Our house was built in 1939 and the same family owned it pretty much since it was built. They didn't do many updates, which is fine with me of course! When we first moved in we put in central heat and air, and added some cabinets to the kitchen and painted every room. You can see a few posts about our house when we first move in here and here. I really wish I had documented more how it looked before! Can you believe that? Or at least saved the pictures from the reality listing! I really love our house though. We have a lot of plans for it, but kind of lost steam after doing a lot at first.
We are going to tackle a bathroom remodel shortly, and sadly it isn't just because we want to. There is a window in our shower (which I love!) and we took the curtain off that the previous owners had over it so we could enjoy the natural light. We didn't think about how the window is wooden and water could seep into it. So water has gotten back to the old plaster walls behind the tile and the tile almost falling in. Sooooo we are looking at a complete redo of the walls and a vinyl window to prevent any more damage. Such a bummer. Here are the few pictures I could find of the bathroom. The top on is the most recent.
I love all the light that the window lets in.
We have to tear the cabinet out because there is tile behind it. I'm hoping to at least save the hard ware and reattach it. We are going to a salvage yard tomorrow to look for bathroom cabinets, or we'll get a custom one that matches. It is hard to tell in these photos but the bathroom counter is a gold flecked thing of beauty and when I asked about keeping it, the contractor said it is pretty much the lowest grade thing you can build with now, and if we are going to get things redone, why not get them done in a way that will last a long time. And Travis agrees so I guess it will be going away. Wah. I kind of want to keep the medicine cabinet too. Modern ones just don't have the same look. I'll make sure to get pictures of everything before it gets ripped out.
Lauren over at Apron Strings Vintage posted this picture of a house they looked at during their house hunt and it is really inspiring me! We are doing tile to the ceiling and I like the black stripe around the middle to break up the white. I also really like this tile floor and I hadn't thought of doing a tile counter top until I saw this one. My contractor really likes this idea, and says that tile holds up really well on the counter top.
Here is a modern remodel that has a few things I like. The black tile in the middle of the wall again. And the window in the shower. I don't like pedestal sinks though. I need storage!
I love the floor is this photo. And that rug! OH my gosh, anyone want to buy me a REALLY nice present? That rug is on etsy right now. The whole bathroom is great. I would kill for a green tub!
I found this blue bathroom along with a really great post from some people who did a 1940's style remodel just last year. Again, the tile countertop. And that same great floor pattern.
So we'll see how it goes. We already have some estimates and now we are looking at tile and sinks and looking for a vintage cabinet. I have a vintage light fixture I want to see if I can get rewired. There is a vintage light in the bathroom already but it isn't the best bathroom light. I wish this was something we could do ourselves because even not making it my dream pink bathroom it is going to be a hefty chunk of change. But I think we need a professional to tear out the walls. I really hope we can keep the vintage look. I know that isn't what is popular now, and not what most contractors are used to doing, but the guy I think we're going to go with is into doing it, and came with great recommendations.
Do you have any remodel tips? We're going to have to move out and board the cats while it gets done so lets hope it moves fast!
I would love to have a window in our shower like that but YIKES on the water damage! I am hoping to tackle a bathroom remodel this year too...only because it is tired and two kids have given it wear and tear. Maybe watching you do your project will get me going with mine!
ReplyDeleteoh i can't wait to see what you do with yours! i know it will be cute!
Deleteand now that i've had a window in my shower two places, i just can't give it up! that natural light is so nice!
Lots of great inspiration pictures! Be sure to check over at Retrorenovation.com. Pam always has lots of good ideas and resources.
ReplyDeletethanks for the recommendation! how have I never heard of that site? where the heck have I been!
DeleteAh we have a wood window in our bathroom too and it is like; destroyed! But the difference is that we live in an apartment and our landlords kinda hinting at us to move out because he wants to redo everything and then raise the price. But it's becoming a problem, it looks really ugly the molding and what not. plus the walls are cracking too! So maybe it's time to move soon for us...
ReplyDeleteI love the inspiration bathrooms you found, I hope you document the change a lot, I cant wait to see it all finished up. Good luck!
Im sure your bathroom will be lovely. Our house is over a 100 years old but its pretty much a box row home. We definitely need a complete overhaul, of everything really, but with our mortgage payment (nyc area) its not really feasible now, but I do like making plans for the future
ReplyDeleteurban hounds
How exciting! I love the ideas you've got for your bathroom. And I love that first bathroom you posted from Apron Strings! Have you considered wallpaper? It's a great way to vintage up a bathroom. Can't wait to see how it all turns out!
