Susan peeks at us from the other side of her vintage, pink Jack 'n Jill bathroom. I am so jealous.
IT’S A PINK BATHROOM BONANZA. Here we have not only pink , but also the blog’s first Jack ‘n Jill bathroom. And — the adorable Susan (above), a first-time homeowner, to tell us all about the bathroom, and her ‘new’ 1962 home. Surprise surprise, her note includes this:
When we first bought the house I was not a fan of the bathrooms. However, thanks to your site I have realized how great a pink bathroom can be!
Susan writes:
My fiancé and I just purchased a 1962 split level in Northcrest, a subdivision outside of Atlanta. When we tell people where we live many say, “Isn’t that where all those weird houses are?” We proudly say yes! (For some really interesting history and a peek at the neighborhood check out www.northcrestmodern.com). We are truly, madly, deeply in love with our mid-century wonder! Here is our story:
Though Eric (my fiancé) and I both grew up in the area we never knew of Northcrest’s existence. A mid century enthusiast friend encouraged us to check it out. We fell in love with the neighborhood and began driving through several times a week. We were in no position to buy a home but that didn’t stop us from checking out every new home listing and every open house. We became total Northcrest stalkers and I’m sure the neighbors probably became concerned.
While looking in the windows of a property for sale Eric was approached by a man who had been driving by. He said he had a house for rent around the corner and would Eric like to see it? Of course Eric agreed. The guy led him around the corner to his recently vacated rental and showed him around. He told Eric that no one seemed interested in renting so he would also be willing to sell it since he was living on the other side of town and paying two mortgages. Eric loved it and a few days later on our regular stalker drive Eric took me by to see the house. The owner just happened to be there (coincidence or fate?) cleaning a few things up and let me come in to look. I was smitten too!
Soon after our visit the owner called to ask if we would like a chance to buy the home before he hired a realtor and put it on the market. Being in no position yet to buy we declined and in February the house went up for sale. In May the house went under contract. We were heartbroken and even stopped driving through the neighborhood for a while. It was just too depressing. Later that month we found a realtor and began our house hunt in earnest. We looked plenty of houses in plenty of neighborhoods. While many were lovely and we tried really hard to like them none had that “this is it!” feeling like our Northcrest home. Then one day I got an excited call from Eric. He had just driven through Northcrest and had great news. Our house was no longer under contract and it was still for sale! It was like it had been waiting for us. We immediately called our realtors (who told us the house had actually been under contract twice), put in an offer and after much negotiating, which is a whole other story, the house was ours!
We closed on July 21st. It hasn’t been totally smooth sailing. Part of our negotiations with the seller was trying to figure out what to do about the plumbing. When our home was built copper piping was cheap and galvanized steel was the fancier way to go. Unfortunately steel pipes rust. We had to have all the plumbing in the house replaced all the way out to the street. It took 3 days of no water but we got it done! The dishwasher is old and at one point was draining into the crawl space. The oven thermostat doesn’t work right. The carpet was totally disgusting and the basement floor is covered in asbestos tiles. The exterior of the house is actually 3 different colors of grey because no one bothered to match the paint for touch ups. The best paint is on the front so it looked good for realtor pictures. However, all those not so great things are what made the house affordable!
We have beautiful tongue and groove pine ceilings, an awesome brick fireplace and wet bar in the den and totally great neighbors! The living room has a wall of windows looking out onto our front yard. The path to the neighborhood pool goes right next to our house. Since the house was not upgraded in any way it leaves plenty of room for awesome renovations! We are in the process of stripping (yes taking all the necessary lead paint precautions) the old paint off the kitchen cabinets and making new cabinet doors. [Pam adds this note: Way to go with environmental and safety precautions. Gold star.] (We are thinking of getting some snap on stainless counter edging. Take a look at the pictures and see what you think!) A new counter top is in order for the wet bar and we are considering taking down drywall a previous owner put up over an exposed brick wall. The downstairs bathroom is going to get new drywall and a new floor.
The Jack and Jill was to be the bathroom of the future! Many of the homes in our neighborhood have them (or had them. People tend to redo them). The bigger, more narrow side of the bathroom is the guest bath which is accessible from the hallway. The smaller one is attached to the master bedroom. We are pretty sure the star burst light fixtures are original. The tile is in sad shape but we think a good professional cleaning and sealing will make it almost new again. The ceilings are stained tongue and groove pine. I also threw in the picture of the outside of the house.
When we first bought the house I was not a fan of the bathrooms. However, thanks to your site I have realized how great a pink bathroom can be!
It’s all so exciting. I really couldn’t imagine being anywhere else!
Thank you so much for sharing, Susan. It’s great to hear your story. And it sounds like you know to buckle up, as renovation is almost always a bumpy ride. Also, I hope you don’t mind my calling you ‘adorable.’ I am quite much older than you, it’s one of the perks. Keep us apprised of your home-making shenanigans and continue to renovate safely. 
Susan and Eric’s blog: Our Modern Mess.
P.S. I also added you to our 10 BEST BATHROOMS list. Woo hoo!
Update: Susan, Tikimama says you need vintage Jack ‘n Jill wall decor like this, from etsy Modtiki:
Welcome to a wild, exciting, rewarding ride of retro renovating, Susan! Reading your story makes me long to start all over again. Your house is beautiful!
I absolutely love this bathroom!!
What a great room! I am drooling over the floor, it’s beautiful!
Love the woodsy setting of the house, with those pines and azaleas. The bathroom is cool, particularly the big wooden sink cabinet. Have fun in your new retro home!
