Do you have a Cinderella bath tub and wonder how, originally, a shower curtain was supposed to work? And what about the shower curtain rod? Today, Carolyn shares hers — original to her new-to-her 1959 bathroom. Oh, what a bathroom — an original-condition 1959 pink bathroom that dreams are made of — fabulous tile work, Cinderella bath tub, gorgeous sink on chrome legs, and an equally gorgeous lowboy toilet — oh my! Carolyn has shared lots of photos — and has some questions for us before she even moves in.
Carolyn writes:
I am the proud new, second owner of a 1959 split level. Amazingly, the owner was a plumber and his brother a tile layer, so my bathrooms are pretty darn cool. This is my favorite… pre-decorating. I say decorating as that’s the only change this bathroom will get.
The wallpaper was stripped between realtor 1 and realtor 2. Apparently few people in my area were enamored of this as I am.
I’m sharing it for a few main reasons–
— to show the shape of the original Cinderella shower rod since I’ve seen others ask.
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- What is a “Cinderella” bathtub — see all my stories about them here. -Pam
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— to confirm that those hooks are intended to hold back the shower curtain. Mine have a little ball chain attachment for this purpose.
—to brag about the original shower curtain. Yes, I will need to replace this someday, but now I have a wonderful template. It is not a rectangle! There are lower and higher hems which perfectly fit the tub — and it snaps in the middleA few notes of from the owner’s sons —
This is not the original toilet. When it needs to be replaced plumber dad searched long and hard to find the best possible color match. It is more of a coral than a pink. It also has built in venting. The told me many times that this is a $1,000 toilet (in ’70s money). I will keep it as long as I can, but I do think it uses about 80 gallons a flush, which hurts my heart having previously lived in a drought zone.
Although the is the hall bath, the two boys were not allowed to bath here. They used the (blue tiled) master shower. This was mom’s bath only. And she always bathed, never showered.
They left me one all of pink toilet paper they found in the linen closet. I am trying to save it for guests but it is hard to resist.
Carolyn asks for advice:Anyway, I’ll be seeking much advice and tips from your site — for instance, where can I get those grey and pink mosaic tiles if I do have to replace the toilet — should I go ahead an buy a pink toilet now in case they’re discontinued before I HAVE to replace this one?
So, I thought I’d send this now before things get too crazy….
Best,
Carolyn
Thank you, Carolyn — We all want your bathroom, I am confident in saying.
To answer your questions:
Q. Buy a new, lower flow toilet now, or wait?
Suggested answer: Get your spare now. If there’s one thing we’ve learned on this blog, it’s here today, gone tomorrow, when it comes to vintage stuff still made today. Well, not always, but usually. Relevant case in point: there used to be two, but now there is only one place left to get a pink toilet, see this story. I’d say, get it now and store it ’til you need it. Or, when you find your extra floor tile, make the switch then.
Q. Where to get vintage unglazed porcelain ceramic floor tile?
Suggested answer: Vintage. That -random block mosaic’ style of flooring you have — looks like unglazed porcelain to me, but I am not an expert — was quite common back in the day, but it is not made today in those colors and dimensions, as far as I know. So, start hunting for a vintage match now — maybe you’ll find a sheet or two within… five or 10 years. I’d set up saved searches in ebay.
For example, here’s some vintage porcelain mosaic floor tile from the 1950s— on ebay right now — not what you are looking for exactly, but of the era. Note the very very narrow grout line — that’s because these were mud-set (set in concrete); these old style mosaics had very minimal grout lines, unlike mastic-set tiles today.
Here’s another source
Note: All these links to ebay are affiliate links — I earn a wee commission if you click and buy something.
Another thought on where to find replacements: Get to know your neighbors, could be they used the same floor tile. Note, I could be that your toilet is sitting on perfectly preserved floor tile and that when you take it up the hole will be just where you want it to be. If either are not… it’s probably going to be hard to ‘tear’ out and ‘move’ any of the floor tile — because it’s set in concrete, aka ‘mud set’.
Good luck with your new-old house, Carolyn! Send me a photo when you’re done decorating!
Joe Felice says
We’ve learned, not only from here, but from life itself: When you spot something you want/need, buy it. There is no guarantee it will be available when you want it.
Mary Elizabeth says
Great job saving the pink bath! When you replace the shower curtain, can you just buy two of the same thing and install your own snaps? You can make the curtain out of any cotton blend fabric and then make a liner out of a plain white polyester. Here is an article from Apartment Therapy website which discusses appropriate fabrics.
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/5-alternatives-to-vinyl-shower-curtain-liners-200081
Jean says
Check out Daltile for small tiles. They offer many colors.
