THANKS GO OUT TO JOAN (I *think*) for finding this new resource (other resource here) for recessed porcelain ceramic bathroom soap dishes, shelves, towel bars and toilet paper holders. The manufacturer is HCP Industries, and they make these pieces in 33 colors, many of them great for a midcentury bathroom retro renovation. Click through for some tips on installing recessed shelves… a slide show and the link to HCP…

Some advice on recessed shelving in the bathtub surround:

• More is better, when it comes to shelving. I swear I am not a bathing beauty diva… I am very low maintenance in this regard… and even so, I have: shampoo, conditioner, super conditioner to keep my hair from getting all static electricity-y, shower gel, shaving cream, clearasil face wash, clearasil super scrubber, buffer cream stuff I got on a trip 2 years ago, etc. etc. etc. Now, aren’t you glad you know what’s in my bathtub.
• Also, if you have the choice, recess the shelves at the far back of the bathtub – not on the side. That way, when the shower curtain is open, you are not staring at the shelf.
• Oh and there’s more: I was told by the guy who installed the tiles in my tub surround, that after you shower, you should indeed leave the curtain open for as long as practical. This encourages the water on the tile and grout to evaporate, which will preserve the whole situation longer. I believe it.
• One last tip: Seal the grout in your shower/tub surround, too, he said.

Here’s the link to the HCP Industries webpages.