Please don’t remodel California history

Thank you for running “The Tile Detectives” [Oct. 14]. It may be the most important article ever printed in Home. Now, can you just run it every week, and in the California and main sections of the paper as well?

I live in a 1929 Spanish Colonial with beautiful vintage tile in the kitchen and bathroom. I agree completely with tile expert Cristi Walden: Don’t buy a vintage house if you just intend to blandize it.

I cannot count the number of Spanish Colonial houses I’ve entered with kitchens and bathrooms that have been brought “up to date” with ubiquitous beige tile and beige/black marble. Don’t people realize that the marble countertops of today are the Formica of tomorrow? Ten years from now, people will go into these baths and kitchens and say, “Who ever thought that was attractive?”

Vintage tile is timeless, unique and blends perfectly with the architecture of Spanish houses. I could go on for another 12 paragraphs, but I’ll stop here.

If that article saved just one bath or kitchen, you’ve made a positive contribution to the history of our city.

Sandra Willard

Los Angeles

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The piece on the history of California tile was fascinating. As a remodeling contractor in Texas, I was heartsick to read of the destruction of these wonderful examples of California’s artful home decor.

Perhaps Veronique de Turenne’s beautifully written article will bring an awareness to homeowners that encourages them to preserve these irreplaceable treasures, not simply for their monetary value, but for their historical value.

Jane Burkett

Austin, Texas

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