A May Day Bath B&AA

All a woman needs is a good bath.

- Hedy Lamarr

( ... But this sure isn't it!) Happy May Day, my dear ones, and welcome to this first edition of Bath B&AA... that is, Bath Before and Almost After. Glad you're here!

Ah, this Freeman House. She's a monster, she is. I'm still looking for those before pictures of the backyard... the ones where it closely resembles something out of a C.S. Lewis book. But in the meantime I did find some other old Freeman House photos. The one above is a downstairs bathroom -the only one I've tackled thus far- circa 2004. It's something, right? I remember the first time I pushed open that heavily painted door and ventured in. It took all I had to make myself stand in there. Just look at it... and then imagine all the stuff the camera didn't capture: the smell, the filth, the spiders and bugs. Yeah. Wow. Sometimes I'm still amazed my 25-year-old, single self ever bought this place. Sheesh. Kids. So idealistic. Can't tell 'em anything. (wink)

But that's all history now because she's starting to look like a real bathroom! Woo-hoo! The room had to be gutted and then re-floored, re-sheetrocked, re-wired and re-plumbed. Then I had to drive to Lowe's and stuff a new toilet and pedestal sink in my Jeep and drive them home. The claw foot tub is original... the same as in the before picture. My Dad and I restored and refinished it, and I must say, we did top-notch work. I can't say quite the same for the tile job, however. I did it myself and have some grout residue in places that won't mop up.

I'm really into the whole non-built-in look. I'm not sure why, except that I appreciate a LOT of flexibility in a room arrangement. Even in the bath. Therefore there are NO cabinets. I think I have a commitment issue with standard cabinetry. I do, however, have this storage unit ... which I love. The glass-enclosed top holds all towels and paper, and the two deep drawers below hold my staggering stash of beauty products. Few of which I actually use.

(By the way, that adorable ornament hanging from the knob is my ultimate May Day, spring celebrating, crowning glory. It's a Cari Kraft. It has a photo of a little girl and reads, "As a young girl I thought the Spring was magical." It's made with vintage ricrac and flowers and it's one of my favorite Etsy purchases ever. Cari has an amazing shop.)

Anyway, for storage I also have this three-tiered cart (from Target... $12) that I use to keep things within reach of the tub. This stuff I actually use. The glass bottles are filled with organic peppermint body scrub and conditioner. The bottles were in Freeman House when I bought her and I'm trying to incorporate them in everyday use. Life's too short to store them, you know?)

Life's also too short to take lots of showers. This tub is like a cocoon. A fluttering, shabby chic, curtained cocoon. I love to light candles, fill the tub with bubbles, and slide in with a good book. I spend several sudsy hours a week enveloped in these curtains.

And at this sink. I've so loved having a pedestal sink. I've loved having this bathroom, despite the work that still needs to be done. I plan to finish up a few loose ends this weekend. The crown molding has to be installed, as does the ceiling medallion and chandelier. (That's why these pictures are so dark and grainy. Little lighting in here.) Yep, I'm putting a small chandelier on a dimmer switch. I figure the task lighting above the sink is the primary workhorse, so the chandelier can simply add overhead ambiance lighting. Can't wait!

And of course, the bathroom still needs some decorative touches. I try to keep it stuffed with flowers and candles in the meantime. The hydrangeas and rose are from my garden. I mean, I don't care how new or old your bathroom is... flowers always make it sing.

I wish we lived close. If we did I could sneak a hydrangea, rose, or daisy... something... to your door, ring the bell, and scamper off. Or I could just knock, say hello, and offer you a flower for your own bathroom. What could be more appropriate for May Day?

It's gently raining here today, and I must be off before the hours get away from me. I hope you enjoyed the Before and Almost After tour. And I truly hope you're having a beautiful spring.

Happy May Day! -Brin