The Toilet Terrace at MSI: A Colorful Celebration of Plumbing, Preservation, and Playfulness

At MSI Plumbing & Remodeling, creativity doesn't stop at cabinets and countertops—it spills right out onto the lawn in the form of the Toilet Terrace, a vibrant and unexpected installation that welcomes visitors with charm, nostalgia, and a bold splash of color.

This whimsical exhibit is the longtime pet project of MSI President Audra Giese, a passionate lover of vintage design and all things colorful. What started as a few salvaged toilets saved from demolition jobs by MSI technicians has evolved into a joyful display of 15 vintage toilets, 4 sinks, 2 clawfoot tubs, and 2 bidets, all in 16 distinct and historic colors—ranging from Avocado Green to Peachblow to Dresden Blue.

Greeting passersby on Route 31 in Lebanon, NJ is a striking 1922 red Kohler clawfoot tub, proudly displayed at the front entrance. Lining the walkway to the main office are the 15 toilets, each carefully placed, cleaned, and—yes—seasonally decorated to reflect holidays, themes, and the general whimsy that defines the spirit of MSI.

Audra’s passion was born from a simple, frustrating realization: old toilets aren’t recyclable. Most of them—especially the vintage ones that use between 5 and 7 gallons per flush—are unsalvageable, unsellable, and end up exploding in dumpsters when tossed from job sites. Due to regulations and sanitation concerns, there are no donation options or recycling programs available for these fixtures. Rather than see these historic, colorful pieces destroyed, Audra began collecting them—giving each one a second life as part of an ever-growing exhibit of functional art and plumbing history.

While most of the fixtures proudly display their original factory finishes, a few have been artistically restored: the 2019 Lilac toilet and both clawfoot tubs were custom-painted by Audra. During the tub restoration process, she discovered layers of past paint jobs—a beautiful reminder of the decades of utility and character these pieces held before their rebirth in the Toilet Terrace.

More than just a quirky roadside attraction, the Toilet Terrace is a reflection of MSI’s culture: fun, sustainable, deeply connected to the trades, and unafraid to show personality. It's a place where artistry meets environmental consciousness—and where the humble toilet gets the spotlight it deserves.

As customers walk by the Terrace and into the office, they are met with smiles and stories. One UPS driver was struck by nostalgia after spotting the same seafoam green toilet he grew up with in his mother’s house.

For MSI, that’s the magic: transforming discarded fixtures into a heartfelt tribute to the past, a celebration of craft, and a conversation starter that no one forgets.