Not dated at all. I just used them as floor tile in our second bath. One of the designers my employer works with has used them recently.

I"d be more concerned about the pebble tile. But if you like it, who cares? Everything will be dated at some point.

I'm thinking more future proof dated. Like "Oh, those tiles are so 2015 " in 5-10 years. Thanks for the reply.

Yes the pebble tile too. Sigh.

IMO, anything that tries to look like some other material will date more quickly, the exceptions being materials that try to look like natural stone (depending on how close they look and feel to natural stone).

I would say the pebble is more classic. The linen I never loved.

I'm giving my vote to the linen tile, or something similar. As far as I am concerned, pebble looked dated as soon as I saw it and I haven't warmed up to it since. Sorry to offend those who like pebble tile, but I just think it is high on the dated scale, just like wood grain tile will be in a few years. Something like the linen is more timeless. And there are many other tiles that also have some character like that without looking too trendy. This is what we used in our recent re-tile; it may be too plain for many people's tastes, but I liked it because it was understated:

I'm curious ... what sets linen tile apart in such a way that it is "classic" rather than trendy or "high on the dated scale" like "wood-look will be" and "pebble tile is"? Or, what makes pebble more "classic" than linen? Isn't it all just a matter of personal preference? The variety of replies above would suggest that it is.

IMO, the only way one can future proof their home is if they can see into the future.

jellytoast-

You're right that it is a matter of personal taste and that is why I used terms like "as far as I am concerned" and "I just think." I'm not claiming that my design sense is better than anyone else's...I'm just giving my opinion. My view is based on things I have done in the past where I have sometimes chosen materials that I thought were terrific at the time and later came to regret. My folder of decorating ideas -- for example, the things I have ripped out of magazines over the years -- is fascinating when I look at it 10-20 years later and see many things that say to me: "Why did I ever consider that a good look?"

The things I consider classic are those that are simple and understated, like white subway tile, or patterns that do not immediately stand out because they are not busy or dramatic, or trying to mimic something they clearly are not, like wood-look ceramic tile. As for pebble-look tile, I just think it is too busy a look...for me.

People should do whatever they like, but I, personally, have found that trends that are eye-catching often look tired or cliched after a number of years. Yes, it is hard to always have your decor in style, which is why I think very simple is always better and seems to last longer. After many decorating mistakes in the past, I have come to appreciate the view of Mies Van der Rohe: "Less is more."

I love linen tile, so don't do it. I find that all the things I like the most at the moment become embarrassingly dated the quickest. I also loved those mosaic insets for behind the range, for example.

Isn't linen tile mimicking linen fabric?

I don't have them, but I think the wood-look tiles are awesome. Wood is simply not practical for a lot of people and I have seen some gorgeous installs of the wood-look. It hasn't been around long enough to stand the test of time, so maybe it will become a "classic" like wood floors!

I think everything will eventually look dated. I understand going to for a "classic" look, but most bathroom that are 15 years old need to be updated in some way. I'm not a fan of pebble floors at all. I've never seen one look good after a year or two of use. That's just my opinion though.

Thanks for all the replies. I think I am going to just keep it simple with some subway or travertine.

People are always talking about "classic" and "timeless" while forgetting that all those styles went through years of being, "Ugh, how dated" before they got to be considered classics.

I can sure remember decades when if you'd said you were putting subway tile in a bathroom or kitchen, there would have been a moment of puzzled silence, followed by, "What? Like in a subway? Really?"

Travertine? I thought travertine was really dated as that is what everyone (specially spec builders and flippers during the real estate boom) put in the bathrooms from 2000-2010.

Well hell. I can't win lol.

jellytoast-
I give linen tile a pass because it is so subtle that I think it looks like a neutral color with some simple, understated pattern to it, that is not dramatically trying to be something else. However, I would not say the same for denim-pattern tile, or burlap, or plaid...:-)

We should all agree to meet back here in 10 years and see what we think of all these design choices after a bit of time has passed.

Yes. If only we had a crystal ball.

Lol, no Darla, you can't win. And writersblock makes a good point!

I think color dates decor more than anything. That's why I, and many other people, are going with neutrals. It's more likely that you will get tired of a bold color choice rather than a neutral tone. With neutrals you can accessorize with color & change that up as much as you like. With that being said what ever style you choose I would go with a neutral color so it has more longevity.

