Just when I thought I’d seen everything: Stephanie discovers a stash of 1958 Universal Rundle Versa-Tiles — in seven delicious midcentury colors — in her hardware store warehouse full of new old stock. The Versa-Tile idea: Flank your Universal Rundle tile-in sink with just four of these large format tiles to create a bathroom vanity counter top that blends almost seamlessly with the sink. And, the Versa-Tile isn’t plain old ceramic tile — it’s made of vitreous china, just like the sink. As long as you don’t scratch that shiny surface, you were likely good to do for decades. Like I said, I’ve never seen this before — what a find — it goes straight into our woddity archive.
Look closely and it appears the Versa-Tiles came bullnosed on the front apron of the tile, as well as bullnosed around the corner and shorter side edge, in case you wanted to make a stand-alone vanity.
Stephanie wrote:
Came across these today. Never seen anything like it. Made by UR. 6 different colors. You create your own countertops. These are called Versa-Tile. Have you ever seen these? Backs are stamped with 1958 dates. Each piece is 18 x 6 inches.
Tricky because you’ll need to find the exact correct sink to match this with for this to work.
Where to watch for the Universal Rundle Versa-Tiles when they go on sale:
- >>Stephanie’s ebay listings for New Old stock Hardware store stuff
(affiliate link)
“Banjo top” sink — Rare vintage bathroom sink with integrated long curvy counter top 
Rare 1920s bathroom sink from American Standard 
Two rare vintage Universal Rundle bathroom faucets (plus a sink) 
Crane 1937 Neuvogue sink by Henry Dreyfuss: The holy grail of pedestal sinks 
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Ooh, delicious ice cream/sherbet colors!
If you can’t exact match, then you coordinate or contrast.
Is this that gal who’s cleaning out her dad’s collections? Is her vocabulary mostly “Oh…my…” or “(gasp!) Who knew?” when excavating and grab the camera to send for us?
Pamela, how much for each one? What are the colors?
Thanks
Barbara
I don’t know whether Stephanie has listed them — check via the link on the bottom.
Absolutely gorgeous! If only I had a Universal Rundle sink…
I look for those sinks every week when I do my thrifting. Have yet to find one. So that leaves the question as to whether to buy accessories for sinks I may never find. Hmmmmm.
I’m wondering if it truly *does* have to be the exact sink. Seems like if it’s a matter of size and shape, some of IKEA’s sinks might work. Maybe.
IDK – I am thinking the tile edge must line up just-so with the sink.
I will be listing these later today. There is still a lot of warehouse I’ve not gone through yet.
Nice colors! Miniature toilet tank lids are what came to mind when I saw the tiles. I suppose someone could get crafty and make some plant stands or small display shelves with these tiles. Amazing what manufacturers came up with back in the day.
I have the Verdant Green Universal Rundle sink & toilet which took FOREVER to find the 2 (separate purchases and I have another green sink that I can’t use). Mine are from Sept 1960 … I’ll have to check this out!!!
Suzy I know where you got one of those sinks 🙂
The link takes me to watches.
ugh. I don’t know why search seller nomoredrama4me
Squinting to read the brochure front, looks like there was a No. 4819 Versa-Tile sink — 20″x18
I recognize one of the colors: Peach Bisque. The peach bisque is the one most similar to beige. My home was built in 1955 with Universal Rundle peach bisque bathroom fixtures. My folks were the second owners and the bathroom still has the original tub and toilet. We replaced the sink the early 90s when the faucets became badly corroded.
With that said, I can say the find is a treasure. Back in the 60s and later, Universal Rundle plumbing parts became very hard to find in Orange County California. Sears Roebuck was the big retailer of Universal Rundle Bath fixtures in the Los Angeles basin back in the 50s. The original owner built the house using Sears and Universal Rundle plumbing fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen.
What a great find! I also have Universal Rundle bathrooms in my 1953 ranch. One is peachy/ beige and the other was verdant green. Sadly the green one had to be updated in 2015. The sink went to another RR reader and the toilet was sold online to another mid-century enthusiast. You just cant beat the pretty colored bathrooms from this era.
The new Holy Grail! I love how wall-mounted sinks show so much beautiful porcelain and tile-ins still show a lot but can integrate cabinets. With this you can have your sherbet too. Yum!
how neat!
You may be able to find those old sinks, commodes and tubs at a local plumbing supply house that’s been in business for decades. Plumbers had a practice of leaving old re-usable fixtures in a corner of their yard in case someone needed one just like it. I don’t know if the tradesmen still do that but is worth a shot.
Bill Growing up, my Dad the plumber brought all those perfectly good toilets he was replacing back to the farm and stored them in an old corn crib!