slate tile in the foyer

by | Sep 28, 2022 | All Things Home, My House | 30 comments

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When I showed the foyer in our new house, a few of you noticed something familiar about it.  This slate tile is one of the original features I loved about this house.  (I also like the vintage lantern fixture in the foyer!)

1970 slate tile foyer | Sheridan dresser | miss mustard seed

It looks familiar because the Montauk Blue slate tile I selected for the foyer in our MN house is basically a modern version of it.  I’ve always liked slate in foyers.  There is something very classic and stately about it.  The slate is a bit more green in the foyer in our new house and the grout lines are bigger, but they both have the same irregular pattern and definitely the same timeless feel.

slate tile foyer floors | miss mustard seed

Even though I am going to remove the wallpaper and paint everything eventually, this foyer has great bones and really is beautifully finished.  The slate tile is a big part of that.  But the green paint is pretty tired and the wallpaper is peeling and bubbling in some places.  I will likely paint the door and trim in a color that has a similar feel but perhaps has more blue in it.

1970 slate tile foyer | antiques | miss mustard seed

These slate tile floors have had a light cleaning, but it does need a good scrubbing one of these days when I have the time.  Until then, I put a great kilim rug over it (purchased from THIS Etsy shop), a Sheridan chest from the mid-1800s that I bought from one of my favorite local dealers, and a cast iron cat doorstop that reminds me of Violet.  My mom and I found it at an antique shop when we were doing a little distraction shopping.

(Oh, a few of you have asked about the kitties.  They are still with Jeff’s parents, but will be joining us once the hardwood floors are installed and finished.  We miss them a lot, but we felt it was important for them to have stability during this move and they have been spoiled and well loved by the Parsons.)

1970 slate tile foyer | antiques | miss mustard seed

I have some plans for what I want to hang on the walls here, but for now I have a couple of paintings leaning up against the dresser just to keep them safe.

1970 slate tile foyer | antiques | miss mustard seed

The hardware cabinet that you see in the background (which is the dining room) will be moved to the studio once the hardwood floors are installed and then we can start getting more settled.

This house is totally different from our last house.  They are of different eras, totally different styles, and very different floorplans.  But, the small connection of the slate tile floors is one thing that ties them together.  I suppose it’s also the fact that I saw potential in both of these houses…

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    30 Comments

    1. Babs

      The slate did remind me of your house in Rochester as soon as I saw it. To me, slate never goes out of style…tile comes and goes but slate is a constant.

    2. Irene Kelly

      Love that you kept this chest and the bottom piece in your office/studio. And yes always loved slate floors in foyers ! You have come so far in such a period of time Marian. You are such a hard worker you will have that place put together in no time! Love all upur updates

    3. Mary S

      That rug in the foyer is beautiful… and I love, love the ice crock next to the front door…. Awesome!!

    4. Sandy

      I’m rather excited that you’ll be redoing a ranch-style house! That seems to be a rarity among bloggers and although I love an old home with architectural features/interest and good bones, I live in a ranch. So looking forward to what you’ll do!! PS-I also wanted to comment on your response a while back to the person who didn’t appreciate painting antique furniture…(I also fall into this category, but to each their own). You said that she was at the wrong blog…Oh Marian…you are so much more than just “painted furniture.”

    5. Linda

      I always love everything you do in your homes. I started collecting ironstone after seeing your lovely collections. I also love your color choices and have used them as well. You a great example to those of us trying.

    6. Felicia Adams

      I love this slate floor. In fact, better than the newer one in your MN house. It might be fun to put new wallpaper in the entry. Can’t wait to see it finished.

    7. Deborah Raney

      It is so exciting to see what you will do with this lovely blank slate (no pun intended) and I already love the small touches you’ve added that are making this house distinctly yours! You are such an inspiration!

    8. Nan, Odessa, DE

      Just lovely!
      Could you use slate in kitchen?

    9. DianeH

      I admired the vintage light fixture in the foyer right away and thought “I hope she keeps it, it’s so Marian.
      Anything new in that style that’s affordable just doesn’t have the details! And we all know you’re all about that.

    10. Debra Ponte

      I am enjoying all of this. I like the slate -good one less floor to do. Kilims cant get enough! Hope your move is closer to your families and the boys are happy.Watching every step here. Great taste you have dear and a lot of energy. Take time to rest

    11. Michele M.

      I love that dresser you and your mom found. It’s so unique and beautiful. And how about that having such a close foyer
      slate tile in this new house. That’s serendipity!

    12. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)

      Marian, your carpet on those lovely slate floors is perfect! So nice to see your progress in your lovely new home. All those special little “Marian” touches are going to be beautiful!

    13. Anna

      I’m so excited to see what you do with this house. It already looks beautiful and full of so much potential.

    14. Karen B.

      The slate tile is lovely.
      Is Sebastian still with you? I love your dog.
      Karen B.

