If you have a vintage bathroom with pastel color tiles, one of the greatest ways to play the tiles up — and in a way, to play them down — is with a colorful patterned shower curtain. In just the same manner as wallpaper, shower curtains add visual interest with both pattern and secondary and tertiary colors that you can further accessorize with — that you can use to “pull the room together” in a pleasing way. Today, I show five colorful — kind of bold modern — shower curtains from DENY Designs that could easily be the starting point for giving a midcentury bathroom a fresh new look. Above: “Hide and Seek” shower curtain designed by Rebekah Ginda. Do you have a bathroom with blue tiles and black trim? Here you go.
Valentina Ramos’ Cute Little Owls shower curtain would go in a Mamie pink bathroom, of course. I also spy some very light minty green — if you have that tile color, you could use this curtain, too.
Khristian A Howells Nolita’s Drops shower curtain is … serene. Use it in a bathroom tiled in pink or aqua.
Khristian A Howell Nolita’s Chevrons use the same colors, just a much bolder design. The reason I say that bold shower curtains play a tile up — and down — at the same time is that… well, if you have a bathroom full of aquamarine or pink tile (for example), there is pretty much no hiding the fact. Similarly strong colors used elsewhere in the bathroom — on wallpaper or a shower curtain — will balance the strength of the tile, so that you see the *whole* bathroom not *just* the tile, wonderful as it may be.
Okay, so this ain’t pastel. How about for a 60s or 70s bathroom, though? Valentina Ramos’ Aaron shower curtain shows how one simple piece can make a monumental impact and create a design direction for the entire bathroom. I could have used this curtain in my mom’s little bathroom — instead of the Peanuts curtain — as a launching point for my simple graphic look. Heck, I could switch ’em out any time — change the rug and towels, and I have a whole new look. The sheep would have to go, though; only one cute animal theme in a small space at one time, please.
Lots more shower curtain designs at DENY Designs.
A vintage toilet seat designed just for men, from Olsonite 
Snoopy shower curtain from Target 
16 vintage bathroom towel rings and rods — my first etsy Treasury 
Satin Glide Relaxation Unit — a second brand, joining Hall-Mack 
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I adore all of these! I think the chevron and the drops are definitely my favorites!
hi Rachael! hmmm, maybe I will come to Cincy for the modernism show in Feb. If so, a meetup may be in order!
Ooh, keep me posted if you decide to come. We’re definitely going to the modern show! I live about an hour away from there.
WOW! LOVE them!!! I think the last 4 would all work in a 70’s gold bathroom, pretty much the only midcentury color I wouldn’t be excited to own but maybe this is adjusting my perspective 😀 . Thanks for the ideas. Oh and I <3 the last one!!! Might have to have it. 🙂
I’m strictly a white towels, white cotton shower curtains kind of guy, but these are really cool!
I’m with you on the white towels, but I just bought the one with the drops. It’s perfect!
🙂
Me too, Michael, the all black and white bathroom thrills me but did you see the design your own option? The possibilities are very exciting!
Endless possibilities; something for everybody’s style here.
These make me want to get brave and attempt a DIY abstract shower curtain. Might be a fun project.
Excellent! I have a black and white curtain in my Mamie Pink bathroom, and I’ve bee thinking abut upgrading. These are lovely.
These are all so cool. And, the design your own idea is exciting!
Here is mine – it goes great with my yellow tile bathroom:
http://www.shower-curtains.org/images/products/detail/NatureStudyRug.jpg
And there are some great retro ones here:
http://www.shower-curtains.org/retroshowercurtain.aspx
and here:
http://www.nutmegpeddlers.com/storefrontprofiles/deluxeSFshop.aspx?sfid=148875&c=138774
Creative Bath seems to have a lot of great choices in general – worth doing a web search.
Why do I have one of those *%&$#! glass sliding doors in my bathroom? I WANT a shower curtain like one of these!
If they are framed doors on a tub, you can remove them. You will have a couple holes in the tile on the sides, but those can be filled or disguised somehow. If you decide to do this, read up on how to do it properly to minimize damage to the tile & top of the tub.
Or, you can always get a tension rod and hang a curtain in front of the doors….I’ve seen that done quite a bit.
Originally I wanted glass doors with an etched crane design – easily available at many garage/estate sales for cheap, but decided I didn’t want to deal with cleaning the tracks. 🙂
How exciting is this option?
http://denydesigns.com/collections/shower-curtains-all-art/products/create-your-own-custom-shower-curtain
Use your own design or photograph? Shut up! The problem now will be choosing….old photo of nuns playing volley ball in the desert? A page from a lettering catalogue? A cold war emergency map to escape the city during an atomic attack? Or…..or…..oh, or maybe….?
I am so excited but have no idea how one would ever choose with only one bathroom….
Love the elephant and would totally match my new bathroom but does anyone know where I can get something like this a little more affordable!
Not sure, but I will keep an eye out. Hey, are you the Lena I know???
No don’t think so hun
But thank you!!