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What tile should I choose for my transitional white kitchen?

4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

Trying to decide between the two













Comments (47)

  • 4 years ago

    Looking really nice! Do you think the square tiles look a bit too small? Take care at the install with tiles that have unique imperfections to make sure you like how the tiles line up / or don’t line up… or have uneven grout lines. I originally had a beveled white subway tile chosen until I was at an open house that had it in a shower. The cuts were odd in corners as was the grout( of course the builder had used dark grey grout that showed every “mistake”). I feel like the rectangular tile could also be a bit bigger but that could be because of the one we chose…. Because I just wanted it to disappear. Pic below. Just food for thought.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    looking at your features I think I would do a color like green. Have you thought of that. The kitchen has a spareness about it and a solid quality color...not shocking ... I think would be nicer than shapes or patterns. Shapes and patterns seem too much. think about a plain nice quality color tile...move away from more of the white . tile is a good place to do that. nice w your floor and hardware too.

    5-star Green Bungalow · More Info


    Bernal Heights Residence · More Info


  • 4 years ago

    @herbflavor

    I think that green is prett… but i definitely want some more neutral. I do agree on the white tile possibly being too much white though. Here is another view of both tiles… what do you think of the one on the left… close up it has a lot of variation, etc.

  • 4 years ago

    it just depends on your light..the tones..the glossiness. I'm sure it will be fine. I dont like the one on the right.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    you'd have to order a box of it and see what the variation actually is. one tile won't do it.

    it's a lot of white.

    I think a Zellige tile would be perfect.

    The cloe tile is fine, or maybe the Portmore. I posted pics of all of those above


    You didn't like the Ren. Oasis tile in the herringbone?


    it's white, but it's has more variation. plus, the layout gives it some interest.

    did you see any of the pics I posted?

  • 4 years ago

    @Beth H. : I did see your post, I really like your ideas! the herringbone ren. oasis was very pretty. I did like that, as well as the very top picture (my favorite) do you think that is similar to the subway tile I have?

  • 4 years ago

    I also liked the cross tile in white.. that was definitely a unique look that adds some nice interest

  • 4 years ago

    Just as a reminder, you can order a box of Portmore at Wayfair and get free shipping (Tilebar gives free shipping but for a bigger minimum I think). It is called Kingston at Wayfair.


    The white in Portmore is warm.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    if you have a spot like this to change the tile for a bit of pattern ..i think would be nice...traditional vibe but I think it suits your space more than all over pattern.

    Small and White, Clean and Bright · More Info


  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    that top picture is a zellige tile. they aren't the same as what you're showing. Zellige tiles are thick and all handmade. I used the black ones in my floor by the pantry. (Cle' Tile)


    I have black grout but it's showing as white.


    I also prefer the thinner size than what you're showing on yours. I believe 2x6 is the size

    ditto here.


    Here's the Cle' Tile in their white in the 4x4's. lots of variation. I like it.


    But I also love that herringbone design I showed you

    what's your other tile? Montauk Gin?

    Emily Henderson has a article you may want to read about them


    https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/where-to-use-zellige-tile

    Riad Tile, and this Zia Tile, (Casablanca white in their 2x6)


    have some nice zellige colors

    Check out the ready-to-go 2x6 subways. cool colors too

    https://www.ziatile.com/2-x-6-zellige/



    https://www.ziatile.com/product/pure-white-2x6-zellige/



    https://www.riadtile.com/product/snow-zellige-4x4/

    They have a snow white and natural white.


    Love the herringbone layout. I'd prob choose this design in whatever tile you like.

    this is their iron gray


    https://www.riadtile.com/product/iron-grey-zellige-2x6/




    Houzz poster wanted opinion on her zellige and which grout

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6077388/grout-help-with-zellige-tile-please

  • 4 years ago

    My square tile (4x4”) is snow white tile that you showed above by riad …


    I LOVEd the cle tile in weathered white zellige.. however the 3/4” thickness would be tougher to install, etc. and stick out a lot more. I do really love the look of the shower tile (i believe riad zellige) towards the end of these photos, as well!


