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10 Vintage Touches for Your Bathroom
Add unique style to your loo with antique furniture, fixtures, accessories and hardware
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
Are you looking to keep your bathroom from looking like a cookie-cutter copy of every other one you see? Try adding some vintage flair.
All this takes is one element. You don't need the full-on T.G.I.-Friday's pull-chain toilet and old-newspaper wallpaper to go vintage. (As a 12-year-old, however, the pull-chain was my favorite thing about that joint besides the potato skins. Actually, now I'm thinking it was Wendy's that had the old newspaper printed stalls. Whatever.)
Pick and use as many of these as you'd like. It all depends on just how vintage you want to go.
All this takes is one element. You don't need the full-on T.G.I.-Friday's pull-chain toilet and old-newspaper wallpaper to go vintage. (As a 12-year-old, however, the pull-chain was my favorite thing about that joint besides the potato skins. Actually, now I'm thinking it was Wendy's that had the old newspaper printed stalls. Whatever.)
Pick and use as many of these as you'd like. It all depends on just how vintage you want to go.
1. Color palette. Black, white and light mint-green tiles are a nostalgic choice full of charm. While vintage-inspired, they have a fresh updated look.
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2. Claw-foot tub. Although some lovely new models are available on the market today, good scavengers can find the originals the new models emulate. Check antique stores and architectural salvage yards for antique claw-foot tubs. You can then send them to the glazer to have them fixed up good as new.
Vintage sinks fall under this category as well. Pedestal and wall-mount sinks also can be refurbished to add vintage appeal to your bathroom. Fixture designers have been looking back and reproducing the styles for new models.
Vintage sinks fall under this category as well. Pedestal and wall-mount sinks also can be refurbished to add vintage appeal to your bathroom. Fixture designers have been looking back and reproducing the styles for new models.
by AMI Designs
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3. Vanity. Repurpose a bureau, washstand, cupboard or other vintage piece into a vanity. I love this piece because it shows some age, but its dark color and lack of chipped paint give it an updated look.
Tip: Check the height. Standard height is about 29 to 36 inches. You'll want to go toward the low end of the range if the bathroom will be used by children.
Check out more repurposed pieces enjoying a second life as a vanity.
Tip: Check the height. Standard height is about 29 to 36 inches. You'll want to go toward the low end of the range if the bathroom will be used by children.
Check out more repurposed pieces enjoying a second life as a vanity.
by Olga Adler
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4. Antique mirror. Perhaps that should read "Antiqued Mirror." The lovely edges around this mirror give it an elegantly aged look. For a more cottage-like look, check out a mirror that's made from reclaimed boat wood.
Learn more about antiqued mirrors.
Learn more about antiqued mirrors.
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5. Vintage towel stand. I have a special spot in my heart for this, as my mother and grandmother always had rickety wooden towel racks around.
They are a great solution for a home where a lot of people share a bathroom. In a coastal cottage it's common for towel racks to be in the bedrooms. That allows all towels a shot at drying and prevents them from getting mixed up in the bathroom.
They are a great solution for a home where a lot of people share a bathroom. In a coastal cottage it's common for towel racks to be in the bedrooms. That allows all towels a shot at drying and prevents them from getting mixed up in the bathroom.
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6. Vintage door. Whether you use it as the main door, a cabinet door or propped against the wall as a giant chalkboard, a piece like this adds unique style to the room.
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| 7. Barn lighting. While these sconces are new, they have a vintage barn look. They also pick up on the galvanized tin bucket underneath the vanity. Browse some of our favorite barn light fixtures. |
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8. Extra piece of antique furniture. The cabinet on the right side of the photo adds scads of character as well as more storage and surface space.
Check out this vintage upper cabinet.
Check out this vintage upper cabinet.
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This charming candle stand adds an unexpected touch to the bathroom, making it feel more like any other room in the house.
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9. Vintage signs, botanical prints, portraits, postcards, silhouettes or photographs. You aren't limited to this list, but it should give you an idea of the type of decor that adds vintage charm. One piece on the wall can really pack a vintage punch, such as this fun "No Vacancy" sign.
On another note, notice the way this designer used jade accessories to give the bath a vintage feel. The images on the right are framed vintage postcards.
See the full Houzz Tour of this home
On another note, notice the way this designer used jade accessories to give the bath a vintage feel. The images on the right are framed vintage postcards.
See the full Houzz Tour of this home
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| 10. Small details. Don't overlook small design opportunities, such as these glass doorknobs. The same rule applies to cabinet hardware, shower curtain rings, the "Hot" and "Cold" atop your faucets and more. Focus your eyes on the little things for opportunities to add your personal style. More: 15 Elements of Today's Vintage-Inspired Baths Console Sinks for a Vintage Style Bath A Furniture Look for Your Bathroom Vanity |
Comments
riamaree Thanks Becky, great to have some achievable ideas for my little, old cottage. Having limited bathroom space, I really like the idea of having a vintage towel rack in my bedroom instead.
16 months ago · Like
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Nice job, Becky.
16 months ago · Like
designchallenged love the tile in picture #1. nice to see ways to improve a small bathroom.
16 months ago · Like
lizan It was Wendy's. Weird memory! I love your pictures in this blog.
16 months ago · Like
franki7 "Designchallenged"...you're my hero! All the realtors say, "paint the tile in that bathroom" (shown in first photo.) I'm still "on the fence." franki
16 months ago · Like
jane brody We live in a 1914 duplex and have had to slowly redo every room. I wanted to make the renovation look as if the home were remodeled over the years and we have a very small budget. My husband does all the work and I do most of the design. Here is one of the bathrooms that he did with subway tile inset with tiles depicting subway stops in New York. We used a beautiful old sewing machine cabinet for the sink. I love our new bathroom! And my husband! 
16 months ago · Like
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janshanks I like the way this was done, is has charm.
16 months ago · Like
coppertops jane your bathroom is lovely. The sewing machine console is really clever and sweet, I especially like the wall tile detail - could have been all straight lines, and you went for interest! almost has a moroccan feel.
16 months ago · Like
aronrae @jani7- Please dont paint your vintage tile
16 months ago · Like
Boutique-de-la-Mer.com I love all of your ideas and photos - great post!
16 months ago · Like
Gemma Stockberger Love this article! Really nice pieces - think it's so nice to add character and be a bit individual! I love these colored shgower trays for a real impact in the bathroom from ColourTrays. The old school trend of coloured pottery is definitely making a comeback! Think the Cor Limey is my favourite! Best thing is you can buy direct, with no delivery charges www.colourtrays.co.uk 
16 months ago · Like
fuzzymama Jane, I've already marked your bathroom as one I'd like to emulate in our 1916 home! Beautiful job with attention to the all-important details - I love the sewing machine as vessel sink look. Congrats on a job well done!
16 months ago · Like
formoso the vintage touch was presented not that interactive or no interaction of new and old, it must have that interaction of old and new with out contradiction of each other. you can do it by its color , texture , age , lines etc. (arch. formoso's opinion) tnx. but still nice !
16 months ago · Like
Stephanie Nickolson Design How inspiring! I'm renovating my own bathroom right now and can't wait to go to the next flea market to pick up some finds for it. Thanks!
16 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Jan. 29, 2012.
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