Retro Renovation » accessories, hardware

Mid-century bathroom hardware in Fla.

pam kueber — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:59:17 +0000

Here’s a new resource for mint-in-box mid-century bath hardware: Anderson’s Classic Hardware in West Palm Beach, Florida. I’ve talked to these folks before — and like many other local places that have been in business for decades, they recently discovered some old stock in the back room. They are now listing it online, bit by bit. So, it’s best to check back now and then. For example: I love this little Hall-Mack Aristochrome robe hook. The scale is SO much better than much of the on-steroids designs today. $12 at Anderson’s Classic Hardware.

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A bathroom vanity design including both wood and laminate

pam kueber — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:00:51 +0000

Can’t decide whether you want a bathroom vanity made of wood vs. one made of laminate? Or, do you have a tired wood vanity that could use an inexpensive yet cheerful refresh? This example from 1964 shows how you can have the best of both worlds — and a matching countertop, too. Reader Thom captured these photos — they are from the house that he grew up in, a 1964 ranch in Allegheny County, Virginia, that his parents had built for them. Click on either of the two photos to get to his flickr photostream, where he has a few other terrific images of a classic 60s family house. Drats — now if we could only get laminate like that on the vanity. We can get mosaic floor tile that seems darn close to Thom’s parents’ bathroom – Nemo Appiana. Thom, thank you so much for sharing. This is the first time that I’ve seen a design like this and it’s all the more special because it’s yours.

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Bathroom vanities made from laminate

pam kueber — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:00:29 +0000

When considering bathroom or kitchen cabinetry for a mid-century remodel, I like to remind folks about laminate. This is a material with nearly infinite design choices… it’s relatively affordable… well-constructed, it can last a long time… and it’s authentic mid-century. Over on Very Vintage Las Vegas, Uncle Jack spotlights Heidi and Scott’s mid-century bathroom and kitchen renovations, where laminate was used beautifully. I also have a good start going on a gallery of laminate bathroom vanity designs — lots of groovy possibilities with this material.

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Marimekko shower curtains and towel sets from Crate & Barrel

pam kueber — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:00:56 +0000

This site is first and foremost about resources, so I am gettin’ all the Marimekko linens from Crate & Barrel into the database. Crate & Barrel currently offers authentic 1958 and 1960 shower curtain designs, with four possible colorways (some seem to be original, some are modern interpretations). The 1958 Lehtimaji design shown at left is teal/indigo. The smaller 1960 Tamara print is available in red, olive, and linen. When it comes to bathroom linens I am into matchy-matchy, so it’s exciting that these four designs also have matching towels and washcloths. Hey. You spend a goodly amount of time in your bathroom. It’s a sanctuary. Invest in good towels that make you happy happy happy every time you touch them. Nicely done, Marimekko by Crate and Barrel.

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Alexander Girard bedding and shower curtains at Urban Outfitters

pam kueber — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:16 +0000

Urban Outfitters features bedding, shower curtains, cloth curtains and wall art, all based on archival designs by Alexander Girard. I particularly like the shower curtains, and they are now on sale from $20-$25. The quilts — which also have matching shams — are pretty groovy, too. Urban Outfitters – Alexander Girard.

First spotted by SparklyThings.

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Where to buy chrome soap dishes, crystal and plastic lucite trays

pam kueber — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:00:54 +0000

Bob wrote yesterday to ask for a “No. 622 Soap Holder with Crystal Tray…Over the years the Crystal Tray got broken and the plating in the soap dish is pitted and in bad shape….” This question comes up a lot. Here are some ideas.

Watch for vintage. First of all, if you keep your eyes peeled and can be patient, there is new old stock out there. A favorite new source: Anderson’s Classic Plumbing. Joy, who’s in the family and handles internet sales, recently contacted me. She found a major stash and is slowly but surely listing it on their site. The image above is from Joy’s stock – gorgeous. Also watch ebay — there’s usually always some vintage Hall-Mack of some sort listed at any given time. Here’s what’s currently on ebay under “Hall-Mack”:

Replace the whole thing altogether — Franklin Brass offers recessed soap and tumbler holders in both stainless steel (no rust!) and chrome. They look to have acrylic liners. Link here to FB soap dishes. Link here to my previous post on Franklin Brass products.
Franklin Brass - stainless steel
Replacement acrylic liners. Buy a replacement acrylic liner: Okay, now I am *holding this space*. That’s because I coulda sworn a reader recently wrote in with a suggested source, but of course I can’t find it. (If I don’t nab the stuff as it comes in and make a post right away, my retroworld spins right out of control.)
As for glass: No known source that I know of. But if we find one, we will add it.

