I recently posted an image on Instagram of a pink clawfooted cast iron bath, because owning a freestanding, clawfooted bath - ideally a pink one - is on my interior bucket list; those home-related items I simply MUST have before shuffling stylishly off this mortal coil.
If you're reading this post it probably means you're into interiors, which probably means you have a home decor bucket list of your own. But have you ever written it down and started ticking off the items? I haven't, but I feel that being on the cusp of not only moving house, but moving to what will quite likely be the most significant home of my adult life, is a good time to make this list.
I'm rather an impatient person, so I'm eager to fill my new place with as many interior bucket list (IBL) items as I can, as quickly as possible (bank manager/Pink House Husband look away now). And yes, I realise that as I tick items off the list, they will simply be replaced by new decor desires, but hey, that's human nature, right?
So, without further ado, here is my IBL. What's on yours? Do let me know in the comments below...
1) Freestanding bath
Hello, dreamy bath/Photo: Susie Lowe
Yes, I mentioned this already but it deserves its proper place on the list. It has to be cast iron, with a roll top, and ideally with clawfeet. But I would countenance a copper number. If I was at death's door.
2) An en suite
As a hotel addict, it's perhaps surprising that I've never in my life lived somewhere with an en suite bathroom. In fact, I spent an entire college year in a room that required my crossing the quadrangle in my dressing gown in order to have a shower, much to the delight of passing tourists. Maybe that's actually WHY I love hotels so much. Anyway, an en suite would be splendid, because it would mean peeing in peace in the early hours (currently a 5.45am pee in the family bathroom renders all the small people of the house instantly wide awake - whether or not the blasted sky is awake - and wanting to PLAY), because I could decorate it to match my bedroom, and because it wouldn't be constantly filled with plastic primary-coloured crap.
3) A double sink
Bathroom from The Ultimate Country House tour/Photo: Susie Lowe
Another bathroom- and hotel-related list item. In fact I feel quite a chunk of the IBL will be hotel-inspired in some way. This one is only partly to avoid bristly chin hairs and ugly black manproducts in and around 'my' sink. It's mainly because it's just so goddamn glamorous and unnecessary. Let's be honest - when did you last have to use the sink by yourself SO BADLY you couldn't wait for someone else to stop using it?
4) Kitchen island
Kitchen island covered in a type of marble I can't spell/Photo: Mim Design
I don't really know why I want one of these. I don't like cooking, and a breakfast bar would probably do the job just as well. Actually breakfast bar would do as kitchen-island-lite, especially if it had those vintage bar stools that used to live in a tractor. But the island is somehow the ultimate in I've-made-it kitchen accessories. And I like rubbish TV shows such as Love Island and I like tropical islands and no man is an island so that could have something to do with it.
5) Carrera marble
More honesty here: I don't actually know what this is. I do at least think I've spelled it correctly, though, because there's no squiggly red line beneath 'Carrera' (capital 'C'? I've no idea). But from many years of covetously flicking through upmarket interior mags, I've picked up the impression that Carrera (I'm sticking with the capital) marble is a) the best marble, b) kind of whitish with grey bits, and c) looks super cool. So I'd like some in my house please, ideally before I pop the clog. Possibly lining the walls of the shower - sorry, wet room. Or maybe as a 'waterfall' counter in the kitchen (I learned this term last week and I love it). Hell, why not plaster it over the aforementioned island (as seen in pic above)?
Shit. I've just Googled 'Carrera' and apparently it's 'Carrara'. At least I was right about the capital 'C'. Oh I've just had a thought - wasn't Carrera a brand of ski goggles?
6) Something by Tom Dixon
Tom Dixon's copper pendant light x 2 (but that's still only 1 item ticked off)
And I don't just mean a candle, though if you're reading this, lovely person who does PR for Tom Dixon, I definitely wouldn't say no to a candle. Your candles are HOT in both senses. And I'll bet you're very attractive too. Winking smiley. But no, for this particular IBL item to be ticked off, I'll need something a little larger and shinier. How about a pendant lamp. Or maybe even a green marble topped brass table, as you might find in the fabulous Mondrian hotel? I told you I had a thing about hotels. Speaking of which...
7) A bar
The basement bar at House Curious. I've only spent about three weeks of my life gazing at it
Yes. An actual bar. I don't get out nearly so much as I used to pre-kids you'll be shocked to learn. And while I sense there might be a short reversal in this trend immediately after our move back to London, in the long term, the graph with 'going out out' on the up-and-down axis (school was a VERY long time ago, OK?), and 'time' on the along-the-way axis, will generally be in steep decline. Hence the requirement for a bar that doesn't require a babysitter. Or indeed exposing oneself to the elements, or the general public. Or the likelihood that there will not be a seat on which to sit. But all of that pales into insignificance beside the fact that I would have a BAR in my HOUSE. The one above would do very nicely. In fact, I'm starting to feel a little peaky (*cough*) so if someone could just sort that out for me ASAP that'd be lovely, thanks.
8) A hanging chair
Yes, this is another room in House Curious. It would be simpler just to move in
House by Mouse by George Mendoza and Doris Smith
The sharp-eyed amongst you will have noticed I've developed quite the crush on House Curious, Sommer Pyne's beautiful home that she also uses to host creative workshops and events. Here's her kitchen, complete with wicker hanging chair (which I understand will be available to buy in the House Curious shop soon, in both black and natural. Yes please Summer Santa (yes that's a thing).
But in my defence I'd like to add that I've lusted after a hanging chair at near-death levels since I was a kid and saw one in a book called House by Mouse - in Spider's house to be specific.
9) Handpainted wallpaper
Heavenly Fromental wallpaper, but here on earth, so there's still time...
To-die-for kitchen (though that would defeat the whole purpose) with Fromental wallpaper
For a wallpaper addict like me, this is the ultimate in decadence. And since discovering the luxury brand Fromental, and its, er, mentally glamorous wallcoverings, this IBL item has been resurrected. Here are a couple to whet your appetite. Maybe the walls of heaven will be covered with the stuff. In which case maybe I should take it off my list...
