Monday, September 30, 2013

Tiles And More Than Tiles...




No More Tiles!

I must warn you, Dear Readers, that I Hate to destroy Illusions.... but I fear I Must! The Lovely floor of the Tree House Bath that Looks so much like a Deep Blue Pool of Water is an Illusion... for Both us and the Rats! Or else they would be unable to move in that room without being in the water... the pool takes up so much room! (And it IS inside a Tree after all!!!) But perhaps we can compensate you by adding to this Illusion... by making the Bath Tub out of a Wonderful boat shaped shell... and Pretending that it floats on the lovely pool of water! I must confess that I have Always wanted to make a mini bathtub out of a seashell! 
                                               And this one has such a Gorgeous shape!

As you can see here, I added a tiny shell to the top edge to be a soap dish.....
And I added a tiny metal ring for the drain.....
And glued it to the little metal tray to form a base that was less tippy!
I have not yet glued it in place....

 
But the idea is that we Pretend it is a Boat upon a tiny pool....!
And while we are doing that, I have also managed to complete the tiling of all the walls!
As I mentioned before, I was concerned about having enough tiles... 
and so I was trying to carefully plan and piece together the parts for each wall.
The walls with the doorways were fairly straight forward with the large pieces of Abalone shell.
The fireplace wall was the first one finished and really set the tone for the room.
The remaining two walls each had their challenges.
The side wall had what I call the "Moon Window" high up at the top of the wall....
Using one of my "Found" marbles for the glass....
And an intricate piece of Abalone shell jewelry with silver vining surrounding it....


Two of the remaining abalone shell tiles fit at the bottom....
(the white tile is really a filler as it is barely visible from the opening of the room)
And I had to fill the gaps between and try to make it fit the overall pattern!
I used the last of the tiny blue tiles and almost all the black ones to frame the window...
And fitted the rest of the space with the gray tiles.
I was trying to make the gray tiles run across the upper part of each wall...
And a row of the white ones at the very top.....
And wasn't at all sure I would have enough!

Here you can see all the walls, except the fireplace wall...
And for the Front Opening Door Wall..... with the circular "Sun" Window...
(which you can see on the right) I used the last three pieces of Abalone shell tiles..
And the last of the gold tiles to frame the "Sun" window.
Then I decided to balance this wall with the others and add more scallop shells...
This exterior door has to be carefully fitted because the tiled surface 
has to fit within the frame of the opening to the room or the door won't close properly!
Here you can see the rest of the tiles added to this door....


Along with a "Shell-f" at the window ledge!
I also tucked a few pearls into the gaps!

And here you can see it attached to the Tree House....


I painted the undecorated part of the inside of the door with silver paint...
And added a couple more pearls to gaps....


It is difficult to photograph with all the walls in place...
I also added tiny shells to the doors for doorknobs....

So how many tiles did I have left over when the floors and walls were done?
NONE!
Can you believe it?
(I can't believe my luck!!!)
So now that the walls and floors are done... 
I have started on the Fixtures...


And even though I must destroy your illusions,
I hope you will get used to the idea of the beautiful Shell boat..
Floating on the still blue waters....!

And In a completely Other World Not too far away...
Blue went to visit the Chapel in the Castle Dollhouse...
where Father Alban has been painting....( or is he just Daydreaming!)
For the Longest time!
She wanted to see what all the fuss was about....

She thinks the painting is just Perfect as it is....
And thinks Father Alban just needs a little "Forgetting spell"
To forget what he thought might still be needed!

He thinks there is one sure way to tell if it is done.....

So he carries it to the Altar.....

And sets it in place.....

Yes... It is Perfect!
And Blue made sure to cast a spell of Safe Travel on it....
It is headed out on a voyage across the oceans!

And because Blue thought this painting things looks like Fun.....
She has set up some more blanks all ready to go...!!!
So while there might be no more Tiles....
There was a lot more than just tiles that got done this week!

