Reader Shambie has always loved pink bathrooms. So when she was house hunting and found her 1964 ranch with a pink tiled-in tub, it was love at first sight. Shambie says she found bathrooms like hers in other homes she toured in the area — this bathroom style was a trademark of a local builder at the time. It’s so interesting to see the signature features that so-called “merchant builders” in mid-century America put into their designs. But wait, there’s more quirky pretty in Shambie’s pink bathroom. Read on –>
Shambie writes:
Pam,
I grew up in Florida, with a pink bathroom with pink rose wallpaper. Is it weird that I can close my eyes and still see the rose pattern now that I’m a grandma?
My granddaughter LOVES the pink bathroom in my current home on the river (grew up on the ocean, but the you can have boats on the river).
I hope these pictures do it justice. The tub is long enough to sit with your legs fully extended (and I’m almost 6′ tall!). The cabinets and tile counter are custom — they narrow at one end, and widen at the other. The drawers are cut on the angle.
This bathroom was one of the major selling points for me, and apparently a trademark of one of the local builders in the area, as I saw this same tub in different colors in different houses during my search.
I love it, and I know I’m home to stay every time I go in there. Thanks for saving the pink bathrooms,
Shambie
Pam,
I hope these pictures do it justice. The tub is long enough to sit with your legs fully extended (and I’m almost 6′ tall!). The cabinets and tile counter are custom — they narrow at one end, and widen at the other. The drawers are cut on the angle.
This bathroom was one of the major selling points for me, and apparently a trademark of one of the local builders in the area, as I saw this same tub in different colors in different houses during my search.
I wasn’t home that day, but my husband was when a woman showed up at the door and told him her father had the pink bathroom built just for her, and she wondered if we still had it. Apparently, she was thrilled, brought het husband in to see it, and took pictures.
Shambie, your pink bathroom is gorgeous — so glowy. That angled vanity is so fun — and functional — and really adds interest to the space. It is fantastic that the love of pink bathrooms is continuing through the generations in your family. Thank you for sharing your bathroom and story with all of us!
Jan says
My parents’ had a tiled-in tub much like this in the master bedroom of the California house we lived in from 1968 to 1971! I’d forgotten all about it!
Joe Felice says
That is a heck of a lot of little, pink tiles!!! Kitty seems to like it.
Tom G says
There’s a listing in our area that has the pink tiled-in tub as well. First time I’d seen one. The property needs some help overall though. 🙁
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Merced/2846-Mckee-Rd-95340/home/19701310
Karen says
That was sweet that the lady that visited still got to see the pink tub her Father put in for her.
I’ve had a few men visit my old barn as they both lived here in the 50s and 60s. Their initials carved in the barn inside, still. : )
LOVE the stories previous owners tell!
I wish I had a vintage bathroom, but just enjoy them here.
Chris says
This is just lovely! However, did anyone else start hyperventilating at the thought of a giant mirror right next to the tub? I’d have to bathe blindfolded! Ack!
This bathroom is absolutely gorgeous — it’s a great shade of pink!
Shambie says
No worries, the tub is deep enough that if you throw off your towel at the last second, you’re ‘below the radar,’ so to speak =^..^=
Mike S says
Reminds me of the bathrooms of my childhood. Pink was everywhere then! One of my grandmothers’ bathroom had light gray fixtures, and… wait for it… lavender walls! As for your choice of paint color, can anyone go wrong with gray? I think your bathroom rocks!
Crystal Fritts says
I am finding myself saying… LOVE THIS BATHROOM. My husband and I are closing in a couple of days on a 1956 time capsuled ranch in Tacoma Washington. It is definitely not the era I was looking for but it has been kept in perfect shape. I hate pink. Let me say that again. I HATE PINK. And I now have 2 pink bathrooms. And you know what? I am not going to erase I am going to embrace. We are keeping them as they are and just refitting retro faucets and toilets (Amen to your article about Gerber!!). Yep, I am ordering the pink toilets via Gerber coming all the way from China in 10 weeks. LOL… So before this house I didn’t even know what mid-century modern meant. Now I am living it. I don’t fully love all of it but can work with it. Oh, and we are adding Big Chill red appliances since the appliances were replaced in the 70’s. Thank you for your website. It has been a God send and I have been on it every day for the last month gleaning all that I can. Thank you!!
TERESA says
I love the color they painted the walls in this bathroom! I have a half bath (orig from ’56) that is pink tiled wall halfway up and pink floor. I wonder if painting the walls this color in a small space would be a mistake?
Katie says
The great thing about paint is its an easy mistake to fix! (Unless you paint it red, if so to cover it up is going to take several coats of primer, I’m never painting anything red again…)