Goodbye Boring Towel Holders: This Mid-Century Modern Brand Screams Luxury

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Bathroom towel holders serve an important purpose: they keep your fluffy, absorbent linens dry and off the bathroom floor. Most of these fixtures are pretty forgettable. They're practical, so we barely give them any thought. However, a room's interior design is elevated by paying attention to the smallest details, and towel holders definitely fall into this category. Got a mid-century modern bathroom? Ditch the boring holders for a secondhand find that screams luxury. In the late 1960s, the American Tack and Hardware Company released intricately carved brass towel rail that is sure to add character to any bathroom.

American Tack and Hardware (formerly AmerTac) has deep roots. The company, which was founded in 1937 and headquartered in the Flatiron Building in New York City, first manufactured decorative furniture nails and tacks. Over time, it expanded into outlet covers, wall hooks, and towel holders, among other fixtures. American Tack and Hardware is still in business today, operating the decorative wall plate brand Amerelle and the residential lighting and electronics brand Westek.

These solid brass towel rails are part of the American Tack and Hardware Company's Contessa collection, which was created in response to growing homeownership in the 1960s, demand from homebuilders for mass-produced hardware, and increasing interest in DIY. While much of the home decor designed in the mid-20th century was sleek, smooth, and streamlined, there were other aesthetics. The series drew on Art Deco botanical motifs, neoclassical design, and the glamour of Tinseltown. Think Dorothy Draper's Greenbrier Resort rather than the sleek, mathematical style of Luigi Moretti's Watergate Hotel. If you've read any ultimate guides to Hollywood Regency decor, you'll recognize the style instantly.

An authentic '60s Contessa towel rail by American Tack and Hardware is a great way to get that vintage bathroom look, even in a modern home. The satin-brushed brass is subtle, while the detailing — the curlicues, infinity symbols, and tiny flowers — and the curves of the fixture give it a luxurious look. The best sites to find Contessa towel rails are Etsy and eBay, where you'll see prices ranging from around $30 to $55. To make sure what you've found is authentic, look underneath the flange of the bracket for the stamped words "AMER.TACK & HDWE CO." and a copyright symbol followed by a date (usually 1968). There should also be a part number and the American Tack and Hardware logo.

While these vintage fixtures aren't rare, what you'll find for sale is often incomplete. Sometimes, a set includes two wall-mounted brackets sans the central rail. Other times, you might find a listing for a single bracket. If you're lucky enough to find a complete set with two brackets and a towel rail, you can go ahead and install it in your bathroom. If not, you can make the rail yourself. Look for a matte oil-rubbed brass or aged bronze bar to match the original Contessa unlacquered brass brackets. You'll likely be able to get something that looks relatively close to the original fixture, even if it's not an exact match. Whatever you manage to nab, these vintage fixtures offer a unique bathroom design idea you shouldn't overlook. They're useful, have a rich history, and have authentic charm. Plus, you get to add a touch of Hollywood Regency, an unapologetically bougie mid-century style, to your home.