The Bungalow kitchen floor is one of the hardest things to do well in a restoration. You have my sympathy. Those in the old home restoration products industry have not come up with much to show in this department. US firms went out of the natural linoleum business decades ago. The natural product a European import, while great from an environmental perspective, does not necessarily reflect American or period styles. Today's product is either the variegated and marbleized Jaspé type which in the 1920s was recommended for contract (hospitals, commercial kitchens, retail shops, libraries) work. Also made today is the solid color product used for the above and on ships and on car running boards. I recommend that US companies, as well as those in India, Mexico etc. consider reproducing some of the more timeless of the period patterns that would work with modern decor also.

Typical 1905-1910 Linoleum Patterns:

Also popular in the early century were linoleum "rugs", often made to resemble Colonial Revival rag rugs or Oriental rugs, frequently used with printed wood grain linoleum as a border. The best results today can be obtained by using the true linoleum in a mosaic of 2-5 colors. There are individuals and companies who laser or hand cut the Forbo etc. product into custom patterns. Remember that the early patterns were based on units or squares of 4" (sometimes 6") width, much smaller than the 9" or 12" units of our lifetime.

>>Link to "This Old House" linoleum article. <<

 

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