Photographs by Greg Premru
Unless you’re a museum curator, authenticity will not be high on the list when it comes to putting modern bathrooms into an old house. One approach: keep it simple and traditional.
The master bath on these pages, designed for a recent addition to a Federal period house, defaults to Colonial Revival styling. The room could date to 1920, or last year. Painted woodwork is similar to that in the rest of the house.
A freestanding tub in a window alcove feels like a window seat, enhanced by the “library shelves” conveniently placed. Colonial Revival sconces—electrified candle brackets with little shades—are a simple but pretty touch.
Marble tops an unfussy sink console on metal tubing, conjuring up both washstands and early hotel sinks. The white subway tile, too, is a standard finish from the early 20th century, when old houses often got indoor plumbing.
