Last week I was on location at the Wilson House in Temple, Texas — and one of the first rooms I wanted to see was the pink bathroom. The 1959 Wilson House is famous in the world of midcentury modern design because it is “the house that laminate built.” Most of the interior is finished with laminate — the design brainchild of Ralph Wilson, founder of Wilsonart, which today is the largest marketer of decorative high pressure laminates in the U.S. Yes: That’s laminate covering not only the bathroom’s cabinets and the counter tops, but the walls and the bathtub/shower surround, too. Let’s ogle all the details –>
Just to ground everyone, I’ve done several stories on the Wilsonart House already:
- This overview about the Wilson House, published in 2008. I *think* I was one of the the first, if not the first, in the design blogging world to recast attention on this house.
- Watch the video about the Wilson House with Grace Jeffers, who led the restoration of this historic house.
- Read about how laminate is made, by Grace Jeffers. If you have a kitchen build any time after about 1948 and through to about 1990, laminate will be your single most authentic historic material choice for a kitchen counter top.
- Also, see this story we did recently spotlighing 70 luscious vintage Wilsonart Glitter laminate designs. Nom nom nom nom nom.
Yes, the Wilson House has a pink bathroom. But it’s not an “ordinary” pink bathroom full of Mamie Eisenhower pink ceramic tile. There’s a bit of that… But mostly, there is laminate.
There is laminate used as a surround in the shower, which also features a “shower receptor bath tub” – sunken (This looks kinda dangerous to me; consult with a properly licensed professional if you have any inklings of trying a similar design.) Regarding the laminate on the walls, I am told that yes, this is workable even today — BUT, the adhesive and backing you use will be critical, AND a manufacturer likely will not warrant the laminate used in this super wet application.
The walls are tongue-in-groove pieces of pink laminate, pieced together to look like paneling. The vanity is a two-sided contraption covered in laminate.
Note: This is NOT the master bathroom. It is a second bathroom.
Can anyone identify the manufacturer of the faucet? I am going to guess Eljer.
Vinyl tile has streaks and slubs of black and pink….
The 9″ vinyl (likely vinyl-asbestos) tiles are pieced together with an additional inlay of black. (The kitchen floor uses this design device as well, with a different color of 9″ floor tile.)
Above: the marbleized pink laminate on the tub/shower surround. I auto-corrected this photo, then dialed up the black. Not sure this photo shows the pink correctly…
So above, here is my photo, un-retouched.
Above: An adorable little vanity stool. History: Glitter laminate was wildly popular beginning in the early 1950s. Initially, it was just pieces of real glitter laid onto white or colored papers, then laminated. Initially, it seems you get two Glitter designs — one had less glitter, the other, more. After a few years, laminate manufacturers then introduced additional glitter-based designs with additional squigglies or other marks in or on them.
As seen in the Wilsonart pink bathroom, marbleized designs also were available.
Alas, today, the number of abstract/patterned laminates like this suitable for a vintage style pink bathrooms are — ZERO, as far as I know.You can get solids, or off-white marbles, but no 1950s style pinks that I know of.
Above: Detail. Photo is retouched; color is not right.
Above: Nice light, I adore this shade. This shade was also used in the master bathroom.
Thanks to Wilsonart for letting me tour the Wilsonart House, hosted by Grace Jeffers. Note: I paid my own way, this was NOT a sponsored junket. As I’ve evolved as a blogger, I have decided I will not take any free trips (I took two, early on). I want to stay as neutral third-party journalist as possible. I did accept Wilsonart’s dinner invitation, though, and had a fabulous time with the Luminous Ladies of Laminate. I am now a full-fledged Laminate Geek and darn proud of it! More to come soon on the rest of my visit.
Thanks also to Wilsonart for inviting their staff photographer Keith Talley of Talley Photography to take a few shots of me and Grace and Tammy Weadock of Wilsonart while we were at the Wilsonart House. The photo at the very top — Pam in the Pink — is by Keith. And oh my goodness, all the pink bouncing off my skin — I like it! Which is why I made Reason #6 for Saving a Pink Bathroom:
6. Retro botox — Pink is actually a great color for bathrooms because the reflected glow makes you look younger…healthier. Photographers seem to like pink bathrooms for the same reason.
Surely Mrs. Wilson loved it, too!
View each image larger in this gallery:
MsKittyMuses says
So jealous! I really hope to see this house someday. And it would be so fabulous if someone, anyone, would make glitter laminate again! I also love that floor treatment with the inlay of black! Everything about this bathroom is very original and to die for!
Tonya says
I love, love, love that floor.
Robin, NV says
I love the floors too! What a cool pattern.
Am I the only one who loves the laminate paneling? It’s slightly ridiculous and probably more trouble than it’s worth but I dig it.
oh Holland says
I second your appreciation for that paneling. Despite the trouble getting it cut and installed, imagine never having to paint it again, and such an easy clean up. Most of all, it looks stunning.
rebecca Prichard says
Excellent that you went there!
Janet in CT says
Makes you look younger? I’M SOLD! Great feature and I love the bathroom, especially the glitter pink formica and that stool! Looking forward to more articles on the house.
midmichigan says
Great post, Pam! I sure wish one of the major manufacturers would again make the white with gold fleck pattern. That’s comfort laminate to me.
Jenny A. says
I’ve enjoyed all the posts you’ve written about the Wilson house and am excited to see the rest of the details of your visit. What better way to start a Monday than with a laminated pink bathroom!!
Mary Elizabeth says
What a beauty! It looks like there are three different pink laminates in there and also some black. The double-sided vanity and mirror on a chrome pole are interesting, but why not two sinks and two sets of drawers while they were at it?
Too bad these colors and designs are not in the Wilsonart palette now. They look so good with the white fixtures and pink shower tile.
It sounds like you had a good time, too. Even if the tour wasn’t free, you can at least take off the trip as a business expense, yes? 🙂
Stephanie says
Thanks for sharing, Pam! I think my favorite feature is the double-sided access vanity. What a great idea!
thatmidcenturyfella says
I love this house, but I can’t stop but think about all the asbestos in that place. From the mastic to the tiles, it’s gotta be loaded!
pam kueber says
Good reminder, thatmidcenturyfella, as Precautionary Pam says: Our vintage houses can contain vintage nastiness such as lead and asbestos; readers, get with your own properly licensed professional to determine what in your house and its layers and how to handle.
Marc says
I believe the faucet is a Price Pfister. It pulls toward you to operate. One of the earliest of the cartridge-style faucets.
My 1966 house had one in the guest bath, but I could not find parts when it started leaking.
pam kueber says
Thank you!