It's sort of hard to break up with someone you like. They're cute. They're charming. But they're not quite everything you want. You know? They certainly aren't vintage terracotta tile.
So you do it. You break up. You crush their heart. And then you move on to someone else.
All analogies break down at some point, so let's get to it: I'm talking about breaking up with my charming (oh so charming) kitchen floor. The floor we exposed three years ago when we ripped up the astroturf carpet and began phase 1 (of 1,182) of the kitchen renovation (PS: It doesn't look like this at all anymore!).
Three years ago. Did I mention that?
The carpet we ripped out months after moving in exposed these glorious tongue-and-groove planks that were used before plywood existed. For over a hundred and twenty years, they've been supporting the thousands of feet that have scurried around on this kitchen floor (people and mice included).
Because we were remodeling the entire farm during this season, we painted and stenciled the planked floors and enjoyed their company for the past few years. They've worn a bit from the heavy-Elliott-clan traffic, but are still charming and fit snuggly into our tattered home.
…and yet my eye wanders…
And not totally in the name of frivolity.
The washer and dryer lived in the kitchen for decades before we arrived at the cottage and in that time, leaked down the floor, and rotted out planks of the subfloor. Holes existed in the planks long ago and still leave large openings from the planks down into the root cellar (a favorite past time of my children is to hide little toys and notes down into the holes). The gaps in the floor that I initially found charming are driving me crazy. Blame it on the chickens that sneak inside. Blame it on the four children. Blame it on the garden bits that find their way in.
Blame it on the fact that I've killed four vacuums in the last year sucking up bits of stuff from the kitchen cracks.
But I just can't take it anymore.
Actually, I couldn't take it anymore in August. So I spent way too many hours in the bathtub browsing flooring online to find one that made my heart sing. And I did.
Four months later, the two hundred year old vintage terracotta tile arrived… all the way from France.
(Sounds fancy. And it is. But I got a super good deal that rivaled Lowe's flooring prices.)
Tomorrow the first tile will be laid. A floor three years (or a lifetime) in the making. I say this to encourage you: a home with texture, depth, history, personal style, and layers of vintage crust take time.
It'll be a bit sad to say goodbye to the old planked floor – soon to be covered once again by new flooring. In our short time here at the cottage, it's seen copious amounts of baby feet and bread crumbs. It was here long before us and will be here long after we're gone.
But whoever finds it will have to dig out a thousand pounds of the most beautiful vintage tile I've ever seen.
Because I'm doing it, baby. HERE WE GO!
Courtney Rasbach
This i ssoooo exciting!!!
penny askay
I love your posts. we have recently bought a house in puyallup washington. it is near the fair grounds and even thou we are not out in the country we are still going to make our new home as rustic as possible. we even have a little room on the downstairs patio that is going to be our cold room for long term storage. you have inspired us that even thou we are in our 60’s there are things we can still do to make ourselves more self sufficient. we are going to start canning, and just stocking up on the things we use a lot of. we are going to create little raised bed around the yard for veggie and herb gardens. i have also collected tons of lilies to plant, i am a little late on those but they are still going in. i want to thank you so much for sharing your family with us. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.
Shaye Elliott
That sounds so lovely! I love it over there. ENJOY!
Rachel C.
It’s going to be gorgeous Shaye! I can hardly wait to see pictures.
Shaye Elliott
I hope it turns out as beautiful as it is in my head!
Deborah Wilson
You new floor I love it can’t wait to see it finished keep up the good work I’m still thinking of trying to bulbs in because I herd you say you are late also but still have to get them just got my bone broth made and chicken soup jeez took all day ha
Deborah Wilson
You new floor I love it can’t wait to see it finished keep up the good work I’m still thinking of trying to bulbs in because I herd you say you are late also but still have to get them just got my bone broth made and chicken soup jeez took all day ha
Sarah
Those look beautiful! Terra-cotta tile in the kitchen has been my dream since I saw it 12 years ago, along with a two-way fireplace that always smells like hickory. Some day!
Sheryl Byrum
I too have always dreamed of antique pavers from France. I truly felt that that was a dream that I could not afford. Please share the vendor information, so that I can contact them as well.
Tarah McPherson
Totally love this! Searched online and found: Vintage Elements
https://vintageelements.com/vintage-collections-2/#collection-filter|terracotta-floors|1
Is this where you purchased your tile from? Or would you mind sharing what company it was? Thanks!
Bethany
I’m so excited to be putting terra cotta into my own kitchen soon, and would like to maintain them as traditionally as possible. Did you seal your tiles before installing? Can you share your cleaning method? Do you oil/ wax your tiles or just use a commerical product?