When readers Amy and Mack were searching for a new home, they knew they wanted something built in the 1960s without a lot of remuddling — so when they toured a house with a lavender bathroom, Amy knew immediately that it was meant to be.
Amy writes:
We recently relocated to Raleigh, North Carolin,a and had a hard time finding a suitable house – translated – built in the 1960’s without a lot of remuddling. At the last house on the 3rd day of searching, the house found us. When I got to the top of the stairs, there it was – a bathroom with lavender tile! I thought of SaraRoundhouse and her lavender bath and knew this house was the one. The realtor was yammering on about ripping it out – I wasn’t listening because I was too busy wondering where to find a lavender toilet to bring this beauty back. A year later it’s ready for its closeup. nd yes, I found that toilet! Folks laugh about lavender, until they see it — then they want one!
Did you know you can’t find lavender toilet bolt caps anywhere?! I had some enamel paint matched to one of the tiles, prepped and painted them myself. Bemis has come out with classic color lids and seat – perfect match! The toilet was found at Habitat after stalking them for several months.
The vanity had to go into a space that was of course non-standard sized. Lacking Kate’s woodworking skills, and refusing to buy big box cabinets, I got to thinking, what would look period? I’ve always loved gold and white French Provincial furniture, so I found the one French Provincial style vanity in the USA that would work in the space. (No skills to tear up and rebuild a perfectly good original dresser.) Since the vanity would mostly cover the typical hole in the flooring under the old vanity, we used plywood and concrete board to fill it, and then installed white tile. The baseboard that is visible is lavender tile. The part behind the vanity is just regular baseboard painted lavender. The mirror is classic 60-70’s – just toned it down with a little silver paint.
The pictures over the loo belonged to my mother-in-law. I’ve hauled them around for years and guess what – they have the perfect shade of lavender in them! The wall paint was supposed to be a pale gray blue (winner out of 47 tries). It turned green. But looks good with the lavender.
If you are going to have a lavender bathroom, you have to have a lavender chandelier (you can tell I lost the plot with that).
Amy, your lavender bathroom looks fantastic! The French Provincial style vanity works well in the space, and we just love your lavender toilet and original matching tile. Kudos on a job well done. And heck — if a purple chandelier makes you happy, why not? There are so many ways to retro — and we love them all!
Pat says
I’m desperate for a lavender toilet to match my lavender sink…any idea where I can find one?
Anna Bertram says
I WANT one just like it! Great job!
Lori says
Love it! I have a purple/lavender/white bathroom and the lavender toilet would be perfect!!! Mfgs would do well to start making these again! Great job!
Steve Musselman says
Hi Pam, it’s nice to see all these matching green, pink, blue, lavender toilets being reused in matching bathroom renovations. I have mixed feelings about it because I hope people will keep in mind that old commodes like this use immense amounts of water- most of them will take 5 or 6 gallons of water per flush! (yeah, really!) whereas new toilets use 1.6 gallons and they flush just as well. I hope that owners will, at the very least, install WaterSaver devices in the tanks if they reuse old toilets. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and it would at least get the usage down to 2 or 2 ½ gallons per flush, which really is still nothing to rave about.
G S says
Congrats! It really looks fabulous! Love the Lavender!
Mark says
Never seen a lavender bathroom like that, the toilet was quite the find! Is the tub lavender as well? Wonder if they can be re-glazed in custom colors? The French provincial add that perfect touch of Hollywood Regency along with it.
pam kueber says
Yes, Sarah had hers reglazed in lavender and it looks beautiful: https://retrorenovation.com/2013/10/14/lavender-purple-bathroom-remodel/
Joe Felice says
This must be the rarest of all the retro colors. I don’t think they called it lavender, however. Maybe “lilac?” I wouldn’t have thought you get ever find a toilet. Which got me to thinking: “Can you get the outside of a toilet re-glazed?” If so, imagine how-much fun you could have with color! In this instance, a matching sink and tub would have been awesome.
The bedroom in my first home, a 1952 rancher, was lavender, even the ceiling. I always said I would repaint it, but never did.
Amy says
Reglazing is fine for tubs, walls, sinks, and counter tops. However, it is not suitable for floors (too much wear) or toilets, because of condensation problems.
pam kueber says
Contact professionals to see what they say….
Betsy in Michigan says
Very nice! I’m not a pink person (though I do appreciate seeing all the pink bathrooms people restore or make), but a bit of lavender IS lovely. I agree that a shower curtain with some of those hues might make it even tastier.
Mary Elizabeth says
Lavender is one of my favorite colors–lovely! And the chandelier and French provincial cabinet give the room some Hollywood-style glam.
If your carpentry skills are not up to par, how are your sewing skills? This bird fabric is on sale at Country Curtains, and I think it would make a lovely shower curtain.
[wrong link – Mary Elizabeth, can you try again?]
Karen says
My 81-year-old neighbour has a lavender bathroom – tub, toilet, vanity. I just love it! She lives alone on her farm (husband passed 2 years ago) across the street from me where she and her husband have lived since 1958. They built their new ranch house in 1971, when they put in a lavender bathroom. So cool! When she finally sells up I’m pretty sure that bathroom will be torn out. I surely hope not though.