by Pam Kueber on April 14, 2008
by Pam Kueber on April 7, 2008
Reader Portland Laura alerted me to these great, new flooring choices. Streaky 12″x12″ vinyl tile from Congoleum.
Here is the link to the Congoleum Commercial section, where these tiles are shown. They are in the “CX” section. But all sections are worth looking at: http://congoleum.com/com-tile.html
Hurray! More, true streaky choices to supplement my previous only favorite, Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze. Thank you, Laura!
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by pam kueber on February 20, 2008
“Retro flooring” is one of the top search terms for people coming to this blog. So, a couple of weeks ago I went hunting at the tile and floor shop — and found a few new flooring alternatives to share. This is my #1 favorite among them — a vinyl sheet flooring from Armstrong that suits a retro kitchen perfectly, is affordable, easy to clean and easy to get installed.
The style name is Saguaro – the ‘bricks’ are a nice modest size – and I like the colors, especially the Desert White (shown) and the more classic red Canyon Clay. Note, there is a larger brick style, Mesita. I think it is too big!
When I look at the floor in the photo, I think it would have been 100% appropriate for my kitchen — a very nice alternative to the Azrock Cortina Autumn Haze #423 that I’m so crazy about. You can see that for the room shot, Armstrong even paired this floor with retro elements – like the Saarinen tulip table in the foreground.
This floor style reaches all the way back to the 50s. And there is no doubt – vinyl flooring is easiest to maintain. So if you’re looking for a less-hassle lifestyle — and great retro style — this is a great choice.
Finally, if you’re looking for retro flooring choices – I implore you to check out the Flooring Category. Categories are to the right, and at the TOP of posts. (What’s below are Tags, basically there to help search engines connect people.)
by Pam Kueber on January 3, 2008
As I see and learn more about home design in the postwar period, I seem to be getting more liberal in my views. That is, stuff that used to disgust me, I find, well….actually pleasing.
Take vinyl sheet flooring. In all the houses I remember living in, from 1971 on, we absolutely had vinyl flooring. I am the oldest of 5 children. And I must say – from sweeping then scrubbing the kitchen floor every Saturday morning for about 10 years – it cleans like a dream. The best, hands down. It also lasts – way longer than you want it to, if your choice was trendy.
Well surprise surprise, I pulled the advertising above from an Armstrong flooring brochure came from 1963. Although they call the product shown “embossed inlaid linoleum,” I am sure they are what we would call vinyl sheet. Click on the thumbnails to see the designs – some of them are absolutely awesome, with starbursts and gold flecks and such. If only these were still available today.
Meanwhile, I searched Armstrong’s present day line, and also looked at some other manufacturers, and could only come up with one current design that I thought could work in a retro renovation.
I’ll keep a lookout for more. As I said – I kind of like this stuff!
by Pam Kueber on October 24, 2007
Today: Modern day products to recreate yesterday’s flashback kitchen. My finds include:
- Formica microdot laminate in yellow.
- Wilsonart brushed yellow laminate.
- Sherwin-Williams Pink Flamingo Paint from the Suburban Modern palette.
- Armstrong’s Marmorette (true linoleum) sheet flooring in Green Parrot.
Pretty cool! If this kitchen wouldn’t make you happy – nothing would!
by pam kueber on April 1, 2006
by Pam Kueber on April 1, 2006
Forced to make final decisions about my kitchen reno, I have settled on this Azrock Cortina tile – #423 Autumn Haze. I haven’t installed it yet, but the sample looks FABULOUS. Very streaky — rather than “blotchy” like so many of the other VCT tiles today. I am going to install the tile at a 90-degree angle to each other.
In my research – looking through many old 50s kitchen catalogs – I think this particular tile is a great replica. My biggest regret is that I must buy it in 12″ squares. All tiles today seem to be in this size, at minimum, it seems. In the ’50s, from what I can tell, 9″ tiles proliferated. In my home, all the tiles (under carpet in the basement, the original kitchen flooring) were 9″ square — as is the parquet in the dining room and the cork tiles in the foyer and bedrooms. In my back hall, the beige/white/black/coral streaked linoleum (fabulous) is 6″ square. Fabulous! Oh well.
I also think that Flex-Tile is worth a look:
- Flex-thru tiles, Architectural series — http://www.flextile.net/
Here is the url for Azrock Cortina: http://www.azrock.com/Products/tabid/242/Default.aspx?cid=64
Note: The Azrock people were great about getting me samples. Give them your business!
by Pam Kueber on March 18, 2006
Looking at photos of interiors from the ’50s, it is clear that both vinyl composite and linoleum were used. Here are sources I recommend today:
- Armstrong Commercial floor tile – Standard Excelon Imperial Texture. One homeowner I heard from said the black was identical to what is still in his basement. There are 75 colors, three shown above (the last three, larger images). Note, in my downstairs basement bedroom, the original homeowner used a mix of browns to beautiful effect – so have fun. Note, this flooring will last forever and ever. See more at: http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/product_details.jsp?item_id=381
- Armstrong also makes true linoleum — see their website, and so does Forbo Marmoleum. Note: While these are quite beautiful, and environmentally friendly to boot, they do require more care and are not considered completely waterproof.
- Toli Linotesta – is another product that I have found that resembles the marble-like look of lineoleum, but has the greater durability of vinyl composite. 3 colors pictured above (first three, smaller images). See more at http://www.toli.com/linotst_home.html
- Finally, try cork. It’s quite beautiful. It has the same care-ability issues as linoleum. There are many suppliers around.
