This tile has been in production since at least the 1970s,
in same Indonesia factory
The quest for pink tile for my retro modern master bathroom remodel hasn’t been easy — but recently I stumbled upon the University tile line from Merola Tile Company. The line has six color variations in all. The four shown above are my favorites — and yes — one of them is pink.
Merola University tile called “KOM Random” in the 1970s and 1980s
John Merola from Merola Tile Somerset/SomerTile — who happens to be a fan of Retro Renovation — was kind enough to send me samples of the University tile series and provide some additional information on the line:
I’ve been in the tile business for around 25 years. I started as a stock boy at a tile store in Brooklyn, New York, and I am very familiar with many of the tiles that your team blogs about, which is one of the main reasons we are offering so many older style designs. The University Tile was called the “KOM Random” in the 70’s and 80’s.. And our product is from the same factory in Indonesia that was making the product back then.
Knowing that little tidbit of information makes it clear — this isn’t just “retro” tile — it’s the real deal if you want to remodel your bathroom in authentic vintage style.
Update March 2021, from Pam: I heard from a reader recently that they couldn’t find one of these tiles. So, I checked in with Merola Tile to get the story — and not to worry, these tiles STILL ARE being imported. If you happen to NOT see what you’re looking for, it’s likely a temporary supply chain issue. The company told me that lead times for the tiles, which come from Indonesia, can be long and can vary depending on a variety of factors. If a particular design or color disappears online, it may just be because the links have come down while stocks are replenished. As I write this, I’m seeing these tiles all over the place online.
Kate’s story continues:
I want pink tile for my bathroom floor and walls, and I wanted to see the University random mosaic pink to consider for the floor. Now that it’s in my hands, I can see: The 1″x2″ pieces a light pastel pink… the darker, 1″ x 1″ pieces are pinky beige, and white… the splotches on the largest pieces, the 2″ x 2″s, are rosy Mamie pink. I think this is going to work! Not only are these tiles a nice shade of pink — they are just the right shade of pink. That’s a 4×4 pink tile from B&W Tile Company next to my sample of the floor tile. The splotches on the larger tiles are nearly the same exact shade of pink as the B&W tile — these two tiles would look fabulous in a bathroom together. In fact — when it comes to tile for my retro modern master bathroom remodel — we may have found a winning combination.
Another good to know detail — the glaze spatters make the tiles slightly bumpy — which helps with traction in wet areas like bathroom floors. [Precautionary Pam interjects: Always check with the manufacturer to ensure a tile is specified for floor use; consult with a pro.] Another bonus — these tiles — and more information about their ratings and uses — are relatively affordable — $9.26/sq. ft. through Home Depot — and easily accessible through Home Depot and a variety of other retailers.
Other colors of University Tile available
University Pink — my favorite of the available colors and a great choice to coordinate with B&W tile’s pink 4×4 wall tile.
University blue — which coordinates with B&W Tile’s 20W blue color — another great choice for a retro bathroom remodel. We think there are a number of blue 4″ x 4″ wall tiles available, inexpensively — from Daltile, American Olean, and Home Depot’s special order brands — to coordinate with this tile.
The University Blue is currently only available on Overstock.com. (model number FKOUV418 on Overstock) It is the newest edition to the University collection and will be up on Home Depot and Somertile in the near future.
University Bone — this is a great floor tile option to pair with beige wall tile — like Pam’s beige tile bathroom.
University white — while not as jazzy as the other color options, this white tile still has a lot of textural charm and as an added bonus — coordinates well with nearly any color scheme.
University Beige — this color scheme, with its darker brown tiles — is appropriate for late 1960s to 1970s bathroom design. Note: The 2x2s look like the same rose beige as the beige set two photos up.
University light grey — another neutral color that would mix well with 1950s and 1960s pastel bathroom fixtures. Lots and lots of gray 4″ x 4″ tiles today in American Olean, Daltile and big box lineups, at very low prices.
Merola Tile’s University collection might be just what the doctor ordered for a retro bathroom remodel — the authentic vintage design and color ways, easy availability through Home Depot’s website and the reasonable price per square foot makes this a terrific choice to add to our list of tile choices.
UPDATE: We found a number of other Merola designs at another retailer. See this story for info. Photo of their styles:
CJ Dellatore says
Totally chic, and I’m always a fan of great design that stays in production for decades. Long live retro!
