As the retro decor revival continues, more and more options for period appropriate tile are becoming available. This is great news for anyone trying to repair, restore or build a midcentury bathroom. My latest discovery — two new options for tile flooring that would feel right at home in a pastel vintage bathroom. Merola Tile has added two new color options to their Metro Hex line of porcelain tile — light green and light blue. The tile is $7.95 per square foot — and available to order through the Home Depot website.
As soon as I discovered the existence of these pastel hex tiles, I contacted Maggie McBride, our contact at Merola Tile who promptly sent some samples my way — Thanks Maggie!
Once I received the samples, I was excited to compare them to my B&W Tile sample board to see how they measured up. I started by examining the Merola Tile Metro Hex mosaic in light blue.
It was not a 100% perfect match for any of the B&W Tile colors, but the hex tile was not far off the B&W 20W blue and 20F blue duraglaze. Even though it wasn’t a perfect match, I think it would still be a great choice for someone wanting to create a vintage blue bathroom — or possibly repair an existing blue midcentury bathroom floor.
The Merola light blue hex tiles looked even better with the B&W 121 blue aztec and 29R blue ripple tiles, mostly because of the addition of white into the pairing — which acts to break up the blue a little. Another great idea for using the Merola light blue hex tiles to make a midcentury style bathroom — use the blue hex with white 4.25″ tile walls and blue (or white) fixtures.
The light blue hex tile sample was a very similar blue to the Merola University blue tiles we’ve written about before. Either of these two blue tile selections could be great options to consider for anyone trying to repair, replace or build a vintage blue bathroom.
Next I studied the Merola Metro Hex porcelain mosaic tiles in light green — secretly hoping it would be the same green as my vintage mint green bathroom, which desperately needs a new floor.
I held my breath, turned on the lights, crossed my fingers and compared the Merola hex tile sample to my original green bathroom tiles. Holy moley, its a pretty good match!
Another bit of great news — if you don’t currently have a vintage mint green bathroom, but were hoping to build one — B&W Tile’s 40W green matches the Merola Metro Hex light green tile quite well, too.
It would seem then, that I’ve finally decided upon the perfect replacement flooring for my mint green 1962 bathroom, right? Well — almost.
I decided to use the power of PhotoShop to mock up an all green hex tile floor. Looks pretty good, right?
Then I realized that Merola Metro Hex tile comes in black and white patterns, that could — with just a little more effort — become green and white by swapping out the black tiles with light green. (Note — if you plan on doing any tile mixing with the light blue or light green and the black and white patterns from Merola, make sure to order the patterned tile in matte finish so that it matches the matte finish of the blue and green hex tiles.)
Suddenly, another option has presented itself. Hmmm.
Calling on the power of PhotoShop once more, I ‘installed’ my custom floor tile creation — which I also really like. Drat. What’s a girl to do?
Merola also offers a fun retro black and white flower hex pattern that could be swapped out with the green (or blue) tiles.
As much as I like the green flowers, I don’t think my sleek 1962 house wants to be quite this cute — though I think this flower pattern would look adorable in a slightly older or more ‘Coolonial’ style midcentury home.
UPDATE: Since my Photoshop mock ups don’t accurately depict the green and white in the metro hex versus my vintage tile, I’ve added these two closeups below so readers can better see how the tiles match the vintage bathroom tiles.
So now I could really use your advice, dear readers:
Which flooring option do you like best in my vintage minty green and white vintage bathroom?
Link love:
KnitYeah says
Definitely the hex with the green (or blue – but I think the green goes better). Personally, I might try the photoshop method and use a pink hex….. 🙂 LOVE that bathroom!!!!
Mary Tatum says
I’m with the crowd – I like #2 as well.
Brenda says
I vote option #2! (Even though it is more work…I know you are up to the task! I have seen your other tiling work! lol) I can’t wait to see the final pics!
Kate says
Aww thanks Brenda! Yes, I suppose if I can tile an entire pink bathroom, what’s one little green and white hex floor in my other bathroom, right? 🙂
Sprayfaint says
I used the black and white Merola in my 1930s bath and now desperately want a redo with the green! If only they’d had this option 18 months ago… But has anyone successfully ordered the flower pattern? I asked about it at a few tile shops and was told that they can never actually get it in (again, this was over a year ago).
Kate says
Hmmm, Can’t you order the flower pattern on the Home Depot website and have it shipped to store? That’s what I did for my pink University tile floor…
Chad says
I think I like the solid green floor. I like the way it sets off the off-white field tile on the walls, and I’m not feeling the bright white and off-white combo. Also, having field tile in one color and trim, floor, and fixtures in another is the convention that the builders of my parents’ 1951 house used. It makes sense to me.
lizaanne says
Definitely option 2 — otherwise you have too much green going on. I think the option 2 pattern also looks more vintage, and less than off the shelf mosaic tile. Lovin’ that minty green!!!
Karin Jeffrey says
Wow. Love mint green bathrooms. I vote for Option 2. I agree with the above comments. That tub with its fab chrome fixtures is stunning.
Kate says
Thanks Karin! It is an original American Standard tub. I love it! 🙂
Julia B. says
I vote for the green and white mix, option 2. The all green floor was too much green.
Jennifer says
I also like option 2. Even though the greens are really really close, they aren’t exact, and I think the white will help disguise that fact. Plus, I think it’s a cuter look (if more work).
lynda says
Pretty mint color. I vote for option 2. I think the tile will be a nice change for your bath. Is Kate coming to to the work??