Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander Ep101 - Ancient Scottish castles

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/98/e5/e3/98e5e314fed0dec2ddd5da86150c4116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/98/e5/e3/98e5e314fed0dec2ddd5da86150c4116.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Doune_Castle_-_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/93/Doune_Castle_-_front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />The premier episode of "Outlander" on Starz has finally aired and it was really, really good and very true to the book. By the end of the first episode, the protagonist Claire Beauchamp Randall has "fallen through time" leaving behind her 20th century husband to wonder what happened to her and falling into the midst of a firefight between British "Red Coat" soldiers and Scottish Highlanders. She initially thinks it's some kind of costume drama being shot for the movies, until she realizes that they are using live ammunition. She is assaulted, nearly raped, shot at, knocked out and then kidnapped by a band of disreputable looking Highlanders who are mostly speaking their native Gaelic. The Gaelic isn't translated for the viewing audience under the theory that we always see things through Claire's eyes and since she doesn't "have the Gaelic" then neither should we. She comes to realize that somehow, unbelievable as it may be, she's no longer in the 20th century and she would do well not to let on to her kidnappers (or rescuers depending on how you look at it) much about herself. Having served as a war combat nurse in WW2, she has medical skills and knowledge that far outstrips anything known in the past and can't help but step in to help out one of the Highlander's who is injured with a dislocated shoulder, among other troubles. She starts ordering the men about (not something they are used to) and gets to work and fixes the problem, earning a level of respect mingled with suspicion among the men. The last scene shows the band of travelers with their unwilling captive arriving at Castle Leoch, the seat of the Clan MacKenzie.  Two days before (and two hundred years in the future), Claire had visited the ruins of the castle with her 20th century husband Frank. And now she rides up on a horse to a living, breathing, if still foreboding, structure.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/fa/ff/d7/faffd7f7d8d5204ed6bb0a7f8bf19725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/fa/ff/d7/faffd7f7d8d5204ed6bb0a7f8bf19725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Standing in for the fictional Castle Leoch (roughly pronounced Lee-ock) is Doune Castle which is in the Stirling region of Scotland. Only the exteriors of the castle are being used for filming. The interiors are entirely shot on a custom built sound stage in Cumbernauld, Scotland, which is outside of Glasgow. The Castle is a property of <a href="http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=PL_092" target="_blank">Historic Scotland</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/cf/55/1e/cf551e2696e299cf1fd4f69d4fc789f1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/cf/55/1e/cf551e2696e299cf1fd4f69d4fc789f1.jpg" /></a></div><br />Doune Castle was built around 1400 by Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany who ruled Scotland from 1388 to 1420 and is known as "Scotland's uncrowned King". It's structure includes a large courtyard, 100ft high gatehouse, a Lord's Hall with musician's gallery. Before "Outlander", "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and some scenes in "Game of Thrones" were filmed here as well. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ba/66/8e/ba668e60f9da8f48c859d1c63e172a38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ba/66/8e/ba668e60f9da8f48c859d1c63e172a38.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Doune_Castle_plan.png/1024px-Doune_Castle_plan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Doune_Castle_plan.png/1024px-Doune_Castle_plan.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />Floor plan of Doune Castle.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Doune_Castle_-_great_hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Doune_Castle_-_great_hall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The restored Lord's Hall at Doune Castle.