1920 craftsman house in CT that we are slowly restoring. Kitchen floor is 1” higher than it should be so we went exploring (felt more like mining) in the pantry and found what we believe might be original 1920s lino.
We did this ripping out of ours - beautiful maple, asphalt on top, three linoleum layers with some subfloor between. Our floors were in shockingly good condition, even around the sink. Good luck to you and I hope its nice!
This linoleum pattern looks more 1930s or 1940s to me. Abstract geometric patterns like this didn't exist yet in the 1920s, at least not on flooring in normal houses, and certainly not in 1920 when your house was built. It's not original, but it is very old. I'd definitely save it if you can.
Nice reno but op sorry for being a Betty downer here. IF you plan on removing the lino, please cut of a small piece that has a bit of the glue left on the back and send it off for asbestos testing! Asbestos sometimes lurks in the lino itself or the backing paper or the glue....
Please be careful, the green patterned vinyl on top of the lino looks very suspicious to me. I would definitely get it tested for asbestos to be o. The safe side.
Nothing Connecticut-specific here, but familiarize yourself with the problems of old homes: galvanized plumbing, leaded fittings on said plumbing, knob and tube wiring or rubber/cloth covered wiring, lead paint, asbestos in every conceivable product (especially insulation and floor coverings), sloping/spongy/rotted floors, cracked foundations, mold. There's probably more. Some of these can occur even in new builds but are much more common in older homes. These places have stood (on average) for 80-120 years, and every single system in them will need to be replaced at some point, whether that is by previous owners or by you!
Same deal in our ~1904 craftsman. Several layers of linoleum in the kitchen. But dug under that final layer and got down to old growth pine. Refinished that instead lol.
If you plan on removing the original lino. Hire a professional. That stuff was made with asbestos and you'd be risking the health of everything and everyone in the house for years after.
Love that Art Deco linoleum design!
We have a built-in China cabinet - if we find the original lino inside this we will find a way to preserve it in place.
This is more Bauhaus than Art Deco
1920 craftsman house in CT that we are slowly restoring. Kitchen floor is 1” higher than it should be so we went exploring (felt more like mining) in the pantry and found what we believe might be original 1920s lino.
We did this ripping out of ours - beautiful maple, asphalt on top, three linoleum layers with some subfloor between. Our floors were in shockingly good condition, even around the sink. Good luck to you and I hope its nice!
We have a bathroom like that on the project list. Has a very similar loomimg vinyl pattern on top now. I can't wait to see what is under there.
I was gonna say you probably got an inch and a half of ceiling height back.
This linoleum pattern looks more 1930s or 1940s to me. Abstract geometric patterns like this didn't exist yet in the 1920s, at least not on flooring in normal houses, and certainly not in 1920 when your house was built. It's not original, but it is very old. I'd definitely save it if you can.
Ok, this is pure gold, thank you for your reply!
It’s giving me Kandinsky.
This might be the original floors. The Craftsman style was highly influenced by the "Prairie Style" of Frank Lloyd Wright. Here are some of his
Yes, I would agree - this seems Bauhaus inspired to me, which would not be originally installed in a 1920 American Craftsman house.
And when did they start using asbestos in them?
Great link! Thanks
I hope you find enough to restore. Original features like this are rare to find. Congratulations.
Well that's a dream come true. Amazing.
I had a very similar pattern on the bottom layer in my 1925 Craftsman in Indiana!!
Ok, that’s very cool - although you’ve opened up the question - what did you do with it?
As a kid growing up in an old rust belt town, my friends places had floors similar to this. This brings me back man...
That design is still so freaking cool 100 years later. Art Deco is timeless.
Also pretty good timing! Art Deco is back in fashion for the past like max 5 years imo. So it can literally do a round two of being all the vogue!
Wow that is cool. Gives me 80s art deco revival vibes actually
Nice reno but op sorry for being a Betty downer here. IF you plan on removing the lino, please cut of a small piece that has a bit of the glue left on the back and send it off for asbestos testing! Asbestos sometimes lurks in the lino itself or the backing paper or the glue....
Without doubt - we are very familiar with the whole lead paint and asbestos shenanigans
Agreed 100%.
Far out man!
Now that is some sexy flooring! Love the design!
Please be careful, the green patterned vinyl on top of the lino looks very suspicious to me. I would definitely get it tested for asbestos to be o. The safe side.
That’s a really cool pattern.
Battleship linoleum is one of my obsessions. Thanks for posting!!!
Wow makes me think of the Jetsons!
Pretty cool!
I’m currently in the market for an older home in the Litchfield, CT. Do you have any recommendations when looking at older homes?
Nothing Connecticut-specific here, but familiarize yourself with the problems of old homes: galvanized plumbing, leaded fittings on said plumbing, knob and tube wiring or rubber/cloth covered wiring, lead paint, asbestos in every conceivable product (especially insulation and floor coverings), sloping/spongy/rotted floors, cracked foundations, mold. There's probably more. Some of these can occur even in new builds but are much more common in older homes. These places have stood (on average) for 80-120 years, and every single system in them will need to be replaced at some point, whether that is by previous owners or by you!
Hope y’all are taking asbestos precautions cuz all that stuff could contain it.
Is it Nairn?
The pattern reminds me of patterns from 80s and 90s clothing
That has asbestos written all over it.
omg that's gorgeous, can you restore it?
Beautiful! I wish they still made patterns like that.
A Russian nesting doll of Asbestos
I’m convinced that every house in the US has had this beige tile/brown grout combo. I had this over the original tile in my bathroom haha
I had to take a screenshot-that is awesome!
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one dealing with tiles on top of floor on top of floor. Reprehensible, I call it.
Same deal in our ~1904 craftsman. Several layers of linoleum in the kitchen. But dug under that final layer and got down to old growth pine. Refinished that instead lol.
I have the same in a closet in my pre-1900s duplex. Found under some shitty carpet.
Wow what a cool design!
It'd be cool to get a reproduction done for new floors!
Great idea, totally agree - that would be really neat! I bet the cost would be truly scary IF it could be done!
Wow!! See if you can get an artist to repair it!!
Looks like you may have a hardwood floor under it.
So named because it was made from Linseed oil .
If you plan on removing the original lino. Hire a professional. That stuff was made with asbestos and you'd be risking the health of everything and everyone in the house for years after.
Each layer speaks not only to what design is popular at the time, but what design the time is specifically rejecting.