Planning a retro pink bathroom from scratch is not an easy task: As you well know, pink tiles are hard to find and then, all pinks are not created equal. My quest for pink tile feels similar to the story of Goldilocks and the three bears — except it’s Kate dipping her hungry spoon in pink bathroom tiles. Sure enough, I found that deciding on the right pink was tricky — some were too bright, some were too purple. And like anything else, it depends on personal taste to determine which pink tiles may be the *right* pink tiles for your bathroom design. What follows is my personal quest. I ordered up a bundle of samples from all the places I could find — and then began to mix, match, compare and contrast until, yes, all I could see was pink!
The quest began with 4″ x 4″ wall tiles — using Pam’s post 12 places to find 4×4 ceramic bathroom tile in vintage colors as my reference starting point. First on the list was requesting samples from American Universal Corp. — who seemed to have two different pink shades. At $7.95 per sq. ft., these tiles are a relatively affordable option. The BRM – 6070 (above, top) is more of a peach pink, but is close to what I was looking for. I had high hopes for the BRM – 6020 (above, bottom) color, but in person it was more purple-pink than I had in mind for my bathroom remodel.
American Universal also had several pink mosaic options such as their 1 inch mosaics. These retail for $9.95/sq. ft. The top right mosaic, DOT-91, again was more of a peachy pink. It coordinate well with the BRM – 6070. Meanwhile, the DOT-94 (bottom) is a pink with a more purple hue, similar to the BRM-6020. Note: I also found that Mosaic Tile Supplies carries the exact same tiles (shown overlapping the DOT tiles from American Universal above) Blok 191 and Blok 194 for $11.95/sq. ft.
Both American Universal Corp. and Mosaic Tile Supplies also carry glaze and unglazed hex tile that appear to be the same tiles. The unglazed tile (top) was once again a little too purple pink for my liking. I did like the bottom glazed hex tile — which coordinates well with American Universal Corp.’s BRM-6070 peachy pink 4×4 tile. The unglazed hex (LGH-207) retails for $10.95 at MTS and $8.95 at AUC (SX-207). The glazed hex (SX-10) at AUC is $8.95/sq. ft. and (LGH-10) $10.95 at MTS.
I ordered samples of AUC’s pink penny round tile, but for some reason they weren’t sent in my sample pack. I can assume, though, that they would be the same as the samples of penny round from MTS (shown above) since it seems both companies get their tile from Japan — quite possibly the same manufacturer. Above left is MTS LPR -0307 which may be the same as AUC BRP-3070 and has a peachier tone. The sample on the right is LPR-0302 from MTS or BRP-3020 from AUC. AUC comes in again with slightly lower prices at $8.95/sq. ft. for penny round while MTS sells them at $11.25/sq. ft.
Mosaic Tile Supplies does have 3/4 inch square unglazed mosaic tile in varying shades of pink (shown above) which would be good for a shower or bathroom floor. Top left is C13 Flesh (5.73/sq. ft.), top right is C14 Rose Pink ($4.74/sq. ft.), bottom left is C17 Romance ($4.74/sq. ft.) and bottom right is C16 Antique Rose ($4.75/sq. ft.).
Next on the list was Daltile. They have one 4″ x 4″ pink glazed tile (Q095 – Carnation Pink at $7.44 sq ft.), which was simply too dark for the retro modern bathroom remodel I had in mind. I did like their mosaic tile tool which allowed me to make the pattern to the right with their Carnation pink unglazed tile and Carnation Speckle unglazed tile (plus Arctic white unglazed). At $9.75 sq.ft. it is a custom tile blend with a relatively affordable price. Still, I wasn’t sold that it was the right color pink for my bathroom design.
Just when I was starting to lose hope that I would ever find the right pink tiles, my sample from B&W Tile arrived. Shown above (right) next to the samples from AUC tile, the B&W 70W pink tile is the perfect color pink I had in mind. It is just the right shade of pink for a vintage bathroom remodel — which makes sense because B&W has been making these tiles for 60 years right here in the USA — where pink bathrooms began. At $4.09/sq. ft., B&W’s pink tile is a great price and just the color I was looking for.
