Q - I desperately need help. I need to replace my saltillo kitchen floor tile which I ruined by sanding them. The kitchen cabinets are white and the countertop tiles are maroon (B&W tile). The adjacent living room floor is dark stained pine. If I go with ceramic tile, what color/brand/size should I get? Any other suggestions from readers are welcome. I am not a decorator and I've become overwhelmed.
Sent by Susan
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Comments (8)
if you just want the tile 'unruined' go old-school, and get some Johnson's floor wax.
I love your kitchen -- looks very bright and eclectic! There are some really great streamlined porcelains out there now. A neat linear size like 6x12 or 12x24 in a broken joint could be cool. Happy Floors has a line within called Neostile and Daltile also has a great ceramic line called Modern Dimensions that has neat sizes and rich neutrals in a matte finish -- maybe go with a grey shade to contrast those cabinets and continue to let the countertop pop? Good luck!
I'm with magdelane. Don't give up on those tiles ... they look like they have plenty of life left in them!
Ceramic tile suggestions: Daltile modern dimensions
Porcelain tile would be very nice. Subtler color and tighter joints: Crossville tile color blox, color blox too, retro active, ultimetal; Stone Source Floor Gres; American Olean Designer Essentials Avenue One and Saint Germain collections.
I don't see the problem w/ the floor tile either - just seal them again.
If you simply must replace, I'd engage a good flooring professional to come in and match the wood flooring from the adjacent rooms for an expansive and cohesive appearance.
Im having 12x24 porcelain tile installed in my galley style kitchen as we speak. It's pricey. Try to save those tiles. I will provide a pic if you like
THOSE FLOOR TILE ARE GLAZED SALTILLO TILES. THEY WERE SOLD DURING THE 80'S- I DONT THINK THEY ARE AVAILABLE ANY MORE BECAUSE THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH CHIPPING AND ARE REALLY MEANT FOR WALLS. YOU MIGHT TRY MATCHING THE COLOR WHERE ITS WORN OFF WITH AN ENAMEL PAINT AND SEALING IT WITH A FLOOR TILE SEALER.
ANOTHER POSSIBILITY WOULD BE TO SAND THE WHOLE FLOOR, TAKING OFF THE GLAZE DOWN TO THE RAW TERRA COTTA; THEN SEAL THE TILES WITH LINSEED OIL- YOU CAN PUT A COLOR PIGMENT INTO THE LINSEED OIL MIXTURE, IF YOU WISH... THEN SEAL THE TILES WITH BUTCHERS WAX... CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS- HAPPY TO ASSIST. - lenore@lascauxtile.com
Most of the above posters definitely have the right idea. After you've finished tiling your floor, I recommend getting a glossy backsplash to set it off and further brighten up your kitchen.