Introduction
Adding a bathroom to a historic home can be a challenging endeavor, requiring care and creativity to preserve the home’s original character while still achieving a functional and beautiful new space. This week’s featured bathroom renovation rises to that challenge magnificently.
Located in a 19th-century Victorian style house, the new bathroom additions blend seamlessly with the home’s existing style. The attention to period-appropriate details in the finishes and fixtures allows the space to feel like it could be original to the home, while still providing all the comforts and conveniences expected of a modern bathroom.
In the following sections, we will explore this charming renovation in depth, analyzing how the designers successfully integrated modern bathroom functionality into a historic home while staying true to the home’s Victorian origins. Examining everything from layout and spatial planning to material finishes and decorative details, we will see how this seemingly contradictory goal was beautifully accomplished.
Whether you are planning a bathroom renovation in your own Victorian era house, or simply appreciate the aesthetics and decor of this iconic style, you are sure to find inspiration in this skillful and sensitive historic home update.
Layout and Spatial Planning
One of the first challenges faced when adding a bathroom to an older home is finding an appropriate space and layout that does not disrupt the home’s original floorplan.
In this case, the homeowners and designers opted to carve out space for the new bathroom by claiming a portion of an existing second floor bedroom. This allowed them to create a completely new bathroom without major structural changes or loss of original features elsewhere in the home.
Creative spatial planning was then employed to fit all the necessary bathroom functions into the modest footprint. This was accomplished through thoughtful positioning of the sink, toilet and tub/shower, along with the strategic use of space-saving features.
A corner pedestal sink maximizes floor space, while the tub was specially chosen for its shorter length to fit against the angled wall. The toilet is tucked discreetly behind a partition wall, creating a sense of privacy within the compact room.
Despite its relatively small size, the space feels open and uncluttered thanks to the efficient use of the angular room shape and minimalist open shelving in lieu of extensive cabinetry.
Period-Appropriate Materials and Finishes
Choice of materials and finishes is crucial in adding new elements to a historic home in a way that feels cohesive. This bathroom renovation checked all the right boxes for Victorian style.
The wood paneled wainscoting wrapping the lower walls replicates the type of wall treatment commonly found in Victorian era homes. handsome4-inch oak floorboards continue the warm, natural wood aesthetic underfoot.
Octagonal white ceramic tiles on the walls and floor of the tub/shower alcove reflect the sort of intricate tilework that would have been fashionable during the late 19th century. Their petite size and arched edge detail give them a quaint, vintage appearance.
The classic white pedestal sink and clawfoot tub would look right at home in a Victorian bathhouse. Their clean, sculptural profiles with exposed plumbing keep the room feeling light and accentuate the home’s original architecture.
Brass hardware, sconce lighting and accessories add just the right amount of unobtrusive sparkle, while the marble tray atop the vanity provides an elegant surface for display.
Period Lighting
Proper lighting is what truly breathes life into a space. The lighting choices for this new bathroom were made with great consideration to complement the era of the home.
Warm incandescent sconces mounted on each side of the medicine cabinet provide a soft ambient glow befitting a Victorian bath. Their swirling floral motifs and cameo accents reflect popular decorative trends of the late 1800s.
The more concentrated task lighting around the mirror is achieved with Edison-style bulbs for an authentic, vintage feel. Their visible filaments add striking visual interest and a touch of the industrial.
Perhaps the pièce de résistance is the large skylight centrally installed in the sloped ceiling. Natural light pours through the glass panes into the room, eliminating the need for harsh overhead lighting. This was an ingenious way to make the small windowless space feel more open and airy.
Timeless Design Touches
While the majority of the design choices are distinctly Victorian, there are also some subtle contemporary elements integrated throughout. These more modern touches discreetly enhance functionality without detracting from the historic style.
The walk-in shower is tiled in a classic subway pattern, but outfitted with an overhead rainshower fixture for a more luxurious soaking experience. The lower portion is left open and finished in marble to facilitate easier cleaning.
The ornate feet of the clawfoot tub are paired with a sleek wall-mounted faucet for a streamlined appearance. This technique keeps the tub looking statuesque while allowing for more accessible controls.
By creatively blending the best of old and new, the space achieves a sophisticated vintage look while still meeting all present-day bathroom needs.
Q&A About This Historic Bathroom Addition
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about creating a bathroom addition in a historic home based on the details of this charming renovation:
How much does a bathroom addition usually cost for a historic home?
Bathroom additions for historic homes generally range from $15,000 to $35,000 on average. The specific costs depend on factors like the size and layout of the space, required structural changes, and the quality of finishes.
What permits or approvals are needed for adding a bathroom in a historic home?
Any external changes or additions to a historically designated home will require approval from the local historic preservation commission. Interior renovations typically don’t require permits, unless significant structural, electrical or plumbing work is involved.
Should salvaged materials be used when adding onto a historic home?
Incorporating salvaged vintage materials can help an addition blend seamlessly, but it’s not always feasible. Reproduction materials styled like the originals can be a good alternative if the real things are unavailable or too expensive.
How can you add unique character in a bathroom addition?
Creative use of wall panels, niche shelving, exposed beams or piping and antique-style fixtures and accessories can provide character without detracting from the historic structure. Distressed wood floors or reclaimed barn siding also add instant vintage appeal.
Should modern conveniences be added to a historic home?
Discreet upgrades like tankless water heaters, heated floors, and high-efficiency toilets can be worthwhile. However, overtly contemporary technology like integrated TVs or electronic digital displays are best avoided to preserve the historic ambiance.
Achieving Bathroom Bliss in a Historic Home
This charming bathroom addition proves that creating a beautiful, functional new bathroom in a historic home is indeed possible. By respecting the original architecture and thoughtfully blending period-appropriate details with subtle modern upgrades, the space feels like a seamless extension of the Victorian style home.
For homeowners and designers seeking to undertake a similar sensitive renovation, this bathroom provides an inspiring model demonstrating that historic homes can adapt to meet contemporary needs. The key is staying true to the era and spirit of the house while still moving graciously into the present.
With some creativity and care to honor the integrity of the structure, your historic home’s bathrooms can be updated to provide all the comfort and convenience you desire while retaining (or even enhancing) the vintage home’s unique character and heritage. This might require some compromises, but the result will be a completely personalized space with timeless style and charm.
Conclusion
This beautifully designed new bathroom addition to a 19th-century Victorian home offers a masterclass in how to incorporate modern-day functionality into a historic property while respecting and complementing its original style.
By analyzing how the layout, finishes, lighting and other details were chosen specifically to harmonize with the home’s era, we gain valuable insights to inform sensitive renovations of other vintage homes. Study this bathroom closely for inspiration on your own historic home bathroom project, and preserve the beloved quirks of past architecture for generations to enjoy.
