Flushed With Success

Overheard in an advertising creative meeting in 1948:

Ad man 1: So how are we going to sell toilet cleaner to the little woman?

Ad man 2: What do these broads like any way?

Ad man 3: My wife is always going on about Hollywood movie stars.

Ad man 2: Run through what this stuff is supposed to do will ya Bob.

Ad man 3: Well she sprinkles this stuff into the toilet bowl and it's supposed to have this fast acting ingredient.

Ad man 1: (Clicks fingers as inspiration strikes. A light bulb magically appears over his head and glows but appears only to the other ad men in the room. A secretary brought in to capture the killer idea just rolls her eyes.)

That's it! Acting!

Her ACTIONS put this cleaner in the bowl and the fast ACTING ingredients make it work!!

We'll make cleaning the toilet as glamorous as them Hollywood pictures!!!

Ad from the February 21, 1948 edition of Saturday Evening Post. Don't forget to click the image for a larger view.

Sven And The Art of Interior Design

Ja, etz tru, ze 1960s und 1970s intro-duced to der werld lotz things Swedish.

Zer is der gud: The Saint Volvo, ABBA, naughty movies, good interior design, the Swedish chef.

Und ze bad: The boxy Volvo, the welfare state and Ikea.

Diz foto iz part of der bad.

As seen in 1972's Conde Nast's The Bride's Guide and is entry number three in Nick and Nora's Nifty Knick Knack homage to bad bathrooms.

All At Sea?

Actually this bathroom isn't too bad compared to the monstrosity featured last week.

The upright fluoro tubes on the walls by the mirrored cabinet are a little dated but that would be about it.

It has the clean lines that most of us have come to expect in modern bathrooms.

The bold pattern in the flooring isn't competing with the walls. It has a strong ocean liner/art deco look which holds particular appeal for Nick and Nora. The SOE monogrammed towels and shower curtain may be a little too much for some but it all adds to the fun.

Class, all the way.

It Won't Wash

As a young newlywed how do you redecorate a small bathroom in an older home?


That's right - introduce even more colour and pattern! From the 1972's The Bride's Guide:

The small square bathroom typical of many found in big old houses, is brightened effectively by use of bold yellow (shudder) patterns on the wallpaper and tiles (Yes, but not both. Certainly not two hideously clashing patterns). The bath is panelled to match the splashback, and a splendid old mirror has been fitted to reflect and enlarge the room. (The mirror, suspended commode and basin are perhaps the only things worth keeping in this monstrosity).