We haven’t quite got the keys to the kingdom (we think we should get them in the next few days), but we’re already acquiring some of the bits and bobs we know we’ll need.
The way I roll, is to spend as long as is needed finding everything for each room before starting work on that room. We’re bargain hunters, antique shop, reclamation yard and online marketplace junkies. It’s fabulous fun spending as long as it takes hunting for the perfect pieces.
More on that as we get cracking with the house.
But, to start with, let’s talk vitrolite.
Growing up, I loved visiting my Great Auntie Joan’s house. Her home was was an early 19th century end terrace, built by her father as the family home. The bathroom was tiled in jade green and black vitrolite. And it was glorious.
Vitrolite is (in my opinion) simply the loveliest thing you can put on a bathroom wall. I’ve always remembered Auntie Joan’s bathroom fondly, and have long thought how wonderful it would be to tile a bathroom of our own with that wonderful glass.
Yes, Station Farm is Victorian.
Yes. Vitrolite is Art Deco.
No, it’s not the right period.
But, the angle I bring to a renovation, is that what you put in, shouldn’t have to be all in keeping with the period of the property. That said, I can’t stand renovations which destroy all period character, filling the home full of glistening modern elements.
For me, it’s about hunting down pieces the same age as the house or younger. Making each room feel appropriate to an era through which the house has existed. Thankfully, Andy agrees. Or, possibly, thinks it’s easier to just let me get on with it…..!
So, for years I’ve been banging on about a vitrolite bathroom. We finally (almost) have a house where it’ll fit perfectly. The hardest part is actually finding some vitrolite.
It’s a brittle glass, incredibly difficult to remove for reclamation without damaging it. That means it tends to achieve fairly high prices, especially the sought after jade green. The quantities I’ve stumbled across over the past couple of years have been financially out of reach.
Imagine my delight when I stumbled across an auction listing for a vitrolite splashback and tiles, enough for a small bathroom. It’s yellow, and perfect for one of the spaces in Station Farm.
That’s the downstairs bathroom walls sorted, then.
Page image courtesy Flickr
Station Farm Cottage 