Bathing Beauty

Helena’s passion for salvaged gates, wood-clad walls and natural accents make her bathroom exceptionally enticing. Ready to reimagine your bathroom? Take note of Helena’s approach to decorating with diverse elements to convert a utilitarian room into a space that boasts visual appeal.

Pick Planks. Define ceilings and walls with wood planks arranged horizontally. Select species that withstand humidity, such as cedar or maple. Seal the wood with boiled linseed oil or polyurethane. Install a powerful exhaust fan for proper ventilation.

Favor Flooring. Settle on flooring that minimizes slipping. Vinyl, ceramic or porcelain tiles are suitable options. Helena chose ceramic tiles that resemble natural stone.

Take the Plunge. Launch into a spa experience at home and invest in a pedestal tub. Helena couldn’t resist a hammered-copper variety. “Choose statement pieces over smaller items,” she advises.

Showcase Salvage. Reuse an antique double gate featuring old-world craftsmanship as a backdrop for a soaking tub. “Architectural salvage fills a space. Opt for large items that can cover a wall,” Helena says. “If something is broken or missing pieces, it doesn’t bother me; it’s character.”

Shed Some Light. Include an antler-themed light fixture for a nostalgia tug for those who love the outdoors.

Focus on Details. Flank the tub with luxe towels draped over matching rods. Place a live-edge wood slab across the tub to hold accessories, and set a wood stool that has been painted to match the gate nearby.

Helena cherishes the secretary a neighbor made when she was a child, and this heritage piece now occupies the guest bedroom. She strategically hangs a birch-framed mirror and floral painting on the wall so they align with the secretary’s height. She furnishes the retreat with a restored metal bed, birch chest of drawers and twig chair.