apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Take measurements for the missing tile, find a large glazed ceramic tile in the correct shade of white and have it cut to exactly fit the space, then install using mastic.

To make this easier - if one of the adjacent tiles is loose, pry it out and bring it with you to match the color and get the replacement sized exactly.

It should be pretty easy to find a match- tiles come in all shapes and sizes, and a larger tile can always be cut down for you. Show these pictures to a local tile retailer and explain your situation- it should be a cheap fix, and for such a small order they may not even charge you.

if you can find a tile of similar glaze and have it cut to size then swap it -out if you can- with one on the floor towards the back- assuming they are the same and use that in the more visible space.
Or move the tiles around and put in smaller ones similar that would work aesthetically. I don't know how hard it would be to remove the tiles with out breaking them..
good luck.

I would suggest finding a larger size tile of a similar color/glaze and have it cut down to the appropriate size. Ceramic or porcelain tiles can be easily cut by any good tile installer. Once installed and grouted you won't even notice the cut lines.

If they are the same height, I'd remove one of the ones from the bottom row to use as a replacement since it won't be as prominent a position. If you can't find an exact color match, you could replace the entire bottom row with a gray to match the band on the floor or even a black to go with the stove. OR, you could move one of the center ones over (from the missing row) and replace the two center ones right above the fireplace with a black or gray. Anything to make it look like it is symmetric and on purpose.

I think this might be what profumodibergamo was getting at but you might be able to pull off that whole row of tiles and add a new row of contrasting tiles to add more interest to the fireplace. Especially because it is the row right above the opening it could just end up looking like part of the design.

If it is a rental you will probably need permission from the landlord, as long as you didnt go to crazy with the color/pattern/style of the tile I imagine the landlord would be on board with the update.

.... or you could just paint it the same color white.

The quickest of the quick fixes, in the immortal words of the Rolling Stones: "I see a bald tile and I want it painted white..."

If you paint the area where the tile is missing in the exact same colour as the tile, it will blend right in. Nobody will notice, unless they walk right up to it.

haha EC

How about Legos? I'm not kidding:

http://visualingual.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/dispatchwork-by-jan-vormann/#more-2279

I agree with the idea of trying to pop out a tile from the bottom, take it to a tile store for the best available match, then put the old tile you removed in the gap and the new tile in the bottom where it will be less conspicuous, if the match isn't perfect.

i'm the kinda girl that likes to accentuate things like this, knowing that i'd never get anything that matches seamlessly. i'd try to find another tile that matches in size but in a bright, bold colour (red or yellow or another colour that currently exists in the room). then i'd call it character.

You'll have to get a larger tile cut down to size on all four sides. Old tiles like this were completely flat - notice how thin the grout lines are. New manufactured tiles tend to have a slight slope along the edge that makes for easier tiling, but bigger grout lines. Taking additional tiles off is very risky - they break and chip the majority of the time, and then you have an uneven back that is next to impossible to install to to the same surface level of the others.
I'd concentrate on finding the appropriate color and glaze (doesn't this have a slight crackle?) in a larger tile with the correct thickness.

Concentrate on finding a tile that is a complete match with respect to colour and gloss. (And I don't think that is going to be much of a problem with white tiles like yours). Any tile shop can cut the tile to fit your measurements.

Contact local architectural salvage places for help (you'll never find a good match with modern product).

Here's one who carries tile:

http://www.ohmegasalvage.com/Showroom%20Pages/about_ohmega.htm

If they don't have it in stock, they might still be able to tell you who made it and where to find it:

http://www.ohmegasalvage.com/Showroom%20Pages/floors_&_counters.htm

DKinNY is correct on all counts. Some other thoughts: A good tile place will have relationships with tile artists, who can make custom tiles to match old tiles. In Los Angeles, Mission Tile West provides this service; they might be able to refer you to someone in your area:

http://www.missiontilewest.com/

A word of caution, though: Old glazes were made with lead and other still unknown chemicals, and new glazes do not look the same. Since you're working with solid white, however, I think you could probably get a decent match.

Other options: Ebay and antique stores. I regularly see old fireplace tile like this for sale. I DO think you could find something suitably matching, but in a worst case scenario, how about using a single colored tile? A funky accent?

A quick search on Ebay pulled up several examples of similar fireplace field tiles. Most were mottled color, but check this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Vintage-Fireplace-Tile-White-Trent-66-pieces_W0QQitemZ120398227966QQcmdZViewItemQQptZArchitectural_Garden?hash=item120398227966&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A2|294%3A50

The category is: Antiques -- Architectural & Garden -- Tile

If you can't find a close enough match, take out the two tiles to the right in the center, replace the missing spot with one of these two, store the other one away. then fill in the middle with as close of a match as possible, or a contrast or paint it in, that way if you must live with something that isn't a match at least it might look intentional in the middle.

i'm with jennifer squires on this -- bold color, and you could even paint your name/initials and a cool logo on it. if you lack the artistic ability, you could always use a computer, clip art and print onto clear sticker paper.

mount it with something temporary, like museum putty.

that way, you'll leave a little branding of yourself behind when you leave. if the landlord wants to remove it, they can.

looks like a quirky/eclectic place anyhow, so why not play along?

OK. Obviously most of you have never tried the suggestions.

There really is no way to match this, other than a custom replacement that will be very costly.

Only two options:

Replace it with something so obvious, that it can't be mistaken.

Leave it alone. It is history. It looks fine.

"Obviously most of you have never tried the suggestions"

Actually, I *have*. I am trained in architectural conservation and used to work for the government as a preservation planner, on government preservation projects as well as advising homeowners with old houses. Oh, and I've renovated my own share of old houses. So yeah, I've done it myself.

Trust me when I say the best bet is a local source -- as Arroyo pointed out, it is a fairly common tile, and chances are there was lots of it in the local community, and some of it has found its way into an architectural salvage yard.

Buying it over Ebay is risky because it is hard to match products without the benefit of a side-by-side comparison -- better to try and find a close match by comparing tiles (you'll have to take one out). It may be necessary to buy a pile of tiles, but that is not a bad thing. In any case, you should think about maybe replacing the 3 above the fireplace, and it couldn't hurt to have extra tiles as it looks as if the hearth tiles may need replacing at some point as well.

You will never, never find a good match with a current product -- the colour and glaze are very different, the cut edges will be very obvious, and in all probability the tiles will not match depth-wise. As for getting a custom made product to match: no one is going to do such a small custom order.

Kanna,

There are two fantastic architectural salvage places in Baltimore. One is called Second Chance and the other is called Housewerks. They are both located right off of I-95 and near the Ravens and Orioles stadiums. I thinkk that both places have a large selection of vintage tile, though you might want to call ahead to check.

Housewerks used to be located in DC but moved to Baltimore a few years ago, supplies stuff to other retailers (in NYC, etc) and gets some really cool, off-beat stuff in addition to the standard architectural materials. Second Chance is HUGE and is a great resource.

Good luck!

E

If you can't match the tile I would remove the three to the right of it and buy 4 funky tiles to go in those spaces, or even get one long solid colored tile cut to fit the space. You could either do something bold, or understated, such as off white tiles with engraved/embossed flowers, depending on your style and what look you're going for in the room.

I'd also try Heath Ceramics in Sausalito: http://www.heathceramics.com/go/heath/tile/tile-sizes/

They do have glossy tiles with crazing. They have an overstock room where you can buy very small amounts. If you don't find the tile, you're going to go home with something!