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10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic Bathroom
When designer Carmel Beckman, of Beckman Design & Co., set about transforming the bathroom of her Ladner, BC home, she knew it had to be classically beautiful and incorporate antiques. "Every bathroom should have at least one antique element," she says. "Antiques are cost-effective, well-made and add so much personality." Carmel's bathroom has more than one and all are inspirational enough to try at home.
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Add an Antique Vanity
1/11Add an Antique Vanity
1/11Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
This stunning vanity recalls old-world grandeur in a digital age. "I found it on Craigslist for $250," says Carmel. "When I got it home, it was in need of a little love so I did a gentle cleaning with a dry rag, then oiled it to bring out the wood's natural grain and colour." Avoiding the predictable look of a new vanity, it layers in interest and feels grand.Bathrooms10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic BathroomAdd an Antique Vanity
PHOTO 1 of 11READ LESS -This stunning vanity recalls old-world grandeur in a digital age. "I found it on Craigslist for $250," says Carmel. "When I got it home, it was in need of a little love so I did a gentle cleaning with a dry rag, then oiled it to bring out the wood's natural grain and colour." Avoiding the predictable look of a new vanity, it layers in interest and feels grand.Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
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Look for Original Details
2/11Look for Original Details
2/11Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
While the vanity makes a stand-alone statement, it was the intricate finish that appealed to Carmel. "It's made from solid oak with a walnut burl in the middle and the knobs, pulls and all other details are original to the piece." Though not overtly ornate, these features come together to make a dramatic impact.Bathrooms10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic BathroomLook for Original Details
PHOTO 2 of 11READ LESS -While the vanity makes a stand-alone statement, it was the intricate finish that appealed to Carmel. "It's made from solid oak with a walnut burl in the middle and the knobs, pulls and all other details are original to the piece." Though not overtly ornate, these features come together to make a dramatic impact.Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
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Layer in a Traditional Rug
3/11Layer in a Traditional Rug
3/11Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
No white bath mats here! This Persian-style rug speaks to the vintage vibe and is also wallet-friendly. "While I'd like heated floors, they weren't a priority. Instead, this gorgeous rug keeps my feet warm and adds texture and colour."Bathrooms10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic BathroomLayer in a Traditional Rug
PHOTO 3 of 11READ LESS -No white bath mats here! This Persian-style rug speaks to the vintage vibe and is also wallet-friendly. "While I'd like heated floors, they weren't a priority. Instead, this gorgeous rug keeps my feet warm and adds texture and colour."Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
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Opt for Classic Silhouettes
4/11Opt for Classic Silhouettes
4/11Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
This sleek soaker tub encapsulates Carmel's mandate of achieving a look that is both vintage and timeless. She says, "This tub's silhouette reminds me of late 19th-century French fireclay tubs. I didn't want something as traditional as a claw-foot, nor as modern as many of the freestanding styles. It's the perfect balance of traditional and classic."Bathrooms10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic BathroomOpt for Classic Silhouettes
PHOTO 4 of 11READ LESS -This sleek soaker tub encapsulates Carmel's mandate of achieving a look that is both vintage and timeless. She says, "This tub's silhouette reminds me of late 19th-century French fireclay tubs. I didn't want something as traditional as a claw-foot, nor as modern as many of the freestanding styles. It's the perfect balance of traditional and classic."Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
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Hang a Chandelier
5/11Hang a Chandelier
5/11Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
Yes, it looks antique, but this sparkly number is actually from Pottery Barn. A chandelier in the bathroom can't help but reference an old-world milieu, yet in Carmel's expert mix it still feels fresh and millennial. Bonus: it was an inexpensive, on-budget find.Bathrooms10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic BathroomHang a Chandelier
PHOTO 5 of 11READ LESS -Yes, it looks antique, but this sparkly number is actually from Pottery Barn. A chandelier in the bathroom can't help but reference an old-world milieu, yet in Carmel's expert mix it still feels fresh and millennial. Bonus: it was an inexpensive, on-budget find.Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
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Include Old-World Art
6/11Include Old-World Art
6/11Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
