There are archeologists among us — and of course they love the treasures in their 1954 home, including photos from their 1954 home’s original construction… and their original pink bathroom. Valerie writes: .
“I started reading your blog in April while shopping for my first house in Milwaukee. My husband and I actually bought a home built in 1954 on a lovely wooded lot. We are the second owners, however, the only room that appears to be essentially unaltered is a bathroom. You will be happy to see there is a lot of pink! Pink tile, sink and tub to be exact – in addition to a towel bar, soap dishes and paper dispenser. The toilet is gray as is the floor tile. I believe the tub surround required recent repairs as a box of the long gray tiles is in the basement. Other than that, the vanity doors are the only obvious update. My young daughters call this the “princess bathroom”, and the seller was very happy to learn we liked it as is. She was kind enough to give us pictures of the house taken by her father during construction. We learned it was originally built as a two bedroom, one bath; another bedroom, bath, sunroom and garage were added in 1958. It is great fun to read about the many wonderful homes people share on Retro Renovation so it is a privilege to contribute in my own small way! My DH & I dreamed of buying a home for years, not specifically mid-century, but we definitely favored older houses. Not surprising since we both have degrees in archeology and a deep appreciation for most artifacts more than 40 years old. Mid-century homes appealed to us in that respect (so much character!) and on a rather practical level. We found so many houses of that era in our price range that offered spacious floor plans, lovely yards, and minimal sweat equity. The fantastic fireplaces and built-in china cabinets are icing on the cake! I hope you like the bathroom; the paint color is fine for now if a little dark for my taste. I suspect wallpaper was removed because the texture if so flat – how I wish the walls could talk! We love our “new” home. Once a few pressing projects are finished I’m excited to start decorating with the help of your blog.”
Matt writes: Wow Valerie! You’re daughters are right, you do have princess bathroom. It makes me so happy to know you and your husband are archeologists who are also retro renovators – what I wish to be one day. It’s great you’re so passionate about our past and its homes. You definitely made the right choice when it came to your house. I completely agree with you that it is the character mid century home can have that makes them so desirable when it comes to choosing a new home. You won’t get that same vibe from a new home, and if you do you’ll be paying twice the price. I love all your recessed soap dishes. You may not think it at first, but the gray tile goes well with the pink. With all the good you got goin’ on, we won’t count the new vanity doors against you.
Pam adds: Yes, it appears the entire tub surround – white field tile with grey bullnose — is newer? That said, the coordination with the pink is nicely done.
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MidCMitzi says
What a treasure you have! Your bathroom has a very luxurious layout (no cramming the tub, toilet and sink into one dinky space), and I find the mix of pink, white and gray tiles, and pink and gray fixtures, to be very charming. This looks like a home that has been maintained, and tastefully improved, over a lifetime rather than the “gut and redo according to current fads” makeover that seems to be all too common nowadays. I am especially intrigued by the fact that the original builders didn’t clearcut the lot, even with a basement in the plan! The exterior is very inviting as well. Would like to see the floorplan as well.
Heather F says
LOVE the gray tile floor! That bathroom is gorgeous!
Alice says
The pink and gray are so pretty together! The grout looks pristine! Don’t you love waking up to those R2-D2 faucet knobs? Mine make me smile everytime! Awesome escutcheon around the keyhole! Thanks for sharing!
Valerie C. says
Thank you for all the kind comments! We were drawn to this house for lots of reasons with all the trees and windows high on the list. Our kitchen was redone around 1985 but it retains an efficient work triangle so we are only planning cosmetic changes there – new counters are my top choice. The pink bathroom is thrilling as is but I do want to research wallpaper options. We were surprised to learn that the house was not originally 3 bed/2 bath however that knowledge increases the significance of the exposed brick in the “new” master bedroom since it was the exterior of the fireplace during the home’s first incarnation! The appraisal report included a floorplan which I will scan and forward to Pam as soon as possible which will hopefully illustrate the addition’s flow. Have a great day!
Kelly LeBel says
WOW! That is truly a beautiful home. Even my husband said the pink bathroom was beautiful and he is not a lover of that color. Lucky!!!
Tera says
Oh My GAWD! Dreamy, dreamy, dreamy this is the dreamiest pink bathrom I have ever seen. Very lucky home owners.
Amy Hill says
Very pretty house! Any way you could include a floorplan? I’m interested in seeing how the addition is attached to the house. It looks so seamless, as if it was original. Thank you for sharing!
Gavin Hastings says
Pink, White and Taupe….these folks had flair!
Nice.
Shane Walp says
Looks purdy kool! My ranch was also built in 1954, and had updates through the early ’80s, which I am undoing. I’m not an archeologist, but a restorer. I’m also the 2nd owner, and everything was pretty well cared for.
Right now, my house is turquoise. I mean, like, Indian jewlery turquoise! LOL on the original cedar siding. We removed the vinyl siding and will be painting the house HOPEFULLY this fall. The original color was kind of a slate gray, which it will be again. The difference being – my girlfriend/fiancee wants to do the gables, and the pattern across the front “connecting” the windows, in light pink. Normally, these areas are white on these houses. Window trim will stay white.
Should look pretty good when finished. Good luck!
Eartha Kitsch says
What a beautiful home! I love the way that the tree are nestled all around it. That bathroom is absolutely wonderful and so pristine! I love the way that the mirror is put in between two windows. You don’t often get that much light in older bathrooms. I’m glad that it came into the right hands!