BedStuy Reno
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February 22, 2008
Top Floor Bath - Patching In Tiles
Here are some shots of patching in the missing tiles from the re-rough with new tiles. The shape and color is off. At first we wanted to try to match the tiles that are there, but then, noticing that in spots the tiles had already been patched by the square tiles (as opposed to the existing subway tiles), we decided to not sweat it and add our own layer of input to the collage.
At this point, everything is grouted and sealed. G spent a lot of time digging out the old grout on the wall tiles and re-grouting. That work completely transformed the look of the tiles - it looks a whole lot fresher and cleaner, and the fresh grout also helps unify the collage of wall tiles.
Comments
It looks like you guys are really moving ahead quickly and that your experience with the other bathroom is paying off. Great job of making the existing tiles work for you. I am sure it will be charming and cozy when complete.
Posted by: guest at February 22, 2008 11:19 AM
I have to start off by saying sorry for my comment because you have done a lot of very nice things to your house and I know you have put a lot of effort into this project. However, I don't get why you wouldn't make the effort to make it perfect. It would be one thing if the mix of tile colors and shapes were more evenly spread out, but it just looks to me like it was done this way out of laziness. At least that's the impression that I got when first looking at these pictures...
Posted by: guest at February 22, 2008 4:15 PM
Sorry, but I have to agree with 4:15. To go through all the effort and expense and to wind up with something you'll be making excuses for for a long time is just not worth it. If you couldn't match the original, you might have thought about removing them. Even if you remove some of them carefully and use them to patch other areas selectively you might have ended up with a visually better arrangement. For instance, a new horizontal stripe, or maybe just one full wall. It would be labor intensive but in the long run...
Personally if I couldn't match the original I'd have started fresh. The purpose here is not simply to "get it done" but to truly please yourself completely in the end.
Posted by: HDL at February 22, 2008 4:32 PM
I agree - it doesn't look as nice as the we're-patching-wall-with-more-green-tiles thread indicated it could.
If I remember correctly, though, this is in the rental unit? Most likely they'll redo when/if it is THEIR bath. They did the floor nice (one tile off) already - will be easy to do the wall tiles over later.
Posted by: guest at February 22, 2008 4:37 PM
I am a tile maker who specializes in reproduction and restoration tile. We sell our seconds/overruns on ebay under the name "sometiles".
Shameless self promotion aside, you should see some of the projects that people do with our tiles in similar situations. Visually interesting and historic.
The key to success is taking the time to address the substructure, and meticulously work the grout so that the tile collage is made new.
Good project.
Posted by: guest at February 22, 2008 4:44 PM
Yes, it is the rental floor, and yes it's true this is not the ideal situation. Without making the room a total retile job (time + money), we're pleased with how we were able to transform it and appropriate the green tiles for ourselves.
- Peter
Posted by: guest at February 22, 2008 4:56 PM
this bathroom will be a good rental for a college student. they don't care what things look like.
Posted by: guest at February 22, 2008 5:06 PM
for a rental it looks just fine, you guys have done so much, very labor intensive and not to mention costly. pat yourself on the backs and enjoy your home.
Posted by: guest at February 22, 2008 6:28 PM
Did you try to find tiles of a better match color wise?
Posted by: guest at February 22, 2008 6:42 PM
wow ! That's fugly
Posted by: guest at February 22, 2008 8:26 PM
Well we can't blame them because it's clearly not a high-end reno.
Posted by: guest at February 22, 2008 8:41 PM
It really looks shabby. What a shame because even white tile would have looked better.
Posted by: guest at February 22, 2008 9:31 PM
The original tiles are cool, there should be a little respect for this work/look done before. I think matching the offset pattern would be the key, not more work just more appreciation of previous work/look.
Posted by: guest at February 23, 2008 7:30 AM
The juxtaposition of the new floor with the patched original tile looks awesome. It has a very eclectic, artistic look like something you would have seen in Nest (awesome) not Elle Decor (pretty but boring).
Posted by: Hartbreaker at February 23, 2008 11:17 AM
I'm sure you'll get around to making this bathroom gorgeous eventually and until then you've done a nice job of making it functional while adding some wow factor with the floor.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at February 23, 2008 12:14 PM
I am a little worried that you used a cement based mortar on the brick repair behind the tile...Basically if your mortar is harder than your brick then the bricks will break down FAST...and they look like they are already pretty beat up (probably from this mistake being made before.)Here's to hoping that you used a nice high lime content mortar and I am just seeing portland cement where it doesn't exist. If you are doing more repointing, (and if you haven't already) read a little about historic mortars- I can send you some resources if you want.
PS- I like that you didn't rip out all the old tile, it's might not be slick, but it shows history and gives it a funky character.
Posted by: guest at February 23, 2008 8:53 PM
At first, I thought why in the world would they mix and match those tiles (but I'm generally pretty boring in terms of style)- but now it's grown on me and I think it's groovy and as the above guest stated it has character and a bit of charm! Can't wait to see a pic of the entire bathroom when it's done!
Posted by: BedStuyGal at February 24, 2008 10:20 AM
Look people-Peter and G are doing this themselves--while working full time-I am sure they looked for matching green tile but when you have no time, little money, no car and want to get things done--you take what is available. I get it. I live it. Cheers to Peter and G for keeping on, making do, and sharing with us.
Posted by: HomeSweetstuy at February 24, 2008 10:57 AM
Ditto to the last two comments. They are doing a great job on a low budget and have a hipper/broader perspective/ aesthetic. This is not a home for Ken and Barbie......
You go, P and G!
Posted by: guest at February 24, 2008 2:02 PM
We are on a break from installing our kitchen (!) and it's great to see the positive comments. Our house is always a work in progress and we have to think on our feet - concepts and approaches confrom to budget, but this constraint has really become our source for creativity. How can we do something awesome given what we have, and how can we make it ours?
We really like the collage of materials concept and here's a great example. I'm glad some people seem to feel our approach. And for those who don't, open your wallet, mail us a check, and then we'll talk about your own aesthetic.
- Peter
Posted by: guest at February 24, 2008 3:26 PM
I'm digging the palimpsest.
Here's a Q for P & G: a while back you put in a pocket door with fancy new hardware. we're considering doing the same thing, new hardware on salvaged doors, but we're also considering double swing doors. How have the pocket doors worked out for you?
Posted by: guest at February 25, 2008 2:01 PM
The pocket doors are great. They really slide smoothly and it makes the doors seem light and easy to operate. We still have to strip them or paint them, but that's another story.
We had three more sets of pocket doors that no longer rolled properly on the floor, so we also converted those to be track-hung. I was worried about cost since the hardware and track I got from Simon's cost somewhere around 300 bucks in the end. We tried the equivalent system from Johnson's, which you can buy at Home Depot. You need two tracks per door if you are talking about double doors, but each track which comes with rollers costs I think $25 bucks. Multiply that by two and you get $50 bucks - you are saving quite a lot per door.
It was an experiment with the first one, since I didn't know if Johnson would be sturdy enough to support such a heavy door. But it did fine, so we used it for all the rest of the doors. Just be sure if you get the Johnson hardware system you are not getting the one for closet doors! Those are designed for those paper-thin hollow-core doors.
- Peter
- Peter
Posted by: guest at February 26, 2008 10:19 AM
Thanks Peter!
Posted by: guest at March 2, 2008 12:37 PM
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