I would like to see the terrazzo sample against the countertop to be certain, but at least from the pictures it looks like it would be a fantastic combination. I know very little about the era, so I can't say whether it's perfectly true to the era, but I believe terrazzo would have been used in the 50s and 60s so it seems very appropriate. I found this reference which says "In the 1950s, Richard Neutra and other modernist architects specified terrazzo in their designs, and by the '60s, it covered floors in developer houses across the Southeast and Southwest. " Sounds like a perfect solution.

Can you save and reuse the tile baseboard (not sure of the exact name of that type of tile)? I think that would be fantastic to save. Alternatively you could alternate the original green that you have with a white that matches the shower. If not, maybe you can save enough of the floor tiles and use them. In any case, I'd try to save all of the tile that you can in case you find a good re-use for them.

I would probably install a toilet paper holder on the wall in between the toilet and the vanity. It may be a slightly awkward to access, but certainly more ideal than keeping it on the counter. Alternatively, there are floor standing toilet paper holders that could just hover in that floor space between the toilet and the vanity.

Thanks! I'm not sure about the color yet of course, and I'll have to take a chunk of tile to the store. I can probably save most of the stuff on the walls, but there isn't enough to go around. (The previous owner turned a shower stall plus extra door into a tub.)

I don't think my house was cool or modern enough to have had terrazzo, but I don't think anyone will call me on that. :)

I was going to tile over what's there because it's so solid and it's level with the nasty old shower base which is (I think) the reason there is a case of extra white tile in the cabinet and peel'n'stick on the floor. Getting to the subfloor on the tile side would be easy compared to dealing with that concrete block.

However, I like the idea of using old tile mixed in and I will see how reasonable it is to get it up in usable condition.

If I understand what you are saying, the concrete under the peel and stick is higher than the subfloor under the tile? If you want to retile the whole floor, could you add a thin plywood subfloor to raise that area so it is even with the concrete?

Yup, that's right. Although the green tile is perfectly level with the concrete and very well stuck so I was planning on just going over it all...then someone had the crazy idea of reusing bits of the old floor. :) I like that idea.

If the old stuff won't come out without breaking, I'll leave it. It seems to be on there pretty good.

Oh, I have such fond memories of the terrazzo floors in my aunt's house! It was built in Louisiana in 1954. So smooth and cool underfoot in summer.

As far as I know, it's called "sanitary base tile" because it has the sanitary turnout lip (curved, so no dirt accumulates in the seam between floor and baseboard).

My sanitary base tile isn't so sanitary. It just ends, but I know what you mean. It usually has that coved bit. That would make mixing it in with new tile a little trickier. Hadn't though of that.

You know...I'll bet Daltile made your original tile. It's JUST possible that they still make it. The stone and ceramic stores are separate here...but may be in one shop in your area. I would go to whomever carries the tile and see if you can find a match--or something "close enough". Mixed with the terrazo you MIGHT be able to pull it off. My guess is, given the age of the house, those floor tiles are set in a mud bed. (They are at my house!) an may be difficult to lift and re-use...

Just a thought!

Perhaps this will solve the mystery of the toilet paper holder missing.....I saw this in Costco, you seem to be the owner of one!

Please note "No Toilet Paper Needed"

Yup, the tiles are mudded in and not going anywhere!

And BKW, I was informed on the bathroom forum that it is indeed a very snazzy bumwasher! It does have a remote control. It uh...does not appeal. And--forgive me for sharing too much--it's too tall. I may be shorter than average but I've never had any problem with using things. (Except for a Datsun 240Z and any integrated fridge.)

The toilet is leaving when I do the floor and it ain't coming back. It's a toilet, not a bar stool!

I'm sorry, but I do have to say it fori...

Costco has an excellent return policy.

Hehehehehehehe.

It's yucky.

...and your point is?

Very liberal return policy.

And then there's Craigslist. You can turn that potty into cash!

bwahahah