Note: Reader Janice used just this shade of B&W pink in her bathroom remodel — it looks great!
My next problem became deciding what to use on the floor that would coordinate with the perfect pink B&W tile. The Carnation Daltile didn’t quite work for me — the pinks were too different.
Next I tried the B&W pink tile with the glazed pink hex — I think this could work, but I wasn’t in love with the option.
I tried to get a sample of the Text Pink from Nemo tile — but I was sent totally different tile samples instead. I did find out that the price is $5.95 per sq.ft., but have yet to get an actual sample to look at.
Then, in a frantic online search for more pink tile options, I discovered Merola Tile’s University Pink. Available at the Home Depot at the relatively affordable price of $9.26/sq.ft., this retro looking pink tile just might be the ticket. I got my hands on a sample and found it coordinated beautifully with the B&W pink tile.
By golly — my Goldilocks search for pink tiles may be at an end. The B&W 70W pink and Merola Tile University Pink look to me to be a retro match made in heaven. I’d still like to see a sample of the Nemo Tile Text Pink in person before I make my final decision — but at this moment my mind is made up.
Lynn says
I need help locating vintage 4×4 lavender unglazed tile for a shower that needs repair. The bathroom was built in the 1920’s.
pam kueber says
A tough one, Lynn. All our tile research is in the Bathroom Help / Tile Help & Ideas subcategory
Harlan Simon says
I have a pink cast iron 60″ tub from an old 40’s bathroom in LA (San Fernando Valley). Is there a buy/sell place to post this so it can go to a good home?
pam kueber says
craigslist is your best bet, Harlan
reggie walker says
I’m remodeling my bathroom and I’m looking for that retro pink that was a common color in houses built in the early 40’s and I’m have a dickens of a time find this color tile to replace some tiles that are cracked and worn. I was looking at the pink tile that Janice has in her bathroom by B7W tile pink 70W pink posted on this page and it’s seem like that would be a perfect match. However is it anyway that I get a couple of pieces of that tile to see if it is the correct match before placing a order?
Thanks
pam kueber says
Reggie, contact the companies directly for samples.
Roger Homefield says
How can we buy (and match to our 1971 vintage house) your
PINK 4×4 Bathroom Wall Tiles? Where can we go to match?
We need 4 Square feet.
Please advise ASAP as we’re in the middle of the job!!
THANKS
Roger Homefield
954-483-8870
homefield@comcast.net
Kate says
Roger, we do not sell anything here. Please click on the links in this story to be directed to tile manufacturers websites. Also check our story 13 places to find 4×4 ceramic bathroom tiles in vintage colors: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/16/12-places-to-find-4-x-4-ceramic-bathroom-tile-in-vintage-colors/
Good luck!
Kristin says
I contacted B&W tile and they informed me they do not make ceramic accessories such as toothbrush holders or soap dishes, etc. However they said they normally stock items from HPC Industries in 61 Light Pink which they claimed was a close match to B&W 70W pink.
I ordered sample tiles from HPC in 61 Light Pink and also 62 Light Rose and compared them to my sample B&W tile. The 62 Light Rose was the closest match. It’s just a minute touch less warm colored than 70W pink but extremely close overall. The 61 Pink is much darker than 70W although it is warmer and more peachy-colored in tone than 62. (I think the ideal match would be 62 pink with a speck of 61 mixed in.) I found a place to order the ceramic HPC accessories online: prosupplycenter.com
I haven’t tried ordering yet as I thought I would try emailing deabath first to ask if they have any vintage accessories in stock. If that fails then I will try prosupplycenter.
pam kueber says
Thanks for the info!!!!
