An original pink and black bathroom is always a crowd pleaser — and today, we have a beautiful example. After figuring out relatively early in his house-hunting journey that he was likely to end up in an older house, eader Robert set his sites on finding one with either a pink-and-white or black-and-white bathroom. Of course, the RDGs delivered unto him the pink. To put his own stamp on the space, Robert needed to complete only minor defroufrouification, and the bathroom was good to go. <– bathroom pun, teehee.
Robert addressed his first email to Pam, writing:
Hi Pam – I always enjoy your blog and I thought you might like to see my pink bathroom. I’ve included probably more images than you want (i’m a photographer, sorry!)… The house is in Connecticut from 1950, and the bathroom was in pristine condition. Not a crack or chip anywhere. It’s like it was never used. It originally had some pretty u*** [edited] wallpaper and drapes which all came down immediately! I decided to work around the theme and have fun with it adding vintage stuff, rather than try and make it look current. The walls are painted with a silver iridescent glaze paint.
Funny story – when I was looking at homes I kept seeing h****** [edited] bathrooms. I remember thinking to myself, “If I have to have an old bathroom, can’t I find a black and white, or pink and black?” So when the realtor walked me in {to this house}, and she starting apologizing for the bathroom suggesting how I could work with it, I held my hand out stopping her, and said, “NO, no, no!! this is GREAT!” She looked at me and was like, “It IS??!”
Decorating a pink and black bathroom
Robert, we agree: This is great! You were very lucky indeed to land a vintage pink and black bathroom that was in such great shape and which *needed* only modest cosmetic updates to suit your own personal style. We don’t include a resource list with this story, because it looks like most of your decor items are vintage. However, we will say, it looks like you added black porcelain bathroom sconces from Rejuvenation — correct?
Painting the walls a metallic silver and adding the black crown molding really played up the contrast and angular detail of the space — making this bathroom feel handsome. The crown molding also nicely echoed the black bullnose and liner tile that outlines the bathroom — and helped to balance out the dark flooring.
The graphics used to advertise and market vintage bathroom products are so cool — a relatively easy way to make a nod to a vintage bathroom’s history — and great decor, too.
Other black accessories — like this retro wall clock — repeat the “outlined in black” motif.
Agreed: No matter how sophisticated a pink and black bathroom might get, there’s always room for a pink poodle in Paris. We are sure that lots of readers will be green with envy over this vintage laundry hamper.
Another clever trick that Robert used to continue the room’s outlines was to paint the inside of the shower opening black — thus continuing the tile outline all the way around the shower entrance.
A few other vintage details like this pink Detecto bath scale amp up the retro factor.
Vintage advertisements framed as art in pink and steel finish out the space.
We can certainly see Robert’s visual skills — he is a photographer with a nifty retro site design — in this thoughtfully designed space. Thank you, Robert, for sharing this gorgeous pink potty with the appreciative tribe at Retro Renovation.
Steph says
So, where has all the pink TP gone?
pam kueber says
I *think* there was an issue with *skin irritation* due to the dies in the pink TP. Or, at least I think I read that at some point.
Jay says
Just pink caused irritation? I never knew that. I just figured all the pastel colors faded from the market for economy reasons. The manufacturer saved money by just producing white. Sort of like Henry Ford, “you can have any color so long as it is black”.
pam kueber says
My info is anecdotal — not authoritative. I guess I should call Charmin and ask the question!
Sarah g (roundhouse) says
My rich friend in highschool had personalized monogrammed TP a this house. I had never seen anything like that before or since. It was like regular TP on the back but gold on the front side with burgandy Ks.
pam kueber says
That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard in a long, long time. I read last year that bakers in New York were putting flakes of gold on their desserts. So rich people could literally shit gold. Pardon my french.
George K. says
I believe too there was a skin irritation issue. I was thinking about it as soon as I saw the photograph of the vintage TP ad (before I even read these comments). Anytime I see ads for vintage colored TP in old mags, vintage stores, etc., my mind always goes there! I remember my mom told me the same thing Pam mentioned years after the issue happened. I remembered solid colored TP as a kid even in the 70s and questioned where had it gone.
RetroSandie says
I also remember all of the pretty colors of TP that were available back in the day. I think is was the skin irritation thing that got everyone changing to white. Also, I remember that Kleenex also came in pastel colors. I guess when the TP changed to white, so did the tissues.
robert norman says
up until a couple of years ago, I was still able to get pink Scott tissue at Stop and Shop–then it seems all the colors disappeared!
Lola Montez says
I think it had to do with dyes in the sewer system — because they STILL make Kleenex tissues in colors. But not toilet paper. I had a few rolls in peach I nurtured for a long time!
