Makeover Magic: Period Style for an All-New 1920s Bathroom
Leaky fixtures and water damage got the heave-ho, while the entire bathroom got a crisp new look in line with the home's style
The original materials in Houzz user jons112's guest bathroom certainly weren't his style, but the wood subfloor underneath the outdated tile posed a much greater problem: years of water damage from damaged cast iron plumbing. He hired a contractor to completely gut the small bathroom and give him a blank slate. With a $9,000 budget, he turned the once-dingy yellow and brown tiled space into a classic and bright guest bathroom that still fits the style of his 1923 home.
Project: Remodel of a small bathroom in Tampa, Florida
Size: 5 by 7 feet
Time: 3 weeks
Cost: $9,000
Project: Remodel of a small bathroom in Tampa, Florida
Size: 5 by 7 feet
Time: 3 weeks
Cost: $9,000
BEFORE: Most of the materials in this bathroom appeared to be original to the house. "When I moved in, it was clear that the old shower faucets had been leaking for quite some time, resulting in what I expected to be significant water damage," says jons112.
AFTER: At 5 by 7 feet, the bathroom had a very small space where the sink could go. jons112 opted for a classic-looking combination of a pedestal sink and medicine cabinet, rather than a standard vanity, to save space. "Since this is a guest bath, I believe this minimal storage will work," he says.
Faucet: Kingston Brass; mirrored medicine cabinet: Pottery Barn
Faucet: Kingston Brass; mirrored medicine cabinet: Pottery Barn
BEFORE: The bathroom's water damage meant that jons112 had to put in a new wood subfloor and a new floating concrete floor.
The yellow and brown tile was original to the home, but the colors felt out of place with the rest of the home's look and made the space feel drab.
The yellow and brown tile was original to the home, but the colors felt out of place with the rest of the home's look and made the space feel drab.
AFTER: Contrasting gray, black and white look crisp and clean in the new bathroom. jons112 installed beadboard on the lower half of the wall so the darker gray wouldn't overpower the room.
Saving money on stock tile from Lowe's and a steel tub through his contractor allowed jons112 to splurge on a mirrored medicine cabinet from Pottery Barn, and on towel bars and a light fixture from Restoration Hardware.
Wall paint: Sweatshirt Gray, Benjamin Moore
Saving money on stock tile from Lowe's and a steel tub through his contractor allowed jons112 to splurge on a mirrored medicine cabinet from Pottery Barn, and on towel bars and a light fixture from Restoration Hardware.
Wall paint: Sweatshirt Gray, Benjamin Moore
BEFORE: The original cast iron plumbing had to be replaced, but the rest of the shower just needed cosmetic changes.
AFTER: White subway tiles for the shower and pinwheel tiles for the floor provided the starting point for the rest of the bathroom's materials.
Shower tile: 3 by 6, American Olean; shower fixtures: Delta
Shower tile: 3 by 6, American Olean; shower fixtures: Delta
Although the simple color scheme falls in line with this bathroom's period style, jons112 also wanted something to match the decor of the guest bedroom next door.
Floor tile: pinwheel style, American Olean
Floor tile: pinwheel style, American Olean
jons112 framed a photo from a vacation for a simple, personal touch.
Sconce: Restoration Hardware; sink: Porcher Lutezia; toilet: Kohler Memoirs