When Mara signed on the dotted line to buy her new house, she wasn’t quite sure about the original pink bathroom. We’ve heard this “next step” in her story many times now, and it always makes us happy: Looking for ideas on how to live with the pink, Mara hopped online and found SaveThePinkBathrooms.com, one of our microsites. From that point on, she became a pink bathroom convert — deciding her pink bathroom was actually gorgeous and must be saved. Now Mara wonders — what can she do to decorate this space, which poses a special challenge: The beautiful 1″ square tiles are installed on all six walls. That is: The floor and ceiling too. She wants our ideas — read on for her letter, more photos, and then, to offer your suggestions.
I will be moving into my new home February 16. [She is now in.] I have an ALL PINK bathroom! I wanted to find ideas to decorate it and came upon your website. I was not sure if I would “save the pink bathroom” and after seeing your website, I have decided to embrace it! I have attached several pictures. Would love to hear about ways to decorate it from your readers. My style is a mix of retro-modern style… I love a little of pretty much every style. I can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks about the bathroom and their suggestions!
Thank you!
We asked Mara what year her house was built. We expected to hear back… 1960s. But no: The house was built in 1916, she says. Pam will guess: This bathroom was installed in the…. early 60s.
Decorating a bathroom with tile on all four walls, the floor and the ceiling
Take a look at all the photos. Gorgeous tile, to be sure. And lots of it. How to decorate? No paint allowed. And heck, we’d also be wary of putting any holes in to the tile, it looks to be in such terrific condition. Note, looks like there’s a screw in the tile above the toilet — we can hang something there…
There’s a door on the shower. Tip to homeowners: Check if your old shower doors are made of tempered — or untempered — glass. Untempered glass is a safety concern, we are told: Consult with a properly licensed professional to determine what you have and how to handle.
Mara has mentioned that she likes many different styles including retro-modern.
Just outside the pink bathroom in the corner of the master bedroom, Mara has a large vanity and dressing area — complete with a peachy corner sink. With all of that counter space and storage real estate available just steps from the pink bathroom, there’s no need to try and fit any more storage into the bathroom itself.
Kate’s ideas for decorating this pink bathroom:
Kate writes:
Mara’s bathroom was difficult to decorate — all walls, the floor and ceiling are tiled — and there is no need for a shower curtain because of her shower door. That means that any additional color must be brought in with the accessories. I chose to go with white and pink accessories to give the room a light and airy feel. Obviously, she doesn’t need — or have the space for — all the accessories I have listed in number 3. Possibly just the trash can, tissue holder and soap pump would be needed. I’ve chosen a mix of modern and vintage — the vintage or vintage-style art, bathroom scale and bathmat are combined with modern towels, toilet brush and accessories. If Mara prefers either a more feminine, flowery and vintage look, it would be easy to swap out the simple modern accessories with more ornate vintage styled accessories — or vice versa.
For more contrast, another classic retro combination is pink and black, which would give the room a bolder, punchier feel. To add more color to the space, pale yellow, aqua, green, blue or purple would all work, too. It all depends on what colors appeal to Mara. Since these accessories aren’t expensive changes — Mara could start out with a pink and white color scheme and if she grows tired of it in a few years, simply change up the towels and bath mat to another color scheme. The pink is really quite versatile.
- Vintage metal flower wall hanging from Etsy seller MollyMcShabby
- Croft & Barrow quick drying pink towels (you could also do white towels) from Kohl’s
- Wamsutta Bath Elements accessories (available in white or pink) from Bed Bath and Beyond
- Vintage pale pink glitter bath scale from Ebay seller MidMod14
- Castile Rose Bathmat from Anthropologie
- Modern toilet brush holder from Urban Outfitters (no longer in stock)
Pam’s ideas for decorating this pink bathroom:
Mara can use towels, rugs and a few decor items to bring just about any accent color she wants into the bathroom. The soft 1960s pink in her bathroom is actually pretty darn neutral — it would coordinate well with most any soft pastel, as well as grey or brown. Mara also can swap out the shower door, if she likes, for a shower curtain instead. This would be a great way to add some softness to the bathroom. Note, old shower doors may be made of non-tempered glass — this is a safety issue to investigate; consult with a properly licensed professional.
