If you want to design a midcentury modern bathroom using ceramic tile that’s readily available and relatively affordable today, here’s another example: Lynne’s new bathroom — that looks like it’s always been there — with ceramic wall and floor tile from Daltile.
We’ve seen Lynne’s first bathroom remodel before, her Daltile Spa blue bathroom — lovely, with floors, cabinetry, hardware and overall style that match this gray sibling. She told us about her new gray bathroom in response to my recent story on where to find where to get Daltile 4×4 inch bathroom tile in midcentury colors.
Lynne wrote:
Lynne, from the above mentioned “Lynne and Bob’s New Blue Bathroom” here. Still loving the Spa Blue bathroom. Absolutely no regrets….
We used Daltile Ice Gray tile in the other bathroom — as a “kissin cousin” to the blue. The original baths were companions, so we stuck with it. I learned a lot from the blue re-do, and this one has even more functionality. I am quite proud of the things we carefully thought through. The grey is the off the master, and we made several changes for the possibility for my parents coming to live with us, and/or for us to age in place. The originals were kind of matching, so we repeated that to stay in keeping with what the house called for.
While I love the grey, and the remodel came out very well, the cheeriness of the Spa Blue is far superior.
Resources for Lynne’s gray midcentury bathroom remodel:
- Bathroom wall tile — Daltile Ice Grey Gloss on the walls and in the shower. Lynne said she chose grey not to be trendy and knowing that over time, a wallpaper and towel change would freshen the entire room. For example: Pale yellow and grey, blue and grey, orange and grey.
- Bathroom floor tile — American Olean Urban Canvas, Designer White with a few Light Smoke scattered about; matte finish.
- Counter top, is ECO White Diamond 3mm thickness. Chosen to match the blue bath, and for the same ecological reasons.
- The vanity is custom, made identically to the blue bath. By the same company, Creative Kitchen’s and Baths in Bloomington, IL.
- The chevron handles are vintage were from a massive Ebay find — vintage Weslock. Enough to do both baths.
- The sink, “which is possibly the BEST basin I have ever used, is Cheviot Manhattan,” Lynne said. A Canadian company.
- Moen Via faucet, and shower.
- Towel bars are Delta Trinsic. Lynne saved the original inset paper holder.
- Toilet Kohler Wellworth. “BEST potty ever, for all the obvious reasons,” Lynne said.
- Wallpaper is from Wallpaper Direct. Jubileum “Retro” pattern in pink and grey colorway.
- The shower door has a rain texture, measured and install by a local glass and mirror company. They also took care of the plate mirror.
- The shower base — Lowes.
- Hanging onion light fixture — from Lynne’s vintage stash
See our story: Bathroom remodeling — a checklist of 84 decisions to consider (plus read the comments, readers have piped in with more!)
Another great job, Lynne — thank you for sharing yet again! I love how the two bathrooms have so much in common — creating harmony in the house.
- Above: Lynne’s other bathroom, before she remodeled it with Daltile Spa ceramic wall tile. See the before and after transformation here.
PJ Chartrand says
Whoooops, love the Danish Modern light fixture so very much!
PJ Chartrand says
You do beautiful work! And thank you for sharing as it helped assuage some of my guilt about wanting to change the main bathroom and attached powder room/water closet in the ’73 time capsule house we are moving into next week. They are gold with flowered tiles plus brand new at the time dark brown leather look counter tops all of which I just don’t like. If they’d used the same pop art flower tiles as in the kitchen I’d be inclined to make it work but the floral sprays….nope…so I want to gut both rooms and redo them with an industrial bent I’ve just learned was a “thing” happening in mid century.
DJ Sparkles says
I love them both, and the blue! Will you come do my bathrooms? 😉
Michael says
Thank you for getting back to me. I’ve never before seen wallpaper I liked enough to bother with, but this is so handsome and beautiful I just have to go for it.
Daniel J ODay says
You were so wise to do the same basic design in both baths – it’s consistency in design like this that makes small homes just seem a bit larger. And they really do have a timeless quality. These bathrooms will look just as fresh ten years from now as they do today.
Michael says
A question about the Jubilio retro pattern wallpaper: is it holding up well under the damp environment of the bathroom? My bath has no fan–just a heat lamp in the ceiling. The website doesn’t specify whether the wallpaper is a coated finish or moisture resistant. Thanks very much.
Pam Kueber says
Hi Michael, on questions like this, which deal with product specifications, please contact the manufacturer…
Lynne says
Michael, I know Pam commented on this question. And of course she’s right, but I did use the recommended wallpaper sealer. This particular paper isn’t vinyl.
Eileen Herlihy says
Lynne,
I would love to hear your considerations for aging in place considerations for the bathroom. As we remodel our MCM home we might as well start thinking about those options if possible.
Thank you! Beautiful baths.
Lynne says
Eileen, we did several things. First and foremost, we eliminated the bathtub. There is a full tub in the blue bath, and since this is off the master, we were perfectly comfortable with turning it into a walk in shower.
The shower pan threshold is very low. Like, 2″ of low. I didn’t put any seat or ledge inside the shower, but it was purposely made large enough to accommodate one of those shower chairs. The shower door swings both ways, and is a little wider than standard.
While there are no grab bars at present, all of the necessary blocking is behind the walls should it need to be installed in the future.
Also, my plumber was very helpful in arranging the plumbing n the shower, making it easy to reach in and turn the water off and on. I have a picture of this if Pam wants to include it as a late addition, because it was pure genius in my opinion.
Lastly, the vanity, while identical to the blue bathroom, I did change the storage configuration. On the left, we opted for deep drawers, instead of a two door opening. I just reach down into the drawers for what I need. No more kneeling on the floor and digging into the dark recesses of a cabinet. On the right, is a pull out. One of the best features I could have incorporated.
I hope this helps.
Pam Kueber says
I approved Lynne’s comment to help raise awareness — but note, dear readers, that “universal design” is a real design specialty — if this is something you want to explore, it’s best to consult a professional.
Kathleen Muckey says
Love what you accomplished! Would it be possible for Lynne to share her tile setters information? I’m currently negotiating the purchase of a Mid Century condo in the area of her cabinet maker and the bathrooms will require the Lynne treatment. Love, love, love Retro Renovation.
Lynne says
Kathleen, my tile was purchased at Knapp Tile and Flooring in Eureka, IL. The owner did the tile work himself. He commented several times, on how great it was to have something different to do!
Carol says
Another beautiful bathroom! I’m just curious, why did you change from the under mount sinks that are in your blue bathroom? Is there something you learned and if so, can you share? I’m trying to get my remodel plan completed and will take all the tips I can get!
Lynne says
Carol, the sinks are just personal preference. I dislike under mount sinks intensely. (And, yes, I do know that they are essentially period correct. ) I find the crack where the counter and the top of the meet is difficult to clean. The blue bathroom has proven this to be true. I wanted drop in basins in the blue as well, but the reduced depth of the counter wouldn’t allow it.
carolyn says
Glad you put Creative Kitchens and Bath in the article. I’m looking at an older home which has Mediterranean cupboards and cabinets in the kitchen (maybe they got them for free?) I figured I’d need to custom-make them using local high school kids and field trips to Mid-Century houses for examples.