The Period Bath Takes on a New Luster

What was old has a new shine these days, as evidenced by the period-inspired bath designs found in the modern showroom.

Vintage bathrooms, especially those that embody the design values of the early 20th century, have never been hotter and our grandmother's bathroom (with modern conveniences and better plumbing) is exactly the inspiration we're looking for.

"People just like the appeal of old-fashioned things that remind them of the past. They're a classic," says Peter Jouchmans, owner of Baths from the Past, a shop in Rockland, Mass. "All the new modern stuff is like a flash in the pan and it gets dated really quickly."

"The designs themselves seem to bring a sort of balance to a room — they're very organic, very soft and it's a perfect environment for the bath where the emphasis is on relaxation and renewel," says Marion Hendricks, director of marketing for Herbeau, makers of French kitchen and bath fixtures.

Today's "vintage" bath designs function as beautifully as they look with the latest in design and materials, says Marion, so you don't have to sacrifice performance for the period style. Many of the company's products are reminiscent of fine porcelain and fixture pieces designed from the 1850s to the early 1900s.

"They are definitely different from your grandmother's choices," she says. "Although the products are authentic in terms of the various time periods the insides are definitely 21st century."

But there's more to capturing the vintage look than choosing a turn-of-the-century style faucet. Following are some ideas to help you turn your new bath into a vintage dream.