    15. patricia

      That makes sense because I saw the slate floors and thought you were talking about the last house ! It’s nice you have one less thing to change .

    16. Teresa

      When you posted the first pictures of your new house and I saw the slate floors in the foyer, I thought to myself, “I can’t image she would even think about changing out the slate” and I am happy to know you have no intentions of doing that. They are so beautiful, and the foyer is such an important room in any home because it sets the tone for the rest of the house.

    17. Cassandra E

      Hey, can you leave some canes for the rest of us? (Winking for tone.)
      Love the slate. I like how it’s laid out and I do like the thicker grout. I’m so glad you mentioned the cats. I meant to ask, but now I know. On the one hand I am so excited for you and on the other feeling a little anxious with you for floors to be done, furniture to be settled and you all to be settled in. Also, when you said it was a 70’s home, I thought that’s modern, new and fresh, then you said it’s 50 years old (ish) and I thought, wow, that’s vintage. And then I realized, I’m vintage.

    18. KathieB

      I love the slate – the colour, the pattern, grout width and that they’re original. So pleased that you’re able to keep them. I love the pictures leaning on the dresser too. I have lots leaning like that, but then again maybe that’s because I’ve run out off wall space!

    19. Monica from Littlestown

      I love this house and was was surprised when you revealed the new home was a 70’s rancher because I really couldn’t picture how it would look in your style. But then, I didn’t think the MN house could be as lovely as the home you left in PA. Boy, was I wrong! I’ve learned from you that it doesn’t matter what kind of home you live in, what makes it beautiful is filling it with love and the colors and things that are personal to the ones who live there. I prefer older homes because of the quality and details (and sometimes quirks), and I love the separation of rooms. Open kitchens and family rooms are good, but I like having actual “rooms.” I can’t wait to follow you on house #3 – it’s going to be gorgeous!

    20. Dawn

      We have slate in our bathrooms and love it. Your foyer is beautiful and will only look more like you as time goes on. Thanks for sharing!

    21. Judy Fisher

      Is there a way I can subscribe to your emails? Bloglovin is very sporatic now and never has many blog articles daily. I didn’t even know you had moved a specific place – how can I find out more??

    22. Anna

      Ms. Marian, I’ve looked at many of your newsletters for inspiration but lost track of your blog this past year. I just recently found you moved to new home!! I can recall the lovely room colors, upholstery, fireplace, shelves,etc. I just drooled over your decor, color choices, design, painting, etc. Please direct me to the date where you explained the reason you moved from that awesome house. Know I look forward to your future designs & creativity.

    23. Robin McGirr

      I love that older style of slate. Also love that solid wood door. I believe the Seventies was the last decade that houses were built nice and solid and your new house certainly has a solid feel about it. Houses from that period were just so comfortable and unpretentious. You will make this a gorgeous home in no time. I have loved following your house transformations over the years.

      • Marian Parsons

        Yes, this house is so solid and that front door is awesome. I can’t wait to give it a little love with some sanding and painting.

    24. Kim

      That type of slate tile was classic Mid Century. Often those floors would have the occasional red tile in them as well, so you are blessed to have only the green ones! Can you use the steam mop to clean up that grout, or will it need to be redone?

      • Marian Parsons

        It’s really not too bad given its age. I will definitely steam clean it. 🙂

    25. Andrea

      So classy! Loving the vibes!

      Love from Portugal

    26. AK

      Congratulations on finding your new house which I look forward to seeing you make it into your home. The green slate is lovely. But noticed that it extends beyond the foyer towards the dining room..? behind the Sheridan dresser wall. I am sure as you share more photos from different angles it would become clearer as to what is behind the foyer which needed a slate floor as well. Best of luck!

    27. Chris

      I have the same light fixture in my foyer! In other home decor sites I have seen similar onces called ugly and dated but it’s just right for my style. The glass could use a cleaning and I would like to replace the incandescent candle bulbs with LED bulbs when I can find a good source for them.

      Our foyer originally had a slate floor but it showed the traffic pattern on it unless it was sealed freqently. It was really a hassle to deal with blocking it off while the sealer dried (could not access bedrooms or laundry all day). The biggest probem, however, was that the fumes put out by the sealer triggered the worst headaches of my life; I could not be in the house for a couple of days. We tried to work aound it (like my husband painting himself out the front door the last thing before we left for vacation) but the floor usually looked scuffed up. When we replaced the kitchen floor we extended the tile to the foyer. By now, there are probably good sealers for slate rated as low VOC but they weren’t around then.

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    Marian Parsons - Miss Mustard Seed

    I’m Marian, aka Miss Mustard Seed, a wife, mother, paint enthusiast, lover of all things home and an entrepreneur, author, artist, designer, freelance writer & photographer.  READ MORE to learn more about me, my blog and my business…

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