Bradbury Atomic Age wallpaper makes these two 1950s pink bathrooms even more luscious
Kate - Updated: August 18, 2020
Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
“Moving to this house has given me a personality transplant — I am so much more happy and pleasant to all!” – Br
Reader Brty says that reading Retro Renovation inspired her family to buy their 1956 house — with not just one, but two lovely pink bathrooms. The moment she first laid eyes on them, Brty says she loved the two pink bathrooms, although the men in the house took a little more convincing. Once the family was fully on board, Brty wasted no time and began spiffing up her two lovely bathrooms up for their next half century of service. And yum! We adore seeing some of our favorite wallpapers — vintage style wallpaper from Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpaper’s Atomic Age collection — in these spaces. These wallpapers — with their lovely graphics, colors and metallic sizzle — really make these bathrooms sing. Oh, and Brty remodeled her worn kitchen, to. Read on for the details on both her bathroom and kitchen updates.
Brty writes:
Hi Pam and Kate,
LOVE YOUR BLOG!! Look at it all the time!! And Looking at the blog inspired us to buy our 1956 house with not one, but two mint (almost) condition pink bathrooms!! 🙂 Another thing that is cool about it, is in the family room it has a quartz fireplace — at least I think it’s quartz or marble. The only thing that is close to what we have is what Holyoke Cindy has too — I’ve tried to research if that was a thing in the 50s, but haven’t come up with anything besides that photo on your site.
I love my house, and we have been able to really do what we want with my husband and son’s input. I have convinced them both that we are not TOUCHING the pink bathrooms; and they have come around. My son has his Home-Depotified bathroom downstairs in the teenager zone, so he’s happy enough with that. Moving to this house has given me a personality transplant — I am so much more happy and pleasant to all! [Pam interjects: HECK, I’m so much more happy RIGHT NOW just looking at these bathrooms! We understand!]
The master bathroom is the pink and gray one with all Crane fixtures, the half is American Standard with pink tile and green sink. Irreplaceable linen pattern Formica in the master and a hudee ring!
One day I will focus on finding a matching green vintage toilet for the half-bath, but the current Home Depot model is new, so I hate to just toss something perfectly usable. There is a matching full pink tub in the master as well, and shower is all pink tile inside.
Kitchen before remodel.
On another note, I also have been meaning to write to you because I have lurked on the blog for a long time, and really used it to put together my spanky new kitchen renovation. My style is not kitschy or DYI (although I admire those who are!), but more modern inspired — we have a fair amount of mid-century furniture — authentic and re-issues. And the vintage kitchen here was so sad– really chopped up and painted over, with holes in the walls and icky Pergo floor. Just not restoreable at all. So, I dumped the whole thing — including the soffits, sorry! and redid with Ikea cabinets, Marmoleum floors, and backsplash tile from Modwalls (I think I originally found them from Atomic Ranch, but I see they advertise with you now too).
Almost all the research and inspiration came from specific stories from your site. The last photo is one view of the finished kitchen, with groovy Jonathan Adler pendant — I love his stuff. So you and your blog were invaluable to me and I wanted to tell you that I thank you very much!!
Take care, and thanks so much for writing,
-Brty
Brty, the amount of jealousy that I have for your two gorgeous pink bathrooms is unreal — I’m so glad that your son and husband have agreed that the pink is here to stay. I’m also loving the Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper that you chose — it helps balance the old and new wonderfully. Your remodeled kitchen is also very nicely done — especially your use of bold color in the orange Jonathan Adler pendant light. Congrats on a job well done, and thanks for sharing with all of us in the Retro Renovation community.
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Wow, what delightful bathrooms! And it is no wonder, really, that you are so much happier in the house. I think that these homes, built in the optimistic postwar years, were infused with the upbeat spirit of those building them. Congrats on a beautiful home!
