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?
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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A simply grid pattern really is the best choice for this living room. Sometime less is best.
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Here a mix of a grid pattern for the walls with simple geometric shapes in another color is combined with a diagonal floor setting. Using different patterns helps bring an interest into the room without utilizing a variety of colors.
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The variety of patterns and mix of tile sizes and material types help define and accent this bathroom. The "dry" area of the bathroom is simple while the "wet" area mixes a diagonal floor, a subway style walll with mosaic accent walls. The mix is beautiful yet tranquil.
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Who says rectangular tile needs to be set on a horizontal plane? It is masterful how the tile emphasizes the vertical height of the room.
The random pattern of the tile offsets the very straight and formal architectural elements of this hallway. Think of patterns for floor tile to balance or down play strong architecture.
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by Kerrie L. Kelly
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| Large oversized rectangular tile on this hearth and surround really emphasizes the scale of this modern fireplace. The veining and natural markings on the tile add wonderful visual interest. |
A great example of a traditional black and white checkered tiled floor. The diagonal set floor is a fantastic feature.
Detailing is the key to this hallway. The use of marble tile in varying shapes from square to rectangular strips are used like hardwood flooring. The borders highlight the diagonal field tile design well.
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The backsplash is simple but utilizes a mixture of a color border pattern with a diagonal inset field. A wonderful and simple focal point.
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| Another interpretation of the French cabochon in the floor design of this traditional rustic kitchen actually updates the look. The backsplace tile detail is a creatively unexpected find. |
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| A subtle use of cabochons in the floor that are of the same stone species of the countertops and backsplash details the monochromatic floor. |
The wall tile here could easily be a custom mosaic grid system where the overall pattern was made by the manufacturer. I love how the gold and silver ribbons flow to make the bathroom feel less of a bathroom.
I think the pattern wall is a great detail and not overdone. Great mix of tile materials for this focal point.
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Go bold if your personality can handle it. Creating large patterns using small mosaic tiles works well in this bathroom.
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I don't know how to go about changing the fireplace, don't know what type of flooring to use (floor in rest of the area downstairs is a copper colored tile already), and if painting paneling is a big mistake as far as resale is concerned.
Any advise?