Vintage blue bathroom colors from seven manufacturers from 1927 to 1962

Our miniseries on vintage bathroom colors continues! Blue bathrooms may not be quite as prolific as their cousin pink — but there were still loads of beautiful blue vintage bathrooms installed in homes all over the country in midcentury America. Today, we take a look at some of many shades of blue that were produced from 1927-1962, along with their pretty names — like “Clair De Lune.” There are even some dark navy blues in the mix. 

American Standard Blues — Clair De Lune Blue, Royal Copenhagen Blue and Regency Blue

In 1930, American-Standard offered two blues — one lighter pastel blue called ‘Clair De Lune Blue’ (above) and one darker blue ‘Royal Copenhagen Blue’ shown below. Above images: 1930 American-Standard Clair De Lune Blue bathroom fixtures from the MBJ collection/archive.org.

Above images: 1930 American-Standard Royal Copenhagen Blue bathroom fixtures from the MBJ collection/archive.org.

By 1950, American Standard had removed the darker Royal Copenhagen Blue color from their lineup in favor of the more popular lighter Clair De Lune Blue. Above from: 1950 American-Standard catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org showing Clair De Lune Blue bathroom fixtures.

The 1960s ushered in ‘Regency Blue’ which looks very similar to its early sibling ‘Clair De Lune Blue.’

Three images above: 1962 American-Standard catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org showing Regency Blue fixtures.

Kohler Blue — Horizon Blue, Cerulean

A few years ago, Pam wrote about the very first year — 1927 — that Kohler offered its bathroom fixtures in colors besides white. One of these original colors was ‘Horizon Blue.’

Kohler’s 1928 ‘Horizon Blue’ must have been a very pale blue/gray color because it appears to be almost white in the catalog illustration above. The exact same image and color also appears in Kohler’s 1929 catalog. Above: Horizon Blue fixtures from a 1928 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org.

Above: We see Kohler’s color lineup 1936 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org. While Horizon Blue was still offered and may have been darkened, it was not one of their four most popular colors as indicated by the larger swatch size above.

Above: In this 1948 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org, we see the whole palette for the year, which includes their new, brighter blue Cerulean showcased here with a lovely deep red and white themed bathroom. Also, note the dental sink!

By 1949, Kohler had reduced its color offerings to just four: Spruce Green, Peachblow, Cerulean Blue and Tuscan. Two images above: from a 1949 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org. 

Above images: In this 1950 Kohler catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org, Cerulean Blue is still going strong.

You can see Kohler’s complete color offerings — including all of their different blues — in this extensive color timeline found on Kohler’s website.

Crane — Lucerne Blue

Above: This 1940 Crane catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org shows their blue as “Lucerne Blue.” Just check out the use of color in this bathroom — purple floor, black wall, pink walls and gold towels with blue fixtures. What a bold arrangement!

Montgomery Ward — Sky Blue

This 1955 Montgomery Ward catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org offers fixtures in Sky Blue.

Briggs — Sky Blue

Three images above of Briggs’ Sky Blue from: A 1951 Briggs Beautyware catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org show off some inventive decor ideas for a blue bathroom.

The two images above show Sky Blue from the 1950s Briggs Beautyware catalog from the MBJ collection/archive.org. Check out that low profile blue toilet.

Eljer — Midnight Blue and Twilight Blue

Pam spotted this 1939 Eljer catalog in the MBJ Collection on archive.org that shows their color offerings, which include a dark blue called ‘Midnight Blue’ and a lighter pastel ‘Twilight Blue.’

Alliance Ware — Blue

Pam found this ad for Alliance Ware porcelain enameled bathroom fixtures that includes a pastel blue in a 1950s Small Homes Guide.

Reader’s blue bathrooms

Above: We just love Kristen and Paul’s aqua blue 1940s bathroom with black and white accents.

Above: Nanette and Jim built a lovely blue and white bathroom from scratch in their basement.

Two images above: This 1950s time capsule house had seven vintage bathrooms — two of which are blue.

Above: The Comer House in Gallatin, Tenn. has a lovely blue and white vintage bathroom.

Above: Alice’s 1950s blue bathroom has a fun mosaic floor tile pattern that we figured out how to replicate.

Still want more blue? Check out Pam’s story: Scenes from 22 blue midcentury bathrooms

See our other stories about vintage bathroom colors:

• The color green in kitchens and bathrooms sinks, tubs and toilets from 1928-1962
• The color pink in bathroom sinks, tubs and toilets — from 1927-1962

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