Hi Pam
I have lived in my 1957 house since 1977 shortly after getting married. My Ex said he didn’t want to buy the house because the bathroom was Pink. At the time the walls were also painted pink but not an attractive pink. The Realtor said he would help us paint the entire inside of the house white if we would buy it. So we masked off all the woodwork and went with it. I think the Ex thought he would tear out the pink and maroon tile but we got rid of him before he could do any damage. Incidently, the outside of the house was painted pink as well.
About three years ago I noticed my shower wall (drywall) was wet on the outside of the shower wall. My shower floor was leaking into the sub floor as well. I crawled under the house and saw water marks on the wood sub-floor. Luckily no dry rot had occurred. When I contacted my contractor to get it replaced he told me to go find the tile cause the old tile was not going to be saved.
I was heart broken for a couple months searching for a match until I found B&W tile out of Carlsbad CA, and located a retailer in Sacramento who carried the tile so I could match samples. I matched my tile almost perfectly. It turns out my Peach/pink tile is “tan” according to B&W. The new Maroon bullnose was a bit darker than the original but not so noticeable and only touched the old tile in a couple small places on baseboard.
I caught it early enough so only had to rebuild the shower and my contractor was very careful not to damage any of the floor tiles. He saved a couple of small maroon corner pieces to reuse. I also asked him to save the soap dish and I cleaned the mortar and glue off and he re-installed it. He also added a shampoo shelf that was not in the original. The old shower ceiling was lower than the rest of the bathroom. My contractor said in his experience there is probably no reason for it and he would check up in the attic and make sure and remove it which allows more lite in the shower stall. It also allowed me to add a second row of maroon 4×4 tiles as accent at the top.
I’ve attached before and after pics of the shower and also included addition pics of the rest of my beautiful 1957 bathroom.
Thanks for helping to Save the Pink Bathrooms. Love mine to death!!
Marsha, your hard work has certainly paid off. Your new tile shower is not only nicer — with the higher ceiling and additional storage in the tiled niche — but it also looks as though it could have been original to your bathroom. Another great touch is your well-placed matching burgundy accent wall — which works so nicely to add extra color to your charming bathroom. You have the touch! Thanks so much for sharing your story and photos with all of us retro bathroom loving folk — it is always wonderful to hear a vintage bathroom story with a happy ending.
Readers, if you’re looking for replacement tile, B&W is one of our two, key go-to places. Take a look at this story we wrote — pointing to where you can see 20 of B&W Tile’s 52 retro colors online. Other go-to source: World of Tile, for time capsule vintage tile.
Samantha Anastasiou says
I’m having to redo my shower from the original 1963 tiles due to mold growing behind the bottom on the old drywall, but it’s only on the bottom. We’ve taken out all the bottom tiles they are Franciscan tiles and I can’t find them. Is it true you can’t save the old tiles? I was just going to remove the rotten board and replace everything and regrout all the tiles, and I’ve been looking for on here for similar stories but so far people are getting new tiles! Please point me in the right direction thank you Sam
Pam Kueber says
I am not an expert so you should find a pro to answer this question… That said, I would think they could be re-used.
Stephanie says
I know this is an older post, but I would love to know the Sacramento retailer who carried the tiles! I just purchased a 1953 ranch in River Park and I am trying to save as much as possible. We know that there is a shower that needs a lot of work. Thank you Marsha and your home is beautiful!
Pam Kueber says
Contact B&W to find out.
Carrie says
This is awesome, and I am happy to have stumbled upon this site! Marsha, your bathroom looks almost identical to mine! But, unfortunately, I only have the sink/countertop remaining, and the wall over the bathtub. All of the floor tile has been removed.
Mine was built in 1948, and my “pink bathroom” and original hardwood in the living, dining, and front two bedrooms is all that remains of the original home’s craftsmanship.
(I feel like we might be neighbors, looking at your photos!)
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home!
Sandy says
I need pinky-peach tile replacements for the bath in the house my parents built in 1950. B&W is not a match. I live in Orange County, CA. Any ideas? Thank you.
pam kueber says
See our Bathroom Help / Tile category for our stories on where to look for tile.
Carol says
I would buy your house from the curb without even looking inside! It’s no wonder you’ve lived there since ’77. Beautiful home and great bathroom.