<br /><br />While Doune Castle is busy being a tourist attraction and move set - one wonders if it will see the huge influx of cash that Highclere Castle in England has as a result of Downton Abbey - it's clearly not a comfy, livable place. But, there are certainly other castles in the area that are very welcoming to the modern traveler.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.culcreuch.com/" target="_blank">Culcreuch Castle</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.culcreuch.com/images/slideshow/hero_homepage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.culcreuch.com/images/slideshow/hero_homepage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Culcreuch Castle Hotel welcomes guests with warm and traditional decorations. Located in the same region as Doune Castle, Culcreuch is the seat of the warrior clan Gailbraith. The tower on the current structure dates to the end of the 15th century and is thought to be located on the same site as the original early 14th century structure.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.culcreuch.com/images/slideshow/dsc02347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://www.culcreuch.com/images/slideshow/dsc02347.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.culcreuch.com/images/slideshow/honeymoon%20suite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://www.culcreuch.com/images/slideshow/honeymoon%20suite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.culcreuch.com/images/slideshow/napiersuite2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://www.culcreuch.com/images/slideshow/napiersuite2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.culcreuch.com/images/slideshow/baronssuite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://www.culcreuch.com/images/slideshow/baronssuite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://inverlochycastlehotel.com/" target="_blank">Inverlochy Castle Hotel</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjR2oHModrzFxOefdL0UpvGA_mTVgHm-Iy5I6MZmiVJTMR-0QUcKwSAQ-dQyM6DGCK4yKrkeClcri8wcuv1qgbFjZwq_UGe4UN4UBM3ok7WeZkuYtvPuZ-ni0cj1gWz0BrhFNTWSagiw/s1600/inverlochy+outside.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjR2oHModrzFxOefdL0UpvGA_mTVgHm-Iy5I6MZmiVJTMR-0QUcKwSAQ-dQyM6DGCK4yKrkeClcri8wcuv1qgbFjZwq_UGe4UN4UBM3ok7WeZkuYtvPuZ-ni0cj1gWz0BrhFNTWSagiw/s1600/inverlochy+outside.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br />Inverlochy Castle, in the Highlands, was built in 1863 on the site of the original 13th century structure. The castle is located in Fort William, which plays a prominent, though not happy, role in the "Outlander" story. Today, Inverlochy is an award winning hotel.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_18dCn_ddgTQETO9RKPsgtjCR8kUEB-Jk0hV_qj5bdH-z69qRXzUyeJzixuMOby-OfnEFkPhx44a2M8yAscZCbyssEYSpyiTQ1tAAgzDofI3xOmSUX9cTHp9C3Dm1d0lmyWsPedOu3Y/s1600/Inverlochy+room.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_18dCn_ddgTQETO9RKPsgtjCR8kUEB-Jk0hV_qj5bdH-z69qRXzUyeJzixuMOby-OfnEFkPhx44a2M8yAscZCbyssEYSpyiTQ1tAAgzDofI3xOmSUX9cTHp9C3Dm1d0lmyWsPedOu3Y/s1600/Inverlochy+room.tiff" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/v/t1.0-9/602764_444165132306027_2131585869_n.jpg?oh=b820a876f66ee8a172b51718d844765a&oe=5469168F&__gda__=1416243929_1bdcc76c7cb5d799780954ca2f034966" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/v/t1.0-9/602764_444165132306027_2131585869_n.jpg?oh=b820a876f66ee8a172b51718d844765a&oe=5469168F&__gda__=1416243929_1bdcc76c7cb5d799780954ca2f034966" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/10462658_684535001602371_2873798928650536384_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/10462658_684535001602371_2873798928650536384_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />I imagine that Claire would have been much happier to have arrived at one of these beautiful, and comfortably outfitted, castles rather than Leoch, wouldn't you?<br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3024px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3024px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3024px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3024px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>

Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander Ep101 - Ancient Scottish castles

The premier episode of "Outlander" on Starz has finally aired and it was really, really good and very true to the book. By the end...

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Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander on Starz

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9e/28/e0/9e28e0a2c9b98b8a5f2330e47661e61b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9e/28/e0/9e28e0a2c9b98b8a5f2330e47661e61b.jpg" /></a></div><br />For twenty years I've been reading, and rereading, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=outlander&linkCode=ur2&tag=chameleoninte-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=3BHOW4Z5TTRPS46X" target="_blank">Diana Gabaldon's</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=chameleoninte-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> epic adventure series "Outlander". They are, as I like to describe them, "bodice ripping, time traveling, romantic historical fictions, filled with warrior poets in a kilt, a take charge heroine, blood, guts, gore and more." Really, they defy easy description. This is not just chick lit either. There's enough epic adventure, sword fights, machiavellian villains and clan revenge to satisfy any man as well. Plus, Diana created the absolute perfect male hero. Seriously. Big, brawny, educated, will kill a man to protect hearth and home, while quoting Marcus Aurelius.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b4/2b/74/b42b74f5eb423a80c9a749166c595261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="558" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b4/2b/74/b42b74f5eb423a80c9a749166c595261.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Caitiona Balfe and Sam Heughan as Claire and Jamie</div><br />After twenty years of movie studios optioning the rights to make a feature film - which would never have worked each book is over 800 pages - it has been turned into a television series airing on Starz. The first (of what will hopefully be several) season is sixteen episodes which covers Book 1.  Author Diana Gabaldon is a consultant on the show, which is produced by Ron Moore (of Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek fame), and filmed in Scotland with a mostly British, Irish and Scottish cast.  Amazingly, Diana, who is a scientist by training, wrote the first book as practice to learn how to write a novel, she never expected it to be published or see the light of day beyond a Compuserve writer's forum she was part of. She was in her mid/late-30s when she decided to try her hand at writing and the book wasn't published until her early 40's - an impressive mid-career change, no question. <br /><br />The trailer:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KAS01FFj1fQ" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />The series officially starts on August 9th, but the first episode has been released on the production website <a href="http://www.starz.com/originals/outlander/" target="_blank">here</a>. It was so good I intend to watch it a few more times. We'll be waiting another two weeks for the second episode. My only complaint is that they've decided to split the seasons into two 8 episode half-seasons, with part 2 not airing until the winter. Boo on that. Mad Men has done the same with its last season.<br /><br />So, I'm such a fan, I am going to be blogging about the show, the interior design (there's not much, but a bit inside the castle), Scottishness in general (I'm English/Irish, but a wanna-be Scot).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u3QJmVnoKGM/T_buhZwmxiI/AAAAAAAALB0/bYfz-ovVFrs/s640/Photo%252520Jun%25252023%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A34%252520AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u3QJmVnoKGM/T_buhZwmxiI/AAAAAAAALB0/bYfz-ovVFrs/s640/Photo%252520Jun%25252023%25252C%2525202012%25252011%25253A34%252520AM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />A couple of years ago, I did a <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2012/07/bucket-list-item-riding-rails.html" target="_blank">post on the Royal Scotsman</a>, the fabulous train through the countryside.  It's worth a read and drool.<br /><br />I thought I'd start this first "Outlander" post with a little tutorial on tartans, kilts and plaids.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/9a/69/1e/9a691eba65ae420f9f48b6f00dd9f4b9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/736x/9a/69/1e/9a691eba65ae420f9f48b6f00dd9f4b9.jpg" /></a></div><br />- <b>Tartan</b> is the pattern that is made by weaving dyed wood strands together to create a specific pattern (now of course they are printed as well as woven).  In America, we tend to refer to the pattern as the plaid, which isn't quite accurate.<br />- <b>Plaid</b> is a length of tartan that is often slung over the shoulder, or used as a covering for multiple purposes such as a blanket or ground cover, as needed. It was a multi-use item.  Wool with it's natural lanolin and when tightly woven together, is waterproof (up to a point).<br />- <b>Kilt</b> is made from a tartan and worn skirt like around the waist. It is a traditionally male garment and could easily be up to nine yards and more (the "whole nine yards") which traditionally the wearer pleated with his fingers and rolled himself up in it, securing with a belt. Like the plaid, a kilt had multiple uses.  Even today, traditional Scottish dress has that only the men wear the kilts, where a woman might wear a plaid over a dress, or even make her dress out of the same family tartan.<br />- Originally,<b> tartan patterns</b> were regionally based, versus family or clan specific. Local tastes and availability of natural dyes played a roll in this.  Of course, most people in a region were likely related or parts of the same clan, but there wasn't a specific pattern for each family as we think of today. In the mid-18th century, the British banned the wearing of tartans and other Gaelic cultural items.  (And we American's think the  were only bothering us at that time!) By the end of the century, the law was repealed, but Scotsman no longer wore their tartans and kilts as every day dress. The tartans were, however, retained as symbols of Scottish culture.  It wasn't until the mid-19th century,  where chemical dyes were more readily available and cultural branding became more possible,  that patterns (old and new) were associated with specific families.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allthebestblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/RCFF_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.allthebestblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/RCFF_1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Fellow blogger at <a href="http://www.allthebestblog.co.uk/2014/03/the-details-ronda-carman-fine-fabrics.html" target="_blank">All the Best</a> Ronda Carman lived in Scotland for several years. She's recently returned to the States and has launched a new fabric line of, you guessed it, wool tartan fabrics for decorative use, under the name <a href="http://rondacarman.com/" target="_blank">Ronda Carman Fine Fabrics</a>.  Handcrafted in Scotland using traditional techniques, the line includes wool fabrics and throws.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allthebestblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/RCFF_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.allthebestblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/RCFF_2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The fabrics are available to the trade only. They are currently in a showroom in Houston, with more coming. Designers outside those areas may order direct.  Good luck with your new line <a href="http://rondacarman.com/" target="_blank">Ronda</a>!<br /><br />So, if you're watching Outlander, share below your thoughts on the production, I'd love to hear!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmrWiXeZgn3z13aXxF9lszYTULunX0IM-8ZEMyFCTDEAZ0Ns32Kbjs47KH5pzyA-g_UqE5JpL0F5MVQOY_5V10WstSaorm64xWaKYDZDlcOlbo0DhyW4TS6L3IG_izo2tBleAiRw8_Gc/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmrWiXeZgn3z13aXxF9lszYTULunX0IM-8ZEMyFCTDEAZ0Ns32Kbjs47KH5pzyA-g_UqE5JpL0F5MVQOY_5V10WstSaorm64xWaKYDZDlcOlbo0DhyW4TS6L3IG_izo2tBleAiRw8_Gc/s1600/Linda+sig2.png" /></a></div><br /><br />

