Saturday, September 3, 2011

Lavatory Levity

IMG_6077 bathroom decoration

You've seen the lobby florals of AIFD's 2011 Symposium, now you will see how the restroom decorations during the gala night gave new meaning to nature's call. This post is a bit out of sequence, but I had the urge to write this now. 

Michelle Perry White, AIFD was the designer responsible for all the decor on the final night of the convention. Michelle tapped Susan Standerfer, AIFD and  Susie Overton Ayala as the team to decorate the restrooms. They did a magnificent job interpreting the night's theme: Flourish! 

They used mechanics that I always hesitated to use because I had no idea if they would be fool proof. Originally designed to stick on car windows for flower parades, the team chose Oasis suction cup holders to decorate the mirrors.

IMG_6066 suction cup holder for bathroom mirror decoration

 My new best friend Robert, learned that they proved to be easy to install...

IMG_6067 installing bathroom decorations

...and failsafe...

IMG_6072 bathroom mirrror decoration

...with gorgeous results.

IMG_6088 restroom decoration

The team went above the call of duty to beautify the otherwise stark room.

IMG_6083 bathroom decoration

Every stall was decorated with a wreath.

IMG_6085 ladies' room stall decoration



When it came to decorating the sinks, they left no stone unturned...

IMG_6081 bathroom decoration

...giving a rich, succulent look...

IMG_6078 bathroom sink decoration


...with a nod to the night's theme.

IMG_6092 Flourish river rock

As magnificent as the ladies' room looked, everyone was abuzz over the men's room. They outdid themselves in here...

IMG_6086 Men's room decoration

...with florals flush against the wall. 

IMG_6087 Men's room decoration

I will refrain from making reference to the orbs hanging about the room. 

If you read this post looking for real humor, I suggest you click here where Anderson Cooper looses all decorum when he shares over twenty bathroom puns in four minutes.

44 comments:

Sprout said...

Darling, the men's room is always better than the ladies' at Symposium!

Sherri said...

Nice!

Miss Footloose | Life in the Expat Lane said...

I drooled over these pictures. Got a laugh when I saw the men's room. Gave me an idea of what to do with my guest bathroom in my (rented)house in Moldova where I now live: It has not only a toilet, but a bidet and a urinal. And this just for people we drop by for a meal or a cup of coffee.

Actually, I'll just put flowers in the bidet an urinal. Here's a picture if you're interested:
http://wp.me/pWIVP-e3

CC said...

Delightful idea and beautifully executed.
Imagining REAL flowers and greens decorating a rest room. So civilized and
civilizing!! Love the reference to "nature's call"

OXO, C

Chesney said...

I think those are the prettiest urinals I have ever seen lol

Kala said...

I have never seen restrooms look so lovely!

Marilyn Miller said...

Love some of the words you used too. The bathrooms are gorgeous including the rocks in the sinks and the small wreaths in the stalls. Thanks so much for sharing.

Ginnie Hart said...

Too-too cool, DB! Someone really had fun creating all this, even for the men's room. I love the teardrop chandelier-type hangings with their mirrored reflections. Great collection of images!

Marja said...

Great job That looks fantastic and a reason more to go to the toilet

trump said...

Thats one bathroom i wouldnt mind paying a visit to,lol. Richard

Ruth said...

Totally inspiring. I might have nabbed some crystals for earrings! So simple and elegant. I love the pearl hairpins on the wreaths, what a great idea. The orchid blossoms are gorgeous. And the sink succulents!

Sorry, but I'm having visuals of aiming contests in the men's room. :-)

rochambeau said...

Oooh love it! It's ALL so cool and imaginative! Specially the 'mens'! It all just makes me smile. THank you !

xox
Constance

Victoria said...

Thanks for sharing these images... what an impressive array of beautiful potty shots! (sorry, couldn't help myself after laughing myself silly watching the video of Anderson Cooper reporting on the Gerard Depardieu incident) I wonder what the men thought of their beautifully decorated urinals... I'm sure the women loved their flowery environment... I'd have found excuses to visit the bathroom beyond the necessary!

Reader Wil said...

Fantastisch! Hopelijk waren het zijden bloemen of andere kunstbloemen? Ik vind het altijd zo jammer als zo iets moois tijdelijk is. De foto's zijn erg mooi en duidelijk! Bedankt voor het laten zien van deze beelden.

lorilaire said...

