Feminine pinks on hand painted wallpaper

Hand painted wall here created to the exact shade of the antique fire guard

Exquisite silver wall hanging brings a light touch of delicacy to this sitting room

Painted mural over silver leafed wall.
 
Sun drenched yellows and greens - fairytale gorgeous. 

Clever, current combination of purple and leaf green with silver and lilac Chinoise wall.

Fantastic exuberance of colors on a gold Bonsai table. 

PIP Studio style neon Boho colors done superbly

Tranquil greys, greens and lilacs with a silvery velvet couch. 

Very contemporary take on an Oriental theme. Love the lights. Source

Spectacular London home has all the Chinoise possible packed into a room and still looks modern and cool. 

And again, with the lamps and window bars. Expertise! Found here

Raising A Glass

This may not be true for you, but when I think of living in London I think of red brick Victorian and Edwardian as personifying the ideal place to call home. If there's leaded and stained glass thrown in, I'm a happy camper. If you're a big fan of it too, I've got some wonderful domestic English examples for you to enjoy. And as my best friend says, when quoting his late London grandma, 'If I don't see you through the week, I'll see you through the window.' 
The old ones are the best. Or maybe not. Right, here we go. 

So good. This Mapesbury house has restored their Victorian entry to prime splendor.

 

Although the 1920's and 1930's are a rich source and produce some lovely designs.  found here

I must say I do love it when the original Victorian tile remains. Two great examples here. 

A more delicate touch of Edwardian violets is superbly picked up by the gentle yet exquisite decor the soft greys of the hall introduce in this home.

Modern meets Gothic Revival. Incredible hand painted and stained pieces. It's always a wonder they survive. Credit

My favorite, because the colors they have chosen make this room a tranquil place of beauty. Not bad on the windows, guys, not bad at all.

Opposites Attract

There's no more extreme contrast than black and white, and it's back on trend in London with a vengeance. Audrey is IN (when was she ever not?) and Regency stripes are being blended with flashes of well placed color. Super glossy classic black and white marble tiles are back on elite floors. Let's get cracking with the best of the best.
Stunning use of wallpaper here. One in the eye for the proliferation of damask patterns, currently done to death.

Glossy, modern, glam by using all the period references in one swoop.  source

 Audrey and Frank supervising a high gloss marble. found here

 Sublime mosaic adding acute drama to this home. And a Dachshund's bum.

Sublimely stylish guest bedroom, with 50's fashion shots and glitter pillows. found here

Saving the best until last. Every woman's dream dressing room. Beyond gorgeous. Credit