A heritage bath design, reimagined
Can a 1930 bathroom be innovative? I was up for proving this true, when my clients, a NYC couple who decamped from Manhattan to a larger space in Riverdale, tapped me to redesign the Pre-War bathroom of their historic house, whose authenticity they sought to preserve.
The bath had a few remnants of original wall tiles, haphazardly filled in with mismatched replacements, a hardware-store vanity cabinet, and poor finishes. No doubt, it had to be scrapped.
Yet, past its run-down state, I spotted one true gem: the original cast iron corner tub. With its curvy shape and generous proportions, this was an early Art Deco heirloom, fabricated with quality workmanship that survived nearly a century. Yes, it was scuffed and rusted; but I could see its potential. In our first conversation, I immediately urged my clients to save it. My plan would be to center the whole bath design around this statement piece.
Persuaded by my preservation approach and confident in my expertise in Pre-War bathrooms, the clients took me on to design their space and collaborate with my trusty general contractor. My goal was to create a bath that was authentic to its original design intent, with vintage fixtures juxtaposed against contemporary finishes.
Read on below to see how I transformed this bath through thoughtful luxury, historic character, and even innovation.
- Ksenya, founder of Time & Place Interiors
Photography by Gloria Kilbourne
To match the curved shape of the tub and render a classy, vintage vibe, I turned to the Rockwell product line from English luxury plumbing studio The Water Monopoly. The chrome base console sink feels substantial, as do the Art Deco-inspired plumbing trims with black ceramic handles. The homeowners fell in love with the whimsically retro “telephone” handheld shower.
The tub itself was reglazed, to shine in its new glory. I also preserved the original free-standing bath drain, with its quaint ceramic knob imprinted with “WASTE.” And I had the original backplate behind the vintage glass knob of the bathroom door stripped of decades’ worth of paint layers.
Keen to echo the square format common in Pre-War bathrooms, I selected Italian tiles by Ragno. Although they’re machine made and hard-wearing, they give off a handmade appeal, with uneven edges and charming variations. The tile is Greenguard certified for non-off gassing ceramic material and bacterial growth prevention — attributes I actively seek out as a certified WELL AP dedicated to promoting heathy interiors.
My clients were at first hesitant about the dark color, but ultimately trusted my guidance. And when they experienced the rich mustard tones installed against the white walls and penny tile floors, they were thrilled.
To accommodate the curved rod, I sourced a custom luxury linen shower curtain in extra-wide width and elegantly draping floor length from Lithuanian textile studio Sand Snow Linen. The specialty u-shaped hooks allow the curtain to swing past the ceiling support rod.
The small vintage rug is a Persian Karajeh. Its tight weave and water resistant wool fabric are perfectly sturdy for the high traffic bathroom.
My contractor painted the original cast iron radiator in black, to coordinate with the plumbing trim.
As a lover of architectural salvage, I was thrilled to source vintage Art Deco solid glass towel bars from the historic Waldorf Astoria hotel, via Olde Good Things. My clients now own a piece of legendary NYC grandeur.
The extra tall recessed medicine cabinet by Kohler provides storage space. Its rounded corners in chrome trim echo the lines of the sink, and recall the curved shape of vintage vanities.
Lighting in the bath is Mid Century vintage. The ceiling fixture is Italian Murano glass, while the sconce light above the vanity is a Bauhaus style by Swedish industrial designer Sigvard Bernadotte.
The subtly textured white walls are coated in mineral paint by L.A.-based entrepreneur Alkemis. Even “low-V.O.C.” labeled paints are filled with toxic chemicals. But Alkemis’s innovative all-natural Cradle to Cradle certified product is made of Earth’s rock, the way that paint had been produced over millennia. Consider me sold on it for all my future projects!
While I love furnishings, there’s something intensely satisfying about a space whose construction I fully designed myself for the homeowners’ personalized specifications, without constraints beyond the original architectural footprint. And what made this project such a delight were my gracious, trusting, and appreciative clients, who I hope will enjoy their luxurious bath for years to come.
Luxury interior design for discerning New Yorkers
Time & Place Interiors offers residential interior design services for those who seek a highly curated, bespoke space. Founder Ksenya Malina offers both a final design and service that feel luxurious and personal. Use the link below to schedule a free 20-minute information call with Ksenya to discuss design possibilities for your own space:
