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)
Jpleasant says
It’s so beautiful the way it is, very minimalistic, which I love! My bathroom is pink tile with a green border so maybe, some lime green towels and rug….but white is always perfect with pink too. I also have a ceramic flamingo toilet brush holder that adds some decor to my bath. Try finding one of those that suits your style. Otherwise, I wouldn’t clutter it up with anything.
Mike says
If you want to add some artwork and the like I would try those 3m Command hooks. They’re surprisingly effective, and I would think if you rub the tile with some alcohol first they would stick just fine. That way you’re not putting holes in the tile and it’s all completely reversible.
Annie B. says
Lots of black poodles with rhinestone collars. Pink and black all the way. I love the separate (sunken!) tub and shower aspect. The tile on the ceiling is the icing on the cake ot this bathroom, so to speak.
Robin, NV says
Wow, this really is a dilemma considering that wall art is out of the equation. As I see it, there are two good options.
1) Keep it really simple by using white rugs and towels. Add a shower curtain that has a simple design with 2-3 colors (grey/silver, burgundy and white?). I agree with others who have said that the bathroom has an almost spa feel to it, in which case a simple design works great.
2) Glam it up by adding a matching sink skirt and shower curtain. I’m thinking something with burgundy? Add plants that have pink in them (didn’t Kate suggest that for Candice’s pink kitchen just the other day?). Match the towels and rugs to a single color in the sink skirt and shower curtain.
Robin, NV says
Oh by the way Pam, I saw that Lowe’s commercial where they sledgehammer the pink bathroom. I’d been hearing about it but never saw it on TV until recently. Anyway, I’m pleased to report that my husband was horrified by it. His comment was “Why are they smashing everything? Why would you destroy those cabinets?” And then a final and disbelieving “Wow.” A completely irresponsible and senseless ad. Lowe’s is dead to me.
tammyCA says
That commercial has been annoying me for weeks! Nice vintage pink bath and other vintage being smashed in glee..ugh. Whether or not it is real or fake for the commercial there are those
“home improvement” shows needlessly have to use a sledgehammer & hate. Why not try to salvage and donating them to the ReStore or salvage places. My hero is Nicole of “Rehab Addict”…boy, does she salvage & re-use everything!
pam kueber says
Caladium!
Annie B. says
Polka Dot Plant, too.
maria says
bathroom porn! i would not change a thing
Jay says
Very impressive for its age – so pristine. This is a “cold” clinical approach to a bathroom. One almost expects Dr. Kildare to come in to prep for surgery. This room doesn’t need extraneous frou frou. Just some warming up with solid black, navy, grey, or green towels and rugs to contrast with the pink. Not the typical bath one sees in Pam’s old catalogs. I like the way the sink and mirror are centered in the doorway. Maybe some plants over the toilet where the light comes in from the tub window. That tub scares me, almost like you have to dive into it. Nice bathroom!
Now that dressing area is very chic with its mirrors and dropped light valance, very 40s Hollywood.
Jamie D. says
I love this room! I think it’s almost perfect as-is, simple and clean. It’s a pretty shade of pink, not overpowering at all.
I agree with a previous poster who said to find a new toilet seat – they come in dozens and dozens of shades from Bemis, but I’ve had good luck finding vintage colors on Amazon at more affordable prices. Might take you a few tries to get the right shade, but I think it’ll make a world of difference to make the room feel fresher.
I think to break up all those big solid blocks of pink, you can bring in several different accent colors, instead of sticking with just one. I just bought this shower curtain for my blue bathroom and think it would look fantastic in your room: http://www.amazon.com/DENY-Designs-Khristian-Curtain-72-Inch/dp/B005PFT4VQ Yes, it’s expensive for a shower curtain but the quality is fantastic, very heavy fabric.
That way, you have a bright white background, and you can use little accents of turquoise, yellow, black, red, etc. for your towels, shaggy mats, artwork, and accessories. I like the previous suggestions of plants & Blenko. What about a cute little clock?
Jamie D says
Oh, shoot. I thought the tub was separate from the shower stall – is that not the case?
pam kueber says
yes, it’s separate…
Jamie D says
Ok, well then maybe I would use a tension rod to hang a shower curtain over the tub anyway, just for privacy or to hold in the steam. I’m having a hard time visualizing the whole layout of the room and how that might look.
I love the simplicity of the first mood board.
Brian T says
I would treat this room as a great example of something that does not need to be “decorated.” I’ve never seen another room that was so clearly designed to thwart ornamentation — this room does not want to be decorated.
The worst that can be said about it is that it is “unrelieved,” and your towels will take care of that. The pink is as soft and flattering and unobjectionable as it could possibly be. In fact, you need MORE pink — I’d channel all my energies into obtaining a matching toilet seat.
The glass block puts me in mind of an Art Deco palette, so find some dark gray towels. If you restrain yourself from accessorizing, the default “accessories” will be the chrome of your hardware. Find a shiny silver wastebasket with a lid — something streamlined and timeless.
RangerSmith says
I completely agree with Brian T – this room is not in “need” of decorating. Keep it clean, simple and streamlined. If storage is neeed, something in chrome or white. You are lucky to have this bathroom!
lisa says
I’m with the “don’t decorate it” crowd. It needs towels, naturally, and probably it is best to go with a neutral — white, black, grey. And personally I would like a rug in the space because I bet it is a bit echoey. Something fluffy, with all those hard surfaces, and matching whatever towels you choose. Beautiful room! Although I’m a “save the pink bathroom” supporter, there are many examples I’d personally find a bit hard to live with — very fussy tile designs, salmon shades creeping into the pink, etc. This seems to me a very “clean” shade of pink and a relatively neutral style overall. Lucky!
Martini Girl says
Totally agree with this.
The colours are so subtle and the space so large that to ‘fill’ it with decoration would just make it twee.
I would accentuate the soft pink with white towels and a white bath mat and leave it at that.
pam kueber says
I love that word, “twee”.
Charmaine says
I LOVE this bathroom. It is so awesome, I wouldn’t worry about “decorating” it. A pink poodle shower curtain, chenille bath mat, and you’re done! Why mess with such perfection? On a side note, I have the same towel rack, toilet paper holder and soap dish in my 60’s bungalow. Awesome!!
Sarah says
I’m not sure what the climate is where you live, but I live in Illinois and in the winter all that tile would be a little chilly – so I’d focus on elements to insulate and warm it up. Rugs for sure! Lots of thick towels. A chrome towel warming rack above the toilet could add some heat and also be a place to hang some nice towels. (of course if you live in a year-round-warm place this may not be relevant)
I noticed another commenter mentioned a potential lack of electric outlets. Depending on what is on the other sides of the bathroom walls you might be able to open up that side of the wall to add electrical/plumbing elements without distrubing the awesome tile. Opening up sheetrock and replastering is likely less risky than disturbing the tile.
As for color I would use a peach that would tie with the vanity space outside the bathroom. I love a tone on tone when working with retro pink.
A vanity stool with an amazing piece of fabric on top would be excellent at the vanity. One thing you may end up considering to change out is the lighting above the vanity. Flourescent tubes (if that is indeed what is in there) can be a real downer when you look in the mirror in the morning – a more natural light source would likely improve the quality of light and thus life for you, and it could be retrofitted within the same space, preserving the period look.