When Karen and John Tyler decided to remodel the primary bathroom of their Old Town Alexandria home, they wanted a room that felt luxurious, would add value, and would pay homage to its Victoria nature.
“The location of this home, in close proximity to the historic Carlyle House in Old Town, further adds to its historical significance,” says Ana Djevenica, interior designer with Total Home Design & Remodeling in Springfield.
“Working on this project was a truly remarkable experience for our team,” she says. “With the use of modern technology, we were able to create a design that we believe would have been similar to what the bathroom may have looked like in its original state.”
Creating the Design
The bathroom design itself was inspired by the Victorian era.
“We sought a timeless, old-world elegance that would fit as naturally as possible in an early 19th century Federal townhouse constructed before indoor plumbing and bathrooms even existed,” says John Tyler.
While the bathroom itself is very narrow, Djevenica says the Tylers wanted it to feel airy and spacious, which prompted discussion of an open-concept lavatory set.
The previous bathroom featured two separate pedestal sinks with no counter surface and two medicine cabinets for toiletries.
Keeping an open concept in mind, the remodel incorporated a new vanity area that made exposed plumbing a key feature.
“We kept the bathroom esthetically in line with the age of the home, modernizing it with modern, yet vintage-looking plumbing fixtures,” says Djevenica.
The design integrated a much-needed countertop surface and an elevated marble shelf above the sinks.
“In selecting the shower door, we were set on a double French-style door for its symmetry and elegance,” says Djevenica.
A silver frame was added around the pivoting part of the door to create an entry into the shower.
Choosing the Color Scheme
The black and white grout-less marble mosaic tile floor, imported from Italy, inspired the bathroom’s color scheme.
A gold Calacatta marble, which complements the tile, can be seen on the shower walls, vanity, and shower seat.
The vanity’s custom-designed set of polished satin nickel legs were made out of state.
“These are one of the biggest standout features of the project as they are not something that you see every day,” says Djevenica. “These legs add a touch of elegance and elevate the room from the moment one enters the bathroom.”
The plumbing fixtures and bath accessories, such as towel bars and soap holders, are finished in that same sleek satin nickel, giving the space a sense of warmth and vintage charm.
Blending Old with New
Djevenica added a floor-to-ceiling dark wood linen cabinet to give the Tylers more storage space. It provides a striking contrast to the all-white aesthetic and adds dimension to the space.
“We wanted this to look kind of rustic and like something that would have existed back in the day, so we selected a wood species for the cabinet that had a lot of character in it,” says Djevenica.
“The cabinet blends perfectly with the other antique corner cabinet, the sole remaining piece of the original bathroom, so it looks like they belong together,” she says.
The room’s vintage-inspired mirror also makes the space appear larger.
“We also added some crown molding and wainscoting that wasn’t there before, as well as some vanity lights,” says Djevenica.
History in the Walls
During the renovation process, Djevenica and her team made some intriguing discoveries when they opened the walls.
“Among these were old iron-wrought hand-forged nails, which were used in the construction of this historic home,” says Djevenica. “It was fascinating to see these remnants of the past and to imagine the craftsmanship and hard work that went into building this home in the early 1800s.”
The renovation achieved what the Tylers wanted.
“The end result was exactly what we hoped it would be,” says Karen Tyler. “Ana’s design was both beautiful and practical as it gave us needed counter and storage space while at the same time making the narrow bathroom look more spacious.”
Feature image by Christy Kosnic Photography
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