UPDATE: Larson Supply Catalog recommended by Lauren; I need to study.

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Glass shelves for your bathroom from the Container Store

pam kueber — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:00:36 +0000

My catalog from The Container Store came the other day, and I thought they had a lot of nice possible solutions for adding storage to a small bathroom. This is always one of our big topics… one of the headaches we must endure living with small, mid-century bathrooms. These glass shelves and brackets look like they are nice quality, and the chrome hardware and lovely green edge of the glass will look sleek in virtually any of our bathrooms, I bet.

They are not *super* cheap, though: $26.24 (on sale) for the 6″ x 24″ x 3″ shelf (the right size for a bathroom.)

If you want something easier on the pocketbook — there are simple mesh ($9.74 on sale) and acrylic shelves ($9.74 and up, on sale) of about the same size. Note: With bathroom shelves — especially in a small bathroom — you don’t want them to extend more than 6″ or so.

You might also scope Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target to see what they have. Here is the direct link to The Container Store shelving page…note, everything is 25% off as I write this. They have lots of other nice shelving and storage options. It’s good to keep an eye on this resource.

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Toothbrushes to fit vintage porcelain ceramic toothbrush holders

pam kueber — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:58:36 +0000

Third up in 3-for-Wednesday Reader Shout-Out: Kristin hunts down toothbrushes to fit old-time porcelain toothbrush holders.

She writes:

hi. i live in a tudor cottage built in 1940. i have 2 full bathrooms that have all original tile work and ceramic accessories including toothbrush holders over the sink. i would love to be able to use these but all the modern toothbrushes have really big and round handles that won’t fit in the holder. do you have any toothbrush brand recommendations for toothbrushes that will actually fit in these holder?

Thanks so much, kristin

I did a little hunting around and sent Kristin this link for Butler Gums here. Now I can’t find her blog (Kristin, so sorry, remind me and I’ll add the link), but I know she found another model on the very same website that she said would fit. Proof: That there is no detail too small for us retro renovators. Finally, I must note that I also advised: Use an electric toothbrush. Truly. I am also a woman of many dental sagas, this is good advice, I’m telling you.

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Bath towels, rugs and a nice selection of shower curtains from Restoration Hardware

pam kueber — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 08:00:25 +0000

I was at the big mall yesterday and scooted into the Restoration Hardware. I don’t get into this store very often, and I think they nixed me from their mailing list for the catalog. I guess I never bought anything. I noticed that they had some really nice pink towels on sale. Back at home I went online and saw that they have a large collection of bath towels, rugs and shower curtains. In fact — I really really think there are a lot of shower curtains here to help out retro renovators — at left, are their choices in “blush” — there also are a number of other nice, mid-century appropriate pastels. Restoration Hardware is not cheap, but they have a good selection, nice quality — and right now their bath linens are 20% off. Link to Restoration Hardware here.

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A 2nd source for recessed ceramic soap dishes, shelves and more – 33 colors

pam kueber — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:00:51 +0000

THANKS GO OUT TO JOAN (I *think*) for finding this new resource (other one here) for recessed porcelain ceramic bathroom soap dishes, shelves, towel bars and toilet paper holders. The manufacturer is HCP Industries, and they make these pieces in 33 colors, many of them great for a midcentury bathroom retro renovation. Click through for some tips on installing recessed shelves… a slide show and the link to HCP…

Some advice on recessed shelving in the bathtub surround:

More is better, when it comes to shelving. I swear I am not a bathing beauty diva… I am very low maintenance in this regard… and even so, I have: shampoo, conditioner, super conditioner to keep my hair from getting all static electricity-y, shower gel, shaving cream, clearasil face wash, clearasil super scrubber, buffer cream stuff I got on a trip 2 years ago, etc. etc. etc. Now, aren’t you glad you know what’s in my bathtub.
Also, if you have the choice, recess the shelves at the far back of the bathtub – not on the side. That way, when the shower curtain is open, you are not staring at the shelf.
Oh and there’s more: I was told by the guy who installed the tiles in my tub surround, that after you shower, you should indeed leave the curtain open for as long as practical. This encourages the water on the tile and grout to evaporate, which will preserve the whole situation longer. I believe it.
One last tip: Seal the grout in your shower/tub surround, too, he said.

Here’s the link to the HCP Industries webpages.

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