To the husband and wife, the master bathroom in their Town and Country home was uninspired and sometimes even unfriendly, lacking privacy and functionality for them, their four children and occasional visitors. It’s a large space, but it had no enclosure for the toilet. Two tub-side columns, while attractive, blocked a beautiful outdoor view and made the room feel close. And the overall design didn’t address potential changes in mobility.

Historic houses are beautiful, with their high ceilings, intricate moldings and gracious Old World touches. They’re not always practical, however, especially when it comes to kitchens and baths, where modern layouts, plumbing, fixtures and materials are not just stylish but essential to daily life.

But that doesn’t mean that fans of stately old homes need to forego the classic. Given knowledgeable contractors and experienced interior designers, these charming old spaces can be given a facelift that adds the best of the new while preserving the past.