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Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / antiques / Cottage Tour: Bathroom Art

Cottage Tour: Bathroom Art

November 3, 2013 at 9:55 am by Claudia

Provocative title, right?

Of course, I’m talking about what’s hanging on the wall of our tiny half bath – a room so tiny that one can hardly move more than a couple of inches in any direction. I painted it green not long after we moved in here and it’s become a mini-gallery of sorts.

sunb&B

Let me just say that taking these shots requires a level of limberness that is no longer as readily available as it used to be.

The Marvelous Football Dogs print was a gift from our friends, Lynne and Sean. The colorful vintage circus poster style is irresistible and the subject matter is dogs, so it’s a win-win. Let’s get a closer look at the framed print below.

sunpostie

This is a card that Don gave me one year entitled “Waiting for Postie.” Very British and very charming. But he bought it because the two dogs look like Scout and Riley, if Scout had black spots. We tried several times to recreate this pose with our dogs but they wouldn’t cooperate. Darn them. Isn’t this print adorable?

sunrockwell

This is one of our favorite finds. We found this period Norman Rockwell calendar print when we visited the Berkshires many years ago. It came in this vintage frame and I think it might have been part of a calendar, but I’m not sure. It’s entitled “It’s Your Turn.” I’m not necessarily a fan of the circus, nevertheless, that makes two circus-themed prints in the bathroom. I absolutely love this print and I could look at it for hours, as I can with all of Rockwell’s work.

sundaylittlekids

This print is under the window and above the toilet. We found this in San Diego many years ago and snapped it up. Another no brainer for us: a vintage print of kids outside a bakery and need I say more? The frame. The frame is to die for.

On the other wall:

suntrustin

A vintage print of kids dressed as toy soldiers playing with a hose and the framed print below that was my grandmother’s. I think it hung in her guest bedroom. The frame is fragile and I kept it tucked away for years until I decided to hang it in the bathroom.

sunkidshose

A close-up of the kids and the hose. This was also a San Diego find. I love vintage illustrations, especially when children are the subject matter.

sundayquilt

Since I’m not showing you the spare bedroom/office/Don’s studio, I thought I’d at least share a photo of this quilt, which is hanging on the wall there. It belongs to Don. After his father, Lee, died a few years ago, Don’s stepmother and half sister asked a quilter to make one of these for all of the children. It’s made out of Lee’s shirts.

Needless to say, it’s priceless.

Tomorrow, I’ll share a few of my thoughts on decorating a home: how I put my own individual stamp on my home, why I avoid trends like the plague, and what rules I think are worth following and what rules I ignore. Modestly, of course, because I am certainly no expert.

Oh, one more thing. I’ve had a daily photo blog for about 3 years. Unfortunately, with daily posting on this blog I had let it fall by the wayside over the past year and a half. I’d been thinking about it lately and then my friend Dawn did a post about her new photo blog (she’s a great photographer) and I thought to myself, “Claudia, that’s a message from the universe. Start posting on that darned blog again.” So I have. I want to better my photography skills. The link is on my sidebar, if you’re at all interested. It’s called Through a Lens Daily.

Happy Sunday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: antiques, decorating, vintage 40 Comments

Comments

  1. Donnamae says

    November 3, 2013 at 10:17 am

    Great bathroom art…and those frames! I think the bathroom is a wonderful place art…especially a powder room. Not sure how steam and art would do! Thanks for taking the pics in a small place…I can just imagine the limberness involved! Beautiful quilt in Don’s space….what a great memory! Enjoy your day! ;)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 10:45 am

      This bathroom is a half bath, so we’re safe from steam!

      Reply
  2. Dawn says

    November 3, 2013 at 10:32 am

    I love the quilt made from old shirts, what stories those shirts could tell. I had no idea you had such great art too girl.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 10:45 am

      Don was so emotional when that package arrived. It means so much to him.

