In a 1935 home, a once-dreary bathroom has been reborn as a vibrant Art Deco masterpiece, blending vintage charm with bold design choices. What began as plaster repair on a “remuddled” space—where only the cast iron tub and layout remained original—evolved into a full redesign. Cracked off-white floor tiles and mismatched beige ones clashed with the tub’s unique hue, prompting the homeowner, an engineer by trade, to splurge on handmade tiles that matched the tub’s quirky yellow, saving it from the 1980s tile nightmare and creating a space that sings with exuberance.
From Sad to Spectacular: A Tub’s Redemption
The transformation began with a single spark—the yellow cast iron tub, the lone original element left after decades of mismatched updates. Determined to design around its unusual hue, the homeowner ordered handmade tiles from a long-admired company and struck gold with a near-perfect match. A contractor who appreciated vintage flair brought the vision to life, preserving the original layout and highlighting its diagonal lines and graceful arches.
Engineering a Design Challenge
Choosing tile colors proved a trickier task than anything the homeowner’s engineering background had prepared them for—after all, pipes don’t have to match. Quarter rounds in slightly off shades risked ruining the symmetry, while handmade variations in size meant wider grout lines and careful spacing were key to achieving a cohesive look. The final design skipped wainscoting to let the arches breathe, staying true to the 1930s simplicity.
A Bath That Radiates Joy
The finished bathroom bursts with cheerful energy, a bold leap away from the dull palette of the past. The diagonal layout, custom tilework, and saturated yellow accents make the small room feel vibrant with character. The community showered praise, calling it “so Art Deco” and admiring the confident use of color. Even with a few small imperfections, the space delivers the joyful exuberance the homeowner envisioned, proving that thoughtful design can bring new life to a vintage space.
A Bold Statement in a Historic Frame
For this homeowner, the Art Deco bathroom is more than a design upgrade—it’s a joyful tribute to individuality within a classic setting. Fueled by a mix of creativity and craftsmanship, the project encourages the r/centuryhomes community to rethink what’s possible in older homes.
As the 1935 house embraces new life, this vibrant bath proves that fearless color and vintage roots can coexist beautifully.