1940s – 1960s

Mid-century modern tile, matched piece for piece.

Postwar bathrooms and kitchens were tiled in colors no one makes anymore. When a few pieces crack, replacing the whole room is rarely the answer. We identify the original manufacturer and supply matching reclaimed tile from a stock covering over 100 makers. Identification is free — send a photo to start, and a sample when you're ready for an exact match.

Call (916) 496-7958 Send photos & details

What we look for in mid-century tile.

Pastel field tile

Mint, seafoam, dusty pink, buttercup, lavender and sky blue in 4 1/4" squares — the defining surface of postwar bathrooms. For many of these colors we stock 25 or more distinct shades, which is why a physical sample beats a photo every time.

V-caps & counter trim

Mid-century kitchen and vanity counters were finished in V-caps, curbs and bullnose. These profiles vary by manufacturer, so shape is often the fastest route to an identification.

Cove base & bullnose

Sanitary cove base at the floor line and surface bullnose at the wainscot cap are the pieces most often broken during a remodel — and the hardest to find new.

Two-tone schemes

Pink with maroon liner, mint with black trim, yellow with charcoal. Matching a scheme usually means matching two or three separate pieces, not one.

From the archive.

A sample of the trim profiles, colors and decorative pieces that turn up in mid-century rooms. Stock rotates constantly — call to ask about a specific color or shape.

Mid-century modern tile: Colored counter trim — Colored counter trim
Assorted V-caps & curbs

Mid-century modern tile: Cream field with daisies — Cream field with daisies
Decorative inserts

Mid-century modern tile: Crackle-glaze floral — Crackle-glaze floral
Hand-painted singles

Mid-century modern tile: Trim shape reference — Trim shape reference
Identify by profile

How to start an identification.

Step 01
Measure the face of the tile to the nearest 1/16" and note the thickness. Size narrows the manufacturer list faster than color does.
Step 02
Photograph the tile flat in daylight, plus a shot of the back if you have a loose piece — backstamps and rib patterns are often decisive.
Step 03
Mail a sample when you need an exact match. Sheen and shading don't read reliably in photos, and a single color can exist in dozens of shades.

Questions about a mid-century color or trim profile? Call (916) 496-7958 or email vintagetile916@gmail.com. Full details on matching, thickness and pricing are on the main page.