Adam Nguyen's Blog: Anatomy of an original Cinderella bath tub curtain — in Carolyn’s gorgeous 1959 pink bathroom

Do you have a Cinderella bath tub and wonder how, originally, a shower curtain was supposed to work? And what about the shower curtain rod? Today, Carolyn shares hers — original to her new-to-her 1959 bathroom. Oh, what a bathroom — an original-condition 1959 pink bathroom that dreams are made of — fabulous tile work, Cinderella bath tub, gorgeous sink on chrome legs, and an equally gorgeous lowboy toilet — oh my! Carolyn has shared lots of photos — and has some questions for us before she even moves in.

Carolyn writes:

I am the proud new, second owner of a 1959 split level. Amazingly, the owner was a plumber and his brother a tile layer, so my bathrooms are pretty darn cool. This is my favorite… pre-decorating. I say decorating as that’s the only change this bathroom will get.

The wallpaper was stripped between realtor 1 and realtor 2. Apparently few people in my area were enamored of this as I am.

I’m sharing it for a few main reasons–

— to show the shape of the original Cinderella shower rod since I’ve seen others ask.

- - - What is a “Cinderella” bathtub — see all my stories about them here. -Pam

— to confirm that those hooks are intended to hold back the shower curtain. Mine have a little ball chain attachment for this purpose.

—to brag about the original shower curtain. Yes, I will need to replace this someday, but now I have a wonderful template. It is not a rectangle! There are lower and higher hems which perfectly fit the tub — and it snaps in the middle
A few notes of from the owner’s sons —

This is not the original toilet. When it needs to be replaced plumber dad searched long and hard to find the best possible color match. It is more of a coral than a pink. It also has built in venting. The told me many times that this is a $1,000 toilet (in ’70s money). I will keep it as long as I can, but I do think it uses about 80 gallons a flush, which hurts my heart having previously lived in a drought zone.

Although the is the hall bath, the two boys were not allowed to bath here. They used the (blue tiled) master shower. This was mom’s bath only. And she always bathed, never showered.

They left me one all of pink toilet paper they found in the linen closet. I am trying to save it for guests but it is hard to resist.

Carolyn asks for advice:

Anyway, I’ll be seeking much advice and tips from your site — for instance, where can I get those grey and pink mosaic tiles if I do have to replace the toilet — should I go ahead an buy a pink toilet now in case they’re discontinued before I HAVE to replace this one?

So, I thought I’d send this now before things get too crazy….

Best,

Carolyn

Thank you, Carolyn — We all want your bathroom, I am confident in saying.

To answer your questions:

Q. Buy a new, lower flow toilet now, or wait?

Suggested answer: Get your spare now. If there’s one thing we’ve learned on this blog, it’s here today, gone tomorrow, when it comes to vintage stuff still made today. Well, not always, but usually. Relevant case in point: there used to be two, but now there is only one place left to get a pink toilet, see this story. I’d say, get it now and store it ’til you need it. Or, when you find your extra floor tile, make the switch then.

Q. Where to get vintage unglazed porcelain ceramic floor tile?

Suggested answer: Vintage. That -random block mosaic’ style of flooring you have — looks like unglazed porcelain to me, but I am not an expert — was quite common back in the day, but it is not made today in those colors and dimensions, as far as I know. So, start hunting for a vintage match now — maybe you’ll find a sheet or two within… five or 10 years. I’d set up saved searches in ebay.

For example, here’s some vintage porcelain mosaic floor tile from the 1950s — on ebay right now — not what you are looking for exactly, but of the era. Note the very very narrow grout line — that’s because these were mud-set (set in concrete); these old style mosaics had very minimal grout lines, unlike mastic-set tiles today.

Here’s another source — it’s free to ask if they have what you need!

Note: All these links to ebay are affiliate links — I earn a wee commission if you click and buy something.

Another thought on where to find replacements: Get to know your neighbors, could be they used the same floor tile. Note, I could be that your toilet is sitting on perfectly preserved floor tile and that when you take it up the hole will be just where you want it to be. If either are not… it’s probably going to be hard to ‘tear’ out and ‘move’ any of the floor tile — because it’s set in concrete, aka ‘mud set’.

Good luck with your new-old house, Carolyn! Send me a photo when you’re done decorating!