The vintage pink and maroon tile in Naomi’s pink bathroom sure was beautiful, but my eyes really got to poppin’ when I spied those decorative bird tiles dotting the tub surround. I knew right away to ask Bungalow Bill if he could identify them, and fast as a whip, he did.

The tiles, he said, are by American Olean — their Water Bird Series. Since Naomi’s tiles are all red, pink and white, it seems pretty clear that you could order the available series’ in a number of color ways.

 He had a 1950 catalog that showed them. He scanned the relevant pages, sent the scans over, and wrote:

This catalog dates to 1950.

The Franklin Tile Company merged with the American Encaustic Tile Company in the late 1930′s and eventually became American Olean. Designs from each company continued to be in production and can be found with different marks depending on what year it was made.

Some links in case you’d like to use pics of any real tiles in your post:

[Here are links on Bungalow Bill's site to tiles he has available for sales from this vintage American Olean/Franklin series]:

Franklin Goose tile

Multi-color angel fish

Pink angel fish on lavender tile

The Proposal – colonial silhouette tile, above

9-tile flower basket, American Encaustic Tile Co.

Here are all the pages that Bungalow Bill sent, so you can see the complete variety of series’:

 Thank you, Bill — as usual, your instantaneous knowledge of vintage bathroom tile comes to the rescue!

The post Franklin Tile Company and American Olean decorative tile sets appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Who were the leaders in mid century bathroom fixtures? We tend to think: American Standard and Crane. Seems like we see these the most. We also tend to think of Crane as the creme de la creme. These sinks — vintage — are still around in great quantities. If you need replacement parts including instructions to DIY, see our longtime advertiser deabath.com — they are experts in Crane. So with all this background — it’s great to look at a big catalog of vintage Crane bathroom sinks, faucets, tubs and toilets from 1949. Just coming out of the war — there is a building boom on that will last for years to come. This catalog also is fabulous in terms of viewing aspirational (interior designer and illustrator conceived) color, tile, wallpaper and other 1940s and 1950 bathroom design ideas. Continue on for highlights of vintage bathroom design — and the complete catalog, enlarged in a slide show:

One almost feels voyeuristic looking at this scene — but instead of spying on this woman as she washes her hands we are all wishing we were the ones standing in this new, minty vintage bathroom — right?

Here’s an interesting color scheme for the bathroom — purple and yellow. Also check out that counter design — the Marcia counter top sink with a laminate vanity surrounding it. This sink could also be installed with a tile counter. And, take note — we presume that’s supposed to be plate glass tile in the tub surround. Glass tiles were more common in prewar days, before the huge baby boom housing boom. We tend to think this is a streamline moderne look. In postwar houses, 4″ tiles were much more common.

Interesting to see how this peachy keen bathroom above mixes what looks to be six inch square wall tiles with red and peach striped wallpaper, a checkerboard shower curtain and a black floor with an interesting inla. Back i the day, folks were so excited to get these new bathroom — they had fun using color and pattern.

Here’s an interesting way to use the corner sink — looks like they’ve made a custom sink cabinet — bumped out from the actual corner of the room to allow space for a dressing table. Very inventive.

The bathroom above includes the wonderful, rare and elusive “dental sink” — read more here.

Look at this color scheme — rust and gold plaid wallpaper and flooring, light blue tiles and purple accents — wow.

This bathroom looks very formal to me. Interesting to see 1″ tiles used on the counter top and floor, paired with 4″ tiles on the wall.

Hands down, my favorite of the bunch would have to be this dark orange and yellow number — not only do I like the colors they chose  – which really makes the crisp white Crane fixtures pop — but the layout is neat, too. I could see myself lounging in the tub, admiring the plants on the tile ledge — or taking my time getting ready at that cute little dressing table.

Here’s a classic grassy green — again with interesting tile variations in the tub. Speaking of the tub, this must be the compact model — a “mini Cindy” — look how short it is — yet there seems to be a seat on one end. These were called “receptor baths” by Crane and marketed for foot-, sponge-, or shower-baths.  I’ve never seen one of these in real life before — Pam says one of her neighbors has one, in blue. Perhaps we can get her to invite herself over to take a photo?

The catalog also has a “trim” section — which seems to mean faucets.

Then there are tons of charming illustrations of the Crane fixtures — like this wall sink with legs and a built in porcelain faucet. Crane sinks were famous for this integral faucet.

