Comments on: #1 choice for retro bathroom flooring — 3 awesome new choices from Daltile! http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/13/1-choice-for-retro-bathroom-flooring-3-awesome-new-choices-from-daltile/ A place for your postwar 40s 50s and 60s style kitchens, bathrooms and mid century modern home aesthetic. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:51:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: 50sPam http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/13/1-choice-for-retro-bathroom-flooring-3-awesome-new-choices-from-daltile/#comment-8447 50sPam Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:04:30 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=2252#comment-8447 Hi Basil - Yes, Chloe is a classic "pinwheel" design that would have been common in the 40s, I think. I have Chloe tile in my three bathrooms. One has the black dot, the other two do not. <a href="http://retrorenovation.com/2008/03/01/50s-flooring-help-bill-find-new-tile-for-his-1955-olive-green-bathroom/" rel="nofollow">Click here for my post on Chloe tile.</a> If your house has a 40s Deco vibe - I think the black dot is fine, great even... But if your house has a more modern 50s feel - with chrome rather than black accents - I would NOT use the dot. Remember: You can always add color with rugs, towels, curtains and of course WALLPAPER. Finally, you might also like this post about 40s colors for bathrooms. <a href="http://retrorenovation.com/2007/11/19/colors-and-tile-for-your-40s-and-early-50s-bathrooms-and-kitchens/" rel="nofollow">Click here</a>. Send photos, Basil! Hi Basil - Yes, Chloe is a classic “pinwheel” design that would have been common in the 40s, I think. I have Chloe tile in my three bathrooms. One has the black dot, the other two do not. Click here for my post on Chloe tile.

If your house has a 40s Deco vibe - I think the black dot is fine, great even…

But if your house has a more modern 50s feel - with chrome rather than black accents - I would NOT use the dot.

Remember: You can always add color with rugs, towels, curtains and of course WALLPAPER.

Finally, you might also like this post about 40s colors for bathrooms. Click here.

Send photos, Basil!

]]> By: Basil http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/13/1-choice-for-retro-bathroom-flooring-3-awesome-new-choices-from-daltile/#comment-8419 Basil Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:44:57 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=2252#comment-8419 Dear Pam, I am considering in using American Olean "Chloe" (black square, pinwheel style) for my bathroom. My house was built in 1946 - Melbourne, Australia, however I'm not sure exactly what period the "Chloe" floor pattern style was used. Could you please advise if the "Chloe" floor tile would suit my house that was built straight after WWII. Thanks, Basil. Dear Pam,

I am considering in using American Olean “Chloe” (black square, pinwheel style) for my bathroom.

My house was built in 1946 - Melbourne, Australia, however I’m not sure exactly what period the “Chloe” floor pattern style was used.

Could you please advise if the “Chloe” floor tile would suit my house that was built straight after WWII.

Thanks,

Basil.

]]> By: Jason http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/13/1-choice-for-retro-bathroom-flooring-3-awesome-new-choices-from-daltile/#comment-7314 Jason Wed, 14 May 2008 16:11:48 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=2252#comment-7314 I have the white 1" hex tiles in my bathroom, and they ARE hard to keep clean, especially with six dogs and cats. The previous owners used WHITE grout, and it's no longer white. It's a dirty color that I cannot clean. Do what Pam suggested and go with a dark grout. It also makes the shapes of the tiles stand out more. Of course, this isn't going to stop me from using the same tile in my new bathroom (currently being built). ;) The look is worth it. I've seen the 1" hex tiles (white with the black "flowers" and black border) in a kitchen before, and I thought it looked great. But I don't think it was original. I have the white 1″ hex tiles in my bathroom, and they ARE hard to keep clean, especially with six dogs and cats. The previous owners used WHITE grout, and it’s no longer white. It’s a dirty color that I cannot clean. Do what Pam suggested and go with a dark grout. It also makes the shapes of the tiles stand out more.

Of course, this isn’t going to stop me from using the same tile in my new bathroom (currently being built). ;) The look is worth it.

I’ve seen the 1″ hex tiles (white with the black “flowers” and black border) in a kitchen before, and I thought it looked great. But I don’t think it was original.

]]> By: 50sPam http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/13/1-choice-for-retro-bathroom-flooring-3-awesome-new-choices-from-daltile/#comment-7296 50sPam Tue, 13 May 2008 23:45:49 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=2252#comment-7296 Stephan, Thanks for confirming the mix-and-match question, makes total sense. FYI, the AO Chloe tiles in my bathrooms are a Satin (matte) glazed finish. One bathroom has a black dot - which even is glossy. We have not had slip 'n slide issues, though - because we use fluffy rugs (which I also consider accessories adding color, of course). I agree, though, if you want to step out directly onto the tile - no glaze! And no glaze INSIDE a shower floor. What about a bigger but still boutiquey tilemaker like Ann Sacks? (sp?) Maybe they would have unglazed arctic white 4x4? Stephan, Thanks for confirming the mix-and-match question, makes total sense. FYI, the AO Chloe tiles in my bathrooms are a Satin (matte) glazed finish. One bathroom has a black dot - which even is glossy. We have not had slip ‘n slide issues, though - because we use fluffy rugs (which I also consider accessories adding color, of course). I agree, though, if you want to step out directly onto the tile - no glaze! And no glaze INSIDE a shower floor.

