Last week I talked about how to make a new kitchen look like it was original to the house. This week I am still on the same theme, but this time I will focus on bathrooms. If you want to modernize a bathroom but don’t want it to be at odds with the history of your home, here are a few simple ideas that I tried in a recent project that could work for most any bath:

Recess the Mirror

This is a small detail that you will see in a lot of period bathrooms, and I think it can add a lot. All we did was turn the wood framing so that the narrower frame gave us the recess. Then I applied a full-length mirror and placed the pedestal sink in front. That little attention to the details really opens up the room and makes a small space feel much larger.

Wood Surface on the Countertop

One of the advantages of using a pedestal sink is that any other countertop in the room will stay essentially dry, so you have a lot more freedom to use other materials, such as wood. I think that the stained mahogany really gives the room a lift.

Create a High Wainscot

Taking the tile up to about six-feet high on the wall can really change the way the room feels. While I understand that this can be a big expense, I think it is probably worth it. These tiles came from Waterworks, but if you use a less expensive tile in the same way, you can get a very similar result. The less expensive the tile however, the simpler the color should be.

Keep the Sconces Low

I usually put my wall-mounted lights (sconces) in bathrooms at 5’ 6” above the ground. Almost every electrician on every job questions me on this, but I think having the light at eye height gives you a very flattering look.

Keep the Plumbing Simple

I tend toward plumbing that is very simple and understated. I like lever handles (a plastic or porcelain sleeve adds a nice detail, too). For this sort of condition, I think that a pedestal sink is the ideal choice. Always look for one that has a fair amount of counter space as well, so there is room for soap and other items, too.

And that’s how you make an old-style bathroom!

Mark Cutler
Interior Designer,
MarkCutlerDesign.com