My question is, can I expect a regular tilemason to be able to
replicate the detailed tile work?

In my experience, and based upon a lot of the work I see here (which often tends to be skewed toward bad jobs where people need help)...

No, a regular tile setter would not be able to do this. At least not without a lot of help from you or a designer, and then they would also have to be able to follow directions.

This particular design, as far as I can see is done with three different tile sizes in the field: a square, a rectangle that is the same size on the long end as the square, and a liner, to create the Greek Key. Then there are the bullnose and trim pieces around the borders, mirrors and niches.

This is limiting right there, because currently very few tile lines will have these pieces. You would have to go to a relatively high end tile place like Complete Tile Collection NYC, Ann Sacks, or use a higher end line from Daltile like Natural Hues (which has a number of field tile sizes and trims but does not have a liner tile in that particular line).

The best and I might say only way to accomplish this is to design the walls out in their entirety with the tile you are going to be using on graph paper, and work out any particular issues before you start laying up tile. You may find that due to lack of availability of certain tile formats or because of the number of cuts you need to make that you may need to simplify the pattern somewhat.

Since they were doing 600 similar bathrooms at the Plaza this tile was probably Made for the Pattern rather than the other way around.

I just finished a much simpler bathroom with two field tile sizes, but my thing was to have coved corners and minimal cut tiles throughout. I designed the bathroom to fit the tiles in order to do this. so most of the walls are a multiple of 4-1/4" inches. Once the walls were up there still ended up being some areas where we had to cut a little and there was one area that needed a single tile that does not exist. (Luckily the tile color matches a Corian color and I got my fabricator to make me a single "tile" in the shape I needed, and it is buried in the corner behind the bathroom door). If this sounds obsessive, it is. but my point is to make this work you are going to have to be pretty obsessive and so is your tile-setter. My tile setter is great. On the other hand he started tiling the bathroom I am talking about right before the new year and he's not done yet. I could probably get a setter who would do this much faster, but he would also be much more expensive.

I am not trying to scare you off. And particularly if you simplify the Greek Key, you should be able to pull this off with the right tile. But it's going to take a lot of planning and a much better than average tile setter to pull it off.

Pal speaks the truth but there is also the issues that today's tiles are not anywhere as nice as the orginal products.

I tried so hard to find not just a tiler who could perform laying tile like my orginal bath is layed but also to source tiles as nice as my orginal cracked tile in shape, size, thickness and materials. I found even the most expensive lines of replicas available , and my budget was not insignificant at $650 + per square foot for my overall project, fell so flat next to my orginal bath's tile. Maybe if I had no orginal bathrooms in my house the best replica tile and a good setter would suffice but next to the real thing even the best skilled tiler's install would not compare..

I ended up trying to make my new bathroom look like an orginal dressing room( which was more often found attached to masterbed rooms in the turn of last centrury modest sized homes) rather than an orginal bathroom because of the lack of available replication tiles and nixed wall tile all together except in the shower.

Do you have orginal baths in the house now? If not it might be ok to put a reproduction in though.n

That is beautiful!! I have to agree with the other two posters. You will have a challenge finding the craftsman (not just a tile layer) who could do it and the tile that would work. A positive is that you live in a large metro area with more resources. I'd check out previous jobs. If you can find a guy who's proud of his work, he might take it on as a challenge.

When I spruced up my 1950's tract home bathroom, I left the tile because I like the style. But even in my cookie-cutter home, there's more thought in how the edges, corners, etc. are finished. The simple metal edge commonly used today (or no trim on the edge leaving the field tile exposed) would have been unacceptable back in the day. But it costs money to make all the different shapes, ship them, stock them, etc. Your design would have to be completely thought out on paper. Here's a few simple examples of specialized tile shapes.

Thanks for your advice, everyone! The bathrooms right now are awful remodels, with cheap floors & fixtures, and sprayed tile. I looked into whether we could restore the older work, but it was too badly damaged.

I found a site online called restoration tile. This is different than what they usually do, but I thought that they might be worth contacting. Have you ever heard of them?

Is it worth trying to figure out a simplified version of the layout? I don't really know what I'm doing, but I would to find a way to pull off at least the spirit of the era.

The other detail that I am having trouble replicating is the light fixture above the vanity. Has anyone ever seen a fixture that points in both directions? I have spent hours looking online...

You should start with a designer to help plan tile layout according to your room's dimensions. They will help you source appropriate materials as well to explore, at least mine did. If you are working with an architect they my have recommendations for you too.

I have seen very beautiful baths here that have captured the spirit of a turn of last century tile work but just wanted to point out the realities of a perfect replica are not usually obtained and want to prepare you for that reality and also sticker shock when you start to get quotes for your inspiration picture to be installed. Good luck!

As to the light fixtures, another area hard to find authentic replicas, I suggest looking to salvage and antique shops or first dibs for the real thing and than have it retro wired.

This company used to be highly customizable with their Made-to-order fixtures. I am not sure anymore, but it's possible you could get this made with the center socket facing Up.

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/carlton-triple-wall-bracket

None of these is quite what you're looking for, but the sources may be helpful:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/brand-new-colorful-bathrooms-that-look-vintage-or-retro-235959

@writersblock - the top five or so pictures (pink & green baths) are exquisite. If I ever build that dream home.......

