The 1800s parsonage has been in the same family for over a century. The current owners use the home as a centralized gathering place for holidays, get-togethers, and the yearly family reunion. But for all its bedrooms, there was only one full bathroom. The existing bath was cramped, dated, and difficult to use.

Reworking the Plan

The original layout squeezed a toilet into a corner behind a wet wall that blocked the window. A narrow vanity offered almost no surface space, and an oversized radiator consumed valuable room. We began by reclaiming space. There was a small connected hallway with a large closet situated in front of the bathroom door. These non-loadbearing walls were removed to expand the footprint of the bathroom. The obstructing wet wall came out, restoring the window view and improving clearances, and the bulky radiator was replaced with a slim wall-mounted unit sized appropriately for the room. The revised plan accommodates a full tub and shower. We designed and installed a large custom cherry vanity with generous counter space. The new layout provides comfortable, code-appropriate clearances around each fixture.

Historical Mosaic Tile

With the layout resolved, the focus shifted to material direction. The clients had admired a historic mosaic floor while traveling, and that memory became the starting point. After research, we sourced a manufacturer producing period-accurate mosaics in historically correct color palettes. Using that inspiration as a guide, we developed a custom mosaic pattern.

Accessibility Without Compromise

Because the home hosts multiple generations, accessibility was as important as aesthetics. A deep soaking tub or freestanding clawfoot would have been visually appealing but difficult for older relatives to step into safely. Instead, we selected a vintage-style curved alcove tub with a lower entry height that still fit the home. A custom curved curtain rod, handmade by an artist in Bulgaria, was color-matched to Kohler’s Moderne Brass fixtures and shaped precisely to follow the contour of the tub.

Plaster Restoration

Old homes come with layered histories. During the work, we discovered damaged and heavily notched floor joists caused by years of piecemeal plumbing work. We replaced and reinforced them to create a stable base for the new mosaic tile. Rather than gutting the room entirely, we removed over 20 layers of wallpaper and carefully repaired the original plaster wherever possible. Only the shower walls were rebuilt to ensure flat, plumb tile surfaces. The original wood window was dismantled and restored. Jambs and trim were repaired, and mahogany was custom fit on site in any areas where wood needed to be replaced. Period-appropriate hardware that matched the other original windows was sourced from Philadelphia.

Beyond the Bathroom

The scope extended into adjoining rooms. Original wood floors were refinished in three bedrooms and connecting spaces. Plaster walls and ceilings were restored in a back bedroom. An old closet was converted into a new laundry room.

The Outcome

These much-needed renovations are a bridge between the past and future. The historic character remains, and the house will continue to welcome generations to come.