As you can see from my mood board, I played with a soft green as the accent color for the bathroom.
Moreover, I put my big decorating focus on the “anteroom”. Because the opportunity to introduce color into the bathroom itself is so limited, my key idea was to decorate the dressing room area as if it were an extension of the bathroom. Which it is.
You know me, I love my vintage wallpaper. The launching point for everything here was the vintage wallpaper from Hannah’s Treasures. I adore this wallpaper — it has all the right colors to put in the bedroom adjacent to the bathroom. The design of the paper seems kind of soft and glowy — which works up next to the soft and glowy bathrooom… and, it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
The shower curtain I found has “swiss dots” — like the wallpaper!
I also thought that this bedroom space screamed for wall-to-wall carpeting. Sure enough, I found a design at Shaw Carpets that has a sculpted design that might work. However, “Muslin” sounds like it might be too yellow for my design concept, I’d need to see the carpet in the room and next to the wallpaper.
I then played around with accessories and lighting.
AND IMPORTANT, I *think* — That sunken bathtub scares me. ON THIS ISSUE: I advise that you consult with a properly licensed professional — a professional bathroom designer, I *think*, and/or talk to your local building inspector for guidance *maybe the answer* BUT DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH TO FIND THE RIGHT PROFESSIONAL — to assess the safety of the entry and egress of that sunken bathtub. You don’t want to fall in… you don’t want to slip when getting out.
My design is for a “girl next door” meets her “inner sex kitten” bedroom/bathroom. I named it “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies Pink” in honor of that old movie — and in honor of all those 50s and 60s girl-next-door-movie-wives who also had that little twinkle in their eyes.
- Vintage ceiling light from etsy seller QueenDecor
- Vintage wallpaper from Hannah’s Treasures
- Vintage vanity stool from etsy seller DavisMerc (we changed the color of the seat cushion via photoshop)
- Wall to wall carpet — Shaw Flooring “Fine Memory” in Muslin
- Vintage wicker shelf from etsy seller ShabbyNChic
- Vintage green bath towel set from ssmith7157
- Shower curtain is Swiss Dot in White from Coyuchi (link now gone) on Amazon (also available from other online retailers)
Leeann says
Fabulous! If it were mine, I’d use a single color to unify both areas-maybe a peachy orange if you’re feeling daring. The storage bench is a great idea! I’d put a skirt on that sink-maybe with box pleats to accent those clean tile lines-and upholster the bench in the same fabric…what about one of those frameless stretched canvas pictures hanging from that screw? It could be big and bold-they are pretty weightless, and carry that color into the dressing area with a rug and towels-and maybe a bold glass accent on that beautiful vanity. Can’t wait to see what you come up with-you lucky girl!
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
How about one of those rugs that goes around the toilet? You’d probably have to get it altered since the shape of the toilet is more squared than usual, but if you really want to break up the pink or soften the sound with more rugs, this might help, plus I think those things were really common in that era.
Jamie says
An array of gorgeous tropical plants. I’d love to see a flowering begonia climbing that towel rack. The shades of green and different plant textures will break up the pink monotony. I LOVE the sunken tub!
MelindaWarren says
Also change the light/mirror and the windows. Warm it up so it doesn’t look like a hospital…..
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
The mirror and light fit the bathroom very nicely, I think!
Sarah g (roundhouse) says
Melinda only likes the tiles apparently… May not need to comment
June Cahill says
I LOVE the sink – and the matching potty! The light fixture is fab too!
