A “planter top” toilet tank lid from Eljer

by pam kueber on March 31, 2009

eljer-1964-estate-toilet-planter-top

A PLANTER MOLDED RIGHT INTO A TOILET TANK LID? Well, this is a new one to me… found in this ad for a 1964 Eljer Estate toilet. And of course – LOVE it. Has anyone ever seen this? Let’s all be on the lookout. Like spotting rare and endangered species in the (retro)Amazon. Carry your cameras, readers!

eljer-1964-ad

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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

super kawaii mama March 31, 2009 at 9:21 am

I wonder how long that poor plant would live?

Patd March 31, 2009 at 4:06 pm

omg I want it! I think a fern or something would last a while in there. Why don’t they design things like that anymore?

Elvis (aka) Jane March 31, 2009 at 4:37 pm

I could plant a pothos in that toilet top (and still have room for the tissue box!)

Veronica March 31, 2009 at 4:55 pm

*Gasp* – that’s incredible!

veg-o-matic March 31, 2009 at 5:27 pm

There was some catalog–Miles Kimball, maybe?–that for years offered a replacement toilet tank top that was a planter. Made of plastic most likely, and had some kind of ropy thing that hung down into the tank to “automatically” water the plants.

veg

atomicbowler March 31, 2009 at 8:16 pm

Maybe a nice fern or something that would like the shower steam?
Not sure about the green with the pink in the example, but, um, I guess the flooring nicely compliments the plant?
Hey…no matter what…it IS surely a hip commode. Wonder what good ol’ Thomas Crapper would say if he could see THAT!

Amy March 31, 2009 at 8:35 pm

is that green lino or carpet on the floor?

Pam Kueber March 31, 2009 at 8:39 pm

I think this is most surely an advertising shot, not a real bathroom. I think it’s carpet. :)

Robert April 1, 2009 at 1:32 am

Hello,

How kewl!!!

Robert

Robert April 1, 2009 at 1:33 am

Hello,

Oh yes.

I pity the poor soul trying to find a replacement for theirs that broke!

Robert

sumacsue April 1, 2009 at 11:13 am

This toilet lid would go well with the combination radio/toilet paper holder that hung on the wall in my grandpa’s bathroom back in the 1970s.

Tikimama April 1, 2009 at 3:17 pm

I would love this! Actually, many plants thrive in the moist bathroom air – pothos, just like in the pic, would do great, as long as there’s a window for some light.

The planter-top that Veg-o-matic describes with the automatic watering rope = ingenious!

PugFreek April 3, 2009 at 5:20 am

smart

Joe July 17, 2009 at 12:39 am

I just had a flashback to high school, circa 1977. I attended a private high school and made friends with Keith, who one day wanted me to see the cool suburban custom development home his parents bought brand new in 1964. What a house! 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Each bathroom had one of these toilets. Each bathroom had a different color for the fixtures (grey, green, pink, blue, yellow), with complementing 2-tone ceramic tiling. The kitchen was AMAZING! All GE appliances (push-button of course) in pink porcelain enamel, with pink ceramic tile countertops. It had built-in Nutone 5-in-1 appliance center and Intercom system and AM/FM Stereo 4-track music system. There was an adjoining laundry room that really was a laundry room! GE washer & dryer (in pink) with the push-buttons, built-in ironing board and a standing ironing machine (in pink enamel). There was custom cabinets and countertops to match the kitchen’s. The other side of the kitchen was the casual dining area (separate from the formal dining room). The laundry/kitchen/dining area was terraced, in that the kitchen was lower level and you had to “step up” to get to the laundry or dining areas (with wrought iron railings running across). Oh, the kitchen was equipped with EVERY CONCEIVABLE electric kitchen small appliance and gadget known (in either pink or chrome). The entire back wall was floor-to-ceiling glass the entire length and had a fantastic view of the woods and stream. The living room was “sunken” and just said “cocktail party 1960’s style” with a huge windowall and fieldstone wall opposite with a huge fireplace (which was “open” to be viewed also from the dining room). I never forgot that house! I understand it was the “talk of the town” and very envied. I heard several years ago that the parents decided to downsize to an adult community in the same town and really didn’t want to sell to an outsider, because the house was a perfectly preserved time capsule. Their youngest daughter charmed them into selling it to her and her husband for practically nothing, promising to maintain it just like they did. No sooner than the ink dried on the bill of sale, her and husband gutted the house and tossed all “that dated, tacky, crappy stuff” and remodeled it to reflect “current trends” circa 1996. Dumb, dumb, dumb!

Phil August 30, 2009 at 7:20 am

Hi – Anyone know where to get a more conventional replacement tank lid for a light blue toilet? Ours broke today.
Or how about a match on the toilet color light blue paint to paint a replacement cover with?

Thanks,
Phil

pam kueber August 30, 2009 at 1:40 pm

Phil, look at the Fast & Easy Bathrooms page – we have a source for these.

Sherri August 31, 2009 at 1:55 am

Joe, that story just breaks my heart,what a crappy thing to do!!~Karma~

Lois October 18, 2009 at 9:06 pm

Hi! I actually have one of these toilets in a pale yellow color. Had no idea what the tank lid was used for before now. Found this website trying to find replacement seat in color close to commode color.

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