“…We had color in the bathroom; now we have the bathroom in color — a complete color ensemble, a new color charm…. six lovely permanent shades…”
1927 was a momentous year in bathroom history — that’s when Kohler became the first company to introduce complete suites of sinks, tubs and toilets, in six glorious colors. I found this old catalog from 1928 that features beautiful, glowy photos of the bathrooms in the six colors — Horizon Blue, Old Ivory, Spring Green, Lavender, Autumn Brown and West Point Gray. Gorgeous! Golly, though, the Lavender fixtures in these illustrations sure looks like Pink to me. I asked Kohler archivist Angela Miller, and she confirmed, “Lavender does look pinkish in the literature, a little more lavender in person. Although, still more on the pink side.” So there: Our first pink bathroom fixtures, I declare it so. And blue and green and yellowish and yes, even beige and gray. Continue clickin’ to see the rest of the historic bathroom colors, along with bathroom illustrations that suggest just how beautiful high-end bathrooms could be in the roaring ’20s, before the party shut down –>
The catalog says:
This is an age of color. Recent years have seen a remarkable increase in its use in interior decoration — and not alone for its mere decorative value, but for its effect upon happiness and well-being. Color in the world out-of-doors affects our moods, our outlook upon life. And properly employed within the house, it has a like effect.
The bathroom has, of course, shared in this growing use of color. Bright touches have appeared in towels and rugs and window hangings, and latterly, in shower curtains. It has crept into walls and floor, and sometimes to the very rim of the bath tub.
But there, in most instances, the color stopped. The most important things in the bathroom — the plumbing fixtures — were white. We perhaps got to thinking that they had to be white.
And the like was true of the kitchen and laundry.
Kohler Fixtures in Color: So the announcement of Kohler Plumbing Fixtures in color was really a major innovation. We had color in the bathroom; now we have the bathroom in color — a complete color ensemble, a new color charm…. six lovely permanent shades, of blue, green, gray, brown, lavender and ivory.
It’s so interesting to see the color combinations in 1927. Lavender and yellow and green — why not! Also, I love tile run this high all around a room… and a tub/shower that’s arched or built in: Yum.
Kohler’s website now features a timeline showing the years for all their colors. These color chips, as rendered, seem quite “off” to me…I’d trust the printed documents first…
Here’s another image that Kohler sent to me, read the color and decorating combinations that the company recommended back in the day.
A closeup of Kohler’s recommended color combinations to achieve different design styles: Italian, English, Colonial, Modern, French, Spanish, Provincial. This is SO COOL. 1927-ish
Link love:
- See Kohler’s excellent timeline capturing the history of their color introductions — although the color rendered on the computer screen seems questionable.
- See Kohler’s current lineup of bathroom fixture colors.
- Thanks to archive.org for featuring this catalog.
Readers, which of these first colors is your favorite?
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The bathroom with the tub in the alcove reminds me of my grandparents’ bathroom in Illinois, it was green with black and yellow/cream trim. Thanks for taking me back. Love all the colors.
Those illustrations are GORGEOUS. The wall and floor tiles look iridescent! The color palette seems very Poiret.
“iridescent” — yes!
ERMAHGERD! SERX CERLERZ IN THE BERTHRERM!
🙂
I think that all of these bathrooms, fixtures and colors are great and fun. What a shame that these elements are what that the HGTV shows look down on and say that they simply must go, all in favor of just one more been-there-done-that, “spa”-inspired bathroom—zzzzzz.
ZOMG! *swoons* The tilework in those bathrooms! Absolutely delicious! 😀
i just salvage a gorgeous kohler spring green pedestal sink in mint condition. Now trying to find a matching toilet. I can only find american standard Ming green. From photographs they look alike but I haven’t seen them in person. Does anyone know if the colors are the same or almost the same? Even if it’s not exact that’s fine, but I don’t want it to be really noticeable? They wouldn’t be next to each other to compare, just on opposite sides of the bathroom. Any info on this would be great!
Thanks Leeann
Try Dawson in Tulsa Oklahoma. Plenty of those free toilets and sinks and other stuff. Please keep In mind I don’t know where you are located.
(918) 832-0071 Dawson
I’m looking for a 50’s Kohler toilet to match my tub & sink It looks like Bahamas Pink would match , any ideas , anyone ? Thank you
Nancymclain@icloud.com .
See our research on where to get toilets including pink in the Bathroom Help / Toilets category – it’s right at the top, I believe.
If someone could help me…..I’m looking for the lavender tiles, as many as I can get. I have a bathroom entirely in lavender from the original tiles and I’m doing a renovation, so I need some….can anyone help me?
Patti, B&W is always the first place I’d check, since they have so many retro colors. They do have a Lilac, so you can check that out to see if it’s a match. https://retrorenovation.com/2013/03/11/tile-colors-b-and-w-tile/
Plus, see our story on all the places we know of where you can get pastel color tiles — https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/16/12-places-to-find-4-x-4-ceramic-bathroom-tile-in-vintage-colors/
Hi I’m trying to find out where I can purchase a purple/lavender toilet, face basin and bath tub
Leisha, these colors are not available new, as far as I can tell. So to find them, you’d need to find vintage.
I am looking for a Kohler round toilet seat in Spring Green. Toilet was manufactured in 1931. Bemis does not carry this color.
Thank you
I found a 1927 Kohler tub that the owner says is just dirty (looks more than dirty in the picture). Also says it shows 1927 Kohler somewhere on it. It doesn’t have the claw feet. Any idea what it would take (moneywise) to restore it? And where should I look for those feet and what should I expect to pay? Do you have a picture of what they look like? The ad also says they have the original porcelain faucets (not shown in the picture)? Do you know the length/width? Blessings, Debbi
Hi Debbi. I am not an expert on any of these questions. Please note, old porcelain enamel tubs and sinks, and old plumbing fixtures; can contain hazards such lead; get with your own properly licensed professional to assess what you are dealing with so you can make informed decisions. For more info and links including my 2016 story on the potential for lead in porcelain tubs and sinks, and in tile, too, see my Be Safe/Renovate Safe page https://retrorenovation.com/renovate-safe/
Oh and — Kohler does have recommendations on products to use to clean their porcelain on cast iron projects. See my story here and also consult with Kohler for any updates: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/11/19/kohler-says-no-to-magic-eraser-comet-bar-keepers-friend-zud-vinegar-for-cleaning-its-porcelain-enamel-cast-iron/
I love them can I fine a distributor to buy very cute
Thank you SO much for writing this article! We have 4 of the 6 Kohler colors introduced in the 20’s in tact and in beautiful working condition.
My first floor bathroom has grey Kohler fixtures. I want to modernize the bathroom, as it has lovely but dated wallpaper and tile. Still, I hate to lose the grey fixtures. Is grey still “in”?