Ode to a Bench

Maybe it’s a consequence of me being an old-fashioned kind of girl, but when I think of bathroom furniture aside from the main staples of a bath tub, shower, sink, and toilet the list isn’t that long. A bathroom isn't a room in which you spend much time so it needs to be clean and that's about it really. If ever there was a room where pragmatism is the overriding requirement then it's this one. There is a need for a cabinet to store toiletries, a few hooks to hang robes and towels, and possibly a shelf if you’d rather lie your towels flat. And in my prior world that was it. The add-on (and not always required) peripherals being a laundry basket, weighing scales, toilet brush, bin, a mat, soap dish and dispenser.

But then I discovered the joys of the bench. Such a lovely thing to behold. Just looking at it triggers a satisfied nod to it, no matter how many times I enter the bathroom. The bench has it all - form, function, style and the je ne sais quoi. Yes! I can have a two tier bench in my bathroom fill in the surfaces to the max plus use the space at the bottom as storage. And oddly enough it doesn't seem to take up too much space.

I'm definitely not the first to identify Ikea as a great place to pick up basics but they've really thought of everything haven't they?

Now below I am going to bravely show you my bench in all its disheveled glory - this is not a stylish blog post because really we're talking about the bathroom here but the next one will be back to regular programming; promise.

who's a good little bench? you are!

who's a good little bench? you are!

You might have spotted a few things that will betray me as the collector of things that I am and someone who never leaves a Boots empty-handed (and makes almost weekly trips to said Boots). For example, not one, but two weighing scales, a whole host of bottles (too many) filled with cosmetic goo, face towels and face cloths, an inflatable pillow that I use when soaking in the tub, more cosmetic goo, and latex gloves. This bench may not look pretty to the casual observer but I literally have heart eyes every time I step into my bathroom because of it. It holds ev-e-ry-thing and, in my eyes at least, still keeps the room looking orderly. The bench itself is a lovely bit of furniture and so much more organic that a nondescript plastic utility console contraption.

I kind of didn't know I needed it, or was looking until I found it, you know? I can no longer imagine my bathroom without it; I mean where did I keep my stuff B.B. (before bench)? it's a time not worth remembering surely.

So, as I have subjected you to my unruly bench I've popped some lovelier images of bathroom storage furniture below for you to have a think about adopting your own because really, mine is practically part of the family.

 

Find them here...

http://soak.com

http://www.wilko.com

www.habitat.co.uk

https://www.homebase.co.uk

http://www.next.co.uk/

In or Out

The weather has taken a turn for the (wet)ter after a summer heatwave that caught me off guard, leaving me in no way prepared for the heat and humidity that swelled up out of nowhere. Struggling as I practically dissolved into a puddle whilst putting off purchasing a fan because "no way can this last much longer". So just when I was about to get my act together and arrange a sun-worthy set-up on the roof terrace I was stopped in my tracks by the arrival of the wet stuff; ever reliable! From one week to the next the invitingly sun kissed patch of so much alfresco potential was replaced with a damp, bare, grey platform hosting a half-full bag of plant fertilizer and not much else. Too soon to give up?

So I'm now turning my attention to the space on the inside of the glass. The landing area at the top of the stairs. It's this small space that leads out to the roof terrace and because there is a floor to ceiling window of sorts it receives maximum light. I had planned on doing something with it to make it cosy for autumn in order to enjoy the fading light under a throw or two. The view of Canary Wharf is less romantic than this image would suggest but that's why I'll need to ensure the books on my reading list are close to hand. So, it's seems decided that I'm transforming this little nook into an autumn/winter reading area, now - when summer is still not quite over. Turning my thoughts away from garden furniture to interior items that will fit in a small space without sacrificing comfort. I'm thinking of colours complimenting the bamboo floor and off-white paint of the prominent window frame. But I'm also thinking of the orange/brown/burgundy palette of autumn. Yes, already.

However, I still can't quite let go of the idea of the outdoor set-up that could have been if only I'd been a bit quicker off the mark.

Take a look at my two mood boards below. Which one do you find more appealing?

If only it would stay dry outside...

Autumn reading nook - *Summer edition