What about a bigger but still boutiquey tilemaker like Ann Sacks? (sp?) Maybe they would have unglazed arctic white 4×4?

]]> By: Palm Springs Stephan http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/13/1-choice-for-retro-bathroom-flooring-3-awesome-new-choices-from-daltile/#comment-7295 Palm Springs Stephan Tue, 13 May 2008 23:35:40 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=2252#comment-7295 Pam, I would never mix-and-match tile finishes on a single surface. I am using all through-color tile, all matte finish on the floor. Glazed tile would pose a slipping safety hazard in a bath area, I think. I'm still trying to find the larger size ... I need to shclepp halfway across the state to B&W Tile to see if they can custom make some for me. If they cannot, I'm going to use four 2x2s laid together in a square to create the illusion of a 4x4. The walls (different surface) are 4x4 glazed arctic white, though. Note to Femme1 : I do not recall ever seeing a ceramic or porcelain tile kitchen floor (I'm 50, and I've been in a lot of houses older than I am). Every kitchen floor I have ever seen was always some kind of plastic-like substance (linoleum, asphalt tile, vinyl tile, etc) with a pattern on it to make it look like tile. I would be very interested if any of the other site visitors have ever seen actual ceramic tile on an authentic mid-century modern kitchen floor. Pam, I would never mix-and-match tile finishes on a single surface. I am using all through-color tile, all matte finish on the floor. Glazed tile would pose a slipping safety hazard in a bath area, I think. I’m still trying to find the larger size … I need to shclepp halfway across the state to B&W Tile to see if they can custom make some for me. If they cannot, I’m going to use four 2×2s laid together in a square to create the illusion of a 4×4. The walls (different surface) are 4×4 glazed arctic white, though.
Note to Femme1 : I do not recall ever seeing a ceramic or porcelain tile kitchen floor (I’m 50, and I’ve been in a lot of houses older than I am). Every kitchen floor I have ever seen was always some kind of plastic-like substance (linoleum, asphalt tile, vinyl tile, etc) with a pattern on it to make it look like tile. I would be very interested if any of the other site visitors have ever seen actual ceramic tile on an authentic mid-century modern kitchen floor.

]]> By: 50sPam http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/13/1-choice-for-retro-bathroom-flooring-3-awesome-new-choices-from-daltile/#comment-7290 50sPam Tue, 13 May 2008 23:12:02 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=2252#comment-7290 Amy, it's the grout (not the tile) that you have worry about keeping clean. In general - I recommend going as dark as you can with the grout. If the tile is white, a warm grey can look really great. Also, you then need to seal the grout. Finally - you need to keep the floor vacuumed - that is the best prevention, in my experience. There is actually more I could write about this fascinating subject of grout. I'll get after it someday! Amy, it’s the grout (not the tile) that you have worry about keeping clean. In general - I recommend going as dark as you can with the grout. If the tile is white, a warm grey can look really great. Also, you then need to seal the grout. Finally - you need to keep the floor vacuumed - that is the best prevention, in my experience. There is actually more I could write about this fascinating subject of grout. I’ll get after it someday!

]]> By: 50sPam http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/13/1-choice-for-retro-bathroom-flooring-3-awesome-new-choices-from-daltile/#comment-7288 50sPam Tue, 13 May 2008 23:06:50 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=2252#comment-7288 Femme 1, I think you could never ever keep the grout clean in a kitchen. Femme 1, I think you could never ever keep the grout clean in a kitchen.

]]> By: Femme1 http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/13/1-choice-for-retro-bathroom-flooring-3-awesome-new-choices-from-daltile/#comment-7283 Femme1 Tue, 13 May 2008 21:40:07 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=2252#comment-7283 You know, I'm wondering if these tile styles were ever used in any other rooms besides bathrooms. Would they be too small-scale for a kitchen? You know, I’m wondering if these tile styles were ever used in any other rooms besides bathrooms. Would they be too small-scale for a kitchen?

]]> By: Amy http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/13/1-choice-for-retro-bathroom-flooring-3-awesome-new-choices-from-daltile/#comment-7274 Amy Tue, 13 May 2008 20:06:01 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=2252#comment-7274 I really like those but I wonder how the housekeepers kept them clean back then seeing as they're quiet light coloured? I really like those but I wonder how the housekeepers kept them clean back then seeing as they’re quiet light coloured?

]]> By: 50sPam http://retrorenovation.com/2008/05/13/1-choice-for-retro-bathroom-flooring-3-awesome-new-choices-from-daltile/#comment-7264 50sPam Tue, 13 May 2008 17:42:45 +0000 http://retrorenovation.com/?p=2252#comment-7264 So Stephan -- did you mix the thru-color tile with larger glazed 4x4s? Will it look okay to mix and match these finishes? So Stephan — did you mix the thru-color tile with larger glazed 4×4s? Will it look okay to mix and match these finishes?

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