Saturday, January 18, 2014

Friday Facilities 01-17-14

Bathrooms don't get a lot of PR, so I am going to start another "series" about these necessary, and sometimes beautiful, facilities.  This one is at Los Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona.  It is the last of the Fred Harvey/Santa Fe Railroad hotels and the masterpiece of Mary Jane Colter, widely considered to be the greatest of Southwestern architects.  One of these days I am going to take Amtrak and stay a few days at the hotel, the train stops at the rear entry to the building.  There isn't much to see in the town, but there is an abundance of art, antiques and relics to enjoy at the hotel, along with a nice restaurant and a touristy gift shop that does carry some nice local rugs, baskets, jewelry and carvings.   And there are interesting gardens and patios.
 
All of the signs and paintings are handmade on the property.  This tilemaker wasn't great at calligraphy, but the sign is charming.  
The "guys" sign is a little less ornate - sort of masculine, eh?  

Inside the door is a hallway painted with a silhouette of a mountain skyline in an appropriate desert color.  There is a mirror in front and behind - so you see yourself in infinity.
The highlight is the wash basins - notice the decorative perforations in the soffitt.

Chinese decoration?

Italian decoration?
 
Japanese decoration?
 
And the well polished, original 1930 faucets add to the beauty. 
 
 
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4 comments:

Quiltedtime said...

Del, I am so going to enjoy this series of yours, but please promise me that you will not get arrested taking pictures in restrooms. You are a jewel.

Dolores said...

Fun series!!!

Elaine said...

I think i have been there-or, like a Louis Lamour novel-it sounds just like a dozen old hotels on a dozen dusty streets on the old Amtrack line that always goes by the back doors-with painted round basins. I will enjoy the journey!!!

Corky said...

But, did you stand on the corner in Winslow Arizona?? Great idea for a new series. You need to stop at the Madonna inn and get photos of their bathrooms.