Je pense que c'est un décor éphémère !
Bizz
Lori

Relyn Lawson said...

I love that leaf wreath, but I am wondering. Did anyone actually wash their hands. It was beautiful, but I imagine, a little daunting. Oh, yeah - we think alike. The hanging orbs are cracking me up!

Vagabonde said...

These are some fancy privies! I’ll take my camera now when I go to the loo – there may be some elegant arrangements to see in some “facility.” I think this is unusual though. How creative. I don’t know how they could transform the tight unisex WC in Paris – you know the kind with a hole on the floor? The lavatories you show are very elegant – men or women.

rochambeau said...

Hello Dutchbaby,
I don't see it here but did you know I left you a comment last week on this post!!?? My mom and I liked it all, but the men's room design was especially delightful!!
THank you for your book review this morning.
Have you read Music & Science by Rose Tremain?http://www.amazon.com/Music-Silence-Rose-Tremain/dp/0743418263 I'm reading it now and really enjoying it! The rest of the household gave it "thumbs up"!

xox
Constance

Also, I read through your Dads books. Did you know I NEVER knew that Chinese characters had meaningful & symbolic letters till now!? Thanks to your Dads book and to you and your sister for making the book happen~

xox
Constance

California Girl said...

I wonder if the men were respectful when they peed?

I would love to walk into a ladies' room filled with elegant floral decor. It's so lovely. I want to see the event!!!

London Caller said...

Ha! Will that make queuing time longer? Everyone gets a bit carried away by the flowers and forget to finish their main business quickly! Ha~

Lisa Gordon said...

Really wonderful idea, and quite beautiful!

EG CameraGirl said...

WOW!!

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Sprout,
That's exactly what I was told a few days earlier. I just had to make sure that I made my way in there before the event began.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Sherri,
Wouldn't it be cool if airplane restrooms were decorated with flowers?

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Miss Footloose,
Amazing! I have never seen a urinal in a private home before.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear CC,
Civilized indeed! I had fun writing the bad puns, but I'm nowhere near as gifted as Anderson Cooper.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Chesney,
LOL!

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Kala,
Nor had I!

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Marilyn,
This event definitely raised the bar for restroom decorations.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Ginnie,
All the florists working the restrooms were giddy at the thought of beautifying these bathrooms. Thanks for dropping by.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Marja,
I don't think there was any hesitation about going to the restroom that night!

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Richard at Amish Stories,
These bathrooms put a smile on every face that entered.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Ruth,
I didn't nab a crystal, but an AIFD member handed me one of the "Flourish"-emblazoned stones from the sink. It joined my word-stone collection.

The wreaths were wrapped with pearl-studded wire. Much faster to use than hairpins!

Gee thanks, Ruth, now I have the same visual...

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Constance at Rochambeau,
Yes, very imaginative!

Thanks once again for sharing your expert knowledge of events and for giving me a moral boost. Your kind words and thoughts made all the difference!

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Victoria,
LOL! Yes, I washed my hands frequently that night.

I adore Anderson Cooper and it was a treat to see him lose all decorum.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Reader Wil,

Ze zijn allemaal verse bloemen, maar ik beloof je dat niemand waardeert verse bloemen meer als de gasten van deze avond.

Het tijdelijke karakter van verse bloemen is gedeeltelijk wat ik aantrekkelijk vind. Ik waardeer ze meer.

Ik ben blij dat je van de foto's geniet.

Dutchbaby said...

Cher lorilaire,
Je suis d'accord,éphémère en effet!

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Relyn,
Yes, everyone was able to wash their hands without any problems. The beauty of the succulents is that hold their shape and rinse off perfectly.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Vagabonde,
LOL, it would be quite a challenge to pretty up the Paris privies, but if anybody could these talented florists would find a way!

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Constance,
Sorry that I skipped over you when I was publishing comments. I appreciate you checking in on me and also for bringing your mom here.

Thank you for the book recommendation. I read "The Road Home" by Tremain a couple of years ago. I'll add this to my ever-growing to-read list.

I'm so happy you like my father's book.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear California Girl,
I most definitely did not check the men's room during the event so I can't answer your question.

I do hope to post the rest of the evening's photos before long.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear London Caller,
LOL. There was decidedly more milling around the ladies' room all night long.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear lisa,
The AIFD florists are always filled with tons of creative ideas.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear EG Wow,
Agreed!

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