    I do like tge 2x6” size also

  • PRO
    4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    "Both options have some variation and slight imperfection/character to them. Its basically between the color and shape.

    My style is transitional, and definitely a mix of modern finishes and antique/old items throughout my home. (Husband is modern, I'm more traditional lol)". We work with clients with varying tastes (as well as the various period/architectural considerations). Often we find that "texture", and period designs can result in subtle character that withstands the test of time. There are SO many tile manufacturers that don't pop up immediately in searches or are not even available at larger tile shops. And yes, budget is of course important, but spread out over the years of enjoyment? It sometimes helps to delve into the research. Example, this hand made Rookwood Petra, available in many subtle glazes, we recently installed.


  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    yes, the shower tile is the Natural White from riad.

    myabe try the Zia tile brand? get a few samples.

    the 3/4" thickness isn't that much more than a normal 3/8. handmade tiles are supposed to look irregular, so it's fine if the lines are 'off' a little.

    i think the 2x6 in the herringbone would look killer w/you kitchen. since it's all white, you need to do some type of design or it's going to look a littl 'too safe'.

    Oh, one thing, if you do end up getting the zellige, make sure to seal them after grouting. you'd think w/the glaze you wouldnt have to, but you do. ask me how I know. I used Miracle 511.

  • 4 years ago

    I considered using the Montauk Gin (Soho Myorka White or Equipe Mallorca white - all the same tile), but they were a bit too reflective in my kitchen. I have a large triple window and got too much glare bouncing off the tiles onto my polished quartzite counters.

    The other reason I hesitated to use them is that they are so popular right now and I think you will be able to date the kitchens done from 2020 to 2023 due to the type of tile.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago







    Ok as some of you had suggested to look at a box of tile opened to see how it looks, i did actually have a full box here… so good idea!

    Here is the tile laid out just now to see how it woudl look. I am thinking if I went with this I’d probably go with a light grout or white.

    what do you think?

    @Beth H. : @Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc. @chispa



  • 4 years ago



  • 4 years ago

    I think that could work. do you really like it? I mean, do you look at it and go, "oh man, I so love this!" ? if so, get it.


    for the grout, take some left over pieces, attach them to a piece of wood or cardboard, and then try a few diff color grouts to see what you like.



    This is the Cloe tile and Avalance grout. ( I still like this size tile in the herringbone)


    here are the Mapei colors that could work.


    Get a sample of Warm Grey. I used it in my bathroom.

    here's a close-up of how it looks w/white tile and the black/white marble tile. It's basically white with a gray undertone


  • 4 years ago

    @Beth H. : I do like it, I am hoping for something sort of timeless/classic but .. I feel like this is classic but adds a bit of warmth.


    I also should add we had planned for our installer to come this weekend … so I purchased boxes of this… and had samples of the 4x4”


    Months ago my first choice was zellige… but due to price + thickness and quicker availibilty of that, my husband and I couldnt agree… so I guess Im looking for a compromise. The herringbone is still quite nice.. I still will consider that too!

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    @User, try to find different tile. You have so far a beautiful kitchen, (cabinets and countertop) and you can do much better than the tile you showed. As Beth suggested, maybe longer and narrower. I am not a big fan of color of the above tile. I think it is going to look busy

  • 4 years ago

    Order some Alcolin quake putty on Amazon and you can then stick the tiles up on the wall for a couple of hours. Pea sized blob on every corner and press firmly.

    Testing different layouts last week ... being able to do this made me realize it wasn't the right tile.





  • 4 years ago

    @chispa love that idea!! I will do that, I think it will help somewhat. Your kitchen looks pretty similar to mine, what are you looking at now instead?