MelindaWarren says
It’s a fabulous bathroom! The only thing I could do is update that u*** [edited] sink and maybe change out the toilet. Dress is up instead of tearing it all out.
pam kueber says
FYI Melinda (and this is not meant to pick on you, but rather, to inform all new-ish readers), we don’t use the u-, h-, or d- words here. See this story: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/02/retro-renovators-creed-gut-remodel-without-guilt/
DebDebP says
It’s hard to know what the forbidden words are when they’re edited in the link. I’ve been trying to guess what “d” word I’m not supposed to use and it’s not coming to me. Probably because I don’t comment much and never to berate someone’s bathroom. I suppose I’ll figure it out if I ever use it.
pam kueber says
“dated”, “ugly”, “hideous” and “hate” are the key perpetrators. The sort of golden rule of commenting here (which really is The Golden Rule stated another way, as it relates to decorating) is, “No on can be made to feel bad for their decisions.” Again, read the story linked in the comment I made just above, for more elaboration.
Laura's Last Ditch--Vintage Kitchenwares says
No! The sink and toilet are wonderful. I’d gladly take that sink for my own bathroom.
Hillary says
Some people spend their lives looking for fixtures that match that well! I wouldn’t touch them. They are perfect.
oh Holland says
I adore your pink sink on chrome legs, lowboy toilet and sunken tub! The only thing I’d considering doing to those fixtures is changing the toilet seat — hard to tell, but its pinkish color looks a bit off. If you decided to go with a pink-and-black theme, a black toilet seat might look pretty swanky. (But, I’m with Pam about tying the bath and anteroom dressing area together with color if you can.)
Kkmk says
I think you have a great foundation here! I would consider ways to use towels, rugs and a small bench or storage piece to add personality and break up the pink. On the towel bar over the tub, you could hang towels or even a piece of fab fabric to add texture. I like Kate H’s idea about a bench or storage piece. That could be a spot to display some knick knacks, decorative storage containers or a plant. You could even add a sink skirt to further soften up the space and pretty up the view from the bedroom.
EJ Birch says
I was also going to suggest a sink skirt. And live greenery.
Didn’t think about the safety hazards of the sunken tub; just thought of it like a fabulous bathroom conversation pit!
And I do believe the toilet seat (lid) needs to be changed.
My personal inclination would be to go w/black accents. 2nd choice green; possibly different shades. Mostly dark greens w/hints of light.
Fabulous space. And oh, the dressing area…!
~ Jealous in Manhattan
lynda says
I am sort of liking the simple look. Maybe just white towels like a hotel might have had in the era? I do think the tub seems to be calling for a grab bar. Looks, like it could be a little dangerous to get in the tub. Maybe some retro vinyl clings for the tile would work? That would bring color, like maybe turquoise and then turquoise towels could work. For toilet paper, a freestanding holder would work. http://centuryhouseinc.com/primo-standing-toilet-paper-holder.html
a stainless or chrome trash can would be good too. I think the architecture of the bath is really the great design. You might want a good steam cleaner to keep all that tile clean! The bath is in great shape. Other problem that I am seeing–are there any plugs? seems like plugs would be helpful. I don’t see any in the dressing area either.
Holly says
Even if she doesn’t need storage she can still put some decor type storage. Maybe a nice towel hamper?
Jenny A. says
Ooooh, Mara, you are a lucky duck! What a great bathroom and I LOVE that vanity and dressing area. I’m excited to see what everyone comes up with today.
Kate H says
This is a fabulous bathroom! And so sanitary! I have never cleaned a tile ceiling, but imagine a mop would do the job fine.
I don’t see the light fixture, but maybe something fun and strange would be good. I would use those fluffy white rugs that look like polar bears on the floor to soak up some sound. And if the wall opposite the toilet is empty, I might add some sort of ottoman/low table that you could store your CD/wireless player in for when you take a nice soak in the tub. Also, if you live with other people, you may reconsider adding some sort of small storage in the bathroom, because someone, sometime is going to use up all the toilet paper and there you’ll be.