Read all about Mamie Eisenhower’s pink bathroom at Gettysburg here
Every Retro-Renovation-card carrying reader knows that pink bathrooms were wildly popular in midcentury America — thanks in part to First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, who popularized the color in the 1950s. When did we first see pink in bathrooms, though? And what were the different shades from the different manufacturers? I dove back into one of our favorite resources, The Building Techology Heritage Library on archive.org, to start tracking the history and see how many different pinks I could find in bathroom fixtures.
American Standard pinks — Rose Du Barry (pinky purple Orchid of Vincennes), Corallin and Venetian Pink
Above images: 1930 American-Standard Rose Du Barry bathroom fixtures and kitchen sink from the MBJ collection/archive.org.
In the 1930s, American Standard offered a Rose Du Barry pink (above) which looks to be a very rosy, bright pink. The company also offered Orchid Of Vincennes (below) that is likely a lavender pink, though it is hard to tell from the vintage catalog whether it leaned more toward purple or pink.
Above images: 1930 American-Standard Orchid of Vincennes bathroom fixtures from the MBJ collection/archive.org.
Above: By 1950, American Standard had removed their purpley pink Orchid of Vincennes from their color lineup and tweaked their Rose Du Barry pink to be a softer pastel pink, which they called ‘Corallin’. Above from: 1950 American-Standard catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org showing Corallin Pink bathroom fixtures.
By 1962, Corallin was out and a very similar pink — called Venetian Pink — had taken over. In fact, Venetian Pink can still be found today at the last known source for a new pink toilet, Peerless.
Five images above: 1962 American-Standard catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org showing Venetian Pink fixtures.
Kohler Pink — Lavender, Peachblow
A few years ago, Pam wrote about the very first year — 1927 — that Kohler offered its bathroom fixtures in colors besides white. “Lavender” was in the new palette — and golly, we think it looks pink. Above: Lavender fixtures from a 1928 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org.
By 1936, Kohler had created a separation between Lavender and pink by creating a peachier pink named “Peachblow” which — along with Tuscan, Spring Green and Lavender — became one of their most popular colors. Above: We see Kohler’s color lineup and a Peachblow bathroom in this 1936 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org.
Above: In this 1948 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org, we see the whole palette for the year, which included Peachblow, which Kohler says is a “..more restrained, almost beige” pink that is a toned-down version of Lavender.
By 1949, Kohler had reduced its color offerings to just four: Spruce Green, Peachblow, Cerulean Blue and Tuscan. Two images above: from a 1949 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org.
Above images: In this 1950 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org, Peachblow is still going strong.
According to Kohler’s excellent color timeline, Peachblow remained in production until 1973, when it was joined by Pink Champagne, a much bolder pink. In the 1980’s Wild Rose and Innocent Blush took over, though they were much more beiged-out pinks. Antique Rose was added in the mauve crazy mid 1990s and then Vapour Pink, a light pastel pink similar to their vintage pinks, was around for a short while before Kohler completely removed the color pink from their lineup.
Crane — Orchid Pink
In 1940, Crane offered Orchid Pink along with India Ivory, Citrus Yellow, Pale Jade, Lavender and Sun Tan as part of their lineup. Images above from: 1940 Crane catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org.
Montgomery Ward — Tropical Coral
This 1955 Montgomery Ward catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org offers fixtures in Tropical Coral.
Briggs — Coral
The two images above show Coral from the 1950s Briggs Beautyware catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org.
Eljer — Old Rose, Royal Orchid and Coral Blush
Pam spotted some Eljer catalogs from 1939 and 1940 on archive.org that showed several shades of pink — including Old Rose, Royal Orchid and Coral Blush.
Alliance Ware — Pink
Pam found this ad for Alliance Ware porcelain enameled bathroom fixtures that includes a pastel pink in a 1950s Small Homes Guide.
Present day
When I created my new retro pink master bathroom from scratch back in 2013, I used a vintage sink found on Craigslist, that I believe is Kohler Peachbow and a Bahama Pink toilet made by Gerber — a color that was sadly discontinued in 2015. Gerber also discontinued their matching lavatory sink in Bahama Pink.
