Making My Hearth Happy
As previously noted, the tile hearth of the library looks pretty bad. Thus, I am thinking of replacing the tiles and so ordered a ‘sample kit’ of five colors. The samples only come in small sizes. I would order 3×3 tiles to match the originals.
Green. I think this could work. The edge tiles would be 3×6.
Teal. I think this could work.
Dark green. Nope!
Blue. I really like this.
Brown. This is the right color but the original tiles have a wonderfully variegated coloring. The coloring of the sample tiles is consistent and, thus, lack the liveliness of the originals. I mean, the horror of non-lively tiles.
These tiles, from another company, have some variegation. I plan to order a sample tile.
Upon removing the current hearth (a mix of original and later tiles), all the tiles would get stored behind the metal fireplace grate.
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Oooh …. I liked the dark green right off. Hah!!
I agree that the brown square tiles don’t have enough variety in color and tone.
Yikes. I thought they were just scuffed. Nevermind, Im converted now, tee-hee. My favorite tiles are the green 🙂 but the teal and blue are also wonderful. I agree, the brown ones, despite being a close colour match, disappoint.
Oy, I replied to the wrong comment 😵💫 sorry
I am curious to see the variegated tiles of the other company and to be honest, I have trouble extrapolating it in my head, but I have total faith in you! And I love that you’re continuing the tradition of respect for the house by squirreling away the tiles you found as you’re doing the replacement, even if ultimately the new ones end up looking better than the current setup.
The hearth looks pretty good to me, apart from the border tiles. Have you considered just replacing the border in a contrasting colour? Mind you, could be they just look good in the picture, not in real life.
Dear Nathan,
Have you enlarged the first image?
It shows how damaged the hearth tiles are. All those white spots? Those are chips. And more than half the tiles have lost their shine. The only tiles which look good are those I recently salvaged from UNDER the mantle.
In short, the hearth tiles look abused. This isn’t what the architect intended, and they now contrast from the glorious re-set tiles above, the restored mantle, and the suddenly beautiful room. The hearth tiles now distract rather than enhance the ensemble.
A fireplace?
Used for storing something (other than fires)?
oh, the horror…
I’m curious to see the variegated brown tiles. (=
Bill, you should see what I have stored inside my seven other fireplaces!
Ha! I can only imagine! I can’t wait to make the trek back, to see what pictures never do justice to. The updates since we were there, are fantastic. You’re a restoration sorcerer!
And, glad to see you’re doing better, man!!
I rather like the dark green ones as they are the only ones that offer some variation and look sorta vintage. All of the others are flat color and shiny and just look too modern.
Why replace the entire hearth? A few of those border tiles could be cut to fill in the hearth where it needs attention. It looks like only the border really needs to be replaced. Have you looked at border tiles that might work? There must be something that is matte and not that modern looking shiny glossy solid color tile. If you got close you could even sand the finish to take away the modern gloss.
There are no places that have salvaged vintage tile? Or even some strips of marble cut to size? If you did marble you could also have a slab cut for the top of the radiator. If you were only doing the border, you could even order some custom tiles. That way you could control the exact color and finish.
Mary, the blue tiles are variegated.
There are a lot of places which offer vintage tile. But try to find enough, the right color, and in great shape? I’ve tried.
The original tiles were glossy.
The Cross House has no marble hearths. Tiled hearth were common to the era the house was built.
Beautiful progress!
Serendipitous that you found the lovely variegated brown tiles! Just perfect!
Bravo Ross!
You are amazing!
Oh Sandra, you sweet thing, you!
The original tiles are a low fire luster glaze tile. That’s what produces the depth, tonal quality, & shine. Specify that with whatever company or catalog you’re ordering from.
It also might be worth the effort to find a local potter (via the university ceramics dept) to produce the color, size, & amount you’d need.
Read your email asap.
Bought a surprise to make sure it wasn’t lost to someone else.
I’d stick with the same color or the dark green to make it seem like it was originally there. Are these tiles marble or something else that were used from years ago? Our’s are a much lighter color and wondering if that’s what was mostly used when it came to marble quarries near by.
I have what may be a silly question, but alas, have never been able to find a how-to-do on this. Our hearth has hideous modern tiles, and I suspect (and hope!) that they were placed on top of the original tiles. But they are quite firmly stuck in place. Is there a way to remove the top tile without damaging what is underneath? A way of dissolving or breaking whatever mortar or materials they are firmly adhered with?
Minnesota seems to have a number of small tile makers who have a lot of experience duplicating old tile. Take a look at the web page of North Prairie Tileworks (http://handmadetile.com/ourtiles.html). They mention purposefully creating high variation glaze to meet a customer’s request. I used another local company , Clay Squared to Infinity for more craftsman style tile for a fireplace surround. Super nice people to work with, willing to make custom sizes, but not sure anything in their glaze palette would work for the Cross House.
Thank you, Carrie!
The first 5 samples are from Clay Squared.
I will check out North Prairie Tileworks.
I’d replace the border tiles, take a magic marker to the chips and paste wax the whole thing. Yes, it won’t be perfect, but it will be original and 125 years old.