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vhoeppner

Old Tile, New Tile, Blue Tile... Help Please

12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Is there a way to pull this together? We can't see a way to make the 3 tile surfaces in our 1920s bath work together. In a nutshell: new gray and white floor tile, original cream white subway tile on the walls with a blue border and a 1970s beige marble shower surround. GREAT space and fixtures. Half the time we love the wall and floor tile but the other half of the time we think it's clash of the Titans. We dislike the beige tile surround all the time.

Thoughts?

PS - moved in a couple months ago. Bought condo from 98 yr old owner who'd lived there since 1948. Guessing grab bars came in handy.

Comments (10)

  • 12 years ago
    New tile on the floors or walls. Acid wash the rest. Beige need a to be redone if the floors are. Sorry, think that is the only way it works.
    Vicki Hoeppner thanked leemiller
  • 12 years ago
    I would match the blue tile color but lighter, say 50% for the walls, the cabinets and window frame the same color, either bright white or a grey from the floor, chrome fixtures throughout, brown accents from the surround for towels and art.
    Vicki Hoeppner thanked Cathy
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    The walls with blue accent tiles are vintage, so if you're interested in maintaining the vintage appeal of your 1920's home, I would keep the wall tiles, but replace those that are cracked.

    If there are budget restrictions, I would remove the blue accent tile and replace it with gray or black accent tile, which would help tie the walls in with the floors and still keep the vintage look. Or, you could update it and go with metal accents if keeping the vintage look isn't important.

    I'm afraid the shower is the odd ball out in this case, which is too bad since it's marble, But, it doesn't work and since you like the beige least of all, it would be best to redo it in white and new accent trim to match the current walls.

    Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker
  • 12 years ago
    I would just caution you that matching vintage tile is very difficult. We thought that we had a great match for a white, slightly off-white tile, until we got it on the wall. Now you can definitely see a contrast. I'm still working on a better match, but it may be an issue if you start pulling tiles from the walls. We did have the bathroom acid washed and new grout added. That made a huge difference. One contractor even thought the tile floor was new! (We have a circa 1950s home with many original features).
  • 12 years ago
    The subway tile and the marble floor do not go together. What would you rather keep? Personally, I would stick with the subway tile and redo the floors and the shower surround.

    Perhaps do a search on "vintage bathroom" in Houzz and put together an inspiration book. Here are some images of looks you might consider going for:

    Wilmette Vintage Bath · More Info


    Extreme Home Makeover House · More Info


    Ramble House · More Info
    Vicki Hoeppner thanked Marci
  • 12 years ago
    I love your vintage bathroom. If you love it too, or you don't have the budget for a renovation, I'd suggest warming it up with a fabric. You choose-- a floral, print or stripe, according to your taste, that incorporates the grays, whites, creams, and blues of the room and adds an orange or red from the other side of the color wheel to warm things up. Use the fabric for window treatments and with a tension rod to cover the travertine surround on either side of your shower. Use your color palate to coordinate towels, a few well placed bath mats, and a wall color. A few pieces of art and finally, a shelf or storage unit set on the floor to the left of your sink to ground all those mirrors and you have a beautiful, functional space. Good luck!
    Vicki Hoeppner thanked dbcavano
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    Please take a look at our website for some bathroom inspiration! Our showroom representatives do a lovely job of assisting with design and we're always happy to provide samples or digital renderings to help you envision the "new" space. To take a look around : www.newravenna.com and for pricing, samples and design help : http://www.newravenna.com/showrooms/ or contact Sarah at snottingham@newravenna.com if there isn't a showroom close by.
    Best of luck in your new home!
  • 11 years ago
    If that is real marble on the floor, I would keep it, and change everything else to all white. Carrara / calacatta marble is loved by many, and I would just change the walls, shower surrounds etc to white to make them all fit. You can go either all marble, or just white subway at a cheaper price point. The below pic combines a light beige with the marble and looks great. [houzz=
    Installations · More Info
    ]
  • 11 years ago
    Can't help myself. Have to throw out a crazy idea! Have you considered painting the walls above the tile the color or the stone shower surround? Tie it in. Or maybe just the window trim and the medicine cabinets with coordinated towels. Hard to know for sure if it would work not standing in the space.