My favorite place to find vintage-pastel-colored bathroom tiles — B&W Tile — has new owners and will be rebranded “American Tile Makers.” Good news: The new owners will continue manufacturing B&W’s line of authentic midcentury pastel colors. However, some of the finishes will be discontinued or are in question. When I visited Los Angeles last week to see The Art of Tiki, I also made a pilgrimage to Gardena to visit B&W aka American Tile Makers to see the showroom and get more details on the change.
B&W Tile was owned and operated by the same family — the Logans — for 70 years. Ernest Logan launched B&W in 1947. Sons Ralph and Joseph then took over and now in their 80s, finally sold the business. B&W has been notable in our Retro Renovation world because they did their own manufacturing and continued to produce the pastel lollipop colors we so dearly love to use in our vintage bathrooms.
- Many readers used B&W tiles to create all-new bathrooms that looked like they’ve always been there. You can see them in our category Readers and Their Bathrooms.
The Logans were pleased to find another company to take over the business that would continue the manufacturing operations. And, they’re pleased that the new owners will be expanding manufacturing and retail operations in Gardena — adding a new tile maker and brand to the lineup.
Some details about the changes, according to B&W management still working at the Gardena location and helping with the transition:
- The new owners are Imperial Tile and Stone.
- The new brand name store: American Tile Makers (I don’t see a website yet).
- The most popular B&W Tile designs will continue to be manufactured and sold.
- Also coming on-site to do manufacturing will be Ken Mason Tile, which does handmade and custom designs.
- Imperial Tile also will be sold in the Gardena location.
- B&W’s former Riverside location is now closed.
Our “favorite” B&W Tiles and their status:
- Pastel-colored B&W Tiles in matte and satin finishes will continue to be manufactured. Yes, you can still get your pink or green or blue etc. tile and trim. Hooray!
- Ripple-finishes will be discontinued except for the white ripple.
- The new company has not finalized a decision on whether to keep the oatmeal and flecking colors or the Duraglaze finish.
More photos from my B&W Tour — and the Grand LA Tiki Adventure — to come.
Link love:
- B&W Tile
- My research story: 21 places to find 4″ x 4″(ish) tile in vintage colors
natali says
rats! they discontinued the “pink aztec” tile i was looking to redo my bathroom in before i could scrounge up the funds to buy it! anyone else have leads on where to get that ripple/splattered glaze tile, preferably in wonderful midcentury candy colors? or even what to call it? i can’t seem to find the right keywords to google.
Pam Kueber says
B&W is the only one I know of who made this
Tom M. says
Much of B&W’s excess stock is for sale at Habitat for Humanity in Bellflower CA.
Kelly Wallace says
The riverside location is being liquidated and had an auction, they are having one more… I was able to score some great pink and green tile for my bathroom at the last auction! There are still a few mid century color pieces available in the next auction (http://www.abamex.com/upcoming-auctions/), not a ton though… a lot of trim and stuff however.
I have to say though that the B and W owner’s niece told me that the new owners said they might not continue the midcentury colors… I guess they told you differently Pam? In any event I would probably scoop up what you can now just in case!
Pam Kueber says
Get while the getting is good. Just in case.
But yes: I was told otherwise.
Roy P. says
I am so glad, what a relief. I really love that the new owners are going still make, the pastel tile. Your site is really wonderful Pam.
Thank You for informing us and keeping us posted on all things Retro for the home. Sincerely Roy
Pam Kueber says
Thank you!
Wendellyn Plummer says
This is great news. Replacement tile is so very hard to find. I was also sad to see that Country Curtains was going out of business. I just bought several sets of curtains from them for a 1965 house we bought 10 months ago. Some styles of curtains are impossible to find. As always, thank you Pam for all your hard work keeping us in the know.
Susan L. says
This is GREAT NEWS that the new owners of B & W Tile will be continuing production of retro-looking tiles! Thankful that my shower renovation plan will still work.
Jay says
Well that’s one story with a happy ending. So many companies come to the end of the road and cease to exist when no buyer materializes. Pam, you probably know that Country Curtains in your neck of the woods will close because no one stepped forward to buy the company. Or so I was told in their Delaware store a few weeks ago.
Allison says
More to the point; things change. Businesses who sell the products we need to retro-renovate are sold to others, liquidate or just plain change their product line-up.
For those of us who need non-standard and un-trendy building products, my advice is, if its available, BUY IT NOW.
Buy it even if you won’t be using it right away, because you may very well find it gone when you are ready.
meb says
It’s great that a lot will remain, but also bummed some me options will be reduced. Hope the company thrives under new ownership.
scs3000 says
Great news, thanks Pam!