Saturday note: This story has been updated. I will continue to update it as more information becomes available.
The classic vintage tile colors made for many years by B&W Tile are being discontinued. The last date of production is tomorrow, June 7. However, if you were planning to buy soon, there is still stock available, the company told me via phone today.
Update: It seems special orders, with 100 s.f. minimums, may still be possible (see more, below).
Above: Photos from my visit to B&W Tile in 2017.
I learned about the impending change from a reader yesterday. I called B&W several times to try and connect with the owner or a manager and get more information, but they have not been available. The only information we have is that the classic vintage colors are being discontinued, and that new colors will be introduced.
Note/added June 8: Another reader has emailed me indicating the B&W has told her that minimum special orders of 100 s.f. are going to be available. I will update this if and when I confirm it with the company. To be sure, this would be good news for anyone doing a project that taps a hard-to-find color, with those minimum requirements.
Alas, B&W Tile was a favorite go-to place for relatively affordable vintage-colored 4×4 field tile. Their Mamie Pink was just about perfect — Kate used it in her glowy wonderful bathroom. As I recall, the company once told me their colors had been in production for decades.
That said, if you are in need of retro color square field tile, there are a few other companies that make pastel lollipop tile colors that are either (1) pretty good or (2) close enough considering we are a niche market. My list (see the bullet below) spans mass market to high-end custom retailers. Some of these companies have tile available immediately — for example see my update story on some mid century colors from Daltile now available at Home Depot for as little as $2.50/s.f. Others have lead times. Do your research well ahead to time so you know what’s available and how long it’s going to take to get your order.
Where to get colored bathroom field tiles — you’ll need to dig in:
Related stories
95 colors of vintage pink tile 
Colored ceramic soap dishes and shelves for the tub and shower area — NOS from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s 
Octagon and dot tile creates scalloped edges — a terrific bathroom design idea 
Update: 31 places to find 4″ x 4″ ceramic bathroom wall tile in vintage colors 
Comments
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Megan says
Hi Pam,
I used B&W last year to renovate my 1947 kitchen back to its glory. You did a wonderful write up on it! When i saw your post I got nervous because I hoped to used them to do our bathrooms and needed to place an order for replacement tiles for the kitchen. Well i just got off the phone with them and they said yes, There is stock still available and they will run custom order of $500 or more. There’s still hope!
Beth P says
I just heard from a B&W representative who said, “We are not discontinuing the colors we switch it to SPECIAL order item which means ETA 4-6 weeks once the order is paid.” She didn’t mention a minimum order, though I assume the $500 mentioned in the previous comment is correct (unless they’ve raised it).