This gilt-framed reproduction of Fragonard's 18th-century oil painting "The Reader" strikes the right rich note here. It also has personal meaning for Carmel. "When I first saw it, I thought of my grandmother. She has the same print in her house and it brought back a wonderful childhood memory."Bathrooms10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic BathroomInclude Old-World Art
PHOTO 6 of 11READ LESS -This gilt-framed reproduction of Fragonard's 18th-century oil painting "The Reader" strikes the right rich note here. It also has personal meaning for Carmel. "When I first saw it, I thought of my grandmother. She has the same print in her house and it brought back a wonderful childhood memory."Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
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Monogram Your Towels
7/11Monogram Your Towels
7/11Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
Monogramming not only recalls an era where luxurious personalizing was the norm, it also serves a very practical purpose. "My husband is always stealing my towels," laughs Carmel. "When I ordered new ones from Pottery Barn I had them monogrammed so I could keep track of mine." They are handsomely displayed on a heated towel rack.Bathrooms10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic BathroomMonogram Your Towels
PHOTO 7 of 11READ LESS -Monogramming not only recalls an era where luxurious personalizing was the norm, it also serves a very practical purpose. "My husband is always stealing my towels," laughs Carmel. "When I ordered new ones from Pottery Barn I had them monogrammed so I could keep track of mine." They are handsomely displayed on a heated towel rack.Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
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Re-Imagine a Side Table
8/11Re-Imagine a Side Table
8/11Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
This tray-top table, not a standard piece of bathroom furniture, introduces a vintage element that is both pretty and practical. "I've had this for over 10 years, and the pretty box on top of it for almost that long as well," says Carmel. "I needed a place to put my wine glass while in the tub, and this trusty table was the perfect fit for the space."Bathrooms10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic BathroomRe-Imagine a Side Table
PHOTO 8 of 11READ LESS -This tray-top table, not a standard piece of bathroom furniture, introduces a vintage element that is both pretty and practical. "I've had this for over 10 years, and the pretty box on top of it for almost that long as well," says Carmel. "I needed a place to put my wine glass while in the tub, and this trusty table was the perfect fit for the space."Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
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Style With Antique Accessories
9/11Style With Antique Accessories
9/11Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
"This gorgeous gold number is an antique perfume bottle from one of my favourite local stores, <a href="https://www.sampsons.ca/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Sampsons Antique Co.</a>," says Carmel. "It ties in with the other gold accents in the room." It's also a rich foil to the distressed box beside it.Bathrooms10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic BathroomStyle With Antique Accessories
PHOTO 9 of 11READ LESS -"This gorgeous gold number is an antique perfume bottle from one of my favourite local stores, <a href="https://www.sampsons.ca/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Sampsons Antique Co.</a>," says Carmel. "It ties in with the other gold accents in the room." It's also a rich foil to the distressed box beside it.Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
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Choose Soft Finishes
10/11Choose Soft Finishes
10/11Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
"One of my priorities for achieving a vintage look was getting the right finish on the plumbing fixtures," says Carmel. "I wanted everything, or almost everything, in polished nickel. It's softer than polished chrome yet still sparkles."Bathrooms10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic BathroomChoose Soft Finishes
PHOTO 10 of 11READ LESS -"One of my priorities for achieving a vintage look was getting the right finish on the plumbing fixtures," says Carmel. "I wanted everything, or almost everything, in polished nickel. It's softer than polished chrome yet still sparkles."Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
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Pretty Powder Room
11/11Pretty Powder Room
11/11Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
Carmel extended the bathroom's vintage look into her powder room. "This 'vanity' is an antique sideboard from Scotland that I topped with Carrara marble. Because this is a powder room, I didn't need a full-size vanity for storage. Instead, I chose a piece that was lighter and more playful." The Venetian-inspired mirror is from Restoration Hardware.Bathrooms10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic BathroomPretty Powder Room
PHOTO 11 of 11READ LESS -Carmel extended the bathroom's vintage look into her powder room. "This 'vanity' is an antique sideboard from Scotland that I topped with Carrara marble. Because this is a powder room, I didn't need a full-size vanity for storage. Instead, I chose a piece that was lighter and more playful." The Venetian-inspired mirror is from Restoration Hardware.Photo Credit: Tracey AytonSource: traceyaytonphotography.com
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