Retro Renovation» floor

Colvin’s pink unglazed porcelain ceramic bathroom floor tiles

pam kueber — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:59:53 +0000

Vintage pink unglazed porcelain ceramic bathroom floor tiles – pinwheel pattern. Could there be anything more luscious to find in a mid-century home?

Upon request, Colvin has sent in a close up of the floors in his pink and gray vintage bathroom. It really is so lovely – notice the slight shading of the dot within the pink 1×2′s. Ahhhhhh. Thank you, Raymond!

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What color stain to use for mid-century oak flooring?

pam kueber — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:00:41 +0000

A reader recently wrote to ask, “What color stain would be most appropriate or authentic for a mid-century oak floor?” Drats, I cannot find the email. And, I am not academically sure what the correct answer is. I would guess… a “natural” stain.

Natural meaning – virtually no color. Matte or gloss finish. Gloss, though, would show more scratches. When we refinished the oak parquet floor in our dining room, above, the floor guy said, “All the old floors were done with a natural finish.” We chose matte finish and have been very happy with it. Our oak is getting a nice golden hue as time goes on. Under all the carpets, it’s a lighter color — the sunlight is affecting the color.

I think I may consult with some mid-century historic homes to discern the proper academic answer. But meanwhile: Readers — what do you think? What are you finding in your homes, with original wood floors, including what may have been hidden underneath carpet that’s been there for ages? What is the “authentic” color for mid-century oak flooring?

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Octagon and dot floor tiles in 13 color combinations

pam kueber — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:00:30 +0000

OCTAGON FLOOR TILES are great for pre-war homes — 1920s, 1930s, 1940s — and then some colorways came around again in the 1970s. This tile style can work, I think, for either a vintage style bathroom or kitchen floor, and that dot gives you a nice flourish of color to play with.

Nemo Tile has the largest selection that I’ve seen yet of colors for the main tile and the dot. Looks like they have a glossy and satin white, a glossy and satin black, and for that 70s house, shades of beige and shades of gray. What a hoot, I love ‘em. For dots: white, black, navy, cobalt, red, burgundy, green and the 70s beige and gray. Nemo Tile octagon ceramic floor tile.

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