green onyx and honey onyx subway tile 09

"stone Subway tile" is a commonly used term for a traditional 2"x6" wall tile, laid in a common brick pattern. It was the most common tile pattern throughout the bungalow's heydey in the first half of the century. As was advised by the "sanitary" experts of the day, white was pervasive until art deco introduced a wild range of colors in the 1930s.

stone Subway tile is still manufactured and commonly used today, although the dimensions have shifted to 3"x6" and the tile edges have become more rounded. You can see the differences if you closely compare the modern tile in the image below with the period tile in the image above.

The rage in bathroom remodels are subway tiles and as easy and clean as they look they are often not as easy to find or install.
Subway tiles also don't have to always be all white, throw in some red, green, or blue, glass tiles if you want a bit more contemporary look.