Christi has a problem that I think is fairly common: In her original 1950s bathroom, the tile only goes 5/8 of the way up the wall around the bathtub surround. Back in the day, it seems, folks took lots of baths and few showers. In addition, the tiles look like mud-set tiles — the big thick ones. And, there’s a window — if you stand up, well, neighbors get quite the show. Readers, Christi is looking for help, ideas. What should she do? Can this bathroom be saved? Read on…

Christi writes:

Pam

“Sadly, I am considering a whole rip-out of my pink bathroom tile. It’s in beautiful condition; even the 4×4 pink floor tile has held up over these 60+ years.

The problem is the tub surround. It’s tiled only up to about 4′ high. Another problem is the block glass window, placed conveniently where I have to stand in order to take a shower. It’s all plastered in, and while we’ve MacGuyvered a sort-of circular quasi-shower curtain rod out of HIS favorite, PVC, I just want something permanent and comfortable.

Is this the only home with the pink bathroom intact with this problem left? Somebody suggested I simply add tile above the elbow-shaped top tiles, but frankly it looks just as dorky as the PVC.

Any tried and true methods for preservation balanced with a dash of reality for those of us who need that 5-minute shower?

I have attached pics of the bathroom. The block glass tile window sill is about waist-high — and right next to my neighbor’s garden!  Thanks for your consideration in helping find a solution to my problem.

Have a great day!

Christi

Christy, thank you for sharing. The PVC shower curtain — it’s just wonderful, absolutely made my day! Give the man a big hug for me.

I think this has come up before in emails I’ve received, but I’ve never put the question on the blog, as I can recall.

If it were my house, I think that the first potential solution I would explore would be to consult with a tiling professional to see if the top row of maroon bullnose around the tub could be carefully removed… making way to seamlessly continue the pink tile upward. If the removed maroon bullnose tile (what you call elbow-shaped) could be kept intact during removal, you could use it to finish the front edge of the new pink; that is, make an L-connection with the bullnose running horizontally through the rest of the room. I hope you can follow this… Perhaps you could get a match for your existing pink tile from B&W… or you could try World of Tile. The whole project would likely be ridiculously expensive as it would be “fussy”.  On the other hand, gutting and replacing the entire bathroom also will be expensive — and as you say, you sure have a beautiful pink bathroom. There just ain’t nothin’ like mud-set tile.

Important update May 10 — A lot of readers suggested using enamel paint on the walls in the tub/shower surround above the tile, saying this would be waterproof. Another reader in particular said, essentially: “BEWARE painting those walls — water and water vapor can still get in them and behind them and lead to rot and mold and otherwise, destruction.” This last comment rang true to me — as water is DESTRUCTIVE to a house. To further explore the issue, I asked the folks at Rust-Oleum, who specialize in surface solutions, whether they had a paint or other type product to use on tub/shower walls like this. Here is what they said:

“We really don’t have a product that they would be able to use – and quite frankly I don’t know of one.  It’s going to be very difficult to give drywall the type of water resistance that would be needed for this kind of exposure.”

Bottom line: Beware this idea, readers. My advice: Consult with a properly licensed professional regarding the wisdom, or not, in this  idea.

Regarding the window… I am not sure. I bet readers will have suggestions.

Readers — have any of you confronted the same tile problem as Christi? If so, what did you do?
And, what’s best to shield a window view in a tub-shower? 

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Pam, can you help me find an affordable yet quality tub and shower faucet set in the 1950?s style? I need the hot, cold, and the middle knob for turning on the shower. I looked on Restoration Hardware and EACH ONE is $300-400! We have to get the work done soon, so I’m hoping to find something quick. When I did a Google search it lead me to you…. Thanks for any ideas you have.

I respond:

I don’t have any experience relative to their quality, but why don’t you look here –> Locke Plumbing tub-and-shower faucets. They seem to have several three-handle design available, at good prices. Update: Commenter pointed out that these may not be to code any longer — something to do with new anti-scalding designs; please consult with a licensed professional so that you can make an informed decision about this issue.

Locke Plumbing was a tip from Russell a few years ago. Remember Russell… of the “Seabee House.”  Oh my, aren’t these three handle tub-and-shower faucets sets just beautiful to behold. Like sculptures. I like the look of the Sayco — the very first set — in particular. Actually, I love it. But I am like that about chrome and brass and plumbing in general. When I was a kid, roaming around the hardware store was my favorite. So of course, I spent a whole hour roaming around the Locke Plumbing site in general. Remember: Russell’s initial recommendation of Locke was as a place to find parts.

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• Where can I find replacement bathroom tile?
• Where can I sell, or buy, vintage sinks, toilets, tubs — and how about pricing?
• Where can I sell, or buy, vintage steel kitchen cabinets — and how about pricing?

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1. Where can I find replacement bathroom tile?

Answer: My best resource at this point is World of Tile in Springfield, New Jersey. I have multiple stories on World of Tile — read them all by clicking here.
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It’s also possible you may find vintage tile at the Re-Store… and if you’re looking for new tile in retro colors, there are lots of options today. See my navigation — Bathrooms / Tile category for all my stories.

2. Where can I sell, or buy, vintage sinks, toilets, tubs — and how about pricing?

Answer: Check out this 2009 story: Where to find vintage bathroom sinks, tubs and toilets. This story was written with buyers in mind — but use the advice in reverse if you are a seller.
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On pricing: I give no advice and don’t plan to.  It’s what the market will bear. You have to do your own research based on your own market dynamics.

3. Where can I sell, or buy, vintage steel kitchen cabinets — and how about pricing?

This one also is answered in a comprehensive story I did in 2009: How and where to sell your vintage metal kitchen cabinets. This one was written with sellers in mind, use it in reverse if you are a buyer.

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On pricing: Reader 52PostnBeam did extensive analysis on sales through 2011 and arrived at some per-cabinet averages for the selling prices of vintage steel kitchen cabinets.

I try to keep most common questions in the FAQ.
Please check it out.

Also use the navigation at the top — there’s tons of research and experience captured there.

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