Jeff recently reminded us that random multi-color slate flooring is a wonderful choice for a mid-century home. To be sure, I see this floor all the time in homes I visit from the 40s 50s 60s and 70s. It’s usually in porches, breezeways, or foyers — spots that require a very durable, waterproof flooring material.
(But, I do not see this in kitchens and bathrooms. This floor is, I believe, traditionally used as a transition between the outside and inside, rather than a floor you’d want to live on all day long. That said, in a big open concept contemporary in a hot climate, I can see it being used throughout the house.) Jeff is purchasing his at Vermont Slate Depot, where as today, 10 sq. ft. costs $16.75 plus shipping. I also have seen this floor at my big local stone supply store, the same place everyone buys their patio pavers. So, you may be able to get it locally, as well, and save on the shipping. Design tip: That white grout shown in the photo is not what I’d choose. It will show dirt instantly. I’d have to eyeball it, but at minimum would start with medium gray.
nina462 says
Nina from MI…with my slate floor. Yes it wears well as it’s right off of the front door. Then there’s a slate lip that leads to the hardwood floor (for the person who asked how it meshes with other floors.). I’ve never ‘protected’ mine, but what is recommended? I’ve only had the house for 4 years but the floor is original.
Jeff says
Well, Pam, I was raised in Grosse Pointe Park, graduated from GPS High!
My first apartment was the Windmill Pointe Manor on Alter Road near Jefferson, a magnificent gothic art deco building, then moved on to Merton and Whitmore in Detroit’s Palmer Park in the 80’s in superb pre-war buildings.
Your house on Hillcrest sounded great! Glad you stopped the reno before losing the pine and the tile- flocked paper aint my favorite, so it’s OK!!
The slate flooring can be over sealed, and some cases, people polyeurathane it to death, and it turns yellowy and flakes or chunks off with wear and age (kind of how I’m lookin’ and feeling nowadays!)
Best to use only the sealers rated for such a floor, and people need to ask questions before buying the wrong product.
Your byline “love the house you’re in” is spot-on! We all seem to here, and it shows.
I will be happy to post photos of the house in Southfield as soon as it’s presentable- spring will be good, I think.
As a teaser- it’s got exterior doors with horizontal reeded glass windows, starburst backplates for the doorknobs, giant picture windows that meet in the corners of all the rooms, ledgerstone fireplace and chimney, and the original concrete patio slab inlaid with polished river rocks, circa 1953!
Yes, I love it and will be happy to share, but am traveling at the moment and not there to supervise the work being done, but it’s going great, and I look forward to getting some shots posted.
pam kueber says
Thanks, Jeff. Mid-Mod — Modern and Modest, alike — Michigan has quite a contingent!
Rebecca says
Pam and Jeff,
Thanks for your comments, I just LOVE this type of flooring and am so excited to see it is still available. I am considering using it in an entrance way for sure. I thought I had seen something similar outdoors but agree with you both that it could be an issue. Thanks for sharing this wonderful resource.
Colvin Taylor says
I was given two paintings for my birthday. They are to me absolutely fabulous. There is a sticker on the back of each of them that is from NYCS has artist as Hugo and the names of the paintings. One is Place du Tertre and the other Paris Street. But have not found further info on them. Not sure about the artist.
Jeff says
Hi Rebecca, no, my sister used it in a family room with an exterior door that is commonly used to come and go, what with boots, snow, salt deposits from the boots, etc.
So as an entry floor, and in her case a family room floor, it has held up remarkably well. Don’t think outdoors it would last a well, would need constant cleaning and sealing most likely.
I have seen it on outdoor covered porches here in Michigan, and weathered it looks great, just depends on how you want it to look.
pam kueber says
Jeff, your comment reminds me that I also have seen this floor with so many coats of sealant / poly (?) that it almost shines like a mirror. I think this would be very slippery and therefore sub-optimal / dangerous in places where there’s a lot of water coming in contact with it. That said, it does show the versatility of the material.
Rebecca says
Jeff,
I had a question from your posting. When you said your sister used it with direct outside access did that mean that she put it outside? If so, did it stand up to the weather? I am in WI and would love to do a patio in this but am afraid it will not handle the elements. Thanks, Rebecca
pam kueber says
Rebecca, I think that this particular cut may be too thin for outdoors — it would fracture easily, I think. But – if you set it into a concrete slab, that may be a different story. Best idea: Check with the company for their specifications information. I certainly have seen thicker chunks of what I am pretty sure is the exact same material used outdoors — in fact, I put some down right outside my office door, picked the pieces out, hauled them down the hill and arranged them myself. I was very proud of myself. My husband did help, though, in “setting” the substrate on which they were laid — we dug out the space and then layed small gravel. I also used some pieces as stepping stones in my garden; those I just set into the dirt.
Jeff says
Thanks, Pam for posting this- it has been a breeze (way)! to install, and a diagram of the placement of the pieces and where the colors should goes accompanies each box.
Yes, the Detroit and suburban area homes have lots of this slate still used and intact, and in fact, my sister in Grosse Pointe installed this Vermont Slate Depot floor in her family room with direct outside access, (lots of snow, rain, salt) and used the white grout with a sealer, and it looks like new- wears like iron! A yearly sealer coat is recommended, and it will literally last a lifetime.
I took your cue, Pam, and used a medium gray grout which suits the scheme better, and it has worked perfectly.
pam kueber says
Jeff – send pictures when you’re done! Hey, did you know I lived in Grosse Pointe Park, then Grosse Pointe Farms when I was in my 20s? I had a little house, circa 1938, on Hillcrest. Oh. Where I ripped out red flocked wallpaper, painted perfectly nice wood cabinets, and covered vintage linoleum sheet in black and white press on squares. Fortunately, I was too poor to rip out the lovely black and white tile bathroom, or the knotty pine Florida room. The house was influential in my “development”, I think — it hooked me on vintage charm even though I didn’t quite get it “all” yet. Goes to show how far we are coming!
Dave says
We live in a raised ranch built in 1970. There are slate tiles in the entryway similar to those in the picture. A year ago I went and scrubbed the tiles clean and applied a dark gray grout paint carefully with a brush to the grout. It looks like new and took alot of work but it was well worth it.
nina462 says
I have the slate flooring in my entryway (65 ranch)and I love it. I have also found slate remnants in the “garden” that I have started to use as stepping stones in the garden. I’ve also found other items buried in the garden from when the house was built. But the slate was the best find so far!
Rebecca Prichard says
It’s in foyers ALL over MI. Love it. I was thinking of putting it over this lame ceramic tile I have. Do you put it right up against another tile floor when the foyer leads into the kitchen?? Does anyone know?