Oh those pink bathrooms are just *gor-jus*!!! I love them both!!! How fortunate to have both of them be quite pristine! Your kitchen looks wonderful, too. Would love to see photos of your other rooms! 🙂
Zoesays
I am holding out for a mid-century modest ranch with original bathroom fixtures (and an un-updated kitchen)!!! There has to be one out there somewhere… right?
Well, don’t you give up! After about one year of serious looking, we found a house with both those things. My husband says, though, that we had to tour a lot of toad houses before we found our palace. What’s funny is that the seller’s friends and real estate agent kept telling her, “You have to pull out that pink and gray bathroom and knotty pine kitchen and replace everything, or you’ll never sell this house.” Next thing you know, she had two offers as is!
Diane in COsays
Brty, your home is absolutely lovely! I love that vintage; it’s no wonder its ambiance has affected your mood and happiness. Our surroundings do matter! Great house!
Sarah g (roundhouse)says
Both bathrooms are so bright and cheery! Such a beautiful ‘renovation’!
JKMsays
The bathrooms don’t look like they’ve ever been used! My favorite is the gray one but both are calming and gorgeous. Wow!
Brtysays
Hi everyone and thanks so much for the compliments. I’m out of town so fumbling w my iPhone here… Will try to answer all questions.
Pink bathroom floors (both) are original, we were so lucky. Only one pink tub, the green bathroom is a powder room.
For the kitchen the marmoleum is a sheet and no way did we I install it ourselves!! Countertops are caesarstone–good guess, and I’m really liking the look and the maintenance. Those floating shelves are actually called Rakks, I think that’s the company name–google it. The credenza I really love–it’s reclaimed wood piece done by a nice guy named Jamie who has an etsy store called modern arks. Check him out! I thought of trying to find a vintage buffet, but they seemed to living-room-y; this was more eclectic w mod touch that you can see I like! And my pup Dylan does like to supervise.
Laurynsays
Gorgeous!! I am particularly in love with the grey and pink bathroom. So beautiful and great choice of wallpaper for both baths. The Modtile looks fabulous, too, making the new kitchen fit right in … and your pup is perfectly adorable on that Marmoleum floor. Also love that credenza (?) in the kitchen corner. Thank you for sharing!
Marmoleum floor. Hmm. Something new to investigate. Planning a kitchen remodel and don’t want to drag wood into it but now loving the Home Depot tile from ten years ago. Loved this post and this house. Nice job blending mid-century with today. Awesome!
Also. I need to know what kind of counter top. Is it Caesarstone? I love it also. This kitchen has given me a lot to think about. We are working on design for kitchen remodel and this really resonates with me. Not overly modern or period or cutesy or Pottery Barn or Home Depot. Perfect. Frankly, I could use a few more pictures. 🙂
Robin, NVsays
Sounds like we’re trying to do the same things in our kitchen. I think I’ve finally come up with the right balance of period and modern – pale yellow countertops and white subway tile on the backsplash to give it a current appeal but still retain the retro-ness. The floors and the soffets are going to be really fun – VCT on the floors in a bright green and wallpaper on the soffets in a retro-inspired yellow and green plaid. I think it will be bright and cheery with loads of appeal even if for those who aren’t into the retro thing.
pam kuebersays
Sounds fabulous! Be sure to take lots of before, during and after photos so’s we can feature you on the blog!
Robin, NVsays
Will do! My inspiration comes from some of the features already in my house. I figure since the former owner lived in the house for 47 years, he knew what worked and what didn’t. I find oddball remnants of old flooring and countertops here and there (used as drawer and cabinet liners throughout the house) so I’m trying to find close approximations for my remodel.
My house is kind of like a little archive of decorating choices from the 60s and 70s. I’ll have to go around and take pictures of the linoleum, Formica, and tile samples that are squirreled away in closets and drawers.
Zoesays
Did you do pale yellow Formica counters? Self-edge, or metal trim? I’m still sorting out what to do to refresh my 1940s kitchen — everyone is trying to talk me into Caesarstone, but they don’t make many retro colors. (I’d totally buy a chartreuse or a turquoise — or pale yellow — Caesarstone counter if they made them, but they don’t.)