There's a difference between something dating and you getting tired of it. Neutrals have been just as out of style as bright colors are at the moment.

Do you seriously believe that in 15 years or so people won't be saying, "It's a nice house except for the gray kitchen (or the espresso bath)"?

I thought all those cool dark brown and gray baths were the cat's meow about six years ago, but I noticed that the last time I was in Paris, when I had a bathroom like that, I was thinking, "wow, this is soooo boring. I thought this was done by now."

So if you love it, go ahead, because no matter what you do, it WILL date. I'm sure all the folks who put in white cathedral arch kitchen doors were also happily convinced they had a classic look that would stand the test of time. There's a whole huge industry devoted to making you shift directions so you'll have to redo or buy more stuff.

Pebble, to my surprise, turned to be extremely slippery, when I tried to walk on it in the store. At least the ones I tried to walk on. Would be a huge concern to me.

I know that was not the question asked...:)

aprilneverends-

While I am not a fan of the pebble look, there would be so much grout to provide traction after it was installed that I doubt slipperiness would be an issue.

People are always talking about "classic" and "timeless" while forgetting that all those styles went through years of being, "Ugh, how dated" before they got to be considered classics.

Actually I had white subway tile in my first house that I kept. That was back in 1987. It was classic then, and is still classic. Of course my house back then was built in 1927 so that may have had something to do with it.

On the other hand, everyone is gaga over MCM now, but 20 years ago, you couldn't give the stuff away.

In 5 years, everyone will be saying, OMG! A grey bathroom? How dated.

Do what you love now and don't worry about it.

That's unusual, cpartist. White subway was all the rage during the "hygenic" era before WWI, but by the late 20s bathrooms were getting super colorful. Maybe your original owners were also worried about fads. :)

Some still existing bathrooms from 1928 (stolen from RE listings):

I LOVE that "watermelon" bathroom!

Isn't it great?

Here's another pic. I'm pretty sure the wall would not have been gray originally, though. More likely lavender, since pink, green, and lavender was very big at the time.

I recently looked at 20s cottage that still had the tub arch, but the new owner had gone with cheap white tile from HD. Not at all the same thing as those beautiful tiles from back then.

The only place I'd use pebble tile is on a backsplash. I did this in a rental condo by the beach and it's been a big hit with tenants and prospective buyers.

I'm about to redo the shower and bathroom in the same condo and will probably go with the linen look tile, partly because it looks nice and understated (which I don't think will ever become too dated) and partly because it's slip resistant, reducing the likelihood of a tenant filing a slip and fall lawsuit.

OMG, @writersblock. I have exactly that yellow and green tile combination in a bathroom and I was hoping to remove it in the next couple of years. Why couldn't I have the others? I actually like those! (well, without the color-matched toilet and sink, but that's more easily fixed).

The intriguing part about the picture you posted was how much better the tiles look with sunlight. At some point in time, in my bathroom, the window was covered (!) by one of those cream plastic tub surrounds (with a matching cream plastic tub with whirlpool). So the original bathroom must have been way better.

What is "old" is "new." It's all cyclical. In the "Bidness" for about 40 years now and I find that a "look" that was considered "dated" 5 or 8 years ago, comes back in vogue.

Do what floats your boat. "Wood Look or Linen" can be beautiful stuff. If someone doesn't like it in 5 years...someone will love it in 10!

(Only exception might be that pink or powder blue crap in the bathroom...) LOL

I know this is an old post. Does anyone have pictures of bathrooms with 'fabric look' tile on the floor? Also, any ideas for a vanity style that would look good with fabric-look tiles?

This Is an inspiration pic of a linen look tile I have

Sorry these pics aren't bigger, but, we used a linen look tile in a small bathroom remodel.

Linen-Look porcelain: Can anyone comment on Arizona Tile's linen-look "Touch" porcelain tile? I'm considering it for our master shower. It has a beautiful linen texture but a mat surface with little sparkles. My questions: is this tile easy or hard to keep clean? Does it dry naturally and look good without having to squeegee? If you have a different linen-look porcelain to recommend, please let me know -- I'm looking for the easiest to clean linen looking tile! Thanks.