Carolyn says
I love reading the comments – I’ve learned NOT to drink anything while reading!
When you re-make your curtain, I wonder if Sunbrella fabric or something similar would be water-resistant. Research if there is a tent-maker in your area.
I’m not a big fan of low-flow toilets. From my experience, they often don’t get the load moved without another flush and they are super-loud. If you aren’t living in an arid area, the water gets recycled, then replenished with rain, snow, and fog along with groundwater or your city’s water source. I don’t recall deserts in FL…
Seems to me, coping with the “drudgery” of homemaking daily – if that tub was waiting for me at the end of the day, it would be a small price to pay! “Calgon – take me away!”
Carolyn says
Sunbrella and tent makers are good ideas. Thanks. The current fabric doesn’t appear to have water resistant coating, more like a softer, thinner canvas, and it has lasted so it could be that they told the truth about never using the shower.
I can certainly research more about my local water issues, but I do live in the watershed zone and I know our creeks have issues since stormwater runoff wasn’t planned so I have friendlier landscaping on my “to do” list as well. I am also aware that short showers use less water than baths-especially one of this size-but I won’t resist the draw of the tub so I need to prioritize somewhere!
Pam Kueber says
Make sure you have a low-flow shower head, too — we switched to them, and they are fine.
DavidF says
And now I know that the thing in my parents’ upstairs bathroom is called a Cinderella bathtub. Except theirs is blue. I just emailed this article to them.
Steve says
About 10 years ago on a visit to LA I used points to stay two nights at an otherwise out of budget but iconic Beverly Hills hotel. Because I was using points instead of cash, I imagine, they relegated us to a room not yet renovated. With a look of shame on his face the apologetic bellman showed us the bathroom which must have scarcely seen an update since 1965, it seemed. There sat a yellow Cinderella tub in its own glorious white, yellow, and gold confetti- tiled recessed nook. “Thank God this room wasn’t gutted yet!!” we both screamed. The bellman looked at us like we were nuts. We spent almost every minute while in the room in that swankariffic tub. Friends hoping for travel pics of Hollywood were bewildered to see mostly just pictures of that hotel bathroom. Best use of points ever!
Pam Kueber says
What a fantastic story!
Wendellyn says
Get everything you can as soon as you can! I looked for a year for a replacement lavender sink. Thanks to Pam and her suggestion I found one on ebay! I was so excited! Now to the tile. I have just a plain cream with tan splatter and needed the starter tile. I did get some, but they don’t quite match the others. so, I am removing All the starter tiles on one wall and I am going to do that one wall with the new. I hope that the contrast is not too bad. My daughter has the same tile in her bathroom and I have dibs on all the tile when they renovate. LOL I have even offered to remove the tile for them!!
Good luck and happy hunting!!
Karin says
Wowza! This is one seriously lucky homeowner. What a calming shade of pink. As to your floor tiles, they are in great shape. We weren’t so lucky, so we installed black and white pinwheel floor tile with dark grout (similar to the above picture) in our tiny bath about seven years ago and have not regretted it since. We added black and chrome accessories and a white toilet with a black seat to tie it in with the tile. Perhaps a white toilet and pink seat?
Whatever you do, I’m sure your bath will look even more awesome. Great post, thank you!
Ellen says
What a great bathroom! And in such great shape! I enjoyed seeing all the pictures. Much happiness in your new home, Carolyn.
Susan says
I agree, if you find what you’ll need in the future for a remodel, buy it now. Toilets, sinks, tubs and stoves in 40-50’s colors are getting harder to find and more expensive as more and more people are getting into the mid century modern style.
I have a (built in 1950) home that I rent right now. Someone remodeled both the bathroom and kitchen probably back in the late 90’s. I will be moving to the house within the next year. Until I do I have stored in my garage right now a 1956 GE turquoise range and a turquoise stovetop, an orange Preway fireplace, Heywood Wakefield Dog Bone chairs and Wishbone diningroom table.
I just purchased a American Standard green toilet, early 1950’s. (Don’t know the color name, Ming, Jade, but it matches the sink I’m getting from the house I live in now when I move.) My new green toilet cost $300. I’ve watched the prices on bathroom items go up significantly in the past 5 years. Buy it now.
Carolyn says
Thanks. Sage advice. Luckily, this house has been well maintained so many items will be good for years to come, but I am going to stock up as my budget allows. I’m already priced out of the pink metal hamper I most covet until I can happen upon one at a garage sale or thrift shop.
I can relate to your kitchen inventory. I moved a beautiful O-Keefe and Merritt stove three times before I just couldn’t move it anymore. I finally feel okay about leaving that stove since it wouldn’t fit in this house and I now have one that’s just right.