Photographer: Nate Sheets
Updating bathrooms of historic homes pose a variety of challenges. In this 1926 Tudor-style residence in Kansas City, Mo., designer Erin Handron of Surfside Home Co. emphasized the height of the rooms by selecting tall mirrors for both the primary and guest baths and flanked them with sconces rather than using a vanity light above the mirror.
Photographer: Nate Sheets
Dark tile from an earlier remodel, a framed door and a low header made the shower feel cave-like and small. To relieve this feeling and still remain true to the home’s period style, Handron covered the walls and ceiling of the enclosure with white zellige tile, used Carrara for the floors with a tiled-in drain, enlarged the shower opening (adding the tiled Tudor arch provided extra headroom and replicated other archways found throughout the home) and opted for a frameless glass shower door.
Photographer: Nate Sheets
A trio of storage niches lined with handcrafted zellige tile keeps the shower tidy and references the materials used throughout the historic home.
Photographer: Nate Sheets
A high-contrast color palette keeps the design from overwhelming the small spaces. Black, white and warm wood elements with polished-nickel traditional fittings allow for a timeless appearance.
Photographer: Nate Sheets
When updating bathrooms in vintage homes, discrepancies between modern and older construction methods can inspire creative solution. The odd dimensions of the guest bath in this 1926 house precluded using a standard-size tub; to compensate, a Carrara-topped ledge behind the soaker maximizes the space.
Photographer: Nate Sheets
Contemporary comforts now grace the baths. Heated flooring systems and electrical outlets near each toilet for bidet seats are invisible upgrades to the rooms.