339f3918130e40338211dcccba56c8b7
“My husband is proof that GOOD men exist and so do happy marriages”.
Continued renovations…..
Last trip we knew the downstairs bathroom needed something, but what. It has details that consist of, pink retro wall tiles, a toilet, bidet, silver mirror, 18 random racks & hooks and a hot water heater the size of the Boston Gas tank on 93 (Boston reference). Oh, don’t forget the new washer machine found a home there too. So how am I going to pretty it up, on a pretty tight budget?
I had a vision for this quirky space. Like visions of sugarplums dancing in Kerri’s head. I’ve mentioned before, God only knows how old this house actually is (attached to the ancient castle wall). Renovations were dated on our papers said 1967; Most likely the pink bathroom tile, a new enormous hot water heater and other random not so pretty renovations. It’s always unfortunate to me when renovations take away from the original charm and character. I’d rather a 400 year old this or that, than a 60-70’s plastic orange/brown/pink thing. They become an eyesore. There is not much pretty to be found, this house was kind of that to me.
I can’t be in Italy and now NOT put an antique piece in the bathroom. I love antiques! But, not all. The beautiful pieces that are ageless, no matter your decor or taste they’ll compliment any space. My vision for the bathroom was a chunky bureau that Mike would turn into a bathroom vanity. Use the drawers for storage and repurpose the sink. I don’t think that is asking too much! Hi ho, hi ho….it’s off to find the vanity/antique we go!
We had heard about this 2nd hand shop in Rome from neighbors that sells furniture etc. We never found it on our first trip in February, so off we went a few weeks back. After finding it this time, we were so excited and on a mission. Well, I was lol. A chunky bureau for the bathroom. Dang it, I’m stopped dead in my tracks…. there she is in all of her antique glory. Before Mike could get a word out, I yelled “it”ll fit”. For the love of God this has to ….fit. It was everything I had wanted it to be. The perfect size, right wood color, shape and would hold the existing sink. It will also leave a big bottom drawer for storage. Perfecto!
Mike knows me so well, he brings his tape measure with us …..never leaving home without it. Well, after a good look, measure twice and purchase only once (NO returns) we headed to the register. “Do you speak English” we asked the 4 attendants, “no”. Ok great….google translate please do ya thing:). Mike figured worse case scenario, he’d have to cut the legs off. Not a big deal as it was pretty high, so taking the legs off would still leave enough height. The problem was how the hell would he get the legs off. He can carry his handy dandy tape measure, but not a saw in his pocket lol. They were not screwed in, but completely attached, if they must come off – it would be by saw. We knew there was a Leroy Merlin up the street, because we passed one on the way.
I figured, it if won’t fit they’ll at least hold it until we can go to Leroy Merlin and get a saw. So, I google translate to the best of my non-Italian speaking ability. We received a reply, yes, they will hold it if we can’t fit it in the car. With a deposit. Perfect. Mike assumed he would have to run up to LM and get a hand saw thingy to cut the legs off. Luckily for us it was not even needed, he fit it in the rental like the amazing hubby we all know he is. Yes it was sticking out, yes it was banging the rental car….no I did not even care.
Where there’s a will there’s a way.
We smoosh in the rental and head back to Poggio Nativo. Only 45 minutes of the bureau banging around sticking out of the trunk. Great, now how do we get it down the cobblestone narrow street we call home. Luckily, Mike had invested in a dolly last trip. We (or I should say Mike) gets it home and let the games begin. Videos attached (once I have solid wifi). I have them playing to “So this is love” for your full viewing pleasure. If you could only experience all of this in person alongside me, laughing together. For the record, Mike is not laughing. I think he is ready to leave me on the AutoStrada for a willing traveler to pick up. So this is truly flipping love.
The bureau is beautiful and perfect. Mike is currently doing his best impression of being an italian plumber. Trying to install a new faucet (in Italian directions) and so far so good. He has the existing sink placed on top of the bureau. Imagine the sound of the handsaw ringing through the village on a beautiful summer Saturday afternoon. No siestas today! Not while Kerri has a vision and Mike has to use a handsaw lol. So sorry Via Regina Elena.
In all serious, it looks stunning so far. I also picked up a vintage gold mirror to compliment it. I think the wood, the gold and the combo of new and old will give this quirky bathroom a bit of vintage/antique appeal. The wood with the gold and pink and white curtains looks very charming. It actually tones down the pink tiles and brings out the pretty of everything.
Right now I will celebrate the little things, like Mike telling me “watch the fittings for water, as I go outside and turn the water back on” ~ YES, so far no leaks! Thank you Jesus. Camilla our friendly neighborhood furry friend loves it as well. The fact we found the perfect bureau, got it home in one piece, got it re-plumbed with no leaks….this is amazing stuff right here!!
I am always impressed with Mike’s skill level. I know he’s not technically a “professional” anything….but, what makes a professional anyway. I think someone who can come to a new country, pick up a saw, sink, faucet, rerun pipe fittings and master the Italian instructions IS without a doubt, a professional. He’s also a professional husband. He truly is the best. He looks at me with the “are you kidding me right now” face, knowing my reply is “yes, yes I’m kidding you right now, but seriously I want it”. He will make it fit and make it work, if it makes ME happy. I know I am blessed. I truly am. He is 1 in a million and I appreciate him. Even if all we do is fight (everytime we are in the car). Ask Kim, she will confirm. There is something about the stress level in the car that makes us both cranks. It’s all good. The car is only a portion of our experience here. Thank God lol.
“Nothing haunts us like the antique we didn’t buy”
This is how we bring a little bit of us into our Italian dream home. Renovate this, recycle that and with the wave of a magic wand, this little rustic home is being transformed for a king and his queen. I know pictures don’t even capture all the details. You have to see everything in person to truly capture how lovely it all is. A whole lot of pretty goes a very long way! The bricks, stone, arches, antiques, wood and curtains ~ it is all everything I envisioned it to be.
“Once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, LOVE gives us a fairytale.”
~ Blessed is she.