My husband and I have just converted the top floor of our old house at the seashore for guests. We obviously need a bath, but want to keep it light and airy, and also not spend a fortune on it. How can we accomplish this?
Gwen Cooper
Montauk, New York


At one time, I was faced with much the same problem. This photograph from Pottery Barn illustrates many clever ideas that you can use for inspiration.
First, with a pedestal sink and bathtub, there is no need to tile either the floor or walls (one benefit of an old house). This also decreases the weight, a consideration in an older house and on upper floors.
Whitewash or pickle the floor.
A few coats of polyurethane (matte finish, please) will work well to protect wood floors from splashes and wet feet. The soft blue walls provide a resort or seaside feeling.
The simple white medicine cabinet is clean looking, and because it is mounted on the wall, you don’t have to break into the wall to install it. The matching tall cabinet will store towels, extra soap, etc., and, again, is clean and bright. The glass shelf holds necessities and also doubles as a towel bar.
The light fixture provides a period look and adequate light for the whole room because of the illumination provided by the glass shades. A wicker basket with
a liner makes a perfect laundry basket.
Look through books and magazines for more ideas. You, too, can have a light, bright, perfect bath, low on cost but heavy on imagination and charm.



Say It With Paint


We’ve moved into a new house. Although we really do have some nice pieces of furniture, somehow it looks dull and has no spark. Is there anything we can do?
Barbara Pierson
Evanston, Illinois




Remember how nice your house looked during the holidays, with all the colors and ornaments? Unfortunately, during the rest of the year, we often become inhibited and take the safest route. But your house should have pizzazz year-round. The most effective and inexpensive tool in decorating is color; the quickest way to get color is through paint.
A red library or dining room will work wonders toward creating a warm and happy feel. Why not teal green walls in the living room or a dark green one in a foyer or hall? Just using a contrasting color on woodwork, trim and moldings can give great spark to a room. Always paint the ceiling white or off-white or a lighter version of the wall color to snap the room together: You want a room that’s coordinated and enfolds you, not a sterile box. So first do a little planning (remember, your two most inexpensive
decorating allies are thinking and experimenting), then get out the paint charts and start in!
We have an older house that we love, but it has a very large foyer/front hall that I don’t know how to treat. Certainly we do not need an area for formal receptions. It is a bit frustrating, since there are areas where we could use extra space...but not here.
Virginia Gross
Portland, Oregon

 Have you considered a home office or workspace? First, find an interesting desk or work table that would answer your needs. Then build bookshelves all around and over it so that it sits in an alcove. Make the shelves floor-to-ceiling, and add a crown molding and baseboard so that they become part of the architecture. Paint the back wall behind the shelves a darkish color, and the shelves and moldings a complementary color (e.g., celadon green and moss green, or dark beige and cream). This will add interest and give it the look of always having been a part of the interior. Try and find an especially handsome desk lamp; there are currently a lot of good-looking reproductions of old-fashioned lamps available in all price ranges.



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Editor’s Note: Margot Gunther, ASID, is a designer who has worked on residential interiors, country inns and restaurants; her work has been featured in top decorating magazines as well. Additionally, she has a great deal of experience in renovation and restoration, and an extensive knowledge of designer resources.