Robin, NVsays
I haven’t done anything yet – still very much in the planning stages. Nevamar has a nice light yellow called California. I’m pretty sure I’ve settled on that one but I’ve also ordered some linen look laminate samples from Pionite. I’ve been going back and forth about metal trim. Not sure if it’s authentic to my 1962 home and my husband doesn’t want the kitchen to look like a diner.
RangerSmithsays
What a great job you’ve done Brty on the bathrooms and kitchen. Excellent (and somewhat courageous) choice on the kitchen flooring. Is it the the sheets or squares? I had Marmoleum sheets installed and am very happy. Although they don’t recommend applying wax, I did and really like it with the shine. You’re right, they’ve got so many to choose from. Good job!
Reader Brty says that reading Retro Renovation inspired her family to buy their 1956 house — with not just one, but two lovely pink bathrooms. The moment she first laid eyes on them, Brty says she loved the two pink bathrooms, although the men in the house took a little more convincing. Once the family was fully on board, Brty wasted no time and began spiffing up her two lovely bathrooms up for their next half century of service. And yum! We adore seeing some of our favorite wallpapers — vintage style wallpaper from Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpaper’s Atomic Age collection — in these spaces. These wallpapers — with their lovely graphics, colors and metallic sizzle — really make these bathrooms sing. Oh, and Brty remodeled her worn kitchen, to. Read on for the details on both her bathroom and kitchen updates.
I love my house, and we have been able to really do what we want with my husband and son’s input. I have convinced them both that we are not TOUCHING the pink bathrooms; and they have come around. My son has his Home-Depotified bathroom downstairs in the teenager zone, so he’s happy enough with that. Moving to this house has given me a personality transplant — I am so much more happy and pleasant to all! [Pam interjects: HECK, I’m so much more happy RIGHT NOW just looking at these bathrooms! We understand!]
I
‘ve attached a few photos of the bathrooms.
One day I will focus on finding a matching green vintage toilet for the half-bath, but the current Home Depot model is new, so I hate to just toss something perfectly usable. There is a matching full pink tub in the master as well, and shower is all pink tile inside.
Almost all the research and inspiration came from specific stories from your site. The last photo is one view of the finished kitchen, with groovy Jonathan Adler pendant — I love his stuff. So you and your blog were invaluable to me and I wanted to tell you that I thank you very much!!
Jen says
Wow, what delightful bathrooms! And it is no wonder, really, that you are so much happier in the house. I think that these homes, built in the optimistic postwar years, were infused with the upbeat spirit of those building them. Congrats on a beautiful home!
RetroSandie says
Oh those pink bathrooms are just *gor-jus*!!! I love them both!!! How fortunate to have both of them be quite pristine! Your kitchen looks wonderful, too. Would love to see photos of your other rooms! 🙂
Zoe says
I am holding out for a mid-century modest ranch with original bathroom fixtures (and an un-updated kitchen)!!! There has to be one out there somewhere… right?
pam kueber says
Sure — see all our Time Capsule stories: https://retrorenovation.com/category/all-about-the-era/time-capsule-homes/
Mary Elizabeth says
Well, don’t you give up! After about one year of serious looking, we found a house with both those things. My husband says, though, that we had to tour a lot of toad houses before we found our palace. What’s funny is that the seller’s friends and real estate agent kept telling her, “You have to pull out that pink and gray bathroom and knotty pine kitchen and replace everything, or you’ll never sell this house.” Next thing you know, she had two offers as is!
Diane in CO says
Brty, your home is absolutely lovely! I love that vintage; it’s no wonder its ambiance has affected your mood and happiness. Our surroundings do matter! Great house!
Sarah g (roundhouse) says
Both bathrooms are so bright and cheery! Such a beautiful ‘renovation’!