      Reply
  3. An Enchanted Cottage says

    November 3, 2013 at 10:42 am

    I’m in LOVE with your grandmother’s framed print, Trust in the name of the Lord. Oh my gosh, Claudia, it is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen!

    I can totally see why the two dogs reminded Don of Scout and Riley. And do you know what I thought of? The scene from P.S. I Love You, where Hillary Swank is “waiting for the postie” – Don, in that case! ha ha Oh my gosh how I love that scene and that movie!

    Have a great Sunday!

    Donna

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 10:46 am

      Oh, I forgot about Don’s scene. Hillary was waiting for postie, too, wasn’t she?

      Reply
  4. An Enchanted Cottage says

    November 3, 2013 at 10:44 am

    How could I forget to mention the gorgeous quilt? What a fabulous idea. Indeed, priceless….

    Donna

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 10:58 am

      Thanks, Donna.

      Reply
  5. Bonnie Schulte says

    November 3, 2013 at 11:09 am

    Your bathroom art is wonderful. I am a big fan of circus posters, so when I saw the poster with the dogs, and the calender
    print, I thought “I love it”, But most of all, the picture with the two dogs waiting at the door, made me smile big time. Adorable…
    Tiny bath…big time WOW factor!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 1:36 pm

      Thanks so much, Bonnie!

      Reply
  6. Teresa says

    November 3, 2013 at 11:37 am

    Love how you decorated our small bathrooom. There is so much to see in there. Of course it might take me awhile to come out as I would have to look at everything closely. Each picture has so many things to see in them. I love art that makes you think. I think that decoraters have lost their sence of humor and could use more prints/pictures like these.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 1:37 pm

      Absolutely, Teresa. A sense of humor, even in decorating, is essential.

      Reply
  7. Teresa says

    November 3, 2013 at 11:56 am

    Is there a way to become a follower on your photography blog? I may have missed it. I love your photos and I don’t want to miss any. I also photograph everything. Just ask my husband as my camera goes with us all the time. One way I learn new things is by looking at other peoples photographs. I think seeing things through a camera lens makes you appreciate them more. Hugs, Teresa

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 1:39 pm

      I think there’s still a widget for Google Friend Connect on the sidebar, Teresa. I haven’t added it to Bloglovin. I’ll see if I can add an RSS Feed widget.

      Reply
  8. Nancy Blue Moon says

    November 3, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    Very nice Claudia..Love the frame with the cutouts..the two dog waiting for the postman are adorable..What a wonderful gift that quilt is to Don!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 1:39 pm

      It’s one of his favorite things, Nancy.

      Reply
  9. Judy Ainswprth says

    November 3, 2013 at 12:57 pm

    Claudia, I Love your tour! I am very excited about your photograph
    blog, first time I’ve heard about! ThankYou for Sharing with us!
    -Judy A-

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 1:39 pm

      You are welcome, Judy!

      Reply
  10. Diane says

    November 3, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    I am looking forward to your post tomorrow about decorating…and avoiding trends etc. My problem is I like so many different things, primitives, vintage things from the fifties….complete opposites!!!! The little 1944 house we just bought only has about 1100 square feet and I have to make some choices about what to keep and what to let go of. I have a porcelain topped table from the fifties ..it opens to provide seating for 6 and because it is a sentimental piece I have to keep it. It is named Roxy after the theater I saw hundreds of movies at growing up in Mobile,AL. However, I have old wooden dough bowls, crocks and pottery bowls too and I can’t imagine parting with them. The house is too little to have a lot of stuff that we can’t use tho. We are having to downsize drastically!
    If I can make our new old house look a tiny bit as beautiful and comfortable as yours and Don’s I will be happy.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 1:40 pm

      Oh, I love those porcelain tables, Diane. I have always been a big fan of them.

      Reply
  11. Judy Clark says

    November 3, 2013 at 1:27 pm

    Have so enjoyed your tour. Love the picture of the two dogs at the door. So darling.

    Have a great week!

    Judy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 1:40 pm

      You too, my friend!

