Dear Jean and Richard, We live in a 1920s-era house and want to redo the bathroom. Do you have any suggestions or cautions for us? David and Jennifer, Asheville

Jean: Ohmygosh, yes! We’ve re-designed all types, but I think period baths are the most fun.

Richard: Not everyone gets as excited about bathrooms as Jean.

Jean: Well, most women spend more time in the powder room than men. Or at least than most men.

Richard: I trust you’re not referring to me. First, if it’s an original bathroom from the twenties, there are some serious decisions to make. Should its appearance stay original? Does the plumbing need to be replaced? And finally, what modern trade-offs might be appropriate for a period house?

Jean: We’ll suppose you’ll want to remodel the bath in the style of the home. Let’s start with the integrity of the plumbing. If you are planning to reposition walls, or replace the floor tile, or do anything structural with the room, it may be best to replace the pipes and valves while you have the chance. Better safe than sorry.

Richard: If your house has exposed pipes, I say replace them. They can be charming if they show craftsmanship, but nothing’s worse than new fixtures and nasty old pipes.

Jean: But you don’t want to invest in new tile and fixtures only to be forced to rip it all out and start over again a year from now. If you have a claw-foot tub, you can have it resurfaced. Prices to do this are reasonable, and some refinishers will even make house calls. There are plenty of resources for replacement period faucets as well. My favorite is the “British Telephone” design.

Richard: To stay with period styling, there are also lots of opportunities using tile. I prefer 1-inch squares or hexagons porcelain tiles for the floor, especially in black and white combinations. A local “dramatic” professor, who is a classic movie buff, has permanent red “blood” drops on the floor next to his tub. If there are as many black as white tiles, use a white or light gray grout. For the shower, a good choice is subway tile—those rectangular shapes set like courses of brick—that are enjoying a revival.

Jean: If you have the space, consider an old mirror in a wooden or gesso frame. I also love vintage frameless beveled mirrors. They’re even better with beautiful etching. The powder room is also the place to “let go” with some bright or dramatic wallpaper. To complement the small tile, consider a large pattern. The effect in a small space is fun, and unless you’re trying to be as authentic as a museum would be, this is also a good way to add artistic flair to the room. If you use busy wallpaper, choose solid towels to match one of the accent colors. You might also repeat that color on the outside of a claw-foot tub; otherwise, always use white porcelain.

Richard: If you are adding a vanity, you might make new use of an old cabinet, but select one with doors rather than drawers. At least you could make use of the space around the drop-in sink, while drawers would be rendered useless.

Jean: Finally, soften the edges with fabric. My shower has a lace curtain (over a conventional liner) and chenille valances. I think it’s the cutest room in the house!

Richard: I’m telling you, not everyone gets as excited about bathrooms as Jean…