A short pause today, to reflect upon and ogle the linoleum pattern that we believe was The Single Most Popular resilient floor pattern in midcentury American houses: Armstrong No. 5352. So far in my research, I have found No. 5352 in Armstrong catalogs as early as 1935 and reader Scott says that it was still being sold at Sears in the mid-1990s! That is quite a run!
March 2020 update: Armstrong Flooring is reintroducing the 5352 design — dubbed Heritage Brick — this year. Read the full story here.
- Also read my 2020 story on the history of this pattern — from my interview with Mark Zeamer of Armstrong.
Originally, Armstrong No. 5352 was available as real-deal “Embossed Inlaid Linoleum”. Mark Zeamer told me (in interview story listed just above, “The 5352 pattern lasted a long time in many different commodities, starting out in linoleum to Coronelle to felt-backed Imperial Solarian and then jumped to vinyl into the 1970’s. It was in the 70’s that it was revived as a Rotogravure printed product in Sheet Goods and Tile.”
I have been reading Jane Powell’s excellent book, Linoleum (affiliate link). “Inlaid” means that workers actually sifted different color mixtures — up to 38 different colors per design! — onto the linoleum-sheet-in-progress. “Embossed” means that the entire piece was then pressed to create texture — in the case of No. 5352, the divits suggesting grout. Incredible workmanship required for such a “humble” material.
Here’s more detail on how embossed inlaid linoleum was manufactured, as described by Armstrong in 1949 (above):
- WIDE COLOR RANGE: As many as 38 colors may be used in a single design of Embossed Inlaid. The use of mottled colors creates unusually rich effects. Armstrong’s Embossed Inlaid Linoleum patterns have long been famous for their wide color range and their subtle shading.
- DISTINCTIVE DESIGN: A finely granulated mix is sifted through stencils onto the backing material. The intricate stencil shapes reproduce every line of the artist’s design and make possible the beautiful patterns available…
- KEYED TO BACKING: An adhesive coat on the burlap or felt backing helps to bond the mix and backing securely together under the pressure and heat of the giant presses.
- DURABILITY: Under the repeated pressings, the granulated linoleum mix is formed into a dense, unified sheet. After the final pressing and long baking in the maturing stoves, Embossed Inlaid has the long-wearing quality for which Armstrong’s Linoleum is known.
- STREAMLINE EMBOSSING: The top face of this press has an embossing plate which depresses parts of the design, creating a textured effect…. The unique streamlining of Armstrong’s embossing assures ease of cleaning.
Precautionary Pam notes: I also want to relate that in her book, Powell says that while linoleum is known today for its use of renewable resources (cork, linseed oil, namely), heavy metals such as lead may have been used in the manufacturer of old linoleum. In particular, she points out that lead and other heavy metals such as cadmium and chromium may have been used in the pigments used for coloration. Resilient flooring made from other materials may have contained other hazardous materials such as asbestos; check adhesives, too. So — Precautionary Pam repeats: Be sure to test the materials in your old houses for vintage nastiness like lead, asbestos and more — get with your own properly licensed professional to determine what’s in your house and its layers, so that you can make informed decisions about how to handle. For more info and links see our Be Safe / Renovate Safe page.
Armstrong 5352 — why was it so popular?
Back to Armstrong 5352: Why was it so popular? I will theorize that 5352 resonated for decades because so many American kitchens were “traditional” in overall character, year in and year out. This floor design — with its warm, essentially neutral colors — and with its evocation of timeless brick flooring — would have fit into many a kitchen.
Armstrong pointed to its versatility, describing it as a “Tile effect with a warm informal look. Good choice for a small room, hall, den, kitchen, living room, or dining room.”
I am pretty sure that 5352 lasted well into the 1970s, at a minimum — see the photo below, Jon & Trixi found it in their 1960s house, covered up. By then, the material likely changed to vinyl or some sort of vinyl composite; test this old stuff and adhesives underneath for vintage nastiness such as lead and asbestos, too, please.
To be sure, I can envision it successfully complementing dark wood cabinets and avocado and harvest gold appliances, too. Armstrong No. 5352 had legs. Oh, how it wish it were still available today!
These old linoleum floors — amazingly amazing.
UPDATE: Reader Hannah sent this photo of vintage Armstrong linoleum in the 5352 pattern and left this comment on the Retro Renovation Facebook page:
I have two partial rolls down in the basement a friend gave me. It was left in HER basement when the original owners sold them the house. Not sure what I want to do with it though. It’s not enough to cover any floor we have. I just knew I WANTED IT!
Katie says
My bathroom floor looks just like this but it’s real tile, not linoleum. I wish it was a better color but i do love the block random pattern so much!
Caitlin says
My husband bought our first home last fall. Our house was built in 1970 and had one owner until we bought it in 2016. The first thing that caught my eye was the red faux brick floors in the kitchen. I had always despised it until I came across this blog where so many of you love it! I can understand why as I am too very nostalgic for childhood memories. Unfortunately, we are in the process of looking to put new flooring down (sorry!) but it is just so squeaky and old. The pattern has even come up where the previous owner used to have floor mats. It is time to go…
I’d love to send you a picture of the floors if you’re interested.
Pam Kueber says
Be Safe/Renovate Safe! https://retrorenovation.com/renovate-safe/
Robert says
One of the main reasons I chose the small house I just bought was the kitchen floor that looked exactly like my grandmothers. Armstrong 5351 (green). I guess I didn’t realize it was so popular.
If you have any posts of remodels with colors for this floor I would like to see them.
Great site BTW, I am excited to bring this house back and keep the original feel.
Joanne says
I wonder why they aren’t reproducing it since so many “boomers” are doing renovations? I WANT it!
ronald manuel says
I desperately need some Any ideas?
Suzanne Long says
Just came upon your website while looking for info about Louisa. FYI: There will be an exhibit of Louisa Cowan’s drawings in Lancaster (Framing Concept) next month. Saw the reference to Armstrong’s most popular pattern. My father, who worked at Armstrong, always called it the Christmas pattern. Apparently, the pattern made its debut around Christmas.
Pam Kueber says
Hi Suzanne, we have many stories about Armstrong, Louisa, Hazel Dell Brown, etc. Use the search box and they should all come up.
Kim says
I spent the 70’s walking on 5352 as child!
Ron Vilarino says
Linoleum City in Los Angeles makes retro Armstrong #5352 for movie sets. You have to buy it in 6’x12′ rolls minimum. Contact: sales@linocity.com
pam kueber says
Is it REAL linoleum? Or, just a sort of … paper?
Harry says
It’s only available in the red color at Linoleum City and they said it’s a print of it, so not the real deal.
pam kueber says
When they say “print” do they mean … it’s paper?
Lisa Bollman says
I was looking for this. I remember it so well from my grandparents’ big bungalow in San Leandro that had a huge kitchen. I don’t know how old the house was, though. It dated at least back to the 30’s. I wanted to put it in my kitchen. About 20 years ago they were still selling it at Home Depot and it even came in a tan range. Funny how it’s a big part of my wonderful memories of them in that house in the 50’s. I guess it’s no longer available?
pam kueber says
Correct: No longer available.
deborah burkhart says
We had the yellow and orange version on the kitchen floor of our house on Sunset Mesa in southern CA, built 1964. Mom used to wax it with Jubilee.