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.
Mara wrote:
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:
Pam writes:
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)
Rinke says
I’d only change the medicine cabinet for a smaller (same height) one, it now is wider than the sink (off balance). And a new toiletseat (or at least a cover), seems (on the pictures) this one is getting pale. Would be great if you could find one with a chrome lid/paint it.
Keep the bathroom as empty as possible, no rugs no curtain, it speaks for itself.
Jay says
Not practical to do, there will be gaps in the wall, plus integrity of existing tile might be compromised.
Connie says
My personal taste would be white shag throw rug (rubber bottom) in front of the sink/shower entrance. Fluffy White towels hanging on the towel racks. White or chrome trash can. The sink and toilet are gems! Replace toilet seat. Repaint around window that opens in glass block, with chrome paint, or silver. Shine up all that chrome and protect it! You could also put a sink curtain (in a retro fun pattern, I would probably just use white:) to hide toilet paper and the water pipes, or just find a shiny/chrome basket or container to hide toilet paper in, and sit on back of toilet. I would replace the peach sink in the vanity, with white, and refinish counter. I would use the screw in the wall over the toilet, possibly with a retro round mirror. But would leave the rest of the walls. The pink tile and chrome are the show stoppers. Clean lines, shiny chrome, easy cleaning. What a gorgeous pink bathroom!
sean says
A bright lime green rug and towels! You’ll never need coffee to wake up in the morning! Nothing else needed (or really can be used as you would never ever want to put holes in that tile!)
Karin M says
I see all that lovely, soft pink, and I want to see contrast. I would find black towels, perhaps even a black and white damask patterned towel, and some strong black shapes for the wall. I wonder if there are big black goldfish plaques out there somewhere? Black and gold and silver and pink!
rachel says
i say some nice plants on stands…so as to not put more holes in the walls but still add some color. the green of the leaves will bring out the pink of the walls (complementary colors!). and i like the white fluffy rug idea.
Sarah g (roundhouse) says
The storage, rugs, plants, groovy light fixture and curtains are all wonderful ideas, you may need to pick and choose which ones you like best.
If you want to hang anything on the walls don’t forget those handy Command Strips. One strip holds 3 lbs. but combine them and you can hold up to 12 lbs. and no worried about damaging any tile!
Sarah g (roundhouse) says
I really like the plant idea but what would make it even better is if the plant/s have pink in them too! I found a website with a list of pink or partially pink leaves
http://plantsarethestrangestpeople.blogspot.com/2009/11/list-houseplants-with-totally-or.html?m=1
Renee Lawrenz says
Mara,
Oh, leave it!. How fabulous. After looking at it, here is what I would do that would not permanently alter the tile.
1. Build a slightly raised slatted teak floor on top of the tile – like a removable deck. http://www.homeinfatuation.com/prod/Teak-Rectangular-Floor-Mats-for-Hot-Tubs-Showers-and-Patio.cfm/cid/2603
2. Add green. Pink goes great with green, white, black and gold. Add some plants. You could suspend a couple of large teak panels from the ceiling too. Wire on bromeliads or stag ferns with moss.
3. Add large pieces of artwork. Make sure it is not behind glass or it will mold. Oil or acrylic on canvas. Hang on wires from ceiling like museums.
4. Add wood and natural colored wicker pieces.
5. Build a teak and brass enclosure for bottom of sink.
All this would look very zen like, and you could literally hose it down. And it would cost very little compared to a full bathroom redo.
bunhud says
Absolutely fabulous..both rooms. The bathroom is incredible. I love the clean, retro spa feel. I would go with that less is more look. I might throw in a really cool bark cloth shower curtain. There are some great patterns out there that could really pop in this room. If I put any furniture in this room, I would go with something clear to keep up the high end look. Glam it up but keep it uncluttered.
Now, the dressing area would be where you could really “shine”! You could do so much in there. From the reflection, it looks like the sliding doors have an almost Eames like curve to them. So cool. A few great lamps, bark cloth, super glam… 50’s kitsch with art deco details.. tropical… the works!
Daniela says
I would decorate with a bunch of these guys:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/121933959/1960-lucite-abalone-shell-large-10?ref=sr_gallery_1&sref=sr_b4f42499491c20d17e0be921a17805f48f1bd8ca002b8a260c433d0d97ffcccb_1362662777_14318135_vintage&ga_search_query=Vintage+seahorse+wall&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all
You can get them in all colors and it would add that little excentricity to your beautiful bathroom:-)
Michele says
I LOVE this idea! They could be hung with those 3M stick on hangers. I also like the idea of a sink skirt. For heavens sake do not tear out the sink, toilet, or tub. They are original and amazing! Best of luck with the decorating and have fun!
Nancy Stevenson says
You could use some tension rods, and add curtains, to the glass block window and a sink skirt to the sink, to hide your trash can. Then add some pretty towels and rugs, yes, and maybe some plants in Bauer flowerpots? ( Skirt on sink and curtains should be tailored looking, not frilly…) That is what I would do! :o)