“I think the deciding factor for actually buying it may have been to save this bathroom. That’s normal, right?” – Christina
So many years into this blog, it’s super exciting to see something never seen before: Christina’s 1964 bathroom has 4-inch by 8.5-inch pink ceramic tiles, run vertically. That’s a double-sized tile compared to what we’ve seen in millions of other bathrooms, and like I said, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this in the wild before. Very cool — and a dreamy bathroom, too!
Christina first wrote me:
Hello, I just bought a mid century home with 2 colorful bathrooms. The green one is very much of the time, the type you regularly feature on your site (though still great). The pink one seems a bit different to me. It has 4.25″ x 8.5″ tile run vertically from floor to ceiling on most of the walls. I’ve been haunting your site trying to find something like it, but not having much luck. There’s a matching pink tub and sink and a pink starburst laminate countertop. And to top it off, scalloped wooden cornices over the shower and vanity. I just love the whole thing! I guess I’m mainly just curious whether the tile design is as odd as I think it is. And, of course, most people think I’m nuts for liking it at all, so it’s nice to share with someone I know will appreciate it.
I wrote write back, excited. I pointed her to this story — the time I spotted 4 inch by 6 inch tiles in a nearby high school bathroom. But 8.5 inches? Send me photos, stat!
Christina responded right away:
Hi Pam,
I did see the story about the school bathroom. It actually made me double check the measurements of my own tile. Not the same size, but pretty close on color.
My house has really only had two owners since it was built in 1964. They each owned it for nearly 30 years. Unfortunately, it was purchased as a flip after the second owner became too elderly to maintain it. But luckily they didn’t flip it too hard. The bathrooms were barely touched at least. The biggest loss was probably the kitchen countertop, though they didn’t replace it with granite so I still consider myself lucky.
The bathroom is still a work in progress since I’ve only owned the house for a couple of months. The toilet alcove was covered in a terrible 80s pink gingham wallpaper that I’m still in the process of removing. The original wallpaper is visible over the vanity. It has a metallic gold geometric pattern, which is just great. I’m trying to decide whether to mimic it with paint or try to customize new wallpaper. The vanity has definitely seen better days. It badly needs repainted, and I’m trying to decide on a color for that and the cornices. The starburst countertop is yellowed and stained, but I love it too much to replace it.
Funny story — I first saw this place when they had an open house. The listing agent showed me around and was very apologetic about this bathroom. She even said she had told the owner they should have at least ripped out the vanity. I, of course, was horrified. I love the whole house, but I think the deciding factor for actually buying it may have been to save this bathroom. That’s normal, right?
Best,
Chris
Yes, Christina, here that “deciding factor” is not only normal, it makes you are hero of the day!
Indeed, what a rare and wonderful bathroom — it’s so lucky to have found you! Thanks for sharing this lovely story with us! xoxo, pam
Cynthia says
You are my hero, I am downsizing house after years of begging my husband to go back to something like the 1960 3/2 with a kidney pool we had years ago. I hope I can be as lucky as you are and find a mostly intact bathroom.
Tarquin says
Isn’t she pretty in pink?
Penne says
Love this story and love that bathroom. I bought my house partly because of the yellow tiled bathroom with slightly risqué metallic enhanced wallpaper. I didn’t want it to be destroyed.
Christina says
I only have that one scrap of the original paper above the vanity, unfortunately. (It’s not visible in the photos.) The light fixture was replaced with something smaller than the bar light that used to be there so I can see enough to determine the pattern and the repeat. I hope that will allow me to replicate it in some way eventually. You’re so lucky yours is intact!
Barbara says
We have taken your love for mcm vtg into our hearts. So…proud of you!
Enjoy the amazing journey!
Good luck!
Beautiful bathroom.
p.s. Can you send more pictures?
Nikki says
Hi Christine!
What a lovely bathroom. So glad you saved it from a “remuddle” by someone who doesn’t appreciate older homes. Is the bath area two-toned white/pink or is it my monitor?
I’d love to see the finished room! Hopefully you send in pics to share, can’t wait to see your decisions on the vanity and walls!
Christina says
Hi Nikki, the shower area is two-toned. The long back wall is white 4×8″ tile, while the rest of the tile in the bathroom is all pink. I also find that kind of unusual.
I’m thinking a slightly yellowish shade of white for everything so it’s not too bright against the other elements (like the floor) that are a little aged. I take forever to make decisions like these though!
linda parker says
I LOVE this bathroom! Mine has pink and aqua tile, though typical sized and the original white metal vanity sink with the original gray swirl counter top. It was in excellent shape so other than a fresh coat of paint I kept it. I love their scalloped valance trim. Wish I had that too. So cute!
Ecfinn says
*our hero
Karin says
Wow! What a wonderful sight on a Monday morning! This bathroom is pristine! That scalloped edge detail makes it look like a freshly iced cake.
I can only add that I wholeheartedly agree with all of jc’s comments.
Well said. One more pink (and green) bathroom was saved here.
Christina says
Thanks Karin! Honestly, the photos make it look just a little better. The floor has a couple of dings and there are just a couple light cracks in the tile, but it’s still held up pretty well. I love your iced cake analogy. It makes me like the scallops even more! (That was also something the listing agent suggested could be easily removed.)
Ms. Vel-Vida says
What a cute bathroom! I love the unique tile size, and that cornice is everything! I can just picture the vanity with one of those curly brass vanity seats, a mirrored tray of perfumes and cosmetics, and a vintage swag light.
Christina says
Thanks! I do have to replace the vanity light since the one the flippers put up is just kind of a generic fixture that doesn’t fit the period at all. I was thinking of a rectangular bar light, but now you’ve got me considering swag lights. There’s a matching cornice over the vanity (that you can’t see in the photos) so it would work perfectly.
And it’s funny you mention the curly vanity seat and mirrored tray. Guess who has both?
Ms. Vel-Vida says
That’s awesome, it’s going to look fabulous. Whenever I see those curly brass vanity seats at estate sales I wish I had a bathroom big enough for a vanity. My current bathroom is so small you could sit on the toilet, hang your feet in the tub, and wash your hands in the sink all at the same time.
jc says
Looks very nice.
I swear I will never understand why these people seem to think it’s mandatory to try to make a 1953 house look like it was built last week. I mean, if you have a 1953 Chevy you don’t pull the body off it and replace it with a 2016 Toyota Camry body.
They rip out everything original and then they wonder why the house looks bland and uninteresting; and they move and remove walls and then wonder why the result is weird sausage shaped rooms and windows that look into other rooms and sun glare all the time and places you can’t keep warm or cool to save your life.
Janet in ME says
jc, I couldn’t have said it better! I think this pink bathroom has to be in my top ten favorites! My last house was a temporary rental, which I tried to fix up a bit. It had the exact same vanity and I repainted it completely white (like the entry door is). It looked so much better without those brown outlines on the drawers and doors. The house also had white tile in the full bathroom but it was the little one inch squares! The ENTIRE bathroom, right down/up to the ceiling, was tiled! You couldn’t hang anything on the walls, but you didn’t have to worry about peeling wallpaper either!
Steven says
Perfectly said JC!