Reader bsmet sent me this great link from Dal-tile showing 88 different mosaic wall and floor tile patterns. To enlarge here, click on the thumbnail here… then at the next window, click one more time.

I consider a tiled wall and tub/shower to be pretty essential in midcentury bathrooms. For the floor, you could also use VCT or linoleum. But be careful, any standing water will rot through the floor and sub-floor over time… so tile is better if the bathroom gets heavy use. And, the beauty part about retro-styled bathrooms is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great effect with tile. Use basic 1×1, 2×2 and especially 4×4 (or 4-1/4 x 4×1/4) tiles, add a little pattern zing – as suggested in these 88 options – and you a retro renovation bathroom that’s timeless, functional and appealing. Thanks, bsmet – this is a great resource!

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I’m always on the lookout for examples of how to use basic 4″ square tiles in ways to add flair to a retro renovation bathroom. Humblelabor, a flickr friend, has a wonderful little collection of time images going – with a few featured here today.

In this simple design, glossy 4x4s are combined to wonderful effect. But, be careful if you are cutting them in half to create a triangle, to keep the ‘sharp’ cut side close to the edge of the room. Once cut, this edge will not have the same smooth finish as a normal molded tile. It will be scratchy or worse on your bare feet. Use a really good tile cutter to get the edge as smooth as you can.

This floor uses 1×1″ mosaic tiles – again, making great use of triangular-shaped pieces to create a snazzy design.

Related posts:

1. Design a retro bathroom floor tile with Dal-Tile’s Mosaic Design Tool Lauren and other readers have mentioned that local retailers don’t...
2. 88 mosaic tile patterns for your retro bathroom Reader bsmet sent me this great link from Dal-tile showing...
3. Octagon and dot tile creates scalloped edges — a terrific bathroom design idea I have never seen this floor tile pattern idea before,...

Bungalow Bill is a great new friend of the site who followed up on the post about the retro mosaic in Mid Mod Megg’s mother-in-law’s bathroom. Oh my goodness, we have opened up a genie in the bottle. Look at these images!

Bill explains:

I drool seeing panels like these still in situ… The Mosaic Tile Company was in business 1894-1972. Surviving panels are pretty rare, and ones surviving removal are even more so. Back then tiles were set into thick cement mortar and meant to last forever in one place. There was no thin-set adhesive back then. I did scan some pages from the Mosaic Tile Co. catalog c. 1955 for you. They were located in Zanesville Ohio and , with the decorated tiles being made between 1915-1960.

Bill also sent me a terrific stash of other mosaic tile images from the 50s and 60s. I will showcase them soon. Meanwhile – be sure to check out his site, BungalowBill.com.  Many thanks, Bill!

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