RENOVATOR’S TOOLBOX
How to Get the Look:
Victorian Bathroom Tile
by CATE CORCORAN
Gorgeous tile, stained glass, and deep claw foot tubs —
the typical late-Victorian bathroom was luxurious and
large. Common features were porcelain hex-tile floors, a
wainscot of white subway tile and, of course, the aforementioned
iconic tub.
The wainscot would usually be topped by a border of
ornate tile with bas-relief garlands, shells, or other motifs,
and puddling pastel glazes. Today such bathrooms, if
any of their original features survive, may be in need of
restoration or a plumbing and electrical update.
If the original wall tile is in good condition, an easy way
to replace water supply and waste pipes is to go through
the ceiling below or remove the existing tile on the floor
and replace it with new reproduction tile. In recent years,
vintage-style tile has become available, making it possible to
restore walls and floors, create new yet classic bathrooms, or
design ones that look as if they’ve always been there.
Unglazed porcelain hex tile for floors was usually white
or pale gray and typically ranged in size from one to
two inches. The field tile on the wall could be subway
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Drippy glazes in blue, brown, and yellow color tiles embossed with a floral design. Photo by Emily Gilbert for Arlington Place Bed and Breakfast.