Jennifer says
Just a heads up: I went to prosupplycenter, as recommended above, to look for the HPC accessories. Unfortunately, the company seems to have discontinued the mid-century colors. Boo! I’ll look for other sources. I’ll do a search here to start with.
pam kueber says
Have you tried AC products – https://retrorenovation.com/2014/11/13/ceramic-soap-dish-bathroom/
All research on ceramic accessories here — https://retrorenovation.com/category/bathroom-categories/other-stuff-like-accessories-hardware/
Jennifer says
AC Products is a great resource. More than 100 colors. Now it’s just a matter of which of the two pinks is right–shell pink or regular pink.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Kristin says
The recessed soap dish, toilet paper holder and towel bar holders in my 1940 bathroom are a near perfect match to the B&W 70W pink. (I ordered a sample tile to compare.) Is there any place that carries other ceramic accessories in that pink? Would really like to find others such as a toothbrush holder or cup holder.
I also really want to find a 1940 style pedestal sink or other appropriate style sink to restore my bathroom. I have the original tub which is very close to the B&W 70W pink except slightly duller which I think may just be the way the glaze looks over iron as opposed to ceramic. The sink was replaced sometime in the 60s I think so doesn’t match and the wood cabinet is starting to disintegrate a bit.
(The toilet was also replaced with just a plain white one but it’s separated so doesn’t look as out of place although would be nice to restore it to a matching pink one too. 🙂 )
pam kueber says
Hi Kristin,
Good on you! Have you gone through our categories — in the blue near the top of the blog? We have stories on where to find these items, all in the Bathroom category and its subcategories!
Kristin says
Hi Pam,
Thanks! I will keep searching through all your articles. Will post again to let others know if I am able to locate items matching B&W 70W pink tile color.
Amanda Blanton says
So glad I found this!! I am trying to come up with a way to incorporate pink tile into my bathroom! I am switching up the tub (I NEED a soaking tub) so that and the sink will be white. If I can do pink walls and counters, that University Pink floor just may be the answer!!!
Susan Grunke says
I have the original pink tile in my very tiny bathroom in Jupiter Fl. I need to replace the floor tiles and your work on your pink bathroom had solved my problem. Eventually I will change the floor in the blue green bathroom
Wendy says
You will not believe how much work you have saved me. We bought a house built in 1961 and this peachy/pink/salmon tile is in one of the bathrooms. It is in pristine condition and is in the shower/tub up to the ceiling and on the walls of the bathroom (up about half way or a little more) By the pictures shown here, it matches the B&W 70W pink perfectly! I am looking to redo the floor and am wondering if you used the Merola Tile University Pink for your floor …
Kate says
Yup, I sure did use the University pink!
Lisa Compo says
Hi Kate, I looked on B&W’s website and am having trouble finding any versions of pink tiles. Maybe I am not looking at the right things. Did you just call them and they sent you samples to see? I am hoping to build a house next year with a big pink bathroom and would love to use new tiles because finding used ones is not as easy as I thought it would be. So you used 70W University pink? Can you let me know if this is correct so I can call and order a few samples. I want as close to the Mamie pink as possible and since you’ve seen them all maybe you could guide me. I don’t want peach or purple..just a true good old fashioned pink like you selected. Thanks for any help you can give me. 🙂 BTW…your bathroom looks great–I just watched the video.
pam kueber says
See Bathroom / Tile category. We have a story where you can see B&W tile colors from another company that sells B&W tile. Also, you can use the Search box – b and w colors comes right up
Kate says
Hi Lisa,
Yes, I used B&W Pink 70 ceramic tile for my bathroom. It is not peachy or purpley, but a true vintage Maime Pink. It is a near perfect match to my 1960 vintage pink sink that I salvaged. Just call B&W and they will send you a sample. Good luck on your project!
Joe Felice says
Maybe it’s just the monitor, but none of those tiles looks truly pink, as in Janice’s bathroom, except for the Text Nemo floor tile. Some of those actually look close to the color you’re trying to replace, but most look dusty rose. Is it, in fact, possible to find actual pink tile in the shade used back then, instead of salmon, flesh, peach or rose? I honestly don’t know, because I’ve never looked for it.
Kate says
Joe, The tile I am using for my bathroom walls is the B&W pink tile that Janice used — same color. In reality, it does read as pink, not salmon, flesh or peachy. I found a vintage 1960s sink that was torn out of an old bathroom and the pink of the sink exactly matches the pink B&W tile — so I’m thinking it is a pretty authentic pink.