If you do any research at all on early 1900s bungalow bathrooms, you’ll realize they look nothing like the Versaille-sized washrooms  of today.  These are not rooms where you’re going to install a coffee maker, a big screen tv, and a makeup vanity large enough to accommodate the entire Kardashian clan, Jenners included (yes, I know far too much about worthless pop culture – really, my mom raised me better).

I found some great images of classic bungalow bathrooms on Heather Ferguson’s terrific blog 1912 Bungalow.  While restoring her own, you guessed it, 1912 bungalow in Los Angeles, she ran across these examples of historical bungalow bathrooms in all of their clean, functional glory.  (All photos courtesy of www.1912bungalowcom)

I love the contoured outsides of these old cast iron tubs.  Strange little second sink.  I guess the husband was stuck using that.

I really wouldn’t want to take a shower inside that teeny shower curtain ring.  I guess people were smaller back then, but I do love the classic tiles and use of wainscotting.

Sure, these spaces might be smaller than what you might find in new construction, but the beauty of these rooms is that no space is wasted.  There are no uplit soffits on which to perch trailing silk ivy, but are you really going to miss that?  And when I’m finished, you’ll think you’re bathing inside a sparkly Tiffany jewel box!

Just as a reminder of how far I have to go before that, here are the bathroom befores:

This bathroom featured glass paneled french doors.  Without curtains.

Just what you want to see when you open the bathroom door.  A dirty toilet with the lid up.

Not much to say about this.  Except maybe gross.

In terms of finishes, I’m going totally classic with these bathrooms.  Think Carrera marble hexagonal tile, matching marble subway tile, the home’s original pedestal sink along with its twin that I found at Preservation Hall, vintage styled chrome fixtures and lovely, clean schoolhouse-style lighting.  What I’m not doing is using clawfoot tubs.  Now, I love a clawfoot tub as much as the next person, but I decided against it because I personally really don’t like trying to take a shower in a clawfoot tub.  Shower curtain as saran wrap really doesn’t leave me with that yummy, clean feeling.   Add that to the increased price and decreased size I would have had to pick for the spaces, and you might understand my choice.

I lucked out and found two cast iron, apron front tubs at the Habitat for Humanity store for an AMAZING price.  Now, I just need to find a great refinisher for my tubs and sinks, and everything will look good as new.