Old World Style
Bed & Bath Design : Episode BDE-1108 -- More Projects »
Host Joan Kohn learns about the elements of Old World Style for the bath from experts Michael Gillick and Gil Shapiro of Urban Archeology. The outstanding characteristics of this style are the sense of history, the grandness of space, and feeling of comfort it gives to this most private of rooms.
- Old World style often starts with the bones of the room: the architecture. Detailed ceilings and woodwork, period windows, columns and arches create a grand shell.
- This style relies on natural elements with timeless appeal, notably wood and stone, which can used for any or all surfaces. This translates into wood cabinets, flooring and elaborate wood trim, and stone tiles and slabs used for flooring, walls and countertops. There are no traces of manufactured surfaces like stainless steel or laminate.
- Stone surfaces can be polished and pristine, or they can be honed and distressed for a comfortable time-worn look. Tumbled marble and ceramic tiles with a crackled finish and irregular edges are perfect choices.
- Walls, furniture and accessories with a distressed or faux finish are wonderful companions to the natural surfaces.
- The grandness of the space encourages luxurious touches like hanging oversized mirrors and displaying or hanging lots of towels. Even the newly fashionable large shower heads, popular 100 years ago, are in keeping with the large-scale feel.
- By tiling a modern whirlpool tub, it gets an Old World look.
- The choice of lighting is important. Sconces and chandeliers with metal finishes are more appropriate than recessed cans.
Guests Gil Shapiro
Owner, Urban Archaeology
143 Franklin St.
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-431-4646
Fax: 212-343-9312
Website:
www.urbanarchaeology.comMichael Gillick
Designer, Urban Archaeology
One Design Center Place
Boston, MA 02110
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