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THE QUEEN'S BATHROOM
After an overwhelming house fire, the children wished to go back home, so we made a decision to rebuild. We loved our neighborhood, and they needed to stay in their school. I had stunning rose gardens, herb gardens, and apple trees my hubby and I had worked on for dozens of years. I just couldn't leave.

I was faced with a 100 years old stone shell to reconstruct in any decor I wanted. My problem was I liked everything. Traditional, ultra contemporary , Asian, Louis 1v, renaissance, I loved them all. I had 4 bathrooms and 2 kitchens to do as well as a deck and a patio to create from nothing. A self taught, do it your self non-professional, I was faced with unlimited decisions, and a humble budget in which to form the home of my dreams. I decided to let everyone have their input, but I was going to have a Tudor styled bathroom, named'the Queen's Bath. ' My theme for inspiration was 2 ceramic tile portraits Of Queen Elizabeth, and her ill destined cousin Mary queen of Scots. I had purchased these for $30 on ebay.

I started dressing my rest room in layers. I imagined a gorgeous Tudor gown, and translated the layers of the dress as a room.

First the marble floors, and matching countertops.These I installed with heated flooring so the floor was always warm. Rather than vanities, we used dark mahogany kitchen cupboards with crystal hardware.

The next layer was color. Gold, green, and clay in the marble floors and counter tops was my color palette. Green paint for the walls, and ornamental gold paint for the woodwork and doors. The accents were the key. I dressed my bathroom with Tudor garments type fabric, medieval touches, and Renaissance style. Damasks, tassels, and beaded valances improved the richness if the space. The plumbing hardware was 24k gold plated, and the door handles were victorian style brass.
Luxury accoutrements included gold mirrored medication chests, a green heated air tub, with a matching round green sink, and a beautiful tile shower with seating, accented with the same green listello.

The lighting was the next layer. Matching chandelier, sconces, and a flush ceiling fixture, completed the tudor/renaissance design for the last touches of http://www.wheaton.edu/my tudor get a way.

The final layer was luxury, so the space evolved into a spa, with heated towels, stunning art reproductions, and a tapestry of a french garden, my own paraffin wax machine, and a water resistant phonephone. The sunken bath is fitted with a roman set complete with spray attachment for cleaning my luxurious tub. Naturally, the can had to be separate for privacy, and this is where the portraits found their home.

Using layers of color, texture, lighting, and art, I made a personal plush paradise, for the lady of the manor. Many of those touches were selected online . Renaissance clothing and accessories, found on numerous internet sites offered a number of choices. Tudor accents, fabric, hardware, and fixtures were helpful ideas found on sites with costumes and jewellery.

The Queens became the perfect theme, and the modern conveniences gave me the bathroom fit for a royal woman. I did not need ladies in waiting to heat my bath water, that's where the Tudor times stopped and the 21st century replaced the privy closet with modern plumbing. My window overlooking the garden is hung with a stained glass panel, for privacy, and leads to a beautiful focal point when the sun shines through.

If you're interested in period clothes, historical style, and modern comfort, this is a straightforward to do project. Hardware, art, and lighting will easily convert any space into a classic luxury oasis fit for Queen. In case one requires more privacy, a gold door leads to a matching dressing room, adorned with a matching marble center island, mahogany cabinets, and a combination lock for security!

Other resources on renaissance costumes and medieval accessories:

My Dream Medieval Bath
The Luxury Renaissance Bathroom
THE QUEEN'S BATHROOM