Tips for Creating a Bathroom with Vintage Style and Modern Function

Home fashion has come full circle. Many design trends first made popular in the 1920s are back in vogue and stronger than ever. For example, the cottage-style home, a blend of farmhouse and bungalow that is best defined by the simple clean lines of the 1920s, has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years.

The American Furniture Manufacturers Association has identified cottage style as a popular new direction for home furnishings. The cozy cottage look speaks to consumers who are seeking comfortable, easy-to-live-with styling.

After the International Home Furnishings Markets in 2002, the association also reported an unveiling of what is being dubbed the new “American Style” -- a nostalgic mixture of Mission, Shaker, country and cottage influences while incorporating contemporary and multicultural elements.

Tricks for achieving design authenticity in the cottage-style home include using vintage pieces where possible and carefully blending your own collection of home artifacts into the interior décor. The most successful interior design maintains the integrity of the home and respects the architecture of the neighborhood.

Old Homes, New Spaces

The way we use our homes has changed dramatically since the 1920s. Today’s rooms are bigger and often serve a variety of functions. Many owners of 1920s homes dream of tearing down walls to create a great room like those so popular in today’s homes. However, moving walls is often the most costly item in a renovation project and can leave you with a room that feels out of place in period architecture. Before making plans to tear down walls, carefully consider how the room will really be used and plan to create a space that is proportionate. Bigger isn’t always better in today’s cottage style, especially when trying to create a feeling of intimacy or coziness.