Does anyone else see faces in these sinks? They have such personality.

All 24 pages of this fantastic catalog are loaded up in the gallery for all to enjoy. If you’re still hungry for more vintage Crane catalogs — revisit this 1953 Crane kitchen cabinet catalog from Pam’s collection.

Thanks to archive.org for featuring this catalog.

Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:

The post 24 pages of vintage bathroom design ideas from Crane — 1949 catalog appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Lovers of vintage tile — get ready to count the ways that this Friederichsen Floor & Wall Tile Catalog from 1929 illustrates the many patterns you can make with its decorative tile shapes and colors. Mosaics, pinwheels, basket weaves, plaids, geometric borders and much more eye candy fill this vintage catalog. Perhaps there’s a design here that you can replicate today, 85 years later?

Just look at the fancy tile job on these stairs — which are labeled non-slip safety stairs in case you’re wondering — and the way the tile was used as a decorative basebord molding. Even the tile borders on the stairs and floor create the feeling of a fancy rug — making this building feel more special. It’s fascinating to see tile work like this when you go into well preserved buildings from the first part of the 20th century — we see it in commercial installations even well into the 1950s — “mud set” — the real deal.

The above “wicker weave” tile patterns are called “basket weave” in today’s tile speak — and sadly, they aren’t readily available in nearly as many colors — and today, they can be very very expensive. Just look at how the different color combinations of the same tile shapes can create so many patterns. Amazing. And those borders — just gorgeous. A 1929 catalog? This must have been issued during the Boom. That came just before the Bust. We’re thinking that tile sales from this catalog were not … robust. Beware booms. If you don’t like busts.

The tile colors in this book are what really bring the designs to life. In the 1920s, color schemes for bathrooms were pretty much “anything goes”, according to Jane Powell in her essential-reading bungalow renovation book Bungalow Bathrooms (affiliate link). It was an exuberant time in terms of color and design… until the bust.

How many ways can we do checkerboard tile? Looks like a whole bunch to me. It is fascinating that the same pattern can be loud and graphic or calming depending on the color contrast and the contrast of light to dark tiles — as shown above in the last row. The black, white and green tile sample on the left is quite loud — the yellow green and black on the right is much more subdued. Same pattern — totally different feel.Above — the staggered checkerboard in grey, black and white is one of the more neutral/classic color schemes in the book — but it still wows with an eye catching pattern. If I had a 1930s bathroom — this would be my tile pattern of choice — with a dash of color mixed in to replace the grey. Pink maybe?

When I look at the tile patterns and colors in this book — I try to imagine what the rest of the room might have looked like. Stunning is my guess.

Another favorite — the border on the tile sample above — which reminds me of rick rack sewn on the edges of fabric. So cute. *Some therapy* to get this mosaic placed, wethinks.

Above on the left — this pinwheel tile sample was made to look much more random with a uniform border — which reminds me of a blended color rug. The sample on the right also looks very rug like — almost as if someone took a photo of a rug and converted it to pixels — then used that as a pattern for the tile. Could this be an early example of 8-bit?

The floor pattern above — double random — is near and dear to me — since this tile pattern was also popular in the 1960s and is my tile of choice to use in my master bathroom remodel. Yes, you can still get very affordable tile in this retro design — and from Home Depot, in six colors. We’re guessing, though, that this 1929 was porcelain, not ceramic like the the Merola tile I will be using. If you are researching bathroom floor tile, be sure to see all our stories about Bathroom/Tile here. Don’t forget World of Tile if you want authentic vintage, including replacements.

Friederichsen had quite a nice range of tile colors available — including three light pinks. It appears that back in 1929, the options for tile walls and floors in an array of colors abundant — something we wish were still true today.

Do any of you have an original tile floor similar to the patterns and colors shown in this catalog? If so, we’d love to see them.

To view the catalog in larger format, and in its entirety, see our slide show below.

Thanks to the MBJ collection and archive.org for making this catalog available via Creative Commons license.

Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:

The post 112 patterns of mosaic floor tile — in amazing colors — Friederichsen Floor & Wall Tile catalog, 1929 appeared first on Retro Renovation.

