“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
tammyCA says
Love this pink bathroom! The pink, scallop trim, the x window, the closet..so much goodness! ?
Christina says
Thanks! The x window is part of a theme of sorts. All the doors and windows facing the back patio have that crisscross look. When the previous owner replaced the windows she made sure the new ones had the same look. She obviously cared about the house quite a lot.
And that closet is huge. I have luggage stored in there!
Diana says
I always become a little nostalgic when I see a ‘60’s pink bathroom. I grew up with a beautiful pink bathroom in a 1960 ranch. So pretty…always makes me feel a little wistful for one. So glad you found this one. And I love the scalloped trim!
Crystal says
This bathroom is wonderful! Would she consider sharing pictures of her green bathroom, as well? It’s so rare to find original green bathrooms (my favorite!) these days. Also, I hope she knows there are a lot of retro countertop choices available these days, should she decide to replace the new one. Thanks!
Pam Kueber says
Yes, re countertops, I’d recommend she look at Wilsonart Compre white – it’s an authentic pattern from the 1960s and can be had at a good price.
Christina says
Thanks! I’ve been a fan of this blog for awhile so I’m aware of the retro options out there. And if it gets to the point I have to replace it I will definitely be going with one of them. But I’ve never seen one quite as good as the pink starbursts so I’m going to keep it for as long as I can.
The green bathroom has a cracked ice countertop and just a shower instead of a tub combination. And when the toilet was replaced they actually found a newer green one, unlike with the pink bathroom where they went with white. I can tell it was the lesser used of the two, probably because it’s in the basement.
Sara says
Lovely bathroom!!! My grandma’s bathroom in her 1960 So Cal storybook ranch had very similar sized tile in the same shade of pink! I remember it clearly since the master bath had the only shower in the house and we all had to use it when we stayed with her. Her house was a model home in their tract so it’s possible it was the only house with this tile in the whole neighborhood. The models were the only homes in the tract without hardwood floors standard – they had an upgrade to wall to wall carpet! Interestingly, the models were also larger in square footage than the rest of the homes in the tract. I believe we might consider that false advertising in today’s world!
Bird says
What a fantastic pink bathroom! So lucky. I saw similar tile in the bathroom of an old restaurant. So maybe it was used more for commercial applications instead of residential.
Christine Barlow says
We bought our house because of the pink and burgundy tiled bathroom. It also has the same vanity like the one pictured. No pink tub, I am jealous of her pink tub.
Jay says
My local hospital ca. mid 60s still has a few public restrooms that were never altered and sport this tile. First time I saw this tile I was mesmerized and thought it would look just as nice in a residential bath and here it is. Glad you rescued it, nice bath especially the vanity/sink combo. Also glad the bath was not remuddled just for the sake of a sale.
Christina says
Thanks! Honestly, the flippers did a lot of good as well. They updated the electrical, refinished all the hardwood floors, and removed a lot of fussy 80s/90s floral wallpaper. It surprises me that they didn’t do anything to the bathrooms beyond replacing the light fixtures, but I’m glad they didn’t.
Debbie in Portland says
I once decided to buy a house without even seeing the bedrooms, basement, or backyard. The original 1929 kitchen and bathroom tile and glass doorknobs were all I needed to see. Buying just to save a bathroom? Perfectly reasonable! 🙂
KakiMack says
Perfectly normal. There were many other factors in choosing our 1957 home, but the deciding ones were the pink bathroom and green bathroom!
Eliza says
We bought our 1965 ranch because it still had it’s original double dutch doors out to the patio. So yes, saving the pink bathroom is a sound reason for buying your house 🙂