ReplyDeletei would love to do wallpaper, but our contractor said because of the small bathroom and the fact we don't have a vent, the best thing to do is to do tile all the way up the wall to prevent any wallpaper or drywall from getting to wet. But maybe I'll see if we can put a fan in, because you are right, it would look great with some vintage wallpaper.
DeleteI love your inspiration photos! Vintage black and white basketweave tile is timeless. I originally wanted to do that in my own bathroom. I DID end up putting white tile with black edging in my shower, and I love it. If you do black and white tile in the shower on the vanity, and on the floor, would your husband mind if you painted the walls pink?
ReplyDeleteDuring the renovation, I recommend taking pictures every step of the way and keeping an air purifier (or three!) going 24/7 until the project is finished. I didn't realize how much dust and who-knows-what would be kicked up during my renovations. I had sinus and breathing trouble for a few weeks afterward--you'll definitely want to avoid that.
Good luck, and tell us how it goes!
he wouldn't mind if I did all pink tile! haha! my main hesitation for doing it pink now is that it wouldn't totally match the period of the house. which is silly because it is not like i've tried to keep everything 40s! it is a big mix over here!
DeleteThanks for the tip! I didn't even THINK about that.
Good luck with your remodel! I just love that black and white bathroom, too, unfortunately, that particular house had too many issues for us to be able to justify making an offer. But I think it's just a really great bathroom that has aged so well...and I agree that tile countertops are awesome! These are all great pictures and fun to see...keep us posted on the remodeling, k?
ReplyDeletedefinitely! and i'm so happy you posted that picture! I didn't even think of tile countertops as an option until i saw that! i hope you get your vintage kitchen soon!
DeleteWhoowhee...I feel for y'all on a bathroom remodel. Try not to give up the dream of a vintage (or at least vintage *inspired* bathroom. You can buy colored tile new and have the same look. And there are salvage places to get pink fixtures if you want to keep going with the pink. I've never used them but there are also companies that can put those new finishes over a tub in any color that you want. They don't tell you but you can get pink too. Be sure and save anything that you want to keep. Contractors are always going to tell you to gut things because new stuff is easier for them to put in. Keep any dang thing you want! : ) If you need a tile guy, we have a really great one who does a bang-up job, shows up on time and really gives a rip about the job he does. I'll be more than happy to help you find anything that you might want for your new bathroom and be sure and pour over Retro Renovation website. She has all of the tile resources as well as fixtures....lots of great advice. Don't give up the dream, y'all! : ) And remember..the contractor said that the countertop is the lowest grade and "why not get something that will last a long time?" ....when you think about how long the one that you have has lasted...um, it HAS lasted a long time so....
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm getting too riled. I just want y'all to have what the heck you want. : D
I really like the black lining in those bathrooms, that'll look great! Our house was built in the 60's and the bathroom has a vintage pink sink, toilet, and bathtub. I like it, but I'd rather have white. I know what you mean about a pedestal sink, it IS a pain being short on space!
ReplyDeleteman, i wish i could somehow take your pink bathroom off your hands! ha! my cousin lives in birmingham and is remodeling her pink and blue bathrooms and has said she would give them to me if she could!
Deleteoh man, what a bummer. :( and can't people see you with no curtain in your shower?
ReplyDeleteit's hard to explain but the window is in a place that it would be hard for someone to see it without coming up through our back yard and then hanging from the window sill, AND we have frosted the storm window on the outside so even if you ARE standing right outside you can't see anything.
DeleteGeez, that countertop has lasted since 1939 and it's bein called "low grade" ?! I say blah, blah, blah Mr contractor dude..... had to get that out. Our bathroom sinks are hideous and as you know, I'm WAY too green to have any remodeling tips yet ;) Hope you get lotsa favor throughout this ordeal :)
ReplyDeleteThe contractor probably doesn't want to go through the "trouble" of pulling the sink out in one piece. Once that material ages, it gets a bit brittle. We are getting ready to do a remodel as well so I will be feeling your pain. Just remember that it is your bathroom. You are the designer,general contractors have a yucky habit of forgetting that.
ReplyDeleteI love your bathroom, Rae! I guess the color scheme you chose played a big part in making your room brighter than before. The natural light that comes in through your window wonderfully reflects on the pastel colors, making the space vibrant and warm. =)
ReplyDeleteI usually hate green bathrooms, but that vintage one is so beautifully set out!
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Rae! The windows over your tub can make your bathroom brighter, and allow more air in. Sad to say, however, that it may have to be removed as it could cause a huge production of mold. I’m sure there are other alternatives you could consider for your bathroom other than a window.
ReplyDeleteGabrielle Jeromy