One of the best compliments I’ve received about my pink bathroom was when the electrician asked if the wall and floor tiles were original, a remark that made me grin from ear to ear. Constructing a new pink bathroom that looks like it is fresh from 1962 — the year my house was built — was no small feat. Besides the actual work to install everything, I spent many hours sourcing materials, comparing samples and looking for vintage bits and pieces. Yes, sourcing all the products to build a retro pink bathroom is more work than sourcing a similar remodel using white fixtures and tile that’s popular today, but with a little determination, it is possible. For those just starting this journey, you’re in luck. I’ve compiled a list of all my resources — most of which are readily available — to help you build the retro pink bathroom of your dreams.
Update: Since this story was written in 2013, many of the links to the products are broken — or the products have been discontinued — but we will keep the list up to help you get started.
- Vintage light — a gift from Pam’s hoard.
- Juno 8′ square recessed ceiling light with white trim and crystal diffuser glass (purchased through electrician).
- GE 60-minute spring wound timer switch — Home Depot.
- Vintage mirror with cosmetics box — Habitat for Humanity Restore.
- Grohe Arden 4 inch spread mid-arc bathroom faucet, chrome — Home Depot
- Pionite laminate counter top, Rock of Ages.
- Vintage pink sink with hudee ring — Craigslist.
- Vintage Amerock chrome dish knobs — Habitat for Humanity Restore.
- Vintage Amerock chrome knobs and starburst backplates — found on Ebay.
- Sherwin Williams Satin Duration wall paint, Abalone Shell (SW 6050).
- Vintage Star Line chrome starburst towel ring — Ebay
- Vintage Star Line chrome starburst towel rod brackets — Ebay
- Sonoma life + style Ultimate Performance Bath & Hand Towels, Ivory — Kohl’s.
- Glazed ceramic wall tiles, 70W Pink — B&W Tile.
- Vintage Expan-Tite adjustable rod holder, NOS& chrome rod — Habitat for Humanity Restore.
- American Standard water saving rain shower head, chrome.
- American Standard Hand Rain Shower, chrome.
- American Standard Serin shower knobs and trim, chrome.
- Hotel White Fabric 54 inch x 78 inch shower stall sized curtain liner, white — Bed Bath and Beyond.
- 1.28 GPF Elongated Ergoheight two-piece toilet, Gerber Viper, Bahama Pink — Decor Island.
- Church Elongated toilet seat, pink — Decor Island.
- Croft & Barrow solid bath rug, light pink — Kohl’s.
- Vintage NOS Hanson Bath Scale — a gift from Pam’s hoard.
- 6″ McCobb Mid Century Modern Foot, red oak — TableLegs.com .
- SpectraLOCK Epoxy grout, Natural Grey — Lowe’s.
- Merola Tile University Pink Porcelain Mosaic Floor and Wall Tile — Home Depot.
Click HERE to read all the stories about how I built a pink bathroom.
Janis says
Love your bathroom! Looking for a recessed 61 pink recessed soap dish/washcloth holder for my tub! My sis broke mine, she’s staying at my home. Please advise! Thank you!
Pam Kueber says
Try this resource: https://retrorenovation.com/2014/07/17/33-colors-ceramic-bathroom-soap-dishes/
Alternatively, ebay always seems to have a decent selection.
Good luck.
Cindy L. says
I’m trying to find a similar bathroom light fixture. Can you share the dimensions?
Sharon Rht says
Wow! I love your bathroom. My house was built in 1953 and has pink bathroom fixtures, pink tile,with gray tile borders. I have the same sink as yours but mine has chipped porcelain. The search continues. I am also trying to find a few pink replacement tiles but so far I haven’t found a perfect match. When I bought the house there was a vintage Lady Sunbeam Electric Razor, in the original box, mint condition. It is beautiful with gold accents! It is proudly displayed with several other pink electric razors that I have collected. Thank you for the inspiration.
annacolleen says
This is the 1st time, that I have ever considered what the home I live in should even look like, and I’m going to be 59 in a few days!! My other homes, were your standard suburban homes, in standard suburban 1980’s neighborhoods. They had your basic things to choose, like countertops, flooring for rec-room, kitchen, carpets, and cabinet finishes. Each home was boring, but we merely wanted a home in which to raise our kids, that was still near enough to DC, so my husband could commute, into the city each day.
Now that the kids are grown up, and have families of their own, we finally bought a home out in the country. It is a home that a couple built. I mean that they built this home, with their own hands. It’s a cool house, and it has a personality all it’s own. Not a drywall in sight.
I am trying to make it my own, and have always wanted a pink bathroom. I’ve always wanted a pink kitchen too, but probably will try a multi-color instead. I hope this site will help me make the decisions I need to, to make this home even better than it already is.
I’m so happy to have found this site, with all the ideas therein. My Ma would have been choosing from some of these ads.
pam kueber says
Ahhhh, so nice to have you here, annacolleen. What a fun project for you!
Kay says
Hi! Great job! Wonder if anyone has ideas for trim paint colors for my pink bathroom? What brand and color would you recommend? The walls are Benjamin Moore pink damask, and they look off white with the pink tile.
Thanks!
pam kueber says
Hi Kay, so hard to say without actually seeing the room. Have you seen our entire category of Pink Bathroom stories? It’s in Bathroom Help / Pink Bathrooms.
Diana says
Pink toilet
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/for/4351438515.html
carole custer says
Help! Our plumber said that our original 48-year-old pink toilet has “limed up” and can’t be repaired. This bathroom has all pink fixtures so I want to make every effort to keep the toilet. Can anyone advise me if “limed up” really means the death of our toilet? If not, what do we need to do to keep the toilet operating?
pam kueber says
If you need a new-vintage-color toilet — see Kate’s links in this story. We have two places to get them, Peerless & Gerber (see story and category Bathrooms/Toilets).
Mary Elizabeth says
Ask your plumber for more details about what he means. Explain the importance to you of refurbishing rather than replacing. Bat your eyelashes at him if necessary. 🙂
1) If he means there are lime deposits and other mineral deposits in the toilet tank and bowl, you can take the toilet out and clean it with a strong vinegar and water solution and/or a caustic lime remover, available in hardware stores, if the vinegar doesn’t work. Use in a ventilated place, such as an outdoor deck or driveway, and use rubber gloves. (We did this in the driveway with an old blue toilet we didn’t want to replace, to the great amusement of our neighbors.) While you are cleaning, inspect for any cracks in the bowl or tank, which would render it unusable. When the toilet is sufficiently clean, have the plumber re-install it, with a new gasket on the floor and completely new workings inside and a new handle. (These parts are all availableExpect him to charge you the same as he would for installing a new toilet.
2) If you are convinced it truly cannot be made workable, by a brand new pink toilet like mine, Kate’s, and Amber’s. (See all our pink bathroom stories.) Be patient and persistent, and call the plumbing supply places recommended on this site if it isn’t clear from the web sites that pink is available. Mine came from Decorisland.com, and I got great service on the phone.
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
Ah-ha – I have been keeping my eyes peeled for a mid-century style short table leg. We have them on our bench. I ended up cleaning up the existing and they came out great, but it’s nice to see a source for them if I ever needed another one!
Devona says
So happy to have provided a small part of your FAB bathroom remodel!! (#9 – Vintage Starburst Cabinet Hardware). I’m still amazed at how you were able to get them looking sooooo good!! They had some real “patina” when you purchased them from me! 🙂
Congratulations on a project well done!!