      Reply
  12. Mare says

    November 3, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    LOVE! and I have to say you answered my “thoughts” in the first response! I was wondering about steam as well as we are in an old home with a STEAMY bathroom…love that you can use your space for display…it is fabulous..
    Have been keeping up on my phone as I’ve been on the run so hopefully can go through “big” photos of your room tours today…I’m a self proclaimed “looky lou” and have been loving your tours.
    Thanks so much for your hospitality!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 2:36 pm

      Our steamy bathroom has a couple of pieces on the wall but I made sure they were ‘safe’ and wouldn’t be ruined by the steam. Mare!

      Reply
  13. Debbie says

    November 3, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    Love your powder room gallery! The quilt is a beautiful keepsake, what a wonderful idea. I decided a few weeks ago that I would go back to the beginning of your blog and get “caught up” on everything I missed your first few blogging years. I’ve just gotten to where you first created your photo blog, so I’m glad to see you picking it up again.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 5:34 pm

      I’m sure you’ll notice a lot of changes as I got more and more clear about what I wanted the blog to be, Debbie!

      Reply
  14. Kerrie says

    November 3, 2013 at 3:48 pm

    I have always loved your posts and am always so tickled when you visit one of my sites and comment! You are so sweet! Love the dogs and they are beautful! Have a wonderful week! Hugs, Kerrie

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 5:34 pm

      You too, Kerrie!

      Reply
  15. Becky says

    November 3, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    Hi Claudia, I’m coming to your blog late today because my daughter has been visiting (yay!) and this morning we had to take her to the airport to return to Florida where she works with guide dogs. I wanted to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed the tour of your home even though I’ve been a reader long enough to have seen much of it before. I too have had limited resources for furnishing and decorating my home. I decided years ago that I was going to make the “unmatched furniture look” my hallmark. Most of my pieces are from garage sales, estate sales, and other used sources. And like your lovely cottage, I’ve discovered it has made for a much more homey and interesting look, not to mention the fond memories of when and where I bought each piece and the “deals” I made. I had a good laugh at the provocative title of today’s post, ha! Take care, Becky

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 3, 2013 at 5:35 pm

      I bet it was wonderful to visit with your daughter, Becky.
      I like the unmatched furniture look, too – I think it’s much more charming!

      Reply
  16. Linda @ A La Carte says

    November 3, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Love your bathroom wall art! Such fun pieces. The quilt is wonderful. I found one of my Dad’s old plaid shirts and I want to make something with it, not sure what.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 6, 2013 at 6:04 pm

      How about a table runner or something like that?

      Reply
  17. Vickie says

    November 3, 2013 at 10:43 pm

    I love your choice of unconventional art for your bathroom! Each piece has a story and adds so much charm to the room. I’ve been following along your home tour and I just wanted to say how lovely and cozy your home is!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 6, 2013 at 6:04 pm

      Thank you so very much, Vickie!

      Reply
  18. Marianne L says

    November 4, 2013 at 1:25 am

    Who says a bathroom has to be boring? Not at Claudia’s house!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 6, 2013 at 6:04 pm

      No boring bathrooms here, Marianne!

      Reply
  19. Leesa says

    November 4, 2013 at 7:15 am

    Your style is so unique compared to otuer folpks I’ve read stuff from.

    I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just
    book mark this page.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 6, 2013 at 6:05 pm

      Thank you, Leesa.

      Reply
  20. Melanie says

    November 4, 2013 at 5:58 pm

    Love all your artwork…vintage prints are some of my favorites. You have a beautiful collection. I will have to tell my mom to come to your blog and see Don’s quilt. She had started a similar quilt for Tim made with Phil’s shirts after he passed away. Somehow along the way, she messed up and had to start all over again, and never finished. Maybe Don’s quilt could inspire her!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 6, 2013 at 6:05 pm

      Oh, I hope so, Melanie! That would be a priceless piece for Tim.

      Reply
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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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