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.
NordeastB says
My mid-70’s house has a linoleum tile version of this in the foyer. I’ve been taking the paint splatters the previous owner left off of the tiles.
Mark E says
Ah, yes…the slate foyer. Ours had 3-4 colors. In our 2-story home, it was not a great place to land after tumbling down the stairs. Ouch!
Deb says
LOL @ Gavin! 🙂
kimmy kupcakes says
My grandparents have something very similar to this in the entry way of their split level home.
tailfin says
My first house (a 1956 ranch in Southfield, MI) had this tile in the tiny entranceway and I always wished the original owners had installed it in some of the other rooms. You’ll find it in mid-century homes all through the Detroit burbs. It was very popular. It looks great on a raised hearth as well. I’ve even seen it as a kitchen countertop, but I’m not sure how practical it would be for that use. Glad to know it’s still available.
Richard says
The bungalow we bought last year in Repentigny Quebec has slate in irregular cuts in the very same tones as in the picture. It is in the foyer landing area and continues to the kitchen. We love it!
Joyce Donahue says
Thanks for putting this up – brings back the memories – and a story about how durable this flooring is. My grandparents’ house, built in the early 1940’s in Island Lake, Illinois, had that slate tile floor in the central hallway – all the rooms and the stairways up and down centered around this entrance area. Miraculously, when the tornado that leveled the house in 1967 came through, the woman and children who were in the house at the time were headed to the basement steps (also just off this tiled area) and never made it – so they laid down on that slate floor. The house around them was lifted up and blown away – the only part of the house that remained was that slate tile floor!
gavin hastings says
God-How I love this stuff…we used to play TWISTER on it!
My folks had this in the hallway, only ours was vinyl tile (just like every good 1960’s grocery store had in the Produce Dept.) It really did look authentic, white spacers and all.
My mother AeroWaxed it twice a year and with 11 kids I don’t remember it ever looking bad….the eye was quickly focused on the crayon drawings on the walls…
Kentile made a form of this and if available today, I would buy it in a second- but without the asbestos.
Diana of Mt. Lebanon, PA says
We have the vinyl slate tile in our front entry and we’re trying to find it for a back entry that was carpeted over a few years ago. We know the back entry had the same vinyl slate tile because we could see the same pattern underneath the carpet (and our house brochure points out the house was built with the vinyl slate tiles).
So, does anyone currently sell this as vinyl tile? I know Gavin mentioned Kentile, but I don’t think Kentile exists. Or, is our only option to go with the actual Vermont Slate and just figure it’s practically identical to our front entry vinyl tile?
Jim says
Diane,
Were you ever able to find this tile in vinyl? We have the slate in our entry-way, but are looking for the same sort of look for the powder room floor and closet. We’re from the South Hills of Pittsburgh too.
pam kueber says
Jim — I know just what you are taking about, but I don’t know of any manufacturers making this in vinyl… although the lineup is always being updated. See my Flooring section (all Flooring is housed in Kitchens) for some other possibilities I have identified.
Diana of Mt. Lebanon says
Hi Jim:
It turns our what we thought was vinyl in our front entrance was actually slate. So, we got actual slate tile (not vinyl) from Stout Flooring in the South Hills. We were very happy with the install! They can help you if you visit them and dig around to find this stuff. It took us some time, but we finally matched it perfectly.
Diana
Shane says
The house I grew up in here on the west side of Columbus, Oh had a 3′ – 4′ square of this stuff in black at the front door. The house was built in ’63 and I loved the look of it enough that when Mom and Dad had it removed for new carpeting, I kept each tile! LOL I’m glad I did. Maybe it’ll wind up on the floor here where the house is slowly transforming back to 1954.
Something else I kept and I’m glad – in the basement was a terrarium (sp?) made of all plastic plants and flowers of different types. When we sold the house, I removed each one, numbered it, and drew a diagram of the placement. Another GREAT IDEA!
Kate says
We live in a 1950’s home in Narragansett, RI, which was originally a summer cottage. Our bedroom is downstairs, half a story below the kitchen. We have that stone in the hallway and bathroom – it still looks good after almost 60 years!