As I mentioned on your other post, a very good tile craftsman can do this. Talk to designers and builders for recommendations. You are looking for "the best" and you will pay a bit more. We would have no issue taking this on. This is a poor photo and we did this with mosaics, but the design itself is not difficult for a real pro. It could be done with larger format as well using accent liners of your chosen color, cut to the appropriate size for the field tile and design. Two tile lines that come to mind with many available trim and finishing pieces are Adex "Neri" series and Waterworks "Architectronics" line. The accent liners can be purchased from many different vendors.

This is the company you want for the period appropriate tile. Daltile's is not period correct as the edge are slightly rounded. I believe they'll help lay out tile for you.

Restoration Tile is another good resource

A good tile person can definitely give you the look you want but it will definitely take a lot of research.

Also if you haven't already seen this website and this one, I highly recommend them. There are also a couple of websites that help those restoring old craftsman houses.

Two tile lines that come to mind with many available trim and finishing pieces are Adex "Neri" series and Waterworks "Architectronics" line

Dragonfly, they don't reproduce the look of the tiles from the turn of the century. While beautiful, they aren't quite right.

We have the Subway Ceramics repro subway tile and they were really great to work with. DH installed them and it took 9 months.

I think it's smart to look at all of those features and see what you are going to get in the current marketplace. That tub will be incredibly difficult to find.

Orginal corner tubs are often listed on eBay sometimes the drains are not where you need it though. Americh has a corner apron tub, not cast iron but in arcrylic so like the tile it does fall slightly flat compared to the real thing but the shape is right. If my tub ever gives this might be what I use to replace it if I can not find a left drained orginal available.

There is this acrylic Lefroy Brooks tub, which is later Streamline Deco, but the overall shape is similar

I want the waterworks! Thanks Pal now I gotta sell a kidney;) just for the kids bathroom...the Americh pales in comparison...

I didn't save the URL because I'm not looking for one, but there's a place in NYC that specializes in bath salvage that often has old ones. If you google "corner tub" it usually comes up.

Me, I'd love that waterworks one.

ETA I take that back. For 10K I would have expected the waterworks to be cast iron. If it's fiberglas it's not worth it at all.

Very true pal, I think having tile applied with a mud job verses today's Cement board and water proofing and color grouts is also another reason a new bath looks and will age differently as well. I could not find many pros who were willing to do a mud job on walls that came with good references....

In the Boston area, look for a guy named Sal DiBlasi. He's on vacation right now, but he'll be back home on saturday. His website is getting revamped right now, but it DOES contain his contact info. Sal is an artisan, and you couldn't ask for any better contractor for high end custom work.
http://elitetileco.com/

10k for a fiberglass tub? Sheesh!

These are 1920s (starting in 1927) Kohler fixture colors which have close Daltile matches in tile (in addition to white). Since you can really only get white fixtures now, you would have to create a look with tile colors. Thin liners would have to be black or white. The Natural Hues collection has a wide variety of sizes and only one type of bullnose. The Semi Gloss has limited field sizes but more variety in bullnose.

I would say for vintage tile and fixtures the Birch, Aspen, Waterfall and Wisteria are the more accurate ones.

cpartist, you're right. Waterworks and Adex aren't exact reproductions but we have clients with period specific homes who have used them (We were responding to the comment about availability of finish and trim pieces). So true, Subway Ceramics is a great option I forgot to mention. Just received an order from them last week.

roarah, so true about mud set walls. We still mud set our shower floors and are about to start a four bath historic reproduction home - all mud set walls! Unfortunately only two of our craftsmen are skilled in mud set walls. Looks like they will be busy, but our apprentice and junior setters will get a historic learning experience.

Tile-Source.com is another possibility but they are a UK company and while they used to have a decent online catalogue, with lots of colors and trim but currently the online site is pretty abysmal. I don't know whether this means they no longer have all the options or that the website is terrible.

I've seen Pratt and Larson making a custom order from a customer's piece of vintage trim (I'm sure it hardly cost a thing...). So if you can dream it, and pay for it, I'm sure they can create it for you. Their standard trim is likely worth a look.

[They'll also do custom colors, but have a pretty significant range as it is!]

Lots of great points, sources, and tips upthread.

I think for me the #1 thing that makes me question "old? new?" is tile with color variation. Most people don't/can't spend the money for handmade, and even in white/cream the gradations in color are so pretty.

You may have already considered this but before I went to all the trouble of sourcing tiles I'd definitely have rough estimates from your tile artisan. Your dream bath may be 20K in tile + (tile) labor cost -- which may be fine, or may mean a revamp.

BTW, I've used the Americh Bow double apron in a project. Downside (purist/preference), not cast iron. Upside, a true soaker depth (most of the corner salvage tubs in my area are much more shallow).

ps One of my favorite mansions is this 1914 one -- and check out the tile work: pretty low-key!

if they are not Tile Geeks I would not trust them with this quality of work.

Funny you should say that-- Sal DiBlasi IS a Tile Geek.

Best Work I've Ever Seen Are From Tile Geeks.

Thank you. :-)

Hm, kind of cheap, but here is a light fixture with up and down lights.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-3-Light-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Geometric-Vanity-Light/50356858