I don't think you are crazy as my inspiration for my recent bathroom remodels were the fabulous Art Deco bathrooms using this kind of tile.

While mine isn't a slavish reproduction in no way, shape or form does it resemble the ubiquitous "spa" bathrooms :-)/

I actually think this is a great idea. Coming from someone with an original 1956 grey and burgundy bath!!!

I would love to see photos of your bathrooms!

Do it. It's classic and when installed properly will outlive (in style and function) much of the trends being installed today. Do use the trim pieces like your inspiration. Not sure why everyone today is complaining about grout lines. Guess it's part of our culture to avoid cleaning anything but the newer grout technologies have great properties to resist staining. Sorry to hear you had an unqualified contractor first go around. Hope this next one is well vetted.

I just had my tub/ shower redone, and I installed 4x4 white square tiles with a dark grout(1897 row house). My contractor said this is exactly the shower I rip out in every job and install subway tiles. My response was, perfect, I made the right choice then. I did the tiles in a grid instead of offset, just to “modernize “ the very classic tile shape.

I definitely don't think you are crazy. I have a soft spot for 4x4 tile, black accent liners, and 1950s bathrooms generally.

I will say, that I don't particularly like the color of your field tile that got ripped out. Maybe this is an opportunity to start over with a different color? Of course maybe you love the color and it's just me! Whatever you choose, good luck?

Cawaps, what colour are you seeing on your monitor? This colour is called periwinkle.

Donald, may I see a pic please?

What I'm seeing on my monitor looks very gray. An unhappy, rainy-day color (at least in the context of a mid-century-style bathroom; probably a perfectly fine color in another setting). Of course, photos viewed on a monitor can totally misrepresent--it looks totally different from what you show in your last pic

I had that green tile in your inspiration pic in an apartment once and I loved it. That apartment also had an ice box and a murphy bed in the dining room. Super cool. 
Anyway the color isn't reading well to me either, and seems kind of dull (gray). Your inspiration pic tile is glazed and had a nice variation in color. Why not go green?

Anjp; this line doesnt have green. Im in northern Canada and there are limited offerings. Anything similar i could find was over $10 sq ft. Now that all the tiles you see in the pic are in the bin, budget is more of a consideration than ever.

Now it is a different question because the colorful green and pink bathrooms of that era are fabulous. When gray is used it is generally as an accent - e.g. the burgundy bathrooms with gray trim.

I would not install gray tiles as the predominant tile in my bathroom and especially not with black trim. If I did go with gray tiles I would at least pick a joyful color that I could use throughout the rest of the room.

Are you tied to the gray tiles because you already have them or is it just difficult to get replacement tiles within your budget in a nicer color?

Helen, they are not grey. Periwinkle blue.

Count me in the enthusiastic Yes, DO IT! column! It will look appropriate, timeless, and classic in your house.

I just finished a retro-ish bathroom remodel and am getting ready to do the other bathroom in our 1958 split-level house in period-appropriate midcentury tile:

(The floor will be random mosiac, not in a regular pattern like is shown - that's just how they did it in the rendering.)

The bathroom we just finished is in an addition that was put on in 1990, so I felt that gave me some latitude to be a bit looser with the style. It has a vintage vibe, but there are elements that are definitely not of that era either.

If you're on Instagram, this account has tons of fab vintage bathrooms. The tile work is amazing!

https://www.instagram.com/vintagebathroomlove/

As others have said, on my monitor they read battleship gray but you are the person who is viewing them in person.

I don't have any issues with your going with a retro look - blue, pink, green.

Are you asking about whether you should go with a retro look? If so, most certainly if you love that look as I wrote in my first post.

I like the blue tile in the first picture! I like the green in the second picture, but I could do without the black line.

Remember that a lot of the 1950s stuff is being ripped out because it was installed 70 years ago and even tile has a lifespan.

Ideally you'd have less grout, but you can make cleaning easier by avoiding white grout.

Looks good...but I don't see any waterproofing membrane on those walls. What are you doing to prevent water damage and leaking?

Hi kudzu, there was waterproofing membrane behind …. but its all since been ripped out anyway due to the abysmal tile job.

Ok...I should have stated it better. Just wanted to make sure you had waterproofing on the next iteration. Glad you're on top of this. Good luck.

Well if you're crazy then I am too. I just built a new craftsman style house and this is my guest bathroom. Your inspiration photo was one of mine too. Of course I did use subway tile but I had seriously considered the 4" square tiles first.

Just gorgeous, cpartist!

No you aren't crazy you are making a very individual choice for you! You are paying for it. You will love it. The next guy won't. Color is very taste specific, as you are proving.