vintage charmer

Old-fashioned details celebrate the past and elevate this small bungalow bath to new heights. Creative, DIY-friendly solutions add designer looks at an affordable price.

The hexagonal mosaic floor tile in this 1920s bungalow is definitely the “right stuff.” An original feature, it’s still in great shape, and its blue-and-white pattern will always feel classic. Ditto for the crystal knobs on the built-in linen cupboard and the Arts-and-Crafts trim that stretches through the house.

If only the rest of this bath had held up so well. After 30 years in residence, the owners were faced with a leaky toilet, a stained sink, and outdated decor.

Taking cues from the floor, they revived the bath using a blue-and-white palette. Noting the indent from an old chair rail, they added white beaded-board paneling on the lower walls. Next they installed a new white toilet and sink and added reeded-glass doors to the linen cabinet to visually expand the room.

With so much white as a foundation, the owners knew they could be a little daring on the upper walls. Bright blue paint could have worked, but it seemed too boring, too matchy-matchy. Instead, they chose a dark blue-and-gray wallpaper with a sophisticated pattern. Finishing touches include an oval medicine cabinet (framed in white, of course), new vintage-style lighting, and bright chrome accessories with old-fashioned charm. The result is a polished, pulled-together look that promises to stand the test of time.

 

White beaded board suits this bath’s classic cottage style, including the original hexagonal tile floor. A pedestal sink keeps the narrow space from feeling crowded.