Adding character

Flea market finds and antiques give this new bath an old-world feel.

This room may be small, but it's certainly big on ideas. "I wanted to feel like I was transported to another place when I step into the bath," says owner Jane White-Spunner. "It was important that it have an old-world feel." Jane and her husband, Lucky, incorporated flea market finds and antique pieces into the new bath design to achieve the aged look they wanted.

"Before you even enter the bath, a pair of antique wooden doors set the tone for the space," notes architect Lea Verneuille, who helped with the design. A local craftsman installed new leaded-glass windows in the old doors. Several patterns of glass mix nicely together-one looks like waves, another gives the appearance of raindrops. "We wanted the glass to have the feel of the movement of water," says Lea.

Inside the bath, an antique wrought iron gate sits neatly underneath a bowl sink. The owners had two custom corner pieces fitted on either side of the gate and added a hinge to allow for storage and plumbing access.

Above the sink, a mirror made from salvaged pieces completes the bathroom's distinctive look. It was crafted from a Victorian fireplace surround that Jane found years ago and had fitted with a mirror. A claw-foot tub, an antique chandelier, and accessories including a retractable shaving mirror infuse this space with old-world charm-all without sacrificing modern amenities.

Page 117: Architecture by Lea Verneuille, Fairhope, Alabama; fixtures from Exquisite Kitchens and Baths, Fairhope, (251) 928-0446 (R); leaded-glass windows by artist Laura Hensley, Robertsdale, Alabama; tile from Colony Tile, Fairhope, (251) 990-6750 (R); flowers by Marty Leatherbury.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jul 2003
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