In 2010 I instituted “The Hard Way Award”, honoring one reader each year who chose the path less traveled: Pursuing a Retro Renovation that, on the main, bypasses off-the-shelf big box supplies in favor of a more arduous period-inspired renovation using hard-to-find and/or salvaged material. A renovation that truly shows the passion for… doing things the hard way. This year’s winners: Janice and her husband Greg, who on their own gut-renovated a remuddled bathroom in their 1954 house — and install, in its place, a Mamie pink bathroom trimmed in black and white.
Janice also chronicled the story in blow-by-blow detail — providing other readers valuable resources and insight. Janice explained how it all got started:
My love affair with pink bathrooms is a new one. I never once thought about wanting or needing a pink bathroom when my husband and I first started searching for a mid-century ranch three years ago. Had I known then what I know now, I might have held out until I found the perfect time capsule bathroom. But, I didn’t know better and we bought a house with two bathrooms – neither of which are pink. After reading all about the Save the Pink Bathrooms crusade and drooling over the RR Blog’s readers’ own pink beauties, I decided I might not have inherited a pink bathroom, but by golly, I could build my own.
In reality, this award also recognizes Janice’s renovation of her kitchen in 2010. Janice, you are an inspiration. xoxo. Hey, there is no prize per se for this award — just the accolades and admiration of the entire Retro Renovation Nation. Nation: Hows about let’s send Janice and Greg lotsa Comment applause! 🙂
Runner-up: Carrie and her family for their spirited kitchen renovation. And there were other great stories, too. You all make it so hard to *choose*. Yes: You are all winners!
Jason says
Just referenced this post and the save the pink site on another blog, who had a commenter lamenting their mamie pink bath. Ugh…I hope it helps.
pam kueber says
Thank you. Often lamenters find SaveThePinkBathrooms.com — and turn around 180 degrees.
gsciencechick says
Congrats, Janice and DH! For when we have to replace our floor, I’m definitely using the Lowe’s pinwheel tile!
Lisa says
Janice, your bath and kitchen are lovely! From the pictures it looks like a nice benefit of the retro design is that the kitchen appears larger in the “after” photos. The clean lines and cheerful colors visually expand the space.
I’d like to draw attention to the shower door. The etching is a nice touch!
Lisa says
Thanks for re-featuring Susan, last year’s winner — that predates my reading of this blog and I had never seen her charming kitchen before. Susan, are you still reading, or does anyone else know: what is the paint color on your walls? That looks like the green I have been seeking for my kitchen. I am not as hardcore as some, but I think I have a decent shot at making over my 90’s faux French kitchen into something reminiscent of the 1940s. The house is from the teens, and it is probable that this room was converted from back porch to kitchen somewhere between 1920-1950. There’s a cabinet in the basement that may hail from that era (though no real way to know if it was ever installed upstairs — could have come from anywhere) Anyway, I like that style and I’m going for it as best I can with surface-only changes.
Janice says
I agree – love the color of her walls…her whole kitchen really.
pam kueber says
I re-read the entire original story about Susan’s kitchen — she gives the green color in the Comments in response to another’s question: “Per a request: Paint color on walls is Nurture by Behr (Home Depot’s main brand).”
HRu says
Congrats on your renovation! Very true.
Jill says
Speaking of bathrooms…does anyone know where I can find a 30″ high bath vanity? They are all 34″ to 36″ high now, and I am 4’10” tall…and my 1950’s bathroom has seafoam green soap and toothbrush dispenser at the 36″ mark.
pam kueber says
Jill, I do not know. You could get something set on legs — meaning “a box” and then shorten the legs. See the slide show on bathroom vanities — there are numerous examples — vintage legs can be found easily, including New Old Stock from Chippy at World of Tile — https://retrorenovation.com/galleries/ … Alternatively, look for a vintage vanity, or for a sink that sits on metal legs. Deabath.com is good for those.
Lisa says
How about a wall-hung sink? I loved the one at our old house because it was installed nice and high — they are very versatile. Most have holes in the front where you could slip in (non-structural, probably) painted wooden legs to give a more vintage look. You could even do a sink skirt!
Eartha Kitsch says
Way to go, Janice! You seriously deserve to win!
RetroSandie says
Janice, Congrats on a job well done! Your pink bathroom is just gorgeous!!! And your avocado kitchen is gorgeous as well!! How exciting to have such a lovely home, done with respect to its age!!! 🙂