39 comments:

  1. Using Abalone was such an excellent idea! The pattern in it makes it look like waves coming from the boat.

    Where Blue is standing in the last picture looks very much like a church I visited in Panama.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Grandmommy! That blue tile was so hard for me to incorporate into the original design... but It really ends up being the perfect floor! And I'm thrilled that you see the waves!!!

      Delete
  2. The shell bath and all the tilework is really great. I love how the floor appears to be a pool too! Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Troy! It is hard for me to remember which idea came first... the Abalone shell... or the Shell bathtub.... but they are perfect together!

      Delete
  3. Awesome bathroom, like from a beautiful fairy tale,
    your talent and imagination is great, thank you for the sharing.
    Magda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Magda! This whole Tree House is very Fairy-tale inspired! I'm so glad you like it! Thank you for commenting!

      Delete
  4. OMG! OMG! OMG!!!!! I WANT the shell tube! I want my bathroom to look like that! Betsy, it's just gorgeous! Fantastic! Superb!

    I can't wait for the icon!!!!!!:):):):):)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ewa! I have Always wanted to make a bathtub out of these little shells! I just never had the right size shell ... or I should say the right sized room! I wish it were possible to have some of these rooms in RL! LOL! It must be why I love to make them so much!
      I really hope you like the icon when it gets there, Ewa! And I hope it is a speedy travel.... but I know it always seems like forever when you are waiting for something! I keep my fingers crossed!

      Delete
  5. I love the shell boat/bath. It looks wonderful sitting on the 'water'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sharee! I wasn't quite sure the illusion would work at first... but I think it works well enough.... and the shell is so beautiful I had to make it work! LOL!

      Delete
  6. Betsy, after my humble opinion it is not a Shell boat, but a Beautiful Swan who is sleeping with her head folded into her wings (how can I say it in proper English? I guess you'll understand what I mean?) and she is floating on the water of the shell basin, it really looks so beautiful and fairytale like!
    Hugs, Ilona

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah Ilona!!! You say it PERFECTLY!!! I know exactly what you mean.... and your comment adds a "Beauty" I couldn't say myself!!!! Thank you for your perception!

      Delete
  7. Hello Betsy! I LOVE THIS ROOM! Your bathroom is Stunning and the way that the wall turned out is just so Beautiful!!! There is a grotto feeling to this room and the pool with the shell tub atop is such a magical effect that is your signature style! It is lush and lavish but all in keeping with the once upon a time atmosphere that you do so well! I can get lost in this room by floating on the surface of the pool, that is really the floor, but to me, can serve as both!

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Elizabeth!!! You say so Perfectly the Atmosphere of this room... Something I am elusively pursuing... hoping I can achieve it with the materials I have at hand! So much more still to come....!!! And yes, the floor Must be BOTH the pool And the Tile floor.... that is the magic!

      Delete
  8. OMG! I am stunned!
    Your Bathroom is g o r g e o u s!
    It is b r i l l i a n t! And so Beautiful!
    Love every detail!
    And Blue is so cute :)
    Hugs
    Kikka

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kikka!
      Blue is Magically Awesome!!! :)

      Delete
  9. Dear Betsy,
    Wow !! What a beautiful bathroom. The shells and tiles are amazing. I'm dreaming how it would be to have such bathroom. I think I would sit in the bad all day. The icon is beautiful also.
    Hugs Dorien

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Dorien! I think if I had this Bath in my RL, I would never want to leave either! LOL!

      Delete
  10. I buy into the illusion, totally! What a great idea to use the shell. It is an impressive bath boat indeed and it makes for dreamy relaxing moments for whomever is enjoying a bath. Father Alban's painting is beautiful too!
    Véronique

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Veronique! I am glad I have not destroyed Illusions!!! It is much more fun to keep them alive! LOL! This shell bath has been the seed idea for the whole bathroom.... I just needed to make it fit the scene... or rather the scene fit it.. if you know what I mean! Still more to come!

