Friday Facilities 05-30-14

I know people who won't stop at a public rest area, but sometimes it is a necessity.

Some are threatening and dirty and others are great - like this one near Doolittle, Missouri.

 

Wash, rinse and air dry!

Looks like these have been in use for quite a while.

Some states don't have restrooms, just "pull outs" or "lay bys" where people can "stretch their legs", I find they are the dirtiest by far and would only stop in a vehicle emergency. 

Mostly I follow Kathryn Hepburn's advice: "Never pass up a chance to pee."   

Friday Facilities 04-25-14

A couple years ago I went to the SAQA conference in Denver; part of it was held in the Brown Plaza Palace Hotel, a long time Denver institution. Throughout the public areas they have lovely fresh flowers, carved woodwork and many other elegant things. Including an exceptional ladies room.

 

An abundance of cloth hand towels.

 

Nice soap, tissues and an elegant box....

 

 

 ...containing feminine hygiene products for emergencies.

 

"Etchings" of shoes and purses.  Blogger doesn't like this one, but won't let me erase it!

 

More shoes and purses

 

And there I am - taking a picture of me taking pictures of me taking.....etc.

 

This is a view of the gorgeous lobby where they serve tea in the afternoon.

Looking up from the lobby one sees tiers of open hallways with wrought iron panels.

And directly up from the lobby is this wonderful skylight with layers of glass.

 

 

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Friday Facilities 04-11-14

A few years ago I visited friends in Washington State and was treated to a visit to one of the islands in Puget Sound where one friend has a vacation home. It was like something from a dream with the blue water, blue sky, and a gleaming white Mount Baker lording over the dark green forests on the mainland in the distance. A gorgeous and gracious few days. The hostess has an eye for decoration and gardening - very casual, but warm and welcoming. The "facilities" are no exception.

Simple, but not austere.

I had to peek in the master bath and discovered another wonderful basin - like looking at the bottom of the sea.

Even the switch plates added a beachy feel. 

A perfect beach house basin - I love the mermaids on the side.

Friday Facilities 02-07-14

Friday Facilities 01-24-14

Although I have seen it year after year, I always have a giggle when I see the urinals at the Ontario Convention Center.  I don't know if they started this practice or if Road to CA did.  Most of the men's rooms are converted to women's rooms - see the sign, top center - and each urinal is decorated with a potted plant.  Primroses are nice, but I think a Boston Fern would look more elegant. 

 

 Until I looked at this picture on my laptop I hadn't realized that urinals are hung at different heights - makes sense, but I haven't actually seen that many urinals in my long life.  I guess it is a "guy thing".

 

           Yellow primroses for the shorties.

And shades of red for the medium to tall.  Rather festive.  

 

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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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