Period Bathroom Floor

[parkview094]

Hello All,

After some decorating advice / reassurance if possible please. We're just about to tackle the er.. "of-a-period" bathroom we've inherrited with something a little more timeless. The floor is causing some debate in the Oakleigh household.

We're currently torn between the modern-reproduction floor tile to the left vs. the 'safety' of a natural grey stone. Are we mad for considering the tile to the left? (or indeed the tile to the right)? The suite we've ordered is basically white, but with a marble-topped vanity unit.

 

[LadyArowana]

I'm not in love with the LHS tiles, I prefer the one on the right, but it's not my bathroom. I would urge you to think about how slippy whatever you choose is when wet though. We have a very lovely marble floor, I have a not so lovely metal plate in my wrist because of it.

 

[discobarry]

I prefer the one on the left, I would say something similar to it though instead of 'that' tile. The one on the right looks way too safe.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I'm a little puzzled. The tile on the right is very similar to what you have now isn't it. The basin, though twee, could well be period correct for your house, although whether the style is correct I'm not sure.

 

[paulb33]

Left. I've seen lots of friends install the tile on the right. They look GREAT but I'm convinced they'll date quickly, such is their current popularity. Personally, I'd go nice and safe. Black and white squares, terracotta plains, etc. Timeless.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Left, black and white. Have a look and see if Rhino flooring do a black and white cushion floor---also somebody recently posted something about cloth flooring --I am sure they will be along to remind us.

 

[Keithj]

Consider the morning after an enjoyable party: would you be able to visit a bathroom with the tile on the left?

 

[Feltwell]

The ones on the left, or similar. Every man and his dog has got the tile on the right, I agree with Paulb33, they look great but will become "attached" to a certain period as most universally popular items do - avocado bath suites being perhaps an extreme example!

Cushion flooring is very very practical in a bathroom, easily changed in future and looks surprisingly good.

If your pockets are deep then Craven Dunnill Jackfield do some absolutely gorgeous tiles - some require a second mortgage mind - I shall be investing in some encaustic ones for the tiled hearths of Feltwell Towers at some point, it's a small enough area that the eye-watering price of some of the fancier encaustic ones as a feature tile or two is bearable.......

http://www.cravendunnill-jackfield.co.uk/products.asp?id=107

 

[plasticpigeon]

I have a feeling that your arts and crafts house although turn of the century tends to the more modern and less cluttered style of the time. How about this Voysey bathroom for inspiration.

http://www.charlieroe.com/arts&crafts/cfa-voysey/cfa-voysey-bathrooms/cfa-voysey-bathrooms-1.html

I can imagine the style of your house would lend itself well to something natural and excellent quality like oak or the stone that you suggest.

 

[CliffordPope]

I don't think period houses had bathrooms, did they?

So unless you live in that country mansion where the Duke of Whatsit installed the first ever bathroom, anything you do will be a "fake", as you are attempting to reconstruct something that never was.

Our house didn't have a bathroom until 1964, I think, so you can imagine how ghastly the "original" fittings were.

 

[Penners]

Do you plan to keep the decorated washbasin (and any other similar fittings)? If so, I suggest that the tile on the left - indeed any "busy" design of tile - will tend to detract from those decorated items and make the room look a bit of a hotch-potch.

I'd go for something fairly calm and simple. However, I'm afraid it wouldn't be your right-hand tile. It's much too modern for the style of the room.

But your room - your choice!

 

[88v8]

The existing tiles are modern and so is that one on the right.
For a 'Period' look I'd go for black & white diamonds, the room appears too small for anything more intricate.
This?
http://www.best4flooring.co.uk/fusion-cushion-vinyl-flooring-sheet-dublin-599?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=googleshopping&gclid=CM7AgcP8xr8CFSrItAod2kYAOA

Agree with LadyA that ceramic floor tiles in a bathroom are just an accident waiting to happen - and this is me who generally spits on Elf n Safety.

Ivor

 

[Zebra]

I saw a lovely bathroom floor today, not black and white diamonds/squares but dark red and white. With solid red round the edges. Think I might nick the idea myself.

 

[LadyArowana]

not black and white diamonds/squares but dark red and white. With solid red round the edges. Think I might nick the idea myself.

Your camouflage isn't going to be so effective against that sort of background, and you will be more vulnerable to predators while bathing, are you sure this is a good idea? :wink:

 

[parkview094]

Thanks all for your comments and suggestions. Definitely much food for thought.
I should keep my wife away from this discussion I think as the sink in the voysey photo PP is exactly what she was trying to convince me to buy. The current 'floral' suite has to go and we've settled on a plain white replacement with a roll top bath and a marble topped vanity as a bit of a nod to the period rather than being too hard line.

The tiles on the left are actually a grey and cream rather than black/white which I think softens the look a little. This is our 'family bathroom', so I'm mindful of the fact it should really feel like one. I love black and white tiles, but I think they may be a little stark in this case.

I'm still nervous about the left tile as whilst I think as a single tile it looks great - there are plenty of google pictures of a whole floor being layed with them which has a very different look.

Completely share the concerns about slippery floors though.. thankfully both options currently being considered are 'textured' and so I'm assured are grippy still when wet.

..the debate @Oakleigh continues..

 

[Penners]

ceramic floor tiles in a bathroom are just an accident waiting to happen - and this is me who generally spits on Elf n Safety.

Shame on you - spitting can make the floor extremely slippery.

 

[Zebra]

Your camouflage isn't going to be so effective against that sort of background, and you will be more vulnerable to predators while bathing, are you sure this is a good idea? :wink:

Oh my God, no, I didn't think about that! However, one only really has to be camouflaged against the floor if one is in a large space, or if the predator enters from above. As it is such a small room, and lions, crocodiles etc are only likely to come in through the door or window, then perhaps I'd get away with a striped shower curtain. Or bathing with a friend. That normally works.

 

[Penners]

Or bathing with a friend. That normally works.

Well that's nice! Presumably the plan is that the predator will tear the friend limb-from-limb while you make your getaway?!

 

[Zebra]

No, it's just that in sufficient numbers, we confuse predators into not knowing where one zebra ends and the next one begins.
Perhaps I'm going to need a bigger bathroom.

 

[Zebra]

Presumably the plan is that the predator will tear the friend limb-from-limb while you make your getaway?!

Well of course that could also be true. I suppose it depends on who gets the tap end.