I would like a warm and interesting bath for my old Victorian. The previous owners had updated it and made it slick and contemporary. I want to bring back some original charm... on the cheap. Help Jean Barritos Galena, Illinois Start off with a freestanding tub and sink, and use beadboard to add a Victorian feel (thereby avoiding the need for tile or marble). Above the chair rail, apply a wallpaper with old-fashioned appeal. Flowered tieback curtains add a nice touch, and to warm things and maintain the budget, buy a copy of an antique rug. Instead of a built-in cabinet, haunt flea markets or used-furniture stores for an old piece to hold towels and necessary items. (Try to find one with its original wood finish.) There are many stores that feature restoration-type hardware for the tub as well as reproduction-Victorian lighting fixtures. Choose what you like and don’t limit yourself. Just have fun. I have a tiny attic nook and I would like to add a guest bath. I don’t want anything fancy: just a comfortable, welcoming space that would reflect the air of a casual summer getaway for my guests. I would love to accomplish this without spending a fortune. Any ideas? Mary Kraft Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Anything is possible. Take a look at the room pictured here for ideas. The slanted ceiling—which could be a problem—here adds interest and takes away from the bland look of the square space. Apply wood boards to just-above sink height to mask the plumbing, and use a shelf top with brackets to hold necessities. One of the great assets of a freestanding sink is that you don’t have to tile the room. Since you don’t need storage for medicines and a lot of makeup, you can just find an interesting mirror to complete the look. Paint the walls cream with a lighter off-white below; with the wooded accents, you have created an interesting room without a lot of effort. I am awash in collectibles, and I really don’t know what to do with them all. I don’t want to buy any expensive pieces of furniture in which to house them, or clutter my living room (besides, with so many in one room, the collections lose their personalities). Is there any place I can put them on display where they will have more appeal? Dorry Fish Traverse City, Michigan One way to solve your problem is to look to the bath. Baths can be sterile, so a bit of clutter actually can help to make them more interesting. Here, because the walls are rough paneling to start with, it’s easy to hang up a collection of pictures. A big quilt anchors the room and provides a more serious air. The antique spice cabinet holds a plethora of miscellaneous items—from medicine-cabinet necessities to nautical-themed items or even jewelry, while stacked collectible sap buckets add a jolt of country color. • photos: (middle) Courtesy Elizabeth Whiting Assoc’s; (all others) Brad Simmons Editor’s Note: Margot Gunther, ASID, is a designer who has worked on residential interiors, country inns and restaurants. home • advertise • links