Talk about resourceful! Kari and her husband recently gut-remodeled and enlarged the 25-square-foot half-bath attached to the master bedroom in their 1954 split-level home. And to remake it, they scoured their local ReStore, salvage places, craigslist, estate sales and ebay for incredible deals on both new and great-shape salvaged materials to use. Time can equal money and indeed, by putting in the time, they saved hundreds — probably thousands of dollars — on wall tile and trim, glass block, plumbing fixtures and more. And yup, this handy couple then DIY installed everything to make this gorgeous, vintage style yellow-and-black bathroom that suits the house perfectly!
Kari wrote (edited to combine a few emails and for flow):
My husband and I recently remodeled and added a shower to our 1954 split-level master half bath. After seeing your website with readers remodels, we decided to stay true to the era of our home.
We had limited space and used all salvaged materials with a few exceptions, and it really came out great. My husband did all the rough-in carpentry, plumbing, and electrical. I came up with the design, built the shower pan, and did all the tiling and glass block.
The small 5′ x 5′ master bedroom half-bath had been redone in the 80’s or 90’s by previous owners. We were able to steal a foot of space from one of the two 5′ wide closets, giving us a total space of 5′ x 6′. It was a little tricky taking pictures in such a tiny space. The photo above was taken after the floor and shower base were tiled in. We left the toilet in the original spot, and the wall to the right side of photo was the one we bumped out. The original sink was were the corner of the new shower base is.
I am honored that you want to show our project on the blog. Retro Renovation and the readers’ projects have been a huge inspiration for us. Before your blog, we were headed for a millennial remodel — I’m so glad we didn’t do it. Our home definitely has a mid-century look with an asymmetric roof-line and hopefully a bathroom that looks as if it’s always been there.
Thank you,
Kari
Kari and Tony: What an inspiration your project is! You’ve done something I’ve often dreamed of: Finding and using mostly all vintage or salvage materials to create a space — and then you built it yourself to0! Congratulations on an amazing job — and thank you so much for sharing!
Resources for Kari and Tony’s super resourceful bathroom remodel:
Kari said:
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The floor and black trim and base tile was purchased at a local big box store.
- The black hex tile in the shower was $10 from the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
- I was really undecided about the color for the wall tile — I didn’t want anything too dark in such a small space with no window. I found nine boxes of Interceramic metro yellow plus one box of yellow bullnose trim at a salvage warehouse for $90. They carry this same tile at Classic Tile in New York.
- I found the glass blocks on Craigslist for $50. Put them up the old-fashioned way — with mortar.
- Standard one-piece low profile toilet, from Habitat for Humanity ReStore — $35. By the way, for all the colored toilets out there, a black seat — $40 from Amazon — works nicely.
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Shower curtain — $15 eBay
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Neo-angle shower rod — $67 Amazon
- American Standard sink — Craigslist $65.
- Shower head from eBay. Found matching shower handles at Locke Plumbing.
- Medicine cabinet, on Craigslist for $75.
- Nutone fan/light combo at a salvage warehouse, $7 (recently had to replace fan motor for $48, thru Amazon)
- Finally with such a small room, we needed some storage. At a local estate sale I found a cool tension-pole shelf unit for $15.
Kristen says
Wow! Great job Kari and Tony! I love how much you salvaged and your attention to detail. It really came together wonderfully!
Grama Robin says
I tried so hard to find that shower curtain in green! Spent months searching on eBay and finally found something else but that’s gorgeous! Love the lights over the sink!
Kari says
There’s a story behind that shower curtain. I saw it on eBay and the listing was only $14.99 plus shipping. I searched the listing for a measurement and didn’t find one so I assumed it was a standard size. When I got it and opened the box, I found that it had been cut in half. I was disappointed & was planning to send it back but the lister was would only give me the cost of the item for a refund & not the shipping I had paid to get it or return shipping. I think I must have been planning this bathroom about the same time & decided the half size will work perfectly for the smaller opening of the shower.
pam kueber says
So sometimes the Retro Decorating Gods are doing the thinking for us!
Kari says
At cafepress.com you can design your own shower curtain.
Jenny says
Anyone else feel like that is the prettiest toilet? I feel weird typing it, a pretty toilet? I didn’t know that was a thing.
Kari says
I love the toilet too and when I saw it at our local Habitat for Humanity, I had to have it. I have since found two more for our other two bathrooms, one with an oblong bowl, will go in a larger bath.
Lisa Compo says
I have to hop in here. I just got the same toilet a couple weeks ago. Venetian Pink! I am saving it and the matching sink for the house I want to build out of reto goodies, odds and ends salvaged, purchased etc…like you did here.
Anyway, after many hours of research one day, I am almost certain it’s called the American Standard “Master” lowboy. Mine is from 1960. I was dying to know the model name, so I wanted to share it with those who also think it’s a neat style. Can you believe there are You Tube videos made of it flushing? LOL.
Great job on the whole room, it’s beautiful. I also think the colors are perfect. Super tile job, looks like it’s been there forever and professionally done. Another inspiring story.
pam kueber says
Yes, it’s a very pretty toilet. We like to talk about toilet design here; you are in good company.
Marie Gamalski says
It is a neat little toilet…. like the sort of “niche”(?) in the tank… great for a small space.
Mary Elizabeth says
Yes, we do talk about pretty potties here a lot. Jenny must be new to our group! 🙂
Carol says
Just about the best toilet design EVER. The black seat is very appropriate in this bathroom. Wonderful design, I thought it was original until I started reading.
Barbara says
Two heads are better than one!
A little bit of patience, a little bit of time, a little bit of team work and lots of Pamela’s retro renovation information to get our projects started and finished.
Absolutely, beautiful job Kari and Tony!
LOL…can’t forget about taking care of the little ladies when it comes to our shaving ledges. What would we do, balance on one leg? LOL!
Barbara
Elizabeth says
Oh, luv luv luv! I love the happy yellow colour! Great job!
Andi says
What a fabulous job! Your goal of having it look original to the house was completely met…it looks wonderful!
I love the yellow and black tile. Nothing like a great find to help the color-decision process, but the yellow seems perfect for the petite space.
Congratulations on a super job—so impressive that you did all that work yourself, too!
Melinda says
Great job! I love the sunny yellow color and that you kept it true to your house.
deb says
Looks fantastic!
Dan says
What a charmer! Redos like this, wisely designed to suit the house, not current design whims, will always look just right.
Madeline says
I love it! The black tiles look just like the ones we used in our circa 1934 mid-terrace over here in England.