Looking for Retro Linoleum, 1930s-40s can anyone help?

[cowboy76]

I was looking through my wife's old 1944 McCall's magazine a minute ago and spotted an awsome ad for "Pabco" linomeum company. I took a look on the net and can't find anything with any deco or abstract-deco-like designs on it. Anyone know if someone makes this style of linoleum anymore, or just the plain colors with some flecks these days??

I can't stand the ugly faux tile look under my feet,...never did like it ever since we moved here!!!

 

[cowboy76]

anybody, anybody??

 

[Miss Brill]

I know there are websites that sell vintage wallpaper, so my guess is you could find someone with rolls of old flooring. You could try posting an ad on your local Craigslist, or call around to antique salvage centers, and ask if they have old flooring. If all else fails, why not choose a vintage pattern that you like & stencil it onto a plain vinyl floor (like plain squares with no pattern) & seal it to make it last?


ETA: I found these: http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/product_details.jsp?item_id=381
I don't know if it is anything like what you are wanting though.

Vintage looking tiles:
http://www.miyoflooring.com/

 

[BeBopBaby]

Friends of mine used the industrial linoleum squares (red and black - the kind with the flecks you speak of) and made their own pattern which looked really nice. They did a checkered border around the room and the middle is a solid color. I imagine you could do some sort of pattern with the plain squares if you can't find other linoleum.

 

[cowboy76]

Yeah, that's about the best I could come up with too.....

Thanks,....might go that route!

 

[Miss Neecerie]

http://www.forbolinoleumna.com/default.aspx?menuid=123

Makes Marmoleum...similar thing..and has all sorts of combos..to get things like cool borders..you just might have to do a custom order....etc..

 

[Decobelle]

There's a shop called "Second Hand Rose" that sells 30s-40s patterned Linoleum: http://www.secondhandrose.com/linol/main.htm

I know what you mean, cowboy76; our kitchen has gastly 70s lino. In the basement, I discovered some remnants of the really wonderful 30s Deco patterned lino that the previous owner had covered up. :rage:

 

[Decobelle]

One other idea. I didn't mention this before, not trusting my ability to remember the name of the product (!). Luckily I had bookmarked the site.

A couple styles of vinyl tiles in Armstrong's "MODe" line, under "Retro" look a lot like the great 40s patterns that they used to offer in linoleum. The colors are more subdued, being browns and rather than the bright blues, reds, yellows and greens, etc., popular in the 40s, but still.... One pattern is called "St. Mark's Square" and the other is "Lang Street."

http://www.armstrong.com/resflram/na/tile/en/us/mode.html

 

[cowboy76]

One other idea. I didn't mention this before, not trusting my ability to remember the name of the product (!). Luckily I had bookmarked the site.

A couple styles of vinyl tiles in Armstrong's "MODe" line, under "Retro" look a lot like the great 40s patterns that they used to offer in linoleum. The colors are more subdued, being browns and rather than the bright blues, reds, yellows and greens, etc., popular in the 40s, but still.... One pattern is called "St. Mark's Square" and the other is "Lang Street."

http://www.armstrong.com/resflram/na/tile/en/us/mode.html

Ahh,..you're the whole kit-n-kaboodle there gal!!..thanks so much,...that's the best stuff that I've seen this side of the street so far! Wonderful!

 

[imoldfashioned]

There's a shop called "Second Hand Rose" that sells 30s-40s patterned Linoleum: http://www.secondhandrose.com/linol/main.htm

I covet all her stuff--it's beyond fabulous. I've always meant to go there when I'm in NYC but I haven't made it there yet.

 

[nyx]

One other idea. I didn't mention this before, not trusting my ability to remember the name of the product (!). Luckily I had bookmarked the site.

A couple styles of vinyl tiles in Armstrong's "MODe" line, under "Retro" look a lot like the great 40s patterns that they used to offer in linoleum. The colors are more subdued, being browns and rather than the bright blues, reds, yellows and greens, etc., popular in the 40s, but still.... One pattern is called "St. Mark's Square" and the other is "Lang Street."

http://www.armstrong.com/resflram/na/tile/en/us/mode.html

I LOVE the Lang Street pattern. It reminds me of my grandma's kitchen.

 

[cowboy76]

Yeah I tracked down some local retailers of the stuff,...gonna call them tomoarrow to see if i can get some samples,..hope the stuff's not too pricey??!![huh]

 

[Miss 1929]

Marmoleum can be laser cut!

I have an issue of Old House Interiors (a great, current magazine!) and in one issue it shows black and red Marmoleum that they had laser cut with the same rooster that is on their juice glass collection from the 40s. It was a very detailed pattern, so I imagine you could do whatever pattern you like!
I will try to dig up the issue and let you know the contact info, it was gorgeous!

 

[cowboy76]

Sounds great really.

Sadly, there is no one closer than a 20 mile radius all that close to me that carries this line of linoleum,....and I couldnt even get a hold of the place that DID carry it! There's two places not far from me, but they only sell wholesale to construction companies....

I'm going to try and call again and reach the one place in jersey that supposedly carries it.

 

[Decodence]

If you find an online retailer, be sure to let me know. The wife wants to go back to real linoleum in our kitchen/pantry/laundry instead of the ceramic tile we presently have.

 

[The Wingnut]

Layout has a lot to do with the look - as someone pointed out, the center could be done in a solid color with a border around the edges.

My parents' house, built by a Spanish family in '47 as an orchard home, had fleck linoleum in the kitchen with a cream center, a maroon border and a thin dark green stripe around the outer edge. It was very classy. That's unfortunately two layers down under vinyl now(they tore out the cabinets and tile counter, too...I remind them often of what a mistake that was).

 

[cowboy76]

I have an issue of Old House Interiors (a great, current magazine!) and in one issue it shows black and red Marmoleum that they had laser cut with the same rooster that is on their juice glass collection from the 40s. It was a very detailed pattern, so I imagine you could do whatever pattern you like!
I will try to dig up the issue and let you know the contact info, it was gorgeous!

Yeah let me know if you find what issue that was,..sounds nice.

 

[Kitty_Sheridan]

I found a sort of solution in the UK. Rhino flooring comes in two classic designs one of which is the black and white chequerboard.

To diversify somewhat, does anyone know about oil cloths? Or has anyone had a go at making them?

http://www.jareaart.com/fc_history.shtml
http://www.paigespaintedfloorcloths.com/about.htm

I have seen vintage deco ones that look very like Linoleum.
Gutted last yr to see a stack of lovely brown and mint coloured lino outside an old 30s house nr me. It had been ripped up. :rage:
K

 

[The Shirt]

Marmoleum or the like (not the retro patterned lovelies previous posted) should typically run about the same as installing a wood floor. In MN its a range from $7-11 a square foot material. Laser cutting will up the price, usually a flat fee for laying out the design. I haven't worked with repeat patterns so much though. It's fantastic for absorbing sound and soft on the feet. Have you thought about cork? There are some wonderful new (old) versions out there.

 

[Flitcraft]

Try www.ambungalow.com. Lots of references to new "old" flooring sources. They also print a magazine American Bungalow with lots of advertising and how-to articles.