Retro Renovation

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Choosing wallpaper for Matt’s new blue and gray bathroom designed to look like it’s always been there

Pam Kueber - Updated: August 13, 2021

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

blue tile bathroom Matt has been constructing this blue and gray tiled bathroom in his 1959 home — all from scratch — oh my — it’s fabulous! Now, it’s time to choose wallpaper. He’s found a contender but sends in this question: Does his wallpaper choice have an authentic midcentury look? I opine.

Matt writes:

I’ve been recreating a blue / gray bathroom since early last year, and I’m finally at the point where we choose wallpaper. We found a pattern we really like that has a blue / gray scheme that’s similar to our tile and fixtures with a yellow accent.

wallpaper for a blue gray tile bathroom

You would have to see the colors (I have a couple of pictures) but I’m wondering how authentic this might be? I don’t see very many blue bathrooms, let alone blue with a hint of yellow anything mixed in there. For what it’s worth If we go with this I’m thinking white towels so it would be just a pop of color.

Our goal is something that looks like it’s been there since the house was built in 1959. It’s basically down to wallpaper, building the hamper, someone changing our salvaged green bathtub to blue, and small details so we’re getting really close to the end! 

The bathroom is changing quickly though, for example if our two year old cooperates the countertop may be tiled by the end of the weekend. Likewise the tub I’m hoping can be enameled in blue soon.
 
The tile and plumbing supply fixtures are new. Cabinets, lighting and other fixtures are salvaged. We’ve used a lot of the resources available here for tile and fixtures, by the way. We’re definitely glad all of it was available.

Choosing wallpaper that looks authentic to the midcentury era

Fun wallpaper, Matt, and what a job on that bathroom — kudos!
 
But to answer your question(s) directly: (1) No, I do not think your wallpaper choice has the look of actual wallpaper you would have seen in the 1940s, 1950s or 1960s or even earlier. My reasons are technical rather than color-related. And (2) The colors are fine — except for that bright white field.
 

“The look” of vintage wallpaper vs. much of today’s wallpaper

I am not expert on the technical language, but here goes:

  1. Old paper was printed using actual rollers — actual ink laid down, layer after layer until the desired design was achieved.
  2. The paper stock also was — pretty paper-y — they can be tricky to install for that reason — they may tear or otherwise be brittle or fragile.
  3. From a design perspective, old wallpapers also often had metallic inks…
  4. They often had striations in their background…
  5. More typically than not, I’d say, they had relatively small patterns… and, I’ll say:
  6. Few bright (blue) whites / mostly yellowed pinked off-whites.
bradbury atomic doodle wallpaper in a bathroom
Bradbury’s Atomic Doodle in Turquoise has on off-white field in a smaller pattern, and it’s hand-printed.
Many of today’s widely available wallpapers, on the other hand, are digitally printed on paper that is more water-fast. That means, you don’t see, so finely, the laid-down layers of paint. The finish is more washable — typically a vinyl coating with satin finish; this also makes it stronger so the paper is easier to install. Regarding the aesthetics: The patterns may be larger — as with yours.

A vintage bathroom wallpaper from Rosie’s Vintage Wallpaper

So…  If you want a paper that looks truly authentic to the time — if you want time-capsule look — look for vintage or a paper that’s still printed with real inks using rollers or similar technology.

Update: Bradbury and Bradbury now has introduced a new line of 1950s wallpaper — reproductions of originals. It’s available in 52 patterns, some in multiple colorways. More choices! 
 
Link love:
ALL THAT SAID, unlike tile — which is forever — wallpaper is jewelry — it can be changed out at far less cost and hassle. And, it folks did change their wallpaper out over time. So if you like the “new retro” aesthetic and don’t mind if a super-expert knows in a glance that it’s not true “time capsule”, go for it!

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107 comments

Comments

  1. Tom says

    Would help to show the floor in the pics with the wallpaper choices.
    These are all amazing but might not be necessary with all the lines in the tile especially the flooring.
    Maybe use a lot of mirror instead of wallpaper?

  2. Kathy Murray says

    I love the first contender and may steal the idea for mine as well. Matt, I do have a question for you about the sink. I too have the same sinks and was wondering if the counter top could be run under to make them set up a bit higher? I look at mine all the time and think the potential for it to be more of a feature is there but never tried pulling the sink out.