Silver Screen Surroundings: Outlander on Starz

For twenty years I've been reading, and rereading, Diana Gabaldon's epic adventure series "Outlander". They are, as I lik...

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Small Spaces: Dark vs. Light

Common thought is that a small space should be painted a light color so as to make it feel bigger. Is this fact or fiction? Well, it depends on the circumstance. As designers, we love a bold and dramatic space, even in a bathroom. As a matter of fact, we often think "especially in a bathroom!" because it's not a space one spends a huge amount of time in, we can afford to go bold. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/1f/c4/14/1fc414ecfcd05c44fd61c88e64a3b775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/1f/c4/14/1fc414ecfcd05c44fd61c88e64a3b775.jpg" /></a></div><br />Of course, dark can be dramatic and sexy. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/e0/db/5f/e0db5f07be6188636d8ddd221d7f075c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/e0/db/5f/e0db5f07be6188636d8ddd221d7f075c.jpg" /></a></div><br />Masculine and the perfect background for displaying art. (via <a href="http://www.remodconsult.com/index.php/gallery/bathroom-remodeling#1-Heffernan_master_0012" target="_blank">Remodeling Consultants</a> of Chicago)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/16/1e/55/161e55407b90c1ad60cb3d40e3afeb96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/16/1e/55/161e55407b90c1ad60cb3d40e3afeb96.jpg" /></a></div><br />Sparkly. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b8/ce/fe/b8cefe383f108fafe5a88d8eae38d4d3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b8/ce/fe/b8cefe383f108fafe5a88d8eae38d4d3.jpg" /></a></div>Or even as just a balance to a big bright window.<br /><br />On the other end of the spectrum, light bathrooms have their own unique qualities: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/3a/25/97/3a25979aba6e248e3caf5a44f00aff63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/3a/25/97/3a25979aba6e248e3caf5a44f00aff63.jpg" width="441" /></a></div><br />Light, bright and modern cottage. <a href="http://www.styleathome.com/homes/interiors/house-tour-neutral-pale-cottage-retreat/a/56357#ss-9ef32c83-0c08-4fa3-b08d-0ae9d48b5193-slide-11" target="_blank">via Style at Home</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/be/59/78/be59784f6342a82baf378ae27f288431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/be/59/78/be59784f6342a82baf378ae27f288431.jpg" width="417" /></a></div>Clean, bright and beachy. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/97/5a/f6/975af69f368550090ea1cc8e5f39214a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/97/5a/f6/975af69f368550090ea1cc8e5f39214a.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Modern rustic. <a href="http://www.bhg.com/bathroom/remodeling/makeover/bath-makeovers-under-2000/?sssdmh=dm17.742585&esrc=nwdi061614#page=1" target="_blank">Via Better Homes and Gardens</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/0f/ed/2b/0fed2bf3a5f2ebdba8494165f119edba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/0f/ed/2b/0fed2bf3a5f2ebdba8494165f119edba.jpg" width="494" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Light can be soothing and traditional. (design by Patricia Fisher, featured in <a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design/beautiful-homes/charming-east-hampton-cottage" target="_blank">Traditional Home</a>) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(All above pic pinned to my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/linda_merrill/bathrooms/" target="_blank">Pinterest bathrooms board</a>. I could not find original sources for several, but if they are yours or you know whose they are, please let me know and I'll attribute!)