TILE, TILE EVERYWHERE PART II: Setting Creative Patterns (5 comments)

I was recently asked by a new tile showroom in Orange County to create a vignette design using tile. Immediately the ideas began to churn in my mind and the imagination began to run wild. Will I use all Green and sustainable material? Should I work with all glass mosaics? What size tile should use? What decorative edges should I use? What about mixing natural stone with porcelain? Should I use a freehand design or a very controlled design?

These are similar questions that we, professional or not, have to contend with when dealing with a tile project. Whether it is your kitchen backsplash or the floor of your foyer, a decision to use 6” rather than 12” pieces is one thing but deciding how to arrange the pieces is the next. Here are a few ideas when trying to decide on patterns:

•Simple geometry: A simple grid pattern is the most basic tile layout. We are used to seeing it set in square tiles but using rectangular shapes for both floors and walls is very modern. To liven up the grid, make the field a single color but simply change a few pieces to for a simple statement.

•Subway style: Offset rectangular tiles for floors and walls were first introduced and made popular in public transportation stations better known as subway tile. This design style has become popular in the last decade to finish kitchens, baths, fireplaces and other places in our homes where tile is needed. To add a twist, mix two, three or more colors or shades laying the tile with what I like to call a “zero grout line”.

•Classic floors: A classic French design uses a combination of limestone inset with black marble cabochons or cut diamond shape tiles. Today you can update this look by using everything from travertine and fossil stone (which I used for a contemporary kitchen floor) to porcelain and ceramic tiles.

•Diagonals: Take a grid pattern and rotating it 45 degrees in either direction will visually expand the floor or the wall.

•Custom designed mosaic tiles: Many companies that specialize in or has a mosaic line offer options where you can create your own designs that include random color schemes, gradient color schemes or even an overall pattern. All designed by you, fabricated in a grid that your installer follows.

How creative will you be on your upcoming tile project?

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