hallway and kitchen floors dilemma Post Reply

[claphamama]

Hi,

We live in a victorian house near Clapham Common. The hallway leads directly into the kitchen through 3 steps and at the moment is tiled in big cream tiles (which I hate!) The rest of the house floors (stairs included) are light oak . eventually we will put a runner on the stairs as well. I am looking into redoing hallway and kitchen floors at the moment but I have no idea what to do! Wood? Tiles? I was looking at victorian mosaic tiles (like the black and white ones we have leading to the the door in the front of the house) but not sure how to separate kitchen and hallway then - will the tiles just stop at the 3 steps that lead to the kitchen and if so what should I use on them?
Do you know of any company/store that can help/advice? I don't really want to splash lots of money for an interior designer!

Thanks!

[abbeville2]

Worlds end tiles in battersea has a good selection. Take a pic of the area with you. if it is a high traffic area, then tiling can sometimes be better because more hard wearing. They even have tile that looks like wood floor...in a tasteful high end way

[LostInTranslation]

Hello ClaphamMama,

I used to manage a small shop in Crouch End that specialises in Victorian tiles. I have no affiliation with them and haven't worked there for a year now so this is a genuine, independent recommendation. My reply is motivated by the fact that during my time working there, and now still, Victorian tiling made it onto my radar in a big way. As I walk around Battersea now, I can't help but notice all the damaged paths in front of people's houses or houses that have just put concrete down instead of repairing the Victorian tiles. It can be expensive to fix but if you can at all afford it, is definitely worth the investment.

One of the things that I learned whilst working at the shop was that Victorian tiling is a very specific skill. The tiles are laid by eye without the use of spacers (as you would see with kitchen or bathroom tiling). Often times, you can find a builder or tiler who says that he can lay Victorian tiles but I would insist on seeing examples of any work done previously. The shop is called Original Features and they have a website. If you ring them, they can answer any queries you might have or offer you a referral to a tiler who can come round to give you an estimate. The majority of the tilers work in North London but when I worked there, some were willing to travel.

Hope you get it sorted.

[BalhamMumWorkingFT]

Whatever you do, make sure they are easy to clean and "hide dirt" as to not have to clean them 2 or 3 times a day!

We have great stone tiles in our kitchen (not put in by us) but they are poxed ever so slightly... so I have to scrub the tiles on my hands and knees. NOT RECOMMENDED. (and they are bright white... which is good for light but bad for cleaning...)

[abbeville2]

Mungomuffitt and LostinTransition, can you recommend a good tile restorer? The guy I just called has no availability until April!

[jonathan @ hamptons]

Hi there,

Looking at it from purely a resale perspective I would definitely go for the Victorian mosaic option although clearly this will be an expensive option. We have sold quite a few properties recently where the vendors have gone with this option and the feedback from buyers has always been overwhelmingly positive. You home will also stick in their mind as it's the first impression that counts. The kitchen is less important but certainly tiles give a cleaner feel and are much easier to maintain.

Victorian tiles are generally laid the full length of the hallway with a border around them and continue until the leading edge of the top step. The next two steps are then wooden and then you step down onto what will be your new kitchen floor.

I won't try to recommend anyone but other posters on this site may well be able to help you on good (and bad!!) workmen.

If you like I can pm you a picture of the floor in a hallway of a house we sold recently to give you an idea of how it works.

Good luck...!!

Jonathan

[claphamama]

Thanks everybody!

This is so useful. The more I think about it the more I am convinced I like the look of a Victorian tiled hallway.
@Jonathan if you could send me a pic it would be amazing.

Thanks again!

[Proudgirls]

Hi I've recommended abbey driveways so many times before as we're very happy with the victorian tile path and gate and railing they done for us Martin was the guy we delt with his number is 07944454554 or 0208 941 1228 good luck