The vintage pink and maroon tile in Naomi’s pink bathroom sure was beautiful, but my eyes really got to poppin’ when I spied those decorative bird tiles dotting the tub surround. I knew right away to ask Bungalow Bill if he could identify them, and fast as a whip, he did.

The tiles, he said, are by American Olean — their Water Bird Series. Since Naomi’s tiles are all red, pink and white, it seems pretty clear that you could order the available series’ in a number of color ways.

 He had a 1950 catalog that showed them. He scanned the relevant pages, sent the scans over, and wrote:

This catalog dates to 1950.

The Franklin Tile Company merged with the American Encaustic Tile Company in the late 1930’s and eventually became American Olean. Designs from each company continued to be in production and can be found with different marks depending on what year it was made.

Some links in case you’d like to use pics of any real tiles in your post:

[Here are links on Bungalow Bill’s site to tiles he has available for sales from this vintage American Olean/Franklin series]:

Franklin Goose tile

Multi-color angel fish

Pink angel fish on lavender tile

The Proposal – colonial silhouette tile, above

9-tile flower basket, American Encaustic Tile Co.

Here are all the pages that Bungalow Bill sent, so you can see the complete variety of series’:

 Thank you, Bill — as usual, your instantaneous knowledge of vintage bathroom tile comes to the rescue!

The post Franklin Tile Company and American Olean decorative tile sets appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Who were the leaders in mid century bathroom fixtures? We tend to think: American Standard and Crane. Seems like we see these the most. We also tend to think of Crane as the creme de la creme. These sinks — vintage — are still around in great quantities. If you need replacement parts including instructions to DIY, see our longtime advertiser deabath.com — they are experts in Crane. So with all this background — it’s great to look at a big catalog of vintage Crane bathroom sinks, faucets, tubs and toilets from 1949. Just coming out of the war — there is a building boom on that will last for years to come. This catalog also is fabulous in terms of viewing aspirational (interior designer and illustrator conceived) color, tile, wallpaper and other 1940s and 1950 bathroom design ideas. Continue on for highlights of vintage bathroom design — and the complete catalog, enlarged in a slide show:

One almost feels voyeuristic looking at this scene — but instead of spying on this woman as she washes her hands we are all wishing we were the ones standing in this new, minty vintage bathroom — right?

Here’s an interesting color scheme for the bathroom — purple and yellow. Also check out that counter design — the Marcia counter top sink with a laminate vanity surrounding it. This sink could also be installed with a tile counter. And, take note — we presume that’s supposed to be plate glass tile in the tub surround. Glass tiles were more common in prewar days, before the huge baby boom housing boom. We tend to think this is a streamline moderne look. In postwar houses, 4″ tiles were much more common.

Interesting to see how this peachy keen bathroom above mixes what looks to be six inch square wall tiles with red and peach striped wallpaper, a checkerboard shower curtain and a black floor with an interesting inla. Back i the day, folks were so excited to get these new bathroom — they had fun using color and pattern.

Here’s an interesting way to use the corner sink — looks like they’ve made a custom sink cabinet — bumped out from the actual corner of the room to allow space for a dressing table. Very inventive.

The bathroom above includes the wonderful, rare and elusive “dental sink” — read more here.

Look at this color scheme — rust and gold plaid wallpaper and flooring, light blue tiles and purple accents — wow.

This bathroom looks very formal to me. Interesting to see 1″ tiles used on the counter top and floor, paired with 4″ tiles on the wall.

Hands down, my favorite of the bunch would have to be this dark orange and yellow number — not only do I like the colors they chose  — which really makes the crisp white Crane fixtures pop — but the layout is neat, too. I could see myself lounging in the tub, admiring the plants on the tile ledge — or taking my time getting ready at that cute little dressing table.

Here’s a classic grassy green — again with interesting tile variations in the tub. Speaking of the tub, this must be the compact model — a “mini Cindy” — look how short it is — yet there seems to be a seat on one end. These were called “receptor baths” by Crane and marketed for foot-, sponge-, or shower-baths.  I’ve never seen one of these in real life before — Pam says one of her neighbors has one, in blue. Perhaps we can get her to invite herself over to take a photo?

The catalog also has a “trim” section — which seems to mean faucets.

Then there are tons of charming illustrations of the Crane fixtures — like this wall sink with legs and a built in porcelain faucet. Crane sinks were famous for this integral faucet.

