After living here 36 years I have come to appreciate its beauty and durability. However, a real estate salesman told me that no one around here is looking for vintage bathrooms when they buy a house. I had been watching House Hunters on HGTV and the people on the west coast were always excited by vintage/original details in the 50's houses. It seems our midwest people are much more interested in master suites and spa tubs. We didn't even have an indoor bathroom until I was 2 years old. I guess that makes me appreciate this one even more.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Vintage bathroom
Here is one of my bouquets of peonies in my vintage 1953 bathroom. The window on the right is a reflection in the 4' mirror above the vanity. I have to say I really didn't appreciate all of this nice ceramic tile when I was 31 years old and moved into this house. I was more distracted by the flesh pink tile that didn't match any pink towels at that time. I had only lived in older houses up to this point and really didn't know the quality of this type of bathroom merely because I had never been exposed to this before. I guess I am saying I lived a sheltered life without much exposure to the outside world. My mother didn't drive and we lived 5 miles from town. My dad wouldn't let us go to anyone else's house because we would be bothering them.
After living here 36 years I have come to appreciate its beauty and durability. However, a real estate salesman told me that no one around here is looking for vintage bathrooms when they buy a house. I had been watching House Hunters on HGTV and the people on the west coast were always excited by vintage/original details in the 50's houses. It seems our midwest people are much more interested in master suites and spa tubs. We didn't even have an indoor bathroom until I was 2 years old. I guess that makes me appreciate this one even more.
After living here 36 years I have come to appreciate its beauty and durability. However, a real estate salesman told me that no one around here is looking for vintage bathrooms when they buy a house. I had been watching House Hunters on HGTV and the people on the west coast were always excited by vintage/original details in the 50's houses. It seems our midwest people are much more interested in master suites and spa tubs. We didn't even have an indoor bathroom until I was 2 years old. I guess that makes me appreciate this one even more.
The house I grew up in had pink tile like that. My Mother loathed it! LOL! She never could afford to replace it but she never had another pink bathroom either! I also remember that my babysitter did not have indoor plumbing. We used an outhouse until she died when I was 9. Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteOh ! I wish I could have a bautiful bathroom like that. I also loved the nile green tiles - and of course the black and white tile that seemed so prevalent in New York City apartments of the time. Part of my family used an out house (a very nice one at that) until the late 60's in update New York. Oh ! DOn't change that beautiful bathroom !!
ReplyDeleteThe bathroom looks lovely to me. I wonder if the estate agent's comments is the difference between selling and buying. When you're wanting to sell, the bathroom is 'old-fashioned' but if you're buying, it is 'sought-after vintage'! I know I'd love it!
ReplyDeleteWe once lived in a house that had pink glass tiles on the walls - floor to ceiling. One thing, to clean that bathroom, all I needed was a hose with a pressure nozzle!
ReplyDeleteI like what Lynda said... is that two-ways of describing called double-speak?
Never mind the critics. You have made it lovely with your artistic touch!
As the years go by our tastes change and we appreciate good vintage quality. Especially in todays world where nothing is built to last.
ReplyDeleteYour bathroom looks lovely and don't you wish you could have a fresh bouquet of peonies in there all summer long.
J~MT
Oh boy, here goes -- first, that bathroom is just a perfect bathroom, character of it's own. So unique! I would buy it! LOL
ReplyDeleteBut ... I HATE these HGTV remodels when where the buzz word is "retreat" ... duh, why would anyone want to retreat to the bathroom? At least bathrooms that are in 95% ( ?? ) of our homes? I just want one that's cleanable, and functional. A little chair would be nice occasionally, but then the toilet seat usually works. LOL
Yours is so delightful.
OK, I'm done.
I too really like your bathroom! I saw a pink sink-toilet-tub set online at a local second use place...I wanted it so bad!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI had to quit watching the re-make shows, like Flip That House, because the newbies came in and tore out all that made the house a home. I understand updating, repairing, etc. But after watching a beautiful, simple, wooden shelf unit being torn out instead of moving it to another area, I gave up.
Keep the pink!!! I will have my own little retreat in our bathroom, only because that's where it already is, sort of. [took out the plastic tub, will replace the pebbled glass windows for clear, perfect area for me to sit in daylight-on a regular chair]
My bathroom is 1954. That is when our house was built. The rest of the house has been brought into the 21st century but the gray tile in my bathroom is in perfect condition and I am not touching it. It is rare in my area to find a neutral tile in the bathroom. Usually it is some hideous turquoise, green or maroon. I love my bathroom. Yours looks to be in perfect condition as well.
ReplyDeleteWe had the green tub, sink and commode in the bathroom of the
ReplyDelete50's house my parents built. The exterior was pink vinyl siding. New school bus drivers never had a problem finding my house! Can't say I'd ever live in a pink house again unless it was in Florida or Bermuda! Your bathroom is lovely and the peonies are the perfect complement.
I, too, have come to appreciate the "vintage" in older homes. The new homes are built with speed and ease for the builder in mind, not the quality that lasts. I'd take your bathroom anyday. Maybe it's my age, but "vintage" looks pretty good these days!
ReplyDeleteI think LC has the best idea for a bathroom, hose it baby! My DH was watching 'Bathroom Remodel', and I just happened to catch what they were doing for the shower...a nightmare ladies, let me tell ya. To hard to explain, but a man did it, need more info than that??? LOL
ReplyDeleteDefinitely keep the pink and your bathroom looks so much more homely than those new "wet rooms".
ReplyDeleteAhhh... 1953.... it was a very good year... as in that's when I was born:-}
ReplyDeleteAnd pink is absolutely my color...
Here's to your beautiful bathroom!