Elizabeth wants our help: Which tile should she choose for the floor for her 1963 blue bathroom Retro Renovation? And fun: The renowned architects of the house built the Austin, Texas, airport, and Elizabeth is taking the color of the still-standing control tower for her color cues.
Elizabeth writes:
Hi Pam! I’ve been enjoying your stories, as usual. I mentioned to you recently that my husband has bought a 1963 house in Austin that has nine bathrooms. I’m ready to beg for your and your readers’ assistance on the first one.
Be forewarned, there is nothing original in this house. We did get the original floor plans from the Austin History Center, because the architects are locally reknown. (There were only two bathrooms originally!).
Here is the powder bathroom of the foyer. Many of the bathrooms will have to stay as is, because we do want to move in sometime this decade. But this, the only public restroom on the main floor, is going back in time to 1963.
Our architects (Fehr & Granger) built our house in 1963. In 1961 they built the Austin airport, which is now gone except for the control tower. We are using the control tower colors as our theme for the house, which we named Sky Crest.
Here are the givens: new Dresden Blue toilet and sink from Peerless Pottery*; I think the sink that drops into a floating vanity. We definitely want the Blue field tile from Gardena, Calif., through Clay Squared. The sticky decision is the floors:
* Pam added link to Amazon, the blog earns a small commission for purchases completed.
#1 — shown above — Do we go with the Merola Crystalline Square Blue [See this tile in Pistachio on Kate’s floor] or …
#2 — above — American Olean in a Pinwheel or Windmill pattern, using Glacier, Ice White, and Ocean Tide?
Thanks!!
Elizabeth
Thank you, Elizabeth, we love to decorate vicariously! And I LOVE that you are using the Austin airport control tower for color and pattern inspiration. Brilliant!
I have my own ideas, but I’ll let readers comment first.
Brooke says
The first option with spotted tile looks exactly like our 1963 bathroom tile from our condo. I would go with this one if you want to go authentic.
If you want to hint at the past but update it slightly I would go with the second one.
rich says
i’d go with #1, looks good and less slippery.
Mary Elizabeth says
I have the pink version of that Merola tile (#1) in my bathroom and it is definitely not slippery, even when wet. There is something about the bumpy texture that works. Also, it is easy to keep looking clean and not as cold underfoot as some other tiles.
Shelley says
#1 feels more space age/jet age to me, whereas #2 feels a bit earlier, more 50s (and earlier) versus 60s. To my eye, the mosaic patterns with all one size tile feel more “clean” and modern, in a 60s way (my 1962 has a bathroom with all 1x2s). For me the pinwheel and other varied-size patterns, say earlier – our 1938 house had the classic black and white pinwheel, and I think if the many 50s mosaic patterns that have combinations of 1×1, 1×2, and 2×2 tiles. All that being said, I think either would work, depending on Elizabeth’s preference!
Mark says
I have to go with #2, unless there is an original tile floor in the house that you can use for a pattern.
I do have to say that is the best looking control tower I have ever seen and I hope Austin City knows how great that is and saves it!
Elizabeth from Texas says
Mark, unfortunately there is not an original surface left in the house! Regarding the airport–the terminal was gorgeous mid-mod too! It’s a shame it couldn’t have been saved for some purpose, but at least we have the beautiful tower. The City of Austin has kept it standing since the airport was demolished in the 1990s.
Jennifer says
I probably chose #1 because it reminds me of the floor tiles in my 1962 original house.
Jennifer says
Number 1 for sure!
Megan says
#2 as I think it reflects the tower’s design more. Although both will be gorgeous.
Jennie says
I agree #2 looks closer to design inspiration.
Sarah says
Absolutely #1… more interesting and I bet the pattern will help it not look as dirty as the second option. (Unless you’re better at cleaning than I am, haha.)
Hayley says
I prefer #2
Elizabeth from Central PA says
#1 without question. We have a pink bathroom that has similar mosiacs and I love it every single day. Either way, you can’t go wrong. Thanks for putting in an interesting bathroom!
Elizabeth from Texas says
Haha, thank you, Elizabeth from Central PA. My goal in life is to go around adding color to bathrooms and kitchens throughout my state. Just kidding, but I am doing what I can, lol!!!