Save the retro baths! They have character that many people find attractive and more appealing that the "resale appeal" baths that are done today.

Congratulations on your new house. The first thing I'd recommend is looking at the home inspector's list to see what needs attention first. The flood may have caused hidden damage, for example. Then set budgets for each phase over the next few years or so.

Some things are best done before move-in, such as replacing flooring. You might consider professional tile cleaning and sealing to make the 1950's bathrooms as nice and shiny clean as can be considering their age. Sealing makes tile easier to clean, too.

My advice would be to remove the cabinets in the bathrooms, repair the wall if you have to, replace light fixture, and give a coat of white paint to the walls. Live with the funky/unique bathrooms for a year or more before you rip them out. I had a pink bathroom I thought I hated until I lived with quality fixtures and realized I could never replace the original features.

I would make any changes to the front room fireplace before replacing the floor. Just a thought about the door... If you do move it you may have even more trouble with furniture placement and anyone entering will have to walk through the middle of the room.

I love the bathrooms, they are great colors. If you decide to keep them, I would just replace the lighting and mirrors and take out those bulky hanging cabinets. New wallcolor, shower fixtures, and shower curtains. I think the sinks look really cool as-is.

The front door placement is not ideal but such is life! I would redo the fireplace wall to have a much cleaner look. In fact I would try to take the whole house back to the midcentury - it looks like the prior owners had more of a Colonial aesthetic. Click through for this whole house tour - a great ranch remodel with a living/dining room and a walkway in front of the fireplace. They didn't keep their original baths, and that's ok too if they aren't to your taste and you have the budget to replace them.

Do you have more photos that enlarge when clicked on? You can upload four photos with each comment.

What about rehanging the door; have it open in to other side? Switch up the hinges and hardware. It's a nice door and can be salvaged (also, very cost effective!) If you are left handed, so much the better :-)
I'm a big fan of the "old" bathrooms. The tile work is pretty indestructible. Is this style something you could embrace? There are tons of articles and examples out there of what others have done to preserve and enhance these.
For some reason, the photos of the baths are very small so I can tell what condition things are in well. But, on the blue one: I would re-door the cabinets, get a newer light fixture (?) and just get some lovely blue and white towels/rug.
Your gray bath looks fabulous! Get some yellow towels and shower curtain. The floors seem to be in great shape and "authentic."
Your pink one also! Just replace cabinet doors and get a new light fixture.
I sure hope you can love this style - there are many out there who will envy you!

Bungalowmo - Wish I could like that way more than once.

Melissa, I checked out your other dilemma. I think your house is fabulous. What a score!

As an architect responsible for many home remodels from this era (including one for myself), I would first address the basics--is the exterior roofing, siding, etc., in good condition? Make sure you have a weathertight home before making interior improvements. 50's homes are some of the best built from any era, with better foundations than pre-WWII construction, and better framing and siding than what came later. But when it comes to pink tile and pedestal sinks with no storage below, I would not be sentimental--get out the sledge hammer and start fresh.

Thanks lessismore...Took a few years to pull that all together.

Melissa...I also love your place! I'd think long & hard before removing anything original. It's just not made anymore.

There is a great Mid Century Modern webpage/blog that you should take a look at. This lady knows her stuff!

http://retrorenovation.com/

Lastly, if your place has the ability to have a gas stove, further embracing your MCM home can be SO cool! Like with these beauties. I wanted one but my town has no natural gas lines.

Here are some great possibilities below. Something like this can, no doubt, become the focal point of your kitchen!


The one I ended up buying for myself is the last pic. Got it for a steal on CL. Fully rewired by an Air Force engineer. He was retiring to the South & his condo couldn't fit it. She's a beast!! $250. I couldn't sell my flat top induction quick enough!

Gorgeous stoves! Love the six burner. Bungalowmo - you got a great deal. Nice electric :-)

This is the "after" of a DIY update done to ready my parents midcentury home for resale. The objective was to embrace the pink but make the bath more gender neutral. It was "hit."