All that was left of the original 1976 bathroom in Kathy and Ralph’s house was a Kohler Fresh Green receptor tub. There had once been matching orange sinks! What would daredevil decorator Kathy do to bring this bathroom back to the ’70s? Hint: Her ingenious solutions were found at the Re-Store, World of Tile, and a local old-time wallpaper store. This bathroom project may shock minimalists’ eyes — but it makes mine very happy indeed.
Kathy writes:
We are the third owners of our 1966 cedar contemporary, the second owners’ staying only 5 years. By coincidence, we became acquainted with a woman who grew up in the house, giving us access to valuable info.
This project was our second bath. It was originally finished a decade or more after the house was built and was done inexpensively — masonite paneling, plywood shelving, white laminate counter, tile board tub surround, vinyl floor — but the kids picked the fixture colors. They chose Kohler Fresh Green for the receptor tub and toilet and orange for the pair of oval sinks.
Unfortunately, it was all removed by owner #2 – except for the tub, which had been recoated WHITE and accented with colonial-style fixtures. Now there was golden oak everywhere. The floor was bland grey vinyl off the roll from a big box store.
At our local ReStore, we were amazed to find a vintage vanity clad all in black marble Formica with muted green and gold veining.
It came complete with TWO ORANGE OVAL SINKS with crazy gold faucets! We made a deal and took it home, where it lived in storage in our basement for 2 years.
In the interim, the white coating on our little Kohler Standish tub began to chip, then peel. With the help of a scraper, I had the whole thing back to green in a few hours. It shows the acid etching from the refinishing, but a couple of coats of canuba wax improved things enough to get by.
Pam interjects: Readers, be aware that old materials, products and their layers may contain hazards. Get with your own properly licensed professionals to assess what you are dealing with so that you can make informed decisions. For more info see my Be Safe/Renovate Safe page.
I’ve always loved exuberant wallpapered 1970s bathrooms. I couldn’t spend $600 on vintage foil or mylar, so I hit our local old-time paint and wallpaper store and was pleasantly surprised to find recently discontinued designs with a 70s vibe at dirt cheap prices. For $60, I picked out a great leafy pattern in blues and greens and had fun learning to hang it myself.
For the floor, we made a road trip to New Jersey and World of Tile just in time before they liquidated. It took less than an hour to pick out our cream tile with green accents for only $2 a square foot.
A methodical handy man friend installed it all, retrofitting the vanity perfectly, which even required some laminate to be removed and moved around. I repaired and papered the walls and changed out the tub faucet trim.
I left one of the oak cabinets, refinished in a darker color, along with the white solid surface tub surround.
Someday, I’ll find a Kohler Fresh Green toilet. For now, a fresh green Bemis toilet seat represents.
Other finishing touches include vintage Carriage House by Amerock towel bars and accessories, and a 1970s Syroco wall decoration. Mirrors from Lowe’s and a shower curtain from Target round it all out.
We love our new/old glam bathroom. I look forward to the day someone visiting our house for the first time sees the bathroom and says, “Yikes! I’ll bet you can’t wait to get rid of this!” But everyone so far seems to genuinely love it, too.
Fabulous. Just fabulous. And, you used one of my all-time favorite World of Tile tiles! Thank you, Kathy and Ralph!
Carolyne says
This looks terrific. I don’t even usually like orange in décor but it really looks great here – although I too am wondering like one of the posters above if these sinks actually came out of this house in the first place – orange sinks seem so unique! Love the wallpaper, it really works with the laminate. Hope someday you find the green toilet! That would be super fab.
Amarissa Parker says
LOVE that gorgeous tile!!!
Maile says
Wowzy Dowzy, as g’ma would say! I am such a proponent of do what you want to your space to make you happy. So happy for your achievement! Enjoy!
Sarah S. says
LOVE. THIS.
Gretchen in Greenwood says
I admire the creative re-use of materials- not only glamorous, but eco-friendly. Retro-renovators, saving the planet one bathroom at a time!
Katie B. says
Those orange sinks are awesome! Even though the wallpaper and vanity add lots of pattern, I think it works because the colors are fairly muted. It lets the bright, shiny fixtures be the main focus. You guys did a great job!
slythwolf says
You know, I’m not really a fan of 70s decor in general, but this is gorgeous!
Martha says
Great remodel, I love that vanity with those orange sinks!
Jay says
Very nice – a new time capsule. What were the odds of finding that vanity w/sinks (orange no less, like the original bath)? I am amazed it made it to a Re-store in one piece and wasn’t demolished when removed from its former home.
lynngweeny says
Love all the colors…that vanity is awesome with the orange sinks! You did a knock out job!