30 patterns for vinyl floor tiles from the 1950s

pam kueber — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:00:38 +0000

David asked the other day: “We’re planning our basement finishing project and looking at VCT tiling options in the basement. Does anyone know where to find design ideas for Vinyl tiles? I’m seeing a lot for ceramic, but not many for VCT.” You ask, I deliver: Here are scans from 1950s Armstrong and Kentile catalogs.

The thing I like about the designs in my 1955 Armstrong dealer catalog is that they show the percentage of each color required. The Kentile designs come from a retail brochure, so you will have to do the math yourself.

Also remember: Armstrong still offers the the decorative shuffleboard. Come on — you only live once — get the shuffleboard!

Finally — Please know, readers — these designs are provided with the intent that you will use them with new vinyl composite tile (VCT). Always be sure, when you move into a house, to consult with experts to test all the materials in your house, including flooring, for stuff like lead and asbestos — and make informed decisions about how to handle these issues.

READ THIS VIEWING TIP: I have inserted the images very large so you can see the designs well — I had to click on the image THREE times to get to the largest version. Then, use my back button to return to the post.

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Pam Kueber — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:01:32 +0000

These 50s Kentile flooring samples were recently on ebay. I bid on them all, but won just one set. Alas, I have been trying to cut back on building the “Museum of Pittsfield” collection, as my oh-so-patient husband calls it. I’ll tell you, I already have quite an exhibit ready to send cross-country.

Aren’t these incredible? It is so sad that pickin’s are so thin in terms of replicating them today. But — possibilities ARE out there, so if you are in the market, be sure to click here to check out the Flooring category for the variety of choices still available. Please also note: Old flooring can contain asbestos – consult with a professional if you have this in your house so that you can make informed decisions about how to handle it.

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Retro Renovation» Kentile

30 patterns for vinyl floor tiles from the 1950s

Retro flooring — great reference samples