</span></div><br /><br />So, when I first saw the photo online of the bathroom in the new house I am renting, I was kind of interested in the dark paint in the bathroom. Hey, for a rental, it showed some flair. I thought the color a little too cobalt blue for my taste, however. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpfo8DBNLxjiO0Dh9hlQBCzYKs43iPBxwPW-KpUreWUblIEFFFb-ogQnK0V80Z31np_1uSScmBURBgJW6qYRSjJQyQNm7XY8GTSI5ihJb3Kf93MYUWy-C-9s7ebowJhTd-B1-e9oVWGU/s1600/IMG_4839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpfo8DBNLxjiO0Dh9hlQBCzYKs43iPBxwPW-KpUreWUblIEFFFb-ogQnK0V80Z31np_1uSScmBURBgJW6qYRSjJQyQNm7XY8GTSI5ihJb3Kf93MYUWy-C-9s7ebowJhTd-B1-e9oVWGU/s1600/IMG_4839.JPG" /></a></div><br />When I first saw it in person, I found that the color was really more of a peacock blue, which I prefer over cobalt. (I'm a green person, not a blue person.) I initially decided to keep the color - it was bold and very different for me, which  I thought would be fun. Plus, bathrooms are a PIA to paint. However, it also made the space feel very small and when I came back to sign the lease and take a better look around, I realized the walls were in rough condition with lots of streaks.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hTb-niYXWDUCxb3PKVNXwNo8UfS2-MqDB6C_tgP3uozX_KGIiVg7xPutYkSOOKi5RgKPWuxpTVG-qdT2Ee3bvRW_q4-aV-MhmoO3Kp9nySWN9NLJ55wUL6Ha_GLYmRQU0ipWypESK0o/s1600/IMG_4876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hTb-niYXWDUCxb3PKVNXwNo8UfS2-MqDB6C_tgP3uozX_KGIiVg7xPutYkSOOKi5RgKPWuxpTVG-qdT2Ee3bvRW_q4-aV-MhmoO3Kp9nySWN9NLJ55wUL6Ha_GLYmRQU0ipWypESK0o/s1600/IMG_4876.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />So, decision made, I decided to paint it. Pink (Ben Moore Pink Hibiscus).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9V4cD8T62-B-QGMoQhI_Ao4q9Ufs3FG34JbsM1C1bLx9HCtHoMMSWgQzssdXnYLfTnE7Ivz8z8kEl9NarlB9m7Qatjw1T-qMpHtDhJQy4PpdhfaWqRPzayOrReNgTt_d1KSdXHfGxqnA/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9V4cD8T62-B-QGMoQhI_Ao4q9Ufs3FG34JbsM1C1bLx9HCtHoMMSWgQzssdXnYLfTnE7Ivz8z8kEl9NarlB9m7Qatjw1T-qMpHtDhJQy4PpdhfaWqRPzayOrReNgTt_d1KSdXHfGxqnA/s1600/photo.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />And it makes it feel so. much. bigger. A friend who came with me the first time I looked at it has since said he thought the bathroom was teeny tiny, but realized it's not so bad. I think it's that the lower corners aren't cloaked in shadow anymore. My color palette throughout is pink, beige and green, with touches of black, so this fits in well. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the window yet - maybe a grass shade hung above for texture. There aren't privacy issues (unless someone wants to get a ladder) and the window lets in lots of light, which is nice. Or, I'll just take of the existing hardware and be done with it.  If I owned I'd definitely replace the light fixture for something more upscale - and maybe I still will at some point. I was going to have my painter relocate the toilet roll holder, but there's not really a better spot. The shower is on the other side of the toilet and there is no available wall space there. Still to come - window treatment (possibly) and a shower curtain. Maybe some more art. <br /><br />So, do you have a preference? Dark or light bathrooms?  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdVfH6GrRSXx9JLYmg9TttVqO5QkfR4HelsVQwFzDtvLP90Gabjwle9BpknWU-pQiaEOx47OEW25tbyAYN1mES6QLeSn7fwROxlLoX0b2JMiKtkSB_KdlfN5Tp8c8ucTjNC_nywWT6zs/s1600/Linda+sig2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdVfH6GrRSXx9JLYmg9TttVqO5QkfR4HelsVQwFzDtvLP90Gabjwle9BpknWU-pQiaEOx47OEW25tbyAYN1mES6QLeSn7fwROxlLoX0b2JMiKtkSB_KdlfN5Tp8c8ucTjNC_nywWT6zs/s1600/Linda+sig2a.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Small Spaces: Dark vs. Light

Common thought is that a small space should be painted a light color so as to make it feel bigger. Is this fact or fiction? Well, it depends...

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