replacing tile and matching the color

We have a rental property that was built in the 1950s and has a unique kind of 'subway' tiling in both bathrooms and kitchen that extends from the floors to the ceiling. Since owning the house we've tried to preserve the 1950s feel, but when it comes to the tile it's very difficult when damage occurs, both because of the tile size and the color.

While cleaning up after the most recent tenant left, I noticed that they did some unauthorized plumbing work to the bath fixtures and cracked 4 - 5 tiles in the row directly above the bath. Not only is it impossible to find tile to match the color, but modern bath tiles are about an eighth of an inch bigger. The size I can deal with, even if it means having to cut the middle of the replacement line of tiles to size to fill the remaining gap between the others.

The color is another issue. I know if I take a piece of the tile to Sherwin Williams that they can match the color, but even if I use it to paint over some modern tile, can I still give it that same glazed look so it matches up to the existing tile, perhaps by applying a lacquer coating? And if so, would it withstand the constant moisture from the shower?

 

I think you already know the answer, unless you saved a bunch of the original tile then your simply out of luck. Can you paint tile, I'm sure somebody has but will it ever match the original in color, texture, durability, no.

Only option that comes to mind is find some type of contrasting/accent tile to replace the original.

 

Sometimes trying to match is the worst thing you can do because close accentuates the failure to match completely. Going with something different to accent instead often works better.

Good documentation of the damage is also important if the tenants object when you keep their security deposit for this.

 

Trying preserve a certain look on rental property is an exercise in futility.