bathroom inspirations TIPS, TRICKS, HACKS FOR ROOMS OF REASONABLE SIZE & BUDGET
Even considering the usually small square footage, the bathroom in an older house is often the most challenging design conundrum during renovations. First, you have moisture damage (rotted materials, mold, mildew) that may have led to structural issues. The plumbing may need replacement and the fixtures updating. Beneath the tiled walls and vinyl-clad floor, things may be downright soggy. Then, we face aesthetic shortfalls: hastily added shower stalls, mismatched colors, weird or cheap tile, big-box vanities, builder’s-special lighting, and layers of flooring. The room may be far removed from the vintage harmony we hope for. • A few case studies inspire with solutions—but also show how even the best-laid plans require flexibility. Things may change when demolition begins. With at least one unexpected finding during their bathroom projects, these old-house lovers showed ingenuity.
BY ERIKA KOTITE
A COMPLETE MAKEOVER
DESIGNER PAT GAYLOR MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY
This job went way beyond cosmetic. With the room sinking and shifting, it was demolished down to lath and floor beams; a steel beam now shores up the floor. Reconfiguring the space allowed for a full-size tub. White tile, a wood wainscot, and Englishstyle wallpaper create a timeless room for an 1810 house built before indoor plumbing.
PROUD DETAIL: Using plain tile (instead of marble) and wood allowed a splurge on polished nickel fittings.
farmhouse SIMPLICITY
DEBORAH & PATRICK McDONALD CENTRAL ALBERTA, CANADA
Deborah and Patrick have lived in the same small town most of their lives and were fortunate to purchase one of its oldest homes. Their 1903 farmhouse is simple, with few fanciful architectural elements. The main bathroom had a typical mid-20th-century remodeling, done when…
You're reading a preview of
Old House Journal (Digital) - 1 Issue, March/April 2025
DiscountMags is a licensed distributor (not a publisher) of the above content and Publication through Zinio LLC. Accordingly, we have no editorial control over the Publications. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including those made in Publications offered on our website, are those of the respective author(s) or publisher(s) and not of DiscountMags. DiscountMags does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or usefulness of all or any portion of any publication or any services or offers made by third parties, nor will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in any Publication, or your use of services offered, or your acceptance of any offers made through the Service or the Publications. For content removal requests, please contact Zinio.
