Renovating your Mid-Century Bungalow Kitchen or Bath

[Haleigh]

I've been getting a lot of calls lately from homeowners who want to renovate a 30's to 60's home in period style, but aren't sure what product to use. So, I thought I'd post a quick note for those of you who have been asking yourselves the same question.

My advice? There are 3 ways to go, and they're all about shape: Penny Round, Hex or Subway Tiles. Glazed mosaic tiles are more common during the late 1930's through 1960's, while unglazed mosaic tiles were more frequently used in the turn-of the century through the art deco period and machine age.

Another question I get a lot is... What's the difference between glazed and unglazed porcelain? The answer is pretty straightforward. Glazed tiles are made of the same porcelain as unglazed tiles are, but the porcelain base is generally gray or off-white, and the color comes from a high-quality glaze fired onto the surface of the tile during the manufacturing process. Unglazed porcelain has a through-body color, which means that the color on the surface runs through the entire tile. While glazed tile is sometimes preferred for its more vibrant colors, unglazed is usually preferred for higher traffic areas, particularly in commercial or multi-family buildings, becuase of the greater durability of the color. If you accidentally nick or crack a glazed tile, the neutral (gray or off-white) porcelain shows through. If you chip an unglazed tile, the same color is waiting underneath, and the imperfection is less noticeable. For residential use, glazed tile is more than suitable for both floor and wall use, but think twice if you're tiling the entryway of an apartment building ; )

So, now that you have the answer to the question, let me show you some examples of mosaic tile for your bungalow kitchen or bath renovation. (Here comes the plug...)

MosaicTileSupplies.com has recently introduced two lines with the mid-century traditional style of interior design in mind: The Lyric Retro Glazed Porcelain Collection, and the Lyric Decades Ceramic Tile Collection. The Retro Collection offers over 80 choices in penny round, hex and 3 x 6 subway tiles in classic colors and blends. The Decades Collection offers traditional subway tile sizes and more unusual diamond shaped tiles in 4 classic colors.

Have a mid-century bungalow bathroom with the original pink fixtures in perfect condition (OOH LA LA), but the tile leaves something to be desired? We've got you covered - if you want pink glazed penny round wall tile, try

Flirt or

Bloom.
Want to replace the floor tile, but you just HAVE TO have the right shade of pink? Not a problem. You can

Love &

Laugh
with these great pink hex tile blends, perfect for bathroom or kitchen flooring. Pink may not be your color, but with over 80 choices, I think you'll find the perfect tile to suit your style. So, renovate away, and don't worry about not being able to find the right mosaic tile to suit your house's personality - or your own. Now you know where to go when you're ready.

Let me know what else you're looking for, and I'll do my best to find it ; )

Best,
haleigh