      Delete
  11. Hello Betsy,
    Genius, pure genius! the seashell bathtub is a wonderful idea and looks so perfect in that room! I repeat: Genius! The room is so magical, so full of detail, yet very comforting and relaxing. Absolutely fantastic my dear friend! Thank goodness for blue. the painting is lovely...my mini mantra has become don't gild the lily!
    Big hug,
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Giac! It is always a pleasure to hear from you! :) I am having fun with this room... now that I have conquered most of the Design hurdles.... it had me stumped in the beginning... but now it is really working! I have a whole lot more treats to show in future posts.... so stay tuned!

      Delete
  12. The water is a spectacular illusion, Betsy. Thank god you had enough tiles --they truly are magical.

    XOXO,
    John

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you John! It was one of those "oh, do I dare try this" ideas when I saw those circular shell pieces....! And fortunately I have been able to make it work! I love making illusions work!!!!

      Delete
  13. I love love LOVE that bathroom, absolutely amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shaairah! Welcome to my blog! I am going to have to come visit your blog soon! Thank you for commenting! I am glad you love the bathroom!

      Delete
  14. I want a bathtub like that one :-) The room is unbelievable beautiful!!! And I'm so glad you had enough tiles!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Margriet! I was actually at the point where I was trying to think of ways to make some sculpey tiles if I ran out... and HOW would they have fit in??? I am so glad I didn't need to! The boat bath (I should just call it the Swan Bath... ) is my favorite part so far! It is so glamorous by itself... I had to make a setting worthy of it!

      Delete
  15. Lovely...as usual Betsy!
    Hugs to you,
    Vicki

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Vicky! Thanks for your comments! I am glad you like it! I still have to go add my two cents to your recent posts...! (Just running behind!) :)

      Delete
  16. So good to see Blue doing a good job - she was right about pushing Father Alban into the right direction with a tiny touch of magic... I keep my fingers crossed that your beautiful painting will soon arrive at Ewa's. And who knows, maybe it was some kind of magic too that there was just the right amount of tiles available... what a relief! This room is pure beauty, a fairytale come true... and when Ilona said the "bathtub" (sounds wrong to call that breathtaking magical piece like that) would look like a swan I had to agree... the whole room including the shell boat-tub reminds me of the Venus grotto of "Linderhof" Palace, one of the castles King Ludwig II of Bavaria has built. In the grotto operas of Richard Wagner were performed and there was a shell boat, too. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linderhof)

    Hugs
    Birgit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is amazing to me, Birgit, how much "magical stuff" happens every day!!! Blue is right in her "element"... she has so many stories to add her "touch" to now!!! LOL! Ilona is exactly right about the "Swan tub"... I am going to have to call it that! I have been thinking of this room as a Venus Grotto from the very beginning! I am so glad it makes you think that... it means I am getting it right!!!

      Delete
  17. I love Father Alban.
    I also loved the concept of a huge pool in the bathroom for a tub. Hard to clean, tho, and definitely not enough walking-around space in such a small room. Shell is good.
    Love,
    Mom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mom! I'm glad you love Father Alban! He is pretty special... It took me long enough to get around to making him!
      And as for the pool... we can have our pool that isn't a pool... and never have to clean it LOL!

      Delete
  18. I love Father Alban.
    I also loved the concept of a huge pool in the bathroom for a tub. Hard to clean, tho, and definitely not enough walking-around space in such a small room. Shell is good.
    Love,
    Mom

    ReplyDelete
  19. To be honest, Betsy, I often have difficulty leaving a comment on your post for there is so much to see and admire that mentioning one thing does not to credit to all the other things I see and like. Besides, I can't always find words to express the pleasant feeling I get when looking at your work.....it's like words don't do justice to my experience..
    So....I think I have said enough......no, I have to tell you at least about the shell-bathtub-soapdish; its utter beauty to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Liduina! I am touched by your words! I am so glad you comment... even if it is difficult .... every comment adds to my world! And I am so happy to know that seeing my work gives you such good feelings! Really, it is comments like these that make my faith in my creations all the stronger!
      And truly... this Whole bathroom is designed to highlight that amazingly beautiful shell! Thank you for commenting... it means a great deal to me... and I keep meaning to be better at replying...!

      Delete