I just LOVE to hear about people falling in love with the era and the houses and I’m so glad you’re not ripping out your bathroom and all the other wonderful things in your house. After renovating and doing so many building projects over the years it’s just lovely to hear the saga again from someone else’s point of view.I live north of San Francisco where most of the homes have been bought, sold ,renovated and flipped to death.People usually think you’re crazy to try to save anything and it’s rare to see the old fixtures.Just persevere like I know you have and you’ll have a true gem in the end.
That looks wonderful. One thing about undoing newer things, like the drywall over the exposed brick (so HGTV!) is that the house is so happy to be put back the way it is supposed to be. The bathroom looks great. I believe you are right that the tile can be restored to look fabulous again. Good luck and have fun. The house and grounds are so beautiful!
how exciting! and so familiar – we had the same issues with negotiating about the rusted out galvanized plumbing when we bought our house this year (and similar dishwasher, stove and carpet issues, too).
also, that bathroom is amazing – i’ve never heard of anything like it, and it just seems so handy!
Thanks so much for the kind words everyone!
http://www.ourmodernmess.blogspot.com
Susan of the Bathroom, we all LOVE your bathroom so! I didn’t know you had a blog. I’ll add it to the post, and to the blogroll.
Cool house! And I echo the sentiments of comments above – it’s always so exciting to hear of another convert to the joy of preserving these homes!
I agree, the bathroom is AMAZING! Can’t stop ogling the floor tiles. Hopefully you didn’t have to fork over all the dough for the re-piping. Was the seller able to pay for at least some of the costs?
Pam – regarding your Update and the Jack ‘n’ Jill plaques:
Thanks! *blushing* I apologize, I should’ve said that this was my item. You see, I’m Tikimama on RR and my blog, and all other blogs where I comment, but I couldn’t get that name on Etsy, so *I’m* ModTiki. *blush*
They are cute items, though, eh?
Lisa/Tikimama/ModTiki/TikiLisa (on Flickr)!
I knew it was you, Tikimama! And I had no problem posting the listing, as you reminded me that I had wanted to research vintage Jack ‘n Jill art, too!
Dreamy bathroom, I love it!
Yes, the jacknjill plaques would be adorable :O)
That bathroom is rad! I love that the house “waited” on you!
I have a couple of sets of those Dolly Toy Co. plaques. One is clowns/circus and the other is cowboys. I’m so kitschy it hurts. LOL
@dolores- The seller paid for half of the plumbing, so that helped a GREAT deal. We had it done all the way to the street. Next stop? Windows!
Oh, the toilets were pink too but we had to replace them with low flow before they would turn the water on. It also appears that the room had pink and white striped wall paper. It’s hard to see in the picture but the countertop is really pink too.
I’ve always wondered what folks using vintage toilets do regarding low-flow rules. Does it vary state by state? This is something I do not know, as we installed new toilets, as well.
I have never seen anything like this, super cool!
I am a little confused about this is supposed to function. One side is a guest bath? Sooooooo, your guests are brushing their teeth and you are showering at the same time? That can’t be right. Someone help me!
Congrats on your new home. It is MCM fabulous. Of course, that means it comes with its share of MCM necessary repairs. Repiping first was a smart move. So many of my neighbors chose asethetic updates before getting to the plumbing. Sure enough, those tired, old galvenized pipes blew, ruining their beautiful new carpet, wood flooring, drywall, etc. Make sure to check out the wiring, heating/air, and other structural elements before moving on to the fun stuff. Your home –esp. that amazing bathroom–is a real gem. Enjoy it. And pls post pics of the starburst light fixtures!
@Pam- The county I live in requires that when you buy a home you must have low flow toilets. Otherwise they will not turn your water on. As far as I know this is a county thing, not a statewide thing.
@Virginia- Actually yes, that is how it would work! However there is also a (slightly less pink) full bath downstairs as well.
@GenJenn- I have some pictures my starburst lights. I will post them to my blog later.
This “adorable” Susan is my niece!!! LOVED all the pictures and the “retro” bathroom. Mine, growing up, was mint green and I loved it!!! Can’t wait to see it “in person” in November!
Aunt Sue
so, i’m not sure if it would qualify with regard to low-flow legal requirements, but it might be worth looking into retrofits if you’re concerned about water use in your awesome old toilet.
i haven’t done a lot of research on this (yet), so i can’t really give y’all any details, but i’ve read that there are ways to lower the flow of a toilet (involving, at least, replacing the flapper). there are also dual-flush converter kits you can get for $25-50 to make your current toilet into a dual-flush variety (for example: http://www.dualflushkit.com/ , but there are a number of different ones). mind, i haven’t done any of this, so it’s more of an idea than a recommendation =)
What a find! I am very envious……I always wanted a 60′s Split Level but it was never meant to be…. always ended up with Ranches. Best of luck to you with many many happy Retro years to come .
I just have to say: This is one of my favorite photos yet. Readers: When you send me your interiors – get a person in them!
Great to read this! I went looking for vintage bathroom photos and went to This Old House. Why do they call it that? Their bathroom section was one old pink (and other great colors) bathroom being ripped out after another. How depressing and they should change their name.
Yes, it’s nice to see the appreciative owner in her space.
Congrats! What a great story and your house is so lucky to have you! Adorable bathroom!
I was introduced to the gem that is Northcrest by friends during my last visit to Atlanta, and totally get why Jill & Eric chose to buy there. Thank you so much for highlighting them and their bathroom!
Er… Susan and Eric. (It’s Monday.
)
That’s my old house! I bought it from the original owner in early 2001 and had it for a couple of years. Glad to see it getting some love!
-Dallas Howell