JKM says
The bathrooms don’t look like they’ve ever been used! My favorite is the gray one but both are calming and gorgeous. Wow!
Brty says
Hi everyone and thanks so much for the compliments. I’m out of town so fumbling w my iPhone here… Will try to answer all questions.
Pink bathroom floors (both) are original, we were so lucky. Only one pink tub, the green bathroom is a powder room.
For the kitchen the marmoleum is a sheet and no way did we I install it ourselves!! Countertops are caesarstone–good guess, and I’m really liking the look and the maintenance. Those floating shelves are actually called Rakks, I think that’s the company name–google it. The credenza I really love–it’s reclaimed wood piece done by a nice guy named Jamie who has an etsy store called modern arks. Check him out! I thought of trying to find a vintage buffet, but they seemed to living-room-y; this was more eclectic w mod touch that you can see I like! And my pup Dylan does like to supervise.
Lauryn says
Gorgeous!! I am particularly in love with the grey and pink bathroom. So beautiful and great choice of wallpaper for both baths. The Modtile looks fabulous, too, making the new kitchen fit right in … and your pup is perfectly adorable on that Marmoleum floor. Also love that credenza (?) in the kitchen corner. Thank you for sharing!
Rebecca | MidcenturyModernRemodel says
Marmoleum floor. Hmm. Something new to investigate. Planning a kitchen remodel and don’t want to drag wood into it but now loving the Home Depot tile from ten years ago. Loved this post and this house. Nice job blending mid-century with today. Awesome!
Rebecca | MidcenturyModernRemodel says
Also. I need to know what kind of counter top. Is it Caesarstone? I love it also. This kitchen has given me a lot to think about. We are working on design for kitchen remodel and this really resonates with me. Not overly modern or period or cutesy or Pottery Barn or Home Depot. Perfect. Frankly, I could use a few more pictures. 🙂
Robin, NV says
Sounds like we’re trying to do the same things in our kitchen. I think I’ve finally come up with the right balance of period and modern – pale yellow countertops and white subway tile on the backsplash to give it a current appeal but still retain the retro-ness. The floors and the soffets are going to be really fun – VCT on the floors in a bright green and wallpaper on the soffets in a retro-inspired yellow and green plaid. I think it will be bright and cheery with loads of appeal even if for those who aren’t into the retro thing.
pam kueber says
Sounds fabulous! Be sure to take lots of before, during and after photos so’s we can feature you on the blog!
Robin, NV says
Will do! My inspiration comes from some of the features already in my house. I figure since the former owner lived in the house for 47 years, he knew what worked and what didn’t. I find oddball remnants of old flooring and countertops here and there (used as drawer and cabinet liners throughout the house) so I’m trying to find close approximations for my remodel.
My house is kind of like a little archive of decorating choices from the 60s and 70s. I’ll have to go around and take pictures of the linoleum, Formica, and tile samples that are squirreled away in closets and drawers.
Zoe says
Did you do pale yellow Formica counters? Self-edge, or metal trim? I’m still sorting out what to do to refresh my 1940s kitchen — everyone is trying to talk me into Caesarstone, but they don’t make many retro colors. (I’d totally buy a chartreuse or a turquoise — or pale yellow — Caesarstone counter if they made them, but they don’t.)
Robin, NV says
I haven’t done anything yet – still very much in the planning stages. Nevamar has a nice light yellow called California. I’m pretty sure I’ve settled on that one but I’ve also ordered some linen look laminate samples from Pionite. I’ve been going back and forth about metal trim. Not sure if it’s authentic to my 1962 home and my husband doesn’t want the kitchen to look like a diner.
RangerSmith says
What a great job you’ve done Brty on the bathrooms and kitchen. Excellent (and somewhat courageous) choice on the kitchen flooring. Is it the the sheets or squares? I had Marmoleum sheets installed and am very happy. Although they don’t recommend applying wax, I did and really like it with the shine. You’re right, they’ve got so many to choose from. Good job!