Yesterday I flagged to readers that the longtime owners of B&W Tile have put the business up for sale. We sure hope the new owners continue making all the delicious pastel tile colors, which are real go-tos in our Retro Renovation world. To show just how delicious these tiles are, I scrubbed the archives for some of the reader projects using B&W Tile that we have featured over the years. Above: The blue bathroom above is Nanette and Jim’s.
Above: Nanette and Jim also did a pink bathroom.
Above: Managing Editor Kate did almost all the work to build her pink bathroom with B&W Tile.
Above: Jim mixed pink and black tile in his bathroom.
Above: Janice mixed pink with black too.
Above: Marsha used pink and maroon tiles to retile the shower — the colors worked well with the original peachy pink tiles in the rest of her bathrooom.
Above: Check out the gorgeous burgundy trim tile — along with matching soap- and toothbrush holders — from B&W that Dana used to trim her tile-in sink. I think that some of the pink tile also is from B&W.
Above: Laura used two colors of B&W green tile to renovate her lovely bathroom.
Above: Graham and Monika used green 1 x 6 tiles from B&W to create this delightful wall tile pattern. They wall tile pattern was inspired by a bathroom inside Hof’s Hut, a popular restaurant in Long Beach, California. Gorgeous!
Above: Jane combined kiwi green and pink in the gorgeous little bathroom she designed for her mother.
Above: Carolyn used yellow B&W tile for the countertop and backsplash and maroon B&W tile for the trim in her gorgeous kitchen — lots more photos here. The sizzle strips are vintage.
More info:
- Check out B&W Tile’s website here.
- They make decorative liner tiles too!
eva says
Hi, I had a question… I dont see it here but in so many vintage bathrooms the 4×4 ceramic wall tile is on the floor as well, typically in a diagonal pattern to accent the room. I am wishing to do the same, however is the floor and wall tile the same strength. I see in so many places they say it is not, but I just can’t see that being the case because I can’t find anywhere that has this 4x4s dedicated to floors.
Thank you if anyone knows.
pam kueber says
Hi Eva, you are right to ask about this. I am not an expert but it’s my understanding that there are different specifications for floor and wall tile. Yes: You need to check with the manufacturers re their specs. Here’s my big research list on where to find 4×4 wall tiles — you’d need to go through it / check with the manufacturers for specified uses: https://retrorenovation.com/2019/01/22/12-places-to-find-4-x-4-ceramic-bathroom-tile-in-vintage-colors/
Ted Crocker says
I sure hope the new owners of B&W continue with their tile selections as I am planning on using them for my next project, a 1948 Art Deco ranch.
Here is a link to a brand new (never existed before) bathroom I designed for my 1938 Tudor Revival addition. All the field tiles are B&W. I sold the house after 10 years, but the tile still looked like the day I installed it despite constant use by my son.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9JmCqcjU7vZZOInq8_ns2PlikRLSBhcW1KaDFiT5l9LNmctVJ6JqeDwmFG4G0td5JDlTkew8UUGqidaP2cBx5pYaoovuNLDU_MY6Llq3kLl0KWtyVWlTILDDwJG3d-2xlUZXbypyt_xZ32KsXpdKOkc4NgtfISRJt4P6xqKQpxeYw96EZq9YJq2YGlhsmjinkmjWgTzCFpMpi5gGlb5p_EB54S_0u6OklLXfUFH2P8npZ-2Yr8zyoFBSgsGJWbUZEkDS3WydAC1WxF3j1UH3LPn69vyMUMf3mjLkmsQiOK47wbxEkvEyrJbgTZqi6ls0Qln-NH0FV6hZ9yPs5QDsk2-WXDKPYzaoZu9DVqoAemtPp9FJqHHg_fa6bKLCoRuSHDMY0gpKfT_b0xFVgYMvB40SB5SH8SviILBG2lbJBoAccxegLNaG8Wk3aefYBc4KT6Y2ZHFdIeOeEKm2p4C7SHL6Q-JjIOmlaSrwNeImoZJ9J4a4DhC-6wP2owjhDvChpalvpRp4dsXScLY8Lb1ybSbJDH3WU9XS8_rpawrA1BhgTDDKTm0FrvsrfC3z5EYpI4CX-GE-Bxi6Q2O-NaaaQbcElXZbR_yvoYkV-g6uq2Y0MlbP_RsanjA6=w711-h947-no
Pam Kueber says
Beautiful!
GLORIA TRUMBLE says
Kathy,
I could not disagree more with Cathie. I replaced my 4 x 4 kitchen counter tiles 6 years ago with B&W tiles in a Jadite color. Yes, grout can get stained and dirty, but it is fairly effortless if you use Clorox bleach spray (or similar product) once a week and let it sit on the tile for 5 minutes. No stain.
B&W tiles are of high quality and the staff is very helpful. I am lucky enough to live 1.5 hours away and plan a trip there next week for new bathroom tile.
Pam Kueber says
Gloria, I recommend checking with B&W to find out what they recommend to clean grout. I am not sure about bleach and how it might affect the finish of the tile over time.
Honey Pace says
What about the small black and white tiles used in kitchens and baths ~
Our 2 baths have those floors ~ basket weave
And our friends kitchen has the little tiles laid out like little houses ~
Pam Kueber says
Yes, especially in prewar and early postwar. For wall tiles after WWII, pastel 4x4s were predominant, though.
Dona Harris says
Good to read!
toni j syring says
what a way to spruce up bathrooms and kitchens,like them all
Kathy in San Leandro says
I’d love to hear from folks who used B&W tile how their tile has held up. I’m particularly interested in how Carolyn’s kitchen counter looks today, as I dream of a tiled counter in my kitchen. B&W is one of the very few companies to still make 4″ hexagons in period colors.
B&W’s website notes that their tiles are not suitable for use on the floor.
Thanks to anyone who replies!
cathie says
Oh, Kathy, don’t go there, please!. They are a nightmare. Grungy grout will be your new best friend. I’m sure you will do some online research in advance of taking this on, so may I suggest you do a search on Apartment Therapy and read the many, many negative comments on this product as a countertop choice. I removed mine (4×4″‘s) about 3 years ago and am more happier with the old plywood that was left underneath them than I was with the tile. Still haven’t replaced them, but at least they’re gone. Laminate, laminate, laminate! Cheap, looks good and there are several retro choices.
Pam Kueber says
IDK, I kinda like tile countertops. Use epoxy grout….
Marta says
Consider how you use your kitchen before installing tile countertops. In some ways, they are fab; heat resistant, non-staining, etc.
However, if you knead bread, do a lot of shaped cookie baking, rolling out piecrust, etc., they are NOT your friend. You’ll need a comfortable kitchen table or a big piece of marble or wood to do those tasks, and if your kitchen is small, that may not be possible.
Amy says
These folks look promising: https://shop.claysquared.com/mid-century-colors-c10.aspx
Pam Kueber says
Those are B&W Tiles…
Amy says
Gosh, I’m sorry! I hadn’t realized.
Pam Kueber says
No need to apologize!
Mary Elizabeth says
Thanks for doing this retrospect of the B&W tile baths your readers have done over the years. I think my favorite mid-century bath colors will always be pink and black, pink and maroon, and green and yellow. Let’s hope they all are available from B&W for a long time! Can we have any influence on that decision by the new owners?