In my area (Midwest), you can buy pink, blue, green and beige Kleenex. The green is a soft green, not the avocado green you used to see in the 60s. Sadly, you cannot get yellow anymore — that pretty canary yellow that used to be a common bathroom color. I have six boxes of “vintage Kleenex” in yellow, that I have been nurturing! I only use it on special occasions!
I really miss the colored toilet paper. I am sure today they could manufacture it with harmless dyes in it. But the demand is not there.
NOTE: at my local dollar store, occasionally tissue shows up (from India or someplace) in colors like purple. But not often.
Mary Elizabeth says
Hi, Robert,
I had a friend from New London who had your same name–and a pink bathroom in his house when we were kids. He died a few years ago, so I shed a couple of fat tears on my keyboard. But then, that poodle hamper cheered me up! My mom had one like it in green, without the poodle.
Everyone has given you all the right kudos for pulling off the wallpaper–I like some wallpaper, but this design was so cluttered one would feel claustrophobic and couldn’t see the rest of the features of the room–and for patiently collecting all the vintage toiletries, etc. No one mentioned the thing that jumped out at me in the first “after” picture–you painted the radiator to match the tile, so that it just blends into the wall instead of dominating it. Great color sense you have!
Oh, and be very careful of using that vintage fan if it is in working condition. A visiting kid (or a visitor who has kid-like qualities) could lose a finger in it, because it doesn’t have a cage around it, as is required on all fans since about the ’70s.. I would suggest mounting a little shelf in a corner near the ceiling for it and displaying it there. If you don’t do your own electrical, have an electrician install an outlet for it higher up on the wall. It will actually work better to break up the hot air in the room that way.
I love that your real estate agent wrote in about what you’d done. I don’t blame her for thinking you wouldn’t want to keep the pink bath: I’ve learned by being on this site that although there are some of us out here that like to preserve rather than tear out the mid-century home features, we are a rare breed. It’s just wonderful to meet you and all the others who share their projects on this site.
robert norman says
it’s actually a ‘new old’ fan from Restoration hardware–so the blades are plastic and its nowhere as dangerous as it looks!!
Mary Elizabeth says
So cool that the blades are safe and new. You had me fooled, Robert!
RetroSandie says
I thought the same thing! Yay that Robert painted the radiator to match the tiles!! I love how everything was done~it looks swellerific!!!! I think we would also like to see the rest of the house, Robert! I hope we DO!!
Rinke says
Thumbs up! The silver looks awesome with that pink and black!
JKaye says
Robert’s bathroom re-do is elegant and smart. The black crown molding and silver walls are what really make it work, in my opinion. I do want to salute the former owner, who kept the bathroom in great condition, and obviously really loved the pink bathroom too, as can be seen by all of the decorative touches. Finally, bravo to Robert for the black towels with the monster appliques. They keep the bathroom from seeming like a retro museum.
robert norman says
I love those little ‘monster’ towels–got them on Etsy. They don’t really match but I thought they were fun regardless!
Beth says
bathroom bliss. i love it!
Jay says
Yes, I think this has to be my favorite pink bath to date. I know lotsa folks like wall paper (Pam!!!) but I think the neutral background allows the accessories and the old toiletries to shine. I like the vintage clock and the glass shelves (how did you install them?). Makes me wish my pink and black bath was as nice as this one but it had major problems. Oh Yes! That floor, beautiful. What is it?
Kudos to you for shushing the realtor. They need ettiquett lessons in knowing when to hold off on the “needs updating” line.
Great Job!
Robert Norman says
The shelves are attached to little brackets. So it’s just 2 screws in the wall! The floor is SOME sort of linoleum tile I haven’t really messed with ( afraid to open that can of worms ) actually it’s funny my realtor was great, I think she just assumed I’d hate a pink bathroom!!
Jay says
Well it looks great and does look like black marble, especially with the glossy finish.
Anna Sawin says
Bravo Robert! Love seeing this there–and proud to say I’ve been in this bathroom! 🙂
Jane Thibeault says
Just GORGEOUS!!!!! I love everything about it and wish it were mine!
Phyllis says
Robert ~ The bathroom looks incredible and, you are correct, I was not sure if you would like it. However, I have clients who purchased a home recently who also have a lovely pink powder room and I’m trying to tell them NOT to re-do it. So I will send forward this to them for inspiration. You are amazing and have such a good eye. Your home is gorgeous. It was perfect for you. Hope to see you soon.
robert norman says
I KNEW you’d enjoy seeing this!!!
Aleta says
Love this bath! Can’t believe it is in such fine condition – and that shower! amazerating – especially love the vintage vignette on the glass shelves and the silver wall paint – perfection!