Comments on: A 50s bathroom with dusty-grey-lilac tile

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:06:53 +0000

I have a similar tile color combo in the 1960 home I’m buying… the neutral gray set on the diagonal … I love it! There’s also an original vintage medicine cabinet under a round mirror that the owner has “temporarily” (temp ’cause there’s some sort of adhesive on the glass holding it in place but it’s hanging from a wire) installed over the sink. Good problems to have I’m thinking.

By: sablemable

sablemable — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:37:03 +0000

Love those colors, floor and walls!

By: Jesika NYC

Jesika NYC — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:45:41 +0000

HI Neighbor,

this may be a year too late but….
i think the tile color is great! since the black tiles act as a frame why not paint some sort of art piece on the walls. Id say something abstract and soft-modern similar to Jean Miotte or perhaps these latin american artists can be of inspiration http://www.latinartmuseum.com/fabio_dominguez.htm .

if you dont know how to draw/paint, try looking up some art students at a local college (they could always use some cash) so for a few bucks you can have a masterpiece on your bathroom wall. Id chrome out the appliances (chrome double shower head, a nice glass dish bowl sink with chrome faucets, chrome lighting, add a venetian mirror & monogramed towels) you can get that stuff cheap on ebay. I imagine for less than $600 you can have an amazing retreat

i can see how you would want to get rid of the floor tile but i agree, its a neutral and if you paint the walls a bright color you might want to keep those floor tiles as is. if you want to do something with them without killing yourself & your budget use tile paint and color it all a lavender grey or glossy black to frame the appliances & the wall art

I am renting an old apartment with pepto-pink wall tiles & white walls and Im not allowed to change anything so Ive worked around it by turning it into a Balinese retreat. pink is a color often used on that beautiful side of the world so i used the islands common color schemes and Im happy with the results

i studied interior design & color for 2years & i hope Ive helped

good luck!

By: Pam Kueber

Pam Kueber — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:20:46 +0000

Welcome, Ceren. What a gorgeous gorgeous color of tile to have! You are so lucky – and I can’t wait to see photos. Where do you live?

I have to call B&W to see if they’re happy – or not – with all the business they seem to be getting from the blog!

By: Ceren Laydon

Ceren Laydon — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:19:05 +0000

I am so happy we found this website! This bathroom with the “funky purple-gray” tile. When I was reading this and looked at the pictures I nearly jumped out of my chair thinking thats my tile!!! The only difference is the writer didn’t mention that the tile can look blue at times too. I have been searching for almost two years for the tile to match. I just called B&W tiles and am going to be sending them the picture of my tiles for a match up.

Thank you so much for a wonderful website! I will keep you posted as to my progress and hopefully will be able to send pictures when it is done.

By: Sumac Sue

Sumac Sue — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:51:09 +0000

I agree with Femme1, I wouldn’t rush in and rip out that floor. They might not seem to go together at first, but, the white and gray actually seem to let the walls do all the talking. I really love the color of the wall tile.

By: Retro Renovation » Retro bathroom: Black pearlescent toilet seat from Kohler

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:00:48 +0000

[...] was looking to dress up her dad’s 1951 bathroom, and I suggested she play up the black trim with a fancy black toilet seat. Well, here it is – the [...]

By: Femme1

Femme1 — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:02:37 +0000

Alexa, don’t rip up that floor! To my eye, it definitely “goes” with the wall tile. One of the hats I wear is that of publication designer, and I often use a neutral gray to balance out complementary colors. It allows the eye to rest and also adds a classic touch.

By: chriss

chriss — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:00:59 +0000

Sigh…I wish I had these kinda problems! My bathroom was updated some time in the Eighties and really, before that, I don’t think it was a beauty. I did notice, when I was installing my vintage medicine cabinette, that the walls (plaster) were likely originally painted Seafoam Green! So it might have been cool!

My problem is “how much will it cost to re-create the style of tile that Alexa has?”! I’m going to have to do it some day. I keep looking at all that nice vintage tile down at the Restore and wondering “how much do I need?” Hmmm…maybe I’ll go measure my bathroom right now!