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Design dilemma The plumbing in former senior editor James Schwartz’s cramped, circa-1912 guest bath was due for an overhaul, and a lack of windows meant the room had no natural light. He decided to open up the sink wall, stealing space from an adjacent porch to bring much-needed sunshine and air into this dark space.
What stayed The vintage claw-foot tub remained, but James moved it under the windows. Heather suggested he paint the outside of the tub blue to match the walls. What's new James replaced the old galvanized pipes with copper during the renovation. "Water pressure makes or breaks a shower, so it was worth the trouble," he explains. His father, on a recent visit, agrees: "Now, that’s a great shower!” Besides a new shower, James added two pedestal sinks with tile "rugs" for splash protection, and beaded-board wainscoting around the room. Heather suggested replacing a damaged beaded-board ceiling with a new one. "If you don’t do it now, you’ll regret it," she advised. How it works James kept the vintage appeal of his guest bath, but he didn't skimp on modern amenities—such as up-to-date plumbing, a separate shower, and two pedestal sinks in a classic, old-hotel style. The sinks make the space easy to share, and the generous tub with a view is the ultimate relaxation spot. 
photography: Robbie Caponetto
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photography: Robbie Caponetto
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Pull it together Start to finish: five months Pedestal sinks Choose two instead of one. Heather and James agreed that the sinks should be placed on either side of the divider wall, making the room more functional for multiple guests. Placing tile under the sinks was another smart move, protecting the floors from accidental splashing. Beaded-board ceiling and wainscoting Go with classic cottage details. James replaced the ceiling with new beaded board that matched the original and added beaded-board wainscoting around the room. "It stands up to moisture, is easy to clean, and works with the ceiling," says Heather. Copper pipes Invest in quality. While copper pipe is more expensive than plastic or galvanized, it's less likely to corrode and lasts longer. Additional space Knock out a wall. James took advantage of an existing porch adjacent to the room. By incorporating that space, the bath gained two walls of windows, ideal for basking in the tub. Hardwood floors Keep it classic. James got rid of dull, multicolored linoleum from the 1970s and went with new red oak floors. The wood warms up the room and is in keeping with the era of the house. Bathtub Heather recommended keeping the vintage claw-foot tub and relocating it under the windows as a focal point. Soakers can look out into treetops in the summer and across the Birmingham skyline in the winter. Paint Heather picked a soft blue and bathed the entire space in it, including the outside of the tub. | 
