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Five vintage pastel bathrooms in this lovely 1942 capsule house — Portland, Oregon — 13 photos

pam kueber - Updated: August 12, 2017

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

Portland-time-capsule-with-five-pastel-bathsTour-a-Time-CapsuleWow. Not one. Not two. Not three. Not four. Yes: Five beautiful time capsule bathrooms in this 1942 house — just listed for sale — in Portland, Oregon. I received a call from real estate agent Susan Cassidy this evening, and on hearing the story, we rushed these photos on to the blog. It seems very unusual, to me, to see so many bathrooms in a house from 1942 — deep in the midst of the war years. And they are like a veritable catalog of the colors in vogue. Which color bathroom would you choose? Let’s look at more of the photos from this house — and you can take our quiz to see if we have a favorite. Oh, yes, and there’s more to this house than the bathrooms, of course: A beautiful, charming exterior… lovely moldings… and a knotty pine basement with built-in bar. 13 photos in all — and a large-size slide show at the end –>

We are rushing this story to press (so to speak) tonight … and it’s late … so we’ll keep the commentary short (for now) and let the (fabulous) photos tell the story… Let’s start with the charming exterior, I guess I’d call this a Tudor (?)… I want to say Dutch Colonial, but the roof line is wrong… anyway, kind of Tudor, kind of Colonial:

1943-brick-colonial-house-exterior1940s-brick-colonial-house-ext brick-doorway-entrance-1940s-cape-codAbove: Yikes, the brickwork around the entry way is phenomenal. Here’s the listing information:

This home was designed by Richard Sundeleaf and is full or rich detail. Spacious and inviting. The original features include gorgeous 1940’s baths, large master suite with sitting area, 2nd master on the main, classic “mad men” style rec room, hardwoods throughout, built ins, and lots of light. Storage everywhere, 2 car attached garage and sun room.

  • Price: $859,000
  • Year built: 1942
  • Traditional 2 story, Lap siding, wood, attached garage, full basement – partially finished, corner lot.
  • Sq. Ft.: 6,458
  • Bedrooms: 5
  • Full Bathrooms: 5
  • Interior Features: Dumbwaiter, Garage Door Opener, Hardwood Floors, Laundry, Wood Floors, Solar TubeExterior Features:Fenced, Garden, Patio, Storm Window
  • Kitchen Appliances:Down Draft, Built-in Dishwasher, Disposal, Pantry, Free-Standing Range
  • Fireplace Description:Wood
  • Number of Fireplaces: 3

1940s-pink-ceramic-tile-bathroom-and-dressing-area 1940s-pink-ceramic-tile-bathroomdental sinkBathroom #1 is pink and pink… Update: Listing agent tells me that, not visible in the photo above, there is a “dental sink” — see my story about dental sinks here. 
pink-and-black-vintage-bathroom-1940s-ceramic-tileBathroom #2 is pink and black…

vintage-black-and-white-ceramic-tile-bath-1940sBathroom #3 is white and black…

vintage-pink-and-blue-bathroom-ceramic-tile

Bathroom #4, pink and blue…Hey, remember Nora’s pink and blue bathroom — original owner in her original bathroom!?

yellow-and-black-ceramic-tile-vintage-bathroomBathroom #5 is yellow and black….

Which vintage bathroom is your favorite?

 

 

 

Oh… and we’re not done yet. Keep going:

Knotty-pine-den-with-fireplace knotty-pine-office-with-parquet-floors knotty-pine-paneling-in-rec-room-basement knotty-pine-rec-room-with-sputnik-light-and-fireplace

Many thanks to real estate agent Susan Cassidy for calling with this spectacular listing — and for giving us permission to feature these gorgeous photos for our forever-archive. Let’s find this house a buyer!

Links:

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Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:


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  1. Camille says

    And if you thought the house was lovely, you should see the neighborhood it is located in! One of the most desirable neighborhoods in Portland: Eastmoreland. This is a FIND. Every street and home in this small enclave is immaculate and lovely. The neighborhood is filled with tudors, colonials, even mid-modern. I have “staged” a couple near-by homes and have loved working in this area, a fun departure from my “Old Portland” neighborhood (Hollywood, the one in Portland, not Los Angeles!) Thanks to my mom-in-law Diane for sending me this lovely locked-in-time home!!

  2. TappanTrailerTami says

    Wow, this is what I get for not checking the blog yesterday. Late with my comment – but this is simply the most FAB house ever on RR!

    Simply.to.die.for. I’d easily go back to the rain for this!!!!

    Now, what bank to rob…….I’ll share the house with whoever is willing to drive the getaway car (I get the pink bathroom though) 🙂

  3. Shawna says

    The entire house is fantastic and loaded with great details – arched doorways, great windows, etc. If I had to pick one room, it would be the pink-on-pink master bath. The arches over the tub and shower are beautiful, and get a load of the frill on top of the shower door! Add in the great sinks, mirror-topped vanity, and the huge window and I will just move in!

  4. Cy says

    It really is a dream home, isn’t it? Absolutely wonderful! If that Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes comes through, I am outta here and over there!

  5. Angela Hartley says

    it is soooo very clean!! would love to have this home. I would like to know about the family that lived in the home…..just curious. itis beautiful!!!!!

  6. Pam from Nashville says

    Has to be my favorite time capsule of the 2013, so far anyway!!! I think I want to pack up and move to Portland, seriously!

  8. Gerry says

    There is Mr. Blandings house in SW Portland off Walker Road. I can’t remember the cross street. It was built as part of publicity for the movie.

  9. Annie B. says

    Good gosh! All that, plus a sputnik chandelier and the door with the “square in the square” motif. I love it right down to its moss covered bricks.

  10. James says

    Fantastic house. I don’t know what style you would call the exterior- may be a little bit of “Hollywood Regency” style?- but I know that I love it.