Just about eight weeks ago we started the gut renovation of our upstairs hallway bathroom. This 1920s bathroom renovation is our attempt at a true-to-period remodel, and I am so excited to share it with you! It came out better than I envisioned, and my family is so happy with it!
Before and During the Bathroom Renovation
You can see all of the before photos of this bathroom in this blog post (with everything in it being original, except for the yellow paint a previous owner covered the wall tile with), and here’s a picture of the space before it was gutted just to give you an idea of the dramatic improvement!
Because this bathroom backs up to our master bathroom, and because the master bathroom also needed to be re-done due to shoddy construction in the past, we decided to renovate both of these bathrooms at the same time. (More on the master bathroom renovation in the future.)
This was pretty darn hectic for me, at first especially. I had to pick out all of the finishes for two bathrooms really quickly (our contractor was able to start sooner than we had expected), order everything, and manage the chaos of construction, family, and work. I definitely had one mega breakdown during the process, but in the end, it was all worth it! (If you’re going through a bathroom renovation anytime soon, check out my post on 5 Tips for How to Survive a Bathroom Renovation!)
The True-to-Period 1920s Bathroom Renovation All Finished!
Did I mention how happy we are with this bathroom? 🙂
Bright, fresh, clean, and (most importantly to me), characteristic of the old home we live in. Let me show you around. I’ve linked to the products you’ll see in this post, and many of them are affiliate links (you can read my full disclosure policy here).
Light Fixture | Floating Wall Shelves
Porcelain Sink with Chrome Console | Faucet | Towel Bar
My husband really didn’t want to install a sink that looked just like the original sink, but I forced him to let us do it. It was really important to me to have this space look as close to original as it could. While this sink is gorgeous to me, it, of course, has its drawback – there is NO storage space! And with two kiddos who come with a lot of “stuff,” storage space is important.
Because of that, we “hacked” an IKEA Silveran Sink Cabinet (adding legs and a quartz countertop, among other things), and turned it into a vanity of-sorts right next to the console sink. The Silveran Sink Cabinet is extremely shallow depth at just 9″, so it was the perfect solution for this tight space!
The period-style faucet also looks so close to original. It’s weird, but using this sink makes me so happy.
We managed to save the original medicine cabinet, which is so special to me because it was restored at some point and bears a photograph of the date stamp inside. I cleaned up the inside of it with spray paint and it’s good as new! Look at that etching and beveled edges – I swoon!
Can you believe this mirror is 92 years old? Incredible. It’s an actual treasure and I’m thankful we were able to keep it in its home.
Over the toilet is where I got to have some fun. Floating shelves add functionality, but are also a place to display fun pops of personality. This is, after all, a kids bathroom, so there has to be some levity in the space.
Notice the jar on the far left of the top shelf? Those are the original knobs from the bathtub! Like a crazy lady, I asked the contractor to save them for me. I didn’t know what I was going to do with them, but I think this is a great way to display yet another piece of the original bathroom in this new space.
I made the faux roman shade for the window by mixing a few tutorials I found online (like this one from Home Stories A to Z and this one from Lantern Lane Designs). I should have made the no-sew version, but I got cocky and thought it would be no problem to sew. I was wrong; I am not a seamstress. But, the shade turned out cute anyway and I adore the Rifle Paper Co. fabric with little jungle animals mixed throughout that I found in this awesome Etsy shop.
This fabric adds a nice bit of color to the space, and that’s why I went ultra-white on the shower curtain (but with a little texture for some playfulness).
Fabric | Shower Curtain | Toilet Paper Holder
The shower faucet is the one place where my plan for 1920s originality was foiled. We purchased an authentic-looking three handle set and had the plumbing done for that, but the inspector said that type of fixture is not allowed (why???) and we had to get a single handle set. It made no sense to me and made me really upset, but I got over it in the end and tried to find one that looked sort of authentic with its cross-handle styling.
Valve Trim | Tub Spout | Shower Head
Finally, rounding the corner is where the kids’ towels hang, from the most adorable painted towel hooks. I got them at Anthropologie, but they’re not longer available. They have lots of other cute alternatives, however!
We purchased all of the tile at Floor & Decor, and I cannot say enough about their great pricing on ceramic tile. This white subway tile (and accompanying pieces, like bullnose tile, chair rail, and cove base tile) is bargain priced, and the mini-hex floor tile was significantly cheaper than I found it elsewhere.
They also have a wonderful return policy, so I felt just fine over-buying, knowing that I could return what I didn’t need. And no, this is not an ad for Floor & Decor at all – I was just really pleased with the tile we purchased for this bathroom! It gave us the 1920s look we wanted at a really amazing price.
So there you have it – our 1920s bathroom renovation is now complete! I hope you like it as much as we do. I can only hope that this new version of the bathroom lasts as long as the original version! (And PS we’ve subsequently moved from this home, so you can also check out my plans for a vintage modern bathroom makeover at my new home!)
1920s Bathroom Source List and Shopping
If you are curious about any of the products we used in our 1920s bathroom renovation, click on any of the links below for more info or to purchase!
