This crane tile design is so similar to several others in Bungalow Bill’s 1955 Indiana Mosaic Tile Company book — it must be part of this manufacturer’s repertoire. This actual installation is in Sacramento, and comes courtesy of flickr friend sylphbranching. (Click the photo to get to her complete photostream.) Thank you sb!
Whodoovoodoo Chris sends this great find – a complete pink bathroom soup to nuts, for $250 in St. Louis. Thanks, Chris! Craigslist Complete 1950’s PINK bathroom for sale, complete. Includes 5 foot cast iron tub, 1 piece American Standard toilet, wall mount sink, soapdishes, towel bars, paper holder, approximately 450 4.25 x 4.25 ceramic tiles, dozens of edge tiles, dozens of cut while installed and broken when removed tiles. One owner low milage, no cracks or chips. I have plenty of pictures. Removed and ready for your pick up.
Take care of your pink bathrooms – or else. Thanks to Evaxebra for the photos, her flickr photostream is the best. Click either photo to transfer straight to spookyland. Oh, and notice the course of white field tiles right above the tub before the tiles launch into pink – nice touch, I like it!
What a sweetheart — art teacher Laurel wants to see if she can find a good midcentury home for a BOATLOAD of pink mosaic tiles demo’d from her bathroom a while ago. Any takers out there in Iowa? Putting them all back together – Retro Renovation Therapy
Have boxes of 1″ pink tiles (plus spotted pink, and white) that were removed from our ’60s bathroom. Being an art teacher, I couldn’t bear to toss them, but as we are planning to move and I haven’t used them yet…. I found your site and wondered if any reader might want them as I just hate to see them go in a landfill.
Here is a closeup of the 4 colors of tile plus the amount I have.I could probably get them or meet someone just about anywhere in Iowa if it works out for someone. I can weigh the containers too if someone really wants to pay shipping. Would love it if someone could use them, thanks, Laurel
Glamorlux aka Nancy is a new reader, who sent these darling photos of her 1959 pink hall bathroom. She didn’t have to be on the blog too long to know how to get my attention!
Hi Pam,
Just wanted to introduce myself. My husband and I are restoring a 1959 split-level house back to its original mid-century glory. Luckily, most of the original fixtures and features were never updated – including a pink bathroom! We are gathering the materials to re-do our kitchen. It has the original Textolite “golden beige twilight” countertops, however, they are worn and don’t have the metal banding, which we like the look of. So, we just ordered the Formica Aqua Boomerang laminate through The Home Depot (where a 3′ x 10′ piece is only $56!). Thanks to you, we also ordered the ss metal banding from Dave Sanders.
Ha! 42 hours into my annoying back problem, I am now kind of propped up in bed – able to blog again! New Orleans Shelly sent in this ebay item, which surely cheers me up. Even if you are not in Buffalo and in a position to buy it, I want all readers to note the details – and how relatively easy it would be to replicate this vanity in your own home.
Reader Anne sent us this wonderful video. This is what I call inculcating America’s youth! I asked Anne to tell me a little bit about herself – her retro renovation story – and here’s what she had to say:
I live in a 1968 condo. I have my Mom and Dad’s Danish Modern furniture! and some of their groovy 60’s decor. Isn’t it great to have family that keeps EVERYTHING?!?!
I am also so happy to read about the counter top laminates, floor tiles, and all the other great information, as that will come in handy for much needed replacements.
I also have to save my money, as my two cats (both!) had major vet bills, so I will have to reno/deco vicariously through your website for awhile!
Such is life, but they are worth it!
From, Anne
Thank you Anne, and snaps for discovering pink bathrooms on YouTube!
Longtime reader Femme1 – aka Deb – has sent in photos from her Mom’s house. The house includes a time capsule message hidden behind the medicine cabinet – the best!
Yummy bathroom – note the floor and how it combines 2×2’s and 1×1s [Deb notes that this picture was taken as she was removing gray paint that had dripped on the floor years ago ]. When you get to the Gallery of photos, take a look at the bathroom and how it combines pink and blue — they look great together. These 50s pastels were so versatile. And yes, how about that front door – swoon! Erwins – what do you think?
Thank you, Deb!
Pam,
Here are the long promised photos of my Mom’s bathroom from her 1957 ranch house. It’s not completely original, and the sink and cabinet were replaced a long time ago. I also threw in pics of the front door and trim. If she ever sells the house, I’m taking the door with me! I’ve never seen such an intricate window in an M-C house.
There’s also a pic of a message my husband found when he was replacing the bathroom medicine cabinet. The house was built by an Italian man, and it has all sort of ceramic tile details (see the pink and blue tile with marble strips on the front porch) and lots of pebble planters. The message says “Dear Nono” (Italian for “grandfather”) “Don’t close this. Love, the Voloppis.” I felt like we’d uncovered something archaeological! Apparently, either his grandchildren or someone else close enough to call him Grandpa helped with building the house.
Sunday I try to feature something a little off the beaten path.
So how about this…
Absolutely positively the way coolest restaurant possibly ever!
A 1960 pink and gold-flecked-wallpaper bathroom. My definition of heaven!
I don’t even need to eat, I will just use the washroom.
Here’s what their website says:
Built in 1960, La Villa Basque Restaurant is a staple of the City of Vernon. The French/Basque style heritage has attracted over 1 million guests since its doors opened. The decor is original Googie Architecture with a Rat Pack martini lounge with contemporary overtures like plasma TV and progressive wine list. The menu evokes creations from Basque country, Paris and local nuances from Los Angeles that reflect the attitude of La Villa Basque. Set in the meat packing and produce districts in Los Angeles , La Villa Basque delivers the best ingredients readily available.
La Villa Basque Restaurant is owned by Mayor Leonis C. Malburg, who has presided over the City of Vernon for over 40 years. Leonis is the grandson of John B. Leonis Sr, who came to the U.S. in 1889 from the Cambo-French Basque region of the Pyrenees to start a new life. In 1905, John B. Leonis Sr. co-founded the City of Vernon. He would eventually become the mayor, a banker, a financier and an industrialist. His vision of a self sufficient city was passed down through the generations where Leonis C. Malburg carries on with La Villa Basque Restaurant. Come and experience history.
Can you believe this is a 1957 kitchen? The folks at Armstrong were interior design geniuses - creating kitchens as fresh today as 50 years ago. There is plenty of design inspiration to be found in the past -- and we are on the lookout for the best!