Aleta says
Oh that pink is perfect for my bathroom also! Love it 🙂 and thanks!
Jeanne says
The blue looks like an exciting possible match for my blue toilet and sink but I don’t see that anywhere – even the Somertile site…. am I blind?
pam kueber says
Kate has the sample… but could not find it on the Home Depot site. I will ask Kate to followup with Merola to get an explanation. Stay tuned…
Matt says
The University Blue is currently up on Overstock.com. http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/SomerTile-11.75×11.75-inch-Academy-Blue-Floor-and-Wall-Tiles-Set-of-10/7458217/product.html You may also search for the model number FKOUV418 on Overstock. The University Blue is the newest edition to our University collection and will be up on Home Depot and Somertile shortly.
Kate says
Great! Thanks for the info Matt! I’ll update the story.
Jeanne Jeanne says
That is fantastic news. I don’t know why I couldn’t find in on the Overstock site but I feared maybe the blue had been discontinued… that’s often the way it rolls for me on renovation issues.
Thanks, Kate, Pam (and Matt) for getting me ahead of the curve for once.
Kate says
I have an email in to Merola Tile asking about this — I’m awaiting their reply and will update the story and comment here when I find out!
Robin says
Ask them if they’d be willing to make it in yellow too!! My green bathroom has yellow and white speckled tiles in the shower and on the countertops, if only Merola would make the floor tiles in yellow, it would be a near perfect match.
TappanTrailerTami says
Yes! Yellow and Green tile seems to be missing!
Heidi Swank says
Absolutely wonderful! Just what we need for both bathrooms. We can do the guest in the pink and the master in the blue! The same pattern in two colors for the separate bathrooms will really recreate that pulled together feeling of the mid-century house. Thanks Pam!!!
pam kueber says
Yes – I love matchy matchy floor tiles room-to-room but in different color ways!!!!
Rebecca Madison WI says
Wow, this is a great find. Well done! I have been looking for a pink tile for a bathroom make over and just love the style and look of these tiles.
Lynne says
Grey for me! Grey and butter yellow, for a bathroom. Love that combination. I think I may just go and measure to see what we need. I would rather have it, and set it aside for later, than to find it no longer available when the time comes.
Shanna (PinkTrees) says
this tile is in my bathroom right now! originally from when the hose was built in ’65. it’s a booger to keep clean with the “nubby” surface. i’m happy to read that home depot sells it because there are some broken pieces i need to replace. (the tile you posted previously with the gold is on the countertops)
Robin says
Oh wow!!! I HAVE to have the blue mosaic for my blue bathroom. It’s perfect. Now if only they made a nice buttery yellow for my Ming green bathroom . . . Still searching for the right color combo in that room. I’d love to go with the pink but I think my husband would have a stroke.
Kate says
I wish they made a light yellow too! Then I could use it in my green bathroom!
lynda says
Very nice choice, Kate. Check out Overstock.com too. They have the same tile. I think because the Home Depot does not have the free shipping on the tile, Overstock will be quite a bit less for the same product. http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Somertile-Academy-Pink-Floor-and-Wall-Tile-Case-of-10/6803279/product.html
Also, remember to search for possible codes and discounts before you order. There are usually some on the net.
pam kueber says
Kate was checking Home Depot shipping prices for another story — and they seemed very reasonable. Like, less than $10 for multiple boxes of tile…
Kate says
Shipping at Home Depot for the amount of tile I would require is $24…putting it nearly even with Overstock. ($2 difference) But a great point!
lynda says
Last time I checked on the shipping, it was a lot more, maybe it has changed. Also, Overstock, I think, does not charge tax for all states.
I just always check all sources!
Kate says
yes! Always good to shop around!
I don’t know how Home Depot determines shipping — dollar value, how far it has to travel or weight… $24 seems like a deal for that heavy tile!
lynda says
I certainly does seem like a good deal. I put the tile in the cart and shipping is reasonable. And…easy to return to a Home Depot if something arrives broken or incorrectly.
Tracie says
I’m in love! We need to replace the floor in our pink bathroom at some point, and this is the best option I’ve seen by far. I’m kind of digging the idea of using the gray mosaic.
This mosaic would also make a great kitchen backsplash.