Our miniseries on vintage bathroom colors continues! Blue bathrooms may not be quite as prolific as their cousin pink — but there were still loads of beautiful blue vintage bathrooms installed in homes all over the country in midcentury America. Today, we take a look at some of many shades of blue that were produced from 1927-1962, along with their pretty names — like “Clair De Lune.” There are even some dark navy blues in the mix.
American Standard Blues — Clair De Lune Blue, Royal Copenhagen Blue and Regency Blue
In 1930, American-Standard offered two blues — one lighter pastel blue called ‘Clair De Lune Blue’ (above) and one darker blue ‘Royal Copenhagen Blue’ shown below. Above images: 1930 American-Standard Clair De Lune Blue bathroom fixtures from the MBJ collection/archive.org.
Above images: 1930 American-Standard Royal Copenhagen Blue bathroom fixtures from the MBJ collection/archive.org.
By 1950, American Standard had removed the darker Royal Copenhagen Blue color from their lineup in favor of the more popular lighter Clair De Lune Blue. Above from: 1950 American-Standard catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org showing Clair De Lune Blue bathroom fixtures.
The 1960s ushered in ‘Regency Blue’ which looks very similar to its early sibling ‘Clair De Lune Blue.’
Three images above: 1962 American-Standard catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org showing Regency Blue fixtures.
Kohler Blue — Horizon Blue, Cerulean
A few years ago, Pam wrote about the very first year — 1927 — that Kohler offered its bathroom fixtures in colors besides white. One of these original colors was ‘Horizon Blue.’
Kohler’s 1928 ‘Horizon Blue’ must have been a very pale blue/gray color because it appears to be almost white in the catalog illustration above. The exact same image and color also appears in Kohler’s 1929 catalog. Above: Horizon Blue fixtures from a 1928 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org.
Above: We see Kohler’s color lineup 1936 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org. While Horizon Blue was still offered and may have been darkened, it was not one of their four most popular colors as indicated by the larger swatch size above.
Above: In this 1948 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org, we see the whole palette for the year, which includes their new, brighter blue Cerulean showcased here with a lovely deep red and white themed bathroom. Also, note the dental sink!
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, Cerulean Blue is still going strong.
You can see Kohler’s complete color offerings — including all of their different blues — in this extensive color timeline found on Kohler’s website.
Crane — Lucerne Blue
Above: This 1940 Crane catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org shows their blue as “Lucerne Blue.” Just check out the use of color in this bathroom — purple floor, black wall, pink walls and gold towels with blue fixtures. What a bold arrangement!
Montgomery Ward — Sky Blue
This 1955 Montgomery Ward catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org offers fixtures in Sky Blue.
Briggs — Sky Blue
Three images above of Briggs’ Sky Blue from: A 1951 Briggs Beautyware catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org show off some inventive decor ideas for a blue bathroom.
The two images above show Sky Blue from the 1950s Briggs Beautyware catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org. Check out that low profile blue toilet.
Eljer — Midnight Blue and Twilight Blue
Pam spotted this 1939 Eljer catalog in the MBJ Collection on archive.org that shows their color offerings, which include a dark blue called ‘Midnight Blue’ and a lighter pastel ‘Twilight Blue.’
Alliance Ware — Blue
Pam found this ad for Alliance Ware porcelain enameled bathroom fixtures that includes a pastel blue in a 1950s Small Homes Guide.
Reader’s blue bathrooms
Above: We just love Kristen and Paul’s aqua blue 1940s bathroom with black and white accents.
Above: Nanette and Jim built a lovely blue and white bathroom from scratch in their basement.
Two images above: This 1950s time capsule house had seven vintage bathrooms — two of which are blue.
Above: The Comer House in Gallatin, Tenn. has a lovely blue and white vintage bathroom.
Above: Alice’s 1950s blue bathroom has a fun mosaic floor tile pattern that we figured out how to replicate.
Still want more blue? Check out Pam’s story: Scenes from 22 blue midcentury bathrooms
We are getting ready to gut a bathroom we still have the original toilet in like a teal blue and the tub any idea on how much we could get for them or should we just trash them?
Hi Mary, places like craigslist or Facebook Marketplace are places you could list them (and check for pricing in your area.) Be sure to Renovate Safe!
I have gotten Standard’s bathroom fixture in Royal Copenhagen blue. I’m trying to figure out a color code to purchase a toilet seat. I can’t find anything in the literature.
Please, help. Thanks.
Hi Deb, I don’t know the answer to this…