Craftsman-Era Bathroom Gets Period-Appropriate Renovation

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The owners of a 1916 Craftsman-style home in Portland, Oregon, recently renovated their upstairs bathroom with a focus on honoring the home's heritage. The renovation included a new tub, cabinetry, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and wainscot paneling, all selected to blend seamlessly with the home's original architectural details. The designers chose period-appropriate tile, lighting, and other elements to create a bathroom that feels authentic to the home's Craftsman era.

Why it matters

In a city like Portland with a rich architectural history, homeowners are often challenged to update older homes in ways that preserve the original character and craftsmanship. This renovation serves as a model for how to thoughtfully blend new and old elements to create a space that feels true to the home's roots.

The details

The bathroom renovation included a new tub to replace a previous shower insert, as well as all new cabinetry, flooring, plumbing fixtures, and wainscot paneling. The designers chose offset-stacked subway tile for the walls and a 'penny' floor tile in terra cotta, rather than the typical black-and-white scheme, to give the space a more modern yet period-appropriate feel. The vanity, painted in a deep graphite color, features Art Deco-inspired light fixtures and a round-cornered mirror from Rejuvenation. The original five-panel bungalow door was retained and complemented by the new flat trim and wainscot.

• The home was built in 1916.
• The bathroom renovation was recently completed.