Today, the only source we know where you can still find a pink toilet and sink is Peerless. Their Venetian Pink fixtures come in several styles of toilet and sink. The company also offers a few other select retro colors. There is currently no known company manufacturing pink bathtubs.
Still want more?
- See our collection of stories about Pink Bathrooms
- Visit SaveThePinkBathrooms.com for more on the history of the pink bathroom and take the pledge!
See our other stories about vintage bathroom colors:
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Katie says
IKEA has towels and bathmats in pink. No pink shower curtains, but they do have a few patterned ones that have pink in them.
Cheryl says
We just bought a house built in 1960. It has a very dark pink bathroom which I am going to keep, with grey and pink small tiles. The house also has the formica counter tops and because everything looks so good(like no one lived there) we will be keeping as well.
Mary Elizabeth says
Kudos to you, Cheryl! Welome to the “Save the Pink Bathroom” club. Why is it that so many of the midcentury houses look spanking-new clean? Was it the quality of the fixtures or was it the obsessive cleaning that a stay-at-home mom could find time for? Maybe a little of both?
Enjoy decorating your pink bathroom and finding things to go with it. There are many, many stories on this site that will help you. Look also for discussions of non-abrasive cleaners to keep that tub, sink and toilet looking spiffy for another 56 years! Also enjoy your “new” old house in every way.
Amber Dancy says
I think my master bath might be Venetian Pink. It’s more of a peachy-pink as opposed to a feminine pink, but paired with very light peach tiles it makes the toilet and sink look brighter. I imagine this was a compromise between husband and wife.
https://flic.kr/p/uBFfLr
As much as I love vintage wallpaper, I’m not a fan of my master bath. It hurts my eyes and I’d love to pair the pink with an aqua or a light blue. Maybe make it pop a bit more.
Our original bathroom (circa 1948) has white fixtures, but the tile used to be this AMAZING shade of blue-green. https://flic.kr/p/uzjind
Can anybody identify the color? Shame it was painted over. Everything in the house was made by American Standard, as far as I can tell, if that helps.
pam kueber says
We have some stories on the other colors coming up!
HoustonTX says
My pink tile bathroom is original to the house, built in 1956. The accent tiles, toilet, sink and tub are bone. No broken tiles, just some gaps in the grout which I can fix. My problem is matching the pink or at least finding paint and accessories that don’t clash, and digital photos just can’t seem to get the color right. What I need is a color sample I can take shopping. Any tips on how to get one?
pam kueber says
I guess what I would try is getting paint chips from a big box store and seeing if I could get a close match to the tiles – and then use those. The other way you could do it is to get a set of acrylic paints in the right hues and then start mixing until you get matches that are close — then take those color samples with you…
Bob says
In the above article there is a picture of a bathroom in Venetian pink by American standard. That is exactly the bathtub I grew up with. Where can we get it
Bob says
the Venetian pink bathtub picture is right below the words “the ultimate touch of femininity for m’lady”
Don Heeter says
I have a Pink Bathroom sink that has the logo on it
LJ No 1 and a date of 9-24-640
Is there any information that anybody can provide me on who the manufacturer is ( LJ ) ? The bowl is 17 1/4″ width, 13 1/4″ High,
6 3/4″ Depth. Thank you for your help.
Steve Taylor says
Not 100% sure, but I think LJ is for Eljer.
judah says
I need help in matching color for my sink..
Pam Kueber says
Hi Judah, I’m not sure what you are asking.
Markie says
We’re acquiring an entire bathroom of pink tub, commode, sink, vanity and relaxation unit. The fixtures are marked Crane Pacific 1958. Super excited and proud to be saving a pink bathroom!
Mishell spolar says
Where can I sell my 1960 pink toilet?
Pam Kueber says
Try craiglist or Facebook Marketplace.
Amanda Russell says
What is the maker and color of pink.
I have broken the tank cover of my American Standard toilet.
Interested!
Pam Kueber says
Depends on the year but see the story, some information is already in here.
Plus you could try: https://www.plumbingsupply.com/freetoilettanklidssearch.html