As fashions come and go, it's inevitable that people will get rid of things that sooner or later come back into style. That's particularly true of vintage bathroom fixtures. Joan Kohn, host of HGTV's Bed and Bath Design, visits architectural antiques specialist Ronald Allan and takes a tour of the Brass Knob, a Washington, D.C., company that finds and restores old bathroom fixtures. Claw-foot bathtubs, pedestal sinks, vintage towel bars, soap-dish holders and shelf brackets -- all these items salvaged from the bathrooms of old homes are in great demand by people restoring old bathrooms to their original character. The sculptural look of a claw-foot tub is especially appealing. With elaborate detailed feet, which hold the large, deep tubs off the ground, they have an architectural presence modern tubs lack. When the surface of an old tub is badly damaged, new glazing can make it look like new. Pedestal sinks, sinks outfitted with a peg leg instead of a pedestal and wall sinks with brackets are among the many types of vintage sinks available. A surprising variety of colorful sinks -- fashionable in the '30s and '40s -- are also for sale (figure A). People find the heft and high quality of old towel bars and other bathroom accessories very attractive. Old bathroom tiles are popular too. Their classic designs and glazes frequently have more character than those used on newer tiles (figure B). Surprisingly, even old toilets and radiators are sought for bathroom restorations. The style and detail of a vintage toilet can complete a period bathroom restoration (figure C) -- and they flush better than their modern-day counterparts. Old radiators, with their ornamental embossed designs, are purchased for purely decorative purposes or to provide a bathroom with comfortable radiator heat (figure D).
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