Tile is a hot topic these days. Subway tile doesn’t necessarily reign supreme and we are seeing that clients are open to having a little more fun with these selections. I was recently featured in this article on Living Etc where I spoke about outdated tile trends and what I’m seeing out in the wild these days. I share more deets (+ pics!) below to illustrate some outside-the-box tile ideas and applications.
PLAY WITH SHAPE
Introducing a unique shape through your tile selection is a fun way to add subtle interest to your space. We opted for a custom glazed Ann Sacks swiss cross in this schoolhouse style Kitchen and it really makes a difference. You get a similar rhythm / repeat that a typical subway tile would yield, but you’re totally mixing it up with that unique cross form.
PLAY WITH COLOR
Maybe it’s because I’m the parent of 2 young girls, but I am currently very much into multicolor – everything! When my team and I saw this ‘rainbow’ concrete tile collection online, we put it in our back pocket and knew we would one day present to a client with an open mind. That day came sooner than we expected and thus, the ‘rainbow shower’ was born! Our clients are very moved by art, color, pattern, and just like to have fun in their surroundings. We designed and installed this beautiful shower setup for their 2 teenage kids to share.
PLAY WITH ACCENTS
Just say NO to accent bands of tile! I was never a huge fan of this trend – it felt too hotel-y to me (and not in a good way). When we do an accent tile – I like for it to be more than just a wall or just a niche. I want it to feel truly meaningful and intentional. In this oversized wet room, we installed a grooved woodgrain porcelain tile on two walls and the ceiling, while keeping the other 2 walls quiet and classic. The result is a warm, spa-like retreat.
PLAY WITH TEXTURE
I love to use Zellige tile as an updated go-to neutral option….but with interest. Especially when we do a bold color on the cabinets, it’s a nice balance to keep the backsplash more quiet. The subtle variation in color and sheen that zellige creates is such a nice supporting element in the room.
PLAY WITH PATTERN
Cause a SCENE with a mural tile installation. Introduce some welcome flora and fauna into your bathroom with these tiles. Perhaps wrapping the whole shower feels like too much for you – feel free to isolate it to one wall and leave that wall free of niche cut-outs and plumbing fixtures to make it maximize its impact.
PLAY WITH PENNY TILES
Who said Penny Tiles are only meant for the shower floor? Certainly not me. When designing this bathroom for my own loft a few years ago, I discovered this over-sized penny tile (dare I say “Quarter Tile” #dadjoke) and knew it needed to be everywhere. I opted to clad the walls ceiling and floor of the steam shower in this material, as well as bring it up halfway around the room. This has paid off for our family now that the girls use this bathroom primarily. A lot of the times, I will find different stickers applied within the various individual tiles 😉
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