TILE
Black and white hexagon mosaic flooring
Light gray grout (Cobblestone)
THE BIG STUFF
FIXTURES
DECORATIVE ITEMS
White shower curtain with white polka dots
Emily Stuart says
I also have a 1921 bathroom very similar in size to yours! Where did you get the narrow side table next to the sink? I have zero storage and have been looking for something like what you have but haven’t found it.
Bre says
Hi! I actually modified an IKEA vanity to create that narrow table. You can read all about it here – https://averageinspired.com/2019/06/ikea-bathroom-vanity-hack-ikea-silveran-for-a-shallow-space.html
Karen Rimbert says
Love your bathroom 1920s remodel and am using some of your ideas. I really like your towels and bath mat and am looking for something like that to add warmth to my bathroom with all chrome fixtures. Do you remember where you found them? Thanks
Bre says
Hi, Karen- oh that is so fun! I hope the remodeling process is going smoothly for you!! As for the towels and bath mat, I purchased those at Target but it was so long ago and I’m sure they don’t have them anymore. I’m sorry!! Good luck with your project!
Anthony says
We just remodeled our bathroom in our 60’s house to resemble a 20’s look but we went with a acrylic tub for cost savings with a touch of Edwardian and Victorian mixed in.
Bre says
I love this! I’m sure you’re so happy with your new bathroom!
Erin says
Are you able to share how you hung the roman shades? We have very shallow window frames and I’m unsure how to hang newer shades/blinds with an internal mount.
Erin says
NVM! I’m guessing you used tension rods and didn’t have to adjust the curtains often.
Mary Murphy says
You’re a major inspiration for our similarly sized bathroom reno! We have one exterior corner that we’re trying to figure out how to tile. Would you mind sharing what this corner looks like floor to ceiling?
https://averageinspired.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/1920s-hallway-bathroom-renovation-with-original-details-4889.jpg
Bre says
Hi, Mary – oh yay! So glad this post is helpful to you! Unfortunately I do not have a photo of that corner!! I went back and looked through all my photos and don’t have a single one. We moved from this home so I can’t snap one for you now. I’m really sorry!!
Angela says
I absolutely adore this bathroom and am going for a similar look in my 1927 home. I would like to know about the tile resiliency, for the floor and subway tile. Was there a lot of breakage when you were cutting it? I have to make a cross border trip to purchase it and I want to know if a 10% contingency is sufficient. Thank you for giving me such beautiful inspiration on how to bring my 1920s home back to original.
Bre says
Hi Angela! We had a pro do the tile installation, so I can’t comment as to the breakage. I’m sorry! But I will tell you I’ve always purchased 15% extra just to avoid extra trips for more tile. If you do purchase it from Floor and Decor, they take back your extras! So it doesn’t hurt to have more if you need it. 🙂
Pam says
Bre
What’s the size of your bathroom? I love what you have done and am going to use several of your ideas, especially the floor tile which reminds me of my grandmother’s.
Bre says
Hi, Pam! I’m sorry but I don’t have the dimensions, and I no longer live in that home! (SO sad!!! We moved for a job transfer about four months after we finished this renovation.). I’m so flattered that you like the look of it though. Thank you!
Laurel says
Beautiful bathroom! Would you mind re sharing the shower head and valve trim products that you used? The current links seem to be broken.
thank you!
Bre says
Thank you so much for letting me know! I will work on getting those updated ASAP, and will let you know when that’s finished. Thanks again!
Bre says
Hi, Laurel- thanks again for letting me know those links were broken. I’ve updated them now, including the shower head and valve trim. Everything is Grohe – great quality!
vivek sharma says
This bathroom and renovation so amazing colour was look& greats
Bre says
Thank you!!
Isa says
I love this bathroom renovation. What is the name of the wall paint color?
Bre says
Hi! Thank you! This is Charlotte Slate by Benjamin Moore.
Mary Beth says
Wow! I have been trying to find a traditional looking bathroom style, that wasn’t too girly, for my husbands “man bathroom!” This is what I needed! Amazing job! So cohesive and beautiful!
Bre says
Hi, Mary Beth! Oh, that’s wonderful!! Thank you – I’m so glad this post was helpful to you. Good luck with your project. 🙂
Paula says
This bathroom is nostalgic for me, because my grandparents had floor tiles like these in their home which was built around the same time. ( glass door knobs).I love all the elements you have : the sink and shower fixtures, lights and especially the medicine cabinet and the roman shade you made. I’m still smiling thinking of how warm and inviting it all looks. Thank you for sharing all of your tips, too! Best!
Evan says
I just finished remodeling my bathroom and we made a lot of similar choices. I’m also planning to put floating shelves up above the toilet. I saw your post on Pinterest and figured I’d say stop by. Nice job! https://imgur.com/gallery/uQ4HGAr
Bre says
Hi, Evan! Sorry I am just now responding to you!! I love your bathroom – thanks for sharing a pic! Your sink is gorgeous and those floors are beautiful! Awesome work. Hope you’re enjoying the new space!
Kristi Mercer says
It turned out so beautifully Bre! I’m head over heels in love with each and every part, but that mirror might just be my favourite!
Jeanne BROWN says
Love the bathroom also the wall is the same color as mine, Mirror is the best part.
Bre says
Hi, Jeanne! Thank you! Love that you used the same color paint!!
Bre says
Oh…thank you, Kristi!! I am so thankful we were able to save that mirror! Thanks for checking it all out!