skip to main content

Home Decorating

vintage green bathroom tile

15 years ago

We are moving into a older colonial over the summer. The main hall bath that 2 of my girls will share has vintage green tile in the shower and half way up the wall, the floor is octagon white and green. The tile is in great shape, just needs re grouting. The green is a fresh green color. My problem, what color to paint the plaster above the tile? I do not want to go too cutsey because at somepoint company would use this bathroom. Anyone have any color combos to make this full bath a little more "wow" and a lot less potterybarn kids? Thank you for your help!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

no_green_thumb
15 years ago
Happy, I just redid a bathroom with green tile. I don't know if it is the same color as yours, but it was put in every home in this development back in the 60's. I was in a real dilemma as nothing seemed to work. I stayed away from anything green as there was no way to match it, or even blend it. I painted the walls BM Montgomery White, then got rust and salmon towels and found this awesome fabric with which to make a roman shade. It has the exact green, wall color and towel colors. I love the results! This pic is really dark, but it will give you an idea. I would not try to match the green. Go a different direction.
happy2bme
Original Author
15 years ago
I like it!!! I never thought of your color choices with the rust and salmon. I so dont want to try to match the greens...
Related Discussions
Has anyone used vintage or antique tiles in their bathroom?
Q
Comments (0)
I love the look of vintage tiles and was thinking of using some as a wall trim in my bathroom. I was just wondering if anyone has used them, and if so whether you might post pictures. I have looked at many pictures of actual period baths which I love, but was hoping for some ideas of how people use them these days. Thanks!
...See More
Bathroom tile choices, vintage
Q
Comments (11)
Penny-tile could get very busy in a larger bath. And too much grout to clean! A simple, grid-laid floor of the right solid-color tile would be appropriate for your home -- no need to lay basket-weave or herringbone or any other pattern. Possibly 4x4s or 6x6s on the floor, with matching rectangular tile in a running-bond pattern for the wainscot. We used Seneca Tiled handmold series for our powder room and will probably use it again for another bath remodel. It's a simple, but very rich look, very much like the local art-pottery tiles from the turn of the century, with lots of variation in the surface and glaze -- definitely not mass-produced. Good trim pieces, too. And the tile is nice and thick, for good durability. Pewabic is also still in business, making reproduction tile. Our 1927 former home had Pewabic in all the main baths, all simple 3x3 or 4x4 squares in a grid pattern. There were some impressed accent tiles, but they were used sparingly. I'm sure there are other small potteries out there with their own lines of reproduction tiles. Here is a link that might be useful: Seneca site -- look at the handmold tile
...See More
Vintage Bathroom Reno -- Tile Question -- Help!
Q
Comments (5)
Thanks for your help. We will stick with the black. Now I have to pick the grout for the glossy 1 inch olive hex floor. We are picking between Oyster Gray which is a bit warmer and Platinum which is a bit cooler but I thought may be nice since the white vanity has honed Carrara. Any thoughts? Thx.
...See More
Need bathroom tile design ideas to work with vintage Bermuda Coral tub
Q
Comments (6)
Hello everyone. It has been 3 months since I last provided an update because I had to stop everything to care for my father who passed away about 6 weeks ago. I am back on track and the update is as follows. I learned that the color of the tub is actually Persian Brown like Stephanie has and I was only going in circles trying to figure that out because the Porc-a-fix people had the wrong color in their bottles of touch up paint that I had purchased to fix some damage. I took the advice of someone on another thread to go with black and white and here is where I am so far. After it is all tiled and the cabinet goes in, my next advice question will be what color to paint (or a wallpaper that won't fight with the greek key accent tile?) the walls above the wainscotting. I painted my vanity black and will get a quartz countertop that looks like black marble and the fixtures will be polished gold with black handles. below is across from the tub what will be closest with mirrored bypass doors and a floating dressing table
...See More
no_green_thumb
15 years ago
Glad of could be of some help. Here is another pic showing the towels I chose. It was definitely with the help of people on this board that I went that direction. I just kept looking at these green tiles and kept thinking green.
I originally brought home burgundy towels and they were just too cool with the green, so those went back. It was really the fabric that tied everything together. I really like how it turned out. It was originally a dark burgundy color which didn't work with the woodwork or the tile.
amysrq
15 years ago
I think black and white could be very snappy, too. If your girls are older, this might appeal to them. MY 14 y.o. is very into B&W for the bedroom and bath right now. PB has some great zebra towels. You could put a black rug on the floor. White walls. A modern riff on the classic vintage black & white + color bathroom.
no_green_thumb
15 years ago
Navy could be another good choice. Navy and cream. Just pull some of the green from the tile somewhere else in the room.
happy2bme
Original Author
15 years ago
amysrq- great idea for black and white, but we have that theme going on in the vintage bath that is in my oldests new room (back in the day it was the maids room) so she is in the room over the garage with her own bath which has black tile half way up the wall with black and white tile floor. I did see a pic in a magazine with BIG black and white paisley wallpaper accented with hot pink towel and decor with a white shower curtain that was monogramed in black.
no green- nice idea never thought of that either for the bath, funny i had a color combo like that in a guest room, moss green walls and navy blue toile spread and plates on the walls with blue accents. Ive got to check the navy with this particular green in this bath

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Room of the Day: A Family Bath With Vintage Apothecary Style

By Becky Harris

A vintage mosaic tile floor inspires a timeless room with a new layout and 1930s appeal

COLOR Bathed in Color: When to Use Green in the Bath

By Jennifer Ott Design

Splash some spring-conjuring green paint, tiles or accessories around your bathroom for natural appeal

BATHROOM DESIGN Room of the Day: Renovation Retains a 1920s Bath’s Vintage Charm

By Becky Harris

A ceiling leak spurs this family to stop patching and go for the gut

BATHROOM VANITIES Vintage Vanities Bring Bygone Style to Baths

By Susan Mathison

Turn an old table, desk or dresser into a bathroom vanity with a character all its own

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS From Canning Porch to Beautiful Vintage Bath in Oregon

By Sarah Greenman

Thrifty finds and DIY labor transform a cramped space into a serene hotel-style bath on a budget

BATHROOM SINKS Vintage Style: When, Why and How to Use a Sink Skirt

By Mary Jo Bowling

There’s no skirting the issue: There are times when this retro look is just right

COLOR Your Home: Vintage Color

By Kelly Porter

Create new fond memories in your bathroom, kitchen, living room and more with snaps of retro color

BATHROOM DESIGN 10 Vintage Touches for Your Bathroom

By Becky Harris

Add unique style to your loo with antique furniture, fixtures, accessories and hardware

BATHROOM COLOR 12 Gorgeous Black and White Bathrooms

By Lisa Higgins

Luxurious materials, vintage touches and thoughtful color splashes make these chic spaces worth borrowing ideas from

BATHROOM DESIGN Room of the Day: Bold Tile and Classic Style in a London Bath

By Lara Sargent

Vivid Mediterranean hues and vintage-style hardware create a stunning family bathroom

More Discussions

Need help to Select Chandelier!!

12

Old vintage curtain advice

36

Where to shop for shades?

4

Wanted! Design guidance for projects, inside and out!

142

My living room looks boring. Please suggest a new redesign.

6