Tile Authenticity / Kitchen - Bath

[rubyslippers]

Has anyone restored a bathroom utilizing the "real" basket-weave and or hexagonal tiles originally found on a lot of cottage bathroom floors? My recent bathroom model utilized the tile already in place. It is not "officially" cottage, but it is tasteful-enough and well-done.

As I re-did my bathroom, I realized I was a smidgen sad I did not have some of this tile in my home. My options include saving it for a future powder-room (no set date for installation at this time); or, I was wondering if this type of tile might make a cool back-splash. Do you think it is too busy? I have hardwood in my kitchen and just thought it might be fun as I head in that direction.

I am wondering where I can find new tiles like this. I am also wondering if anyone has any strong opinions regarding the stand-alone use of this stuff in bathrooms. While I live in a historic area ... I do not live in a historic district ... so, I can do whatever I want. This is more of a question of taste. I also do not want to commit a true decorative NO-NO.

...just thinking out loud.

By the way, where is everyone!! I am in the midst of actually doing something to my house and the cottage world is kind of quiet. I miss my cottage buddies!

G'night,

Jenny

[chyna]

I think it would be too busy for a backsplash but would be so cute for a bathroom floor or even the countertop. they have to be readily available since I see them being installed on those flip shows. Contact a tile store I guess, sorry I'm not much help there. :o

I would love to use such tiles in my bathroom but thinking of doing the daisy pattern with black tiles or maybe blue. But realistically I'll end up with vinyl flooring in checkerboard. :p

[Heather]

Here it is on the counter tops:

[yarborough house]

We installed it in the kids bathroom at both houses on the floor and did subway tile up the walls. They have a generic version at Lowes that to me isn't very authentic but they have a book you can order it from and that is what we did. It comes in sheets of 12x12 so the installation is very easy.
For the countertops remember grout lines. It is hard to keep them clean on bigger tiles so imagine all those grout lines between those little tiles.

[rubyslippers]

That picture you provided Heather was pretty cool because they managed to use the floral hexagonal tile, subway tile, AND even an old "school-house" light. Talk about checking the cool stuff off the list.

Anyway, in my googling last night I found the following link via apartment therapy. They have a section called tile inspiration. This gives a good idea of the "plain white" so-to-speak. They are careful to indicate the grout should be grey.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/tilevault/tilevaultwhite-hex-grocery-tile-031662

Then this is the flowering-hex-floor pattern:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/tilevault/tilevault-flowering-hex-floor-pattern-033733

Anyway, I am just enjoying the eye candy and the inspiration right now. Also, Chyna, I agree it might be too busy for a backsplash in its true patterned form, but it might be okay to do a white with little pops of color. I could also go with larger hexagons. The use on the counters is definitely an interesting option for me. I believe I would want to go higher quality than the Lowe's version if I was going to make it such a substantial focal point. However, it is nice to know it is available.


Fun times ... keep me posted with any ideas. Heather, where did you find that picture?? Any more where that came from??

[Heather]

I found it here Jenny:

http://1902victorian.com/2005/07/countertop-debate-part-7426.html

[rubyslippers]

Still thinking ... I googled "images" hexagonal kitchen tile and found lots of really beautiful stuff. In my imagination, I would like to change the floor on my sunporch as well someday because it is kind of like a "mudroom" for us. Some of these larger expanses with this kind of tile from both commercial and residential buildings as well as up entire walls is just beautiful. It isn't so much that it is "quirky" or "authentic" or whatever - - it is the simplicity of the geometric shapes and designs creating snowflakes and flowers, etc. It is so simple, yet beautiful in various colors. I really may not have the right spot in my home for this, but it is worth contemplating. I found a website that works with "historical accuracy" with an outfit in Arkansas. My fireplace hasn't been tiled yet either; they hand glaze these things, so it would be interesting to determine the heat-proof nature of this stuff. The creative gears are churning ... always a good thing. Thanks again!

[yarborough house]

Oh the tile I said to order from Lowes is not lowes tile it is Datile a well known tile company. It is in the special order books. No I did not go with the lowes tile..

[rubyslippers]

... oh, I didn't think you used "the" Lowe's tile ... however, I found my sink affordably at Lowe's so I think it is ALWAYS worth investigating the "big store" around the corner just in case ... thanks for the brand-name follow-up. In all seriousness, if we get to add a powder room, it will be very small. So, we may have the luxury of doing some pretty things we might not consider otherwise. This gives me time to dream and price what I would really be contending with so-to-speak.

Also, I bit the bullet while at Sherwin-Williams last week and really started looking at wallpaper for my kitchen. I may find the right thing yet.

Thanks for all the great feedback and sources.

Bye,

Jenny

[yarborough house]

Jenny I know what you mean about checking all areas before you buy. I looked into some pretty pricey tile for the master bath redo- it was marble and basket weave. I still dream about that tile but I still could not justify it for just little old me. We went with wood instead and I love it. But I'd love to have a nice powder room that is about 4 x 5 that I could splurge on that tile :)

[rubyslippers]

Tammy, I SAW THAT TILE ... very pretty ... the marble basketweave is pretty stuff. It is hard to get excited about expensive materials in larger areas. However, one of the fun things about owning a cottage involves the fact that some home improvements that just wouldn't be possible otherwise are within reach. As I was looking at pictures, I found a tiny powder room with a miniature pedestal sink mounted in a corner. I think you have to get slightly smaller toilets for those rooms as well. Adding a 1/2 bath would really make my little abode stand out on the re-sale market down the road because most of the little cottages in this area only have one bathroom.

With that said, the though of ever selling this house breaks my heart. I guess that is a good thing since we have only lived here a year. I guess you shouldn't buy something if you plan on moving quickly. However, in my mind's eye I have added entire additions just so I can stay put forever. I have no idea how people actually move on to other homes once you know all of the little quirks and do all of the DIY projects yourself and find just THE perfect tile ya know?

I don't really have a clue what kind of costs are needed to add a half bath. Has anyone around here done that? My bathroom would be small, but a FABULOUS addition I dare say.

Every best wish to all in cottage land,

Jenny