    • Matt says

      To make the sink sit elevated sort of like a vessel? It’s possible – something I’ve never seen done. I installed this one by first putting down a layer of 1/2″ plywood that runs underneath the ‘ears’ on the left and right side of the sink.It also rests on top of the cabinet itself along the front edge behind the apron. The next layer is 3/4″ plywood that runs around the entire sink. I’m adding 1/2″ cement board on the top / front of the countertop and tiling on top of that. It should be just slightly higher than the top of the sink when it’s all said an done.

      • Kathaleen Murray says

        So the ears are finished on the side and counter tops could be run under as well? That is all the higher I would go. It would make the sink set a couple of inches higher. My current sinks are set as you describe with the counter tops even with the sink. Thanks for sharing.

  3. Kari says

    Great job on that tile! I love the pattern & colors of the diamond/starburst wallpaper. Is there a way to turn the paper to have the diamonds going vertical instead of horizontal?

  4. Diane in CO says

    LOVE your wallpaper choice, Matt!!!!! It’s crisp and smart — and fun! Enough of a nod to mid-century for my taste. Go with it! (And the white towels)

  5. Cindy Dahlgren says

    The one from Rosie’s has a more authentic look to me. Colors are softer and it has a bathroom “theme” of fish – what could be better?

  6. Eartha Kitsch says

    What a great job he’s doing with that bathroom! Yeah though.. I don’t think that the paper will fit to bill of “looking like it’s been there since the house was built in 1959” either. If that’s what Matt’s looking for, I’d keep looking. It’s more retro throwback to me – which isn’t bad if that’s what you want but it really doesn’t sound like what he wants. Also, Matt: If you still need a blue toilet seat, Lowe’s sells them that match. If they don’t have them in store, you can order them from their website and pick up in the store. We get ours from them. I hope we’ll get to see the end results!

    • Matt says

      The blue toilet seat is definitely on my list of things to buy, along with four blue caps since I installed a four bolt toilet. The elephant in the room right now other than the whole wallpaper thing is that the bathtub still needs to be re-enameled in green. It was saved from death by sledgehammer when the neighbors across the street were redoing their bathroom.

  8. rhoda ciraolo says

    I like the paper you chose but with just the background grid lines. Just a subtle design that doesn’t compete with the tile.

  9. Kristen Gubbins says

    Lovely job on your made from scratch bathroom! I hear and respect all the view points above… But in the end you do what makes you happy! I have a time capsule home… Some areas of the home are 100% original and some areas we face lifted a bit with reproduction wallpapers, clocks & lighting fixtures that were not exactly authentic. When folks come over to admire my house… I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say, “well I like this, but is it *REALLY* authentic???” In fact, most people go gaga over my rooms with reproduction wallpaper, bark cloth and clocks most! Personally… I am in LOVE with the atomic starburst and diamonds wallpaper! I would turn it so that the diamonds are vertical/up and downing it were mine… but I just feel like how can you go wrong with that?!? Whatever you choose will be beautiful. Since the tile work looks so fantastic, the wallpaper is just icing on the cake????????????

    • Jana says

      I totally agree with Kristen, that was my first reaction “but, the diamond shapes are going the wrong way.” I also would have to hang it opposite of the “manufacturers suggestion”! Great pic, very cool bathroom 🙂

  10. ineffablespace says

    The wallpaper in my parents’ bathrooms were all in good shape at 30 years old. The bedroom wallpaper was in great shape at 40.

    If the walls are prepped properly, the paper is put up properly and the bathroom is well-ventilated (as it should be anyway), longevity shouldn’t be a problem.

    Here are some more-geometric patterns that aren’t completely vintage, and they are washable

    https://www.thibautdesign.com/catalog/product/details/product/sandia_t4012/material/wallpaper/colorway/blue_35/

    https://www.thibautdesign.com/catalog/product/details/product/sierra_t4006/material/wallpaper/colorway/metallic_silver_on_soft_blue_AHP/

    https://www.thibautdesign.com/catalog/product/details/product/merrill_t1840/material/wallpaper/colorway/blue_35/

    https://www.thibautdesign.com/catalog/product/details/product/rothbury_trellis_t1818/material/wallpaper/colorway/metallic_on_slate_grey_736/

    https://www.thibautdesign.com/catalog/product/details/product/bijou_t75450/material/wallpaper/colorway/light_blue_51/