I'm very excited to report that construction on our home in France started today. Yay!
Over the past couple of weeks we've been meeting with builders and artisans to get advice and quotes. Based on those meetings, we've now assembled a small team to start work on Rosie's bathroom.
This is what Rosie's room looks like at the moment.
Given that we are managing the build ourselves, without a project manager, we thought it would be best to start with a small project that allows us the chance to assess the team and their craftsmanship, before embarking on some of the more major work.
Another view of Rosie's room currently.
Rosie's room is a generous 18 x 18 feet, so there's enough space for us to install a dividing wall to create a small walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom. To keep costs down, we won't be moving any of the plumbing that's currently in the room. We'll simply be replacing the vanity and tub with new pieces, and adding a toilet.
The masking tape on the floor indicates where we will be installing the diving wall.
In keeping with the style of the house, we've chosen a traditional cast-iron tub to replace the modern bath that's currently in the room. The big news is that we're taking the plunge and painting it pink! The color we've chosen is Farrow & Ball's Calamine #230. It's a delicate and subtle pink, with a touch of grey that prevents it from looking too sugary - fingers crossed.
Farrow & Ball's Calamine #230 (via Farrel & Ball)
I agonized over this paint color, but Rosie is ecstatic at the thought of having her own pink bathtub. And if we all change our minds and think it's a terrible idea in a few years time, we can paint the tub a more 'sensible' color then. You only live once, right?
This beautiful vanity is sadly too big (via Maison du Monde).
We had settled on using the above vanity a while ago, but just last week we realized that we had goofed up the measurements and it's going to be too tight in the space. Oops! I suspect there will be more of these sorts of errors in our future...
Anyway, that order has now been canceled and I've been searching for a replacement, with no luck. I did find one lovely option, but at over €3,000 it's way beyond the zone of reasonable price tags. So we're embarking on a bit of DIY instead, and plan on converting this chest of drawers into a vanity. It's solid wood, and the right size, and with a coat of paint and some new handles I think it might do the trick.
Now that I'm on board with the pink tub, I have to be careful not to overdo the pink theme. Things could easily get out of control, and I don't want to end up with Barbie's dream ensuite in the South of France. However, I am still toying with the idea of incorporating some polished copper accents into the room. I love this antique-inspired sconce, and this metal bedside table would be great next to the tub for bath toys.
The last, and maybe biggest, decision we need to make is regarding the tiles. We could keep the original terracotta tiles, but I suspect there may be some unsightly damage revealed when we remove the current tub. If we do decide to lay new tiles, I like the idea of either using square travertin stone tiles (a local limestone), or Moroccan bejmat clay tiles. Both are made from natural materials and are sympathetic in color and texture to the original terracotta bricks and tiles used throughout the house.
It's brilliant to finally have the ball rolling with the renovations, and once Rosie's bathroom is underway we will start working on the master.