Does anyone else see faces in these sinks? They have such personality.

All 24 pages of this fantastic catalog are loaded up in the gallery for all to enjoy. If you’re still hungry for more vintage Crane catalogs — revisit this 1953 Crane kitchen cabinet catalog from Pam’s collection.

Thanks to archive.org for featuring this catalog.

Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
[See image gallery at retrorenovation.com]

The post 24 pages of vintage bathroom design ideas from Crane — 1949 catalog appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Lovers of vintage tile — get ready to count the ways that this Friederichsen Floor & Wall Tile Catalog from 1929 illustrates the many patterns you can make with its decorative tile shapes and colors. Mosaics, pinwheels, basket weaves, plaids, geometric borders and much more eye candy fill this vintage catalog. Perhaps there’s a design here that you can replicate today, 85 years later?

The above “wicker weave” tile patterns are called “basket weave” in today’s tile-speak — and sadly, they aren’t readily available in nearly as many colors — and today, they can be very very expensive. Just look at how the different color combinations of the same tile shapes can create so many patterns. Amazing. And those borders — just gorgeous. A 1929 catalog? This must have been issued during the Boom. That came just before the Bust. We’re thinking that tile sales from this catalog were not … robust. Beware booms. If you don’t like busts.

The tile colors in this book are what really bring the designs to life. In the 1920s, color schemes for bathrooms were pretty much “anything goes”, according to Jane Powell in her essential-reading bungalow renovation book Bungalow Bathrooms (affiliate link). It was an exuberant time in terms of color and design… until the bust.

How many ways can we do checkerboard tile? Looks like a whole bunch to me. It is fascinating that the same pattern can be loud and graphic or calming depending on the color contrast and the contrast of light to dark tiles — as shown above in the last row. The black, white and green tile sample on the left is quite loud — the yellow green and black on the right is much more subdued. Same pattern — totally different feel.Above — the staggered checkerboard in grey, black and white is one of the more neutral/classic color schemes in the book — but it still wows with an eye catching pattern. If I had a 1930s bathroom — this would be my tile pattern of choice — with a dash of color mixed in to replace the grey. Pink maybe?

When I look at the tile patterns and colors in this book — I try to imagine what the rest of the room might have looked like. Stunning is my guess.

Another favorite — the border on the tile sample above — which reminds me of rick rack sewn on the edges of fabric. So cute. *Some therapy* to get this mosaic placed, wethinks.

Above on the left — this pinwheel tile sample was made to look much more random with a uniform border — which reminds me of a blended color rug. The sample on the right also looks very rug like — almost as if someone took a photo of a rug and converted it to pixels — then used that as a pattern for the tile. Could this be an early example of 8-bit?

The floor pattern above — double random — is near and dear to me — since this tile pattern was also popular in the 1960s and is my tile of choice to use in my master bathroom remodel. Yes, you can still get very affordable tile in this retro design — and from Home Depot, in six colors. We’re guessing, though, that this 1929 was porcelain, not ceramic like the the Merola tile I will be using.

We pause for a commercial advertisement

More tips on mosaic tile … but then keep going to the slide show of the entire catalog:

• Daltile’s mosaic tile designer (hard to find the link except on my blog!)
• Nicole used Daltiles mosaic tile designer to create her floor
• All my stories researching / showing projects using mosaic floor tile
• 18 places to find tiles in vintage colors — many of these places also make them small, for mosaics
• If you are researching bathroom floor tile, be sure to see all our stories about Bathroom/Tile here. 

Friederichsen had quite a nice range of tile colors available — including three light pinks. It appears that back in 1929, the options for tile walls and floors in an array of colors abundant — something we wish were still true today.

Do any of you have an original tile floor similar to the patterns and colors shown in this catalog? If so, we’d love to see them.

To view the catalog in larger format, and in its entirety, see our slide show below.

Thanks to the MBJ collection and archive.org for making this catalog available via Creative Commons license.

Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
[See image gallery at retrorenovation.com]

The post 112 patterns of mosaic floor tile — in amazing colors — Friederichsen Floor & Wall Tile catalog, 1929 appeared first on Retro Renovation.

Plastic tiles seem to have been very popular in the 1950s and, my mom tells me, into the 1960s. In estate sale houses, I see..

The post Plastic bathroom tile: 20 pages of images from 3 catalogs appeared first on .