When designing bathrooms, I often think of classic European hotels and their inherent feeling of grandeur. That old-world, hotel-inspired look became my goal for this bathroom. Since this bath is located in a newer- build city home lacking in architectural features or historical details, I relied on antique elements and luxurious materials to bestow a look of traditional design and effortless elegance to a once soulless space.
In a well-proportioned bathroom with a good ventilation system and an enclosed shower, there’s no reason not to use it. Wallpaper enlivens walls with pattern and texture. The neutral colour creates a soft backdrop while the raised texture of the hand-blocked pattern gives the illusion that the wallpaper might actually be hand-painted details on the wall.
When trying to make a new space look old, it’s imperative to use true vintage items. This reclaimed leaded-glass window came from a salvage store and was installed to let natural light flow into the master bathroom while still providing privacy. The combination of the window, antique chandelier, vintage chair, antique architectural prints, and antique bar cart add authentic charm that could not have been achieved with reproductions.
When deciding on the silhouette of your freestanding bathtub, consider a double-ended slipper tub. It’s a true soaking tub with high sides so you can get up to your neck in bubbles, yet the narrow proportions don’t sacrifice floor space, even allowing room for a chair. When the freestanding faucet is centred in the middle, both ends of the tub boast a spot to soak.
Plaster crown moulding is the finishing touch for this well-appointed bathroom. While wood moulding seems like an easier and more readily available solution, it can shrink and crack if the humidity changes once it’s installed. Wood options also need to be filled, primed, and then painted. Once plaster moulding is installed, it’s ready to go. Combined with high baseboards, the plaster evokes that much-desired historical authenticity. To reinforce your colour scheme and highlight your lovely moulding, draw the lightest accent colour from your wallpaper and apply it to the ceiling.