  • 4 years ago

    @User, testing the tile made me realize that a honed/matte tile would probably work better in my kitchen. I am waiting for a quote on a honed white marble mosaic. A lot more expensive, but I haven't found anything else I liked and I've been to every tile shop in my city and neighboring city!

  • 4 years ago

    @chispa that sounds beautiful! I think that will be a great choice!

  • 4 years ago

    Ok… at this point I’ve narrowed it down to the 3x5” that I have displayed (not installed) in my kitchen… vs. the Bedrosian Cloe 2.5x6” (shown below from a photo I found online)


    This thread has helped me realize I did not like the 4x4” and have removed the square style from the equation. Also, I’d like to display whichever choice in a traditional subway tile pattern.



  • 4 years ago

    @missb_remodeling are portmore and bedrosian cloe and ivy hill all the same product under different names? or just looking super similar? I am between these three (Bedrosian at the top of the list) but wondering if theyre all exact?

  • 4 years ago

    @Beth H. : I am between Bedrosian Cloe , portmore and ivy hill -- all look exactly the same just wondering which I can get here fastest

  • 4 years ago

    I'm not sure if those are all the same! They're similar in that they're the moroccan style. I haven't seen the other two in person, so I'm not sure if they're the same color. The cloe has always struck me as a brighter white, but maybe that's just photos.

  • 4 years ago

    And cloe looks more gray than vanilla tones.

  • 4 years ago

    We used the Bedrosian Cloe and I love it! It has just enough subtle variation to be interesting. We used “Bright White” grout.

  • 4 years ago

    @kchamousis It is absolutely gorgeous!! (I literally just ordered this 2 minutes ago online) I am excited to see it! I also ordered a few other similar styles from Ivy Hill and TileBar just in case something doesn't work. (Our installer is coming late next week, so I want to have backups)


    What did you use for the edge of your tile? A schulter edge or a miter tile in the same style?

  • 4 years ago

    We used the .5” x 8” miter edge piece. Very simple and clean looking. Your kitchen is gorgeous!

  • 4 years ago


    eliposky, if you zoom in you can see the edge being installed.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Cloe tile is it's own by Bedrosians.

    https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/cloe-tile/?itemNo=DECCLOWHI28G


    Portmore is from Tilebar.

    https://www.tilebar.com/portmore-white-3x8-glazed-ceramic-tile.html


    Ivy Hill carries the same tiles shown on Tilebar, but under diff names.

    They carry the Portmore under the name "Kingston".

    ivyhill is carried over at Home Depot and Wayfair.

    https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/ivy-hill-tile-kingston-3-x-8-ceramic-subway-tile-sost4285.html

  • 4 years ago

    @Beth H. : ah! i ordered all three today … wonder wondering if I should cancel the Tilebar order since I have it ordered under Kingston? I would rather avoid having to return too many tiles , etc.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    tilebar and kingston are identical

    Tilebar has a 5 samples for $5 tho

  • 4 years ago

    @Beth H. : Thanks Beth, I called and canceled my TileBar order… the shipping was free with Home Depot and my husband gets military discount.. so will be a better deal for us. I’m happy to only need one order! Less potential returns to deal with between that and the bedrosian!

  • 4 years ago

    Update: I took the advice and recieved the Ivy Hill Kingston / Portmore Tilebar package today - what do you all think?


    I also have Bedrosians Cloe coming in on Friday!

    @Beth H. : what do you think?

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    That's cool looking. I like the size better than your short, stubby tiles!

    the cloe should be pretty similar.

    where did you find your rug? is it Safavieh?

  • 4 years ago

    Thanks, im thinking of even looking at larger 3x12” white shiny tiles (maybe no variation in color, but not sure if a larger size would work better better)


    My rug is from Loloi, it comes in lots of different sizes. I believe the color is Olive and Charcoal. In person, there is a bit more dark olive and charcoal in there. I also oircha a 9x12’ for one of our living rooms - I love it!

  • 4 years ago

    I did a 4x12 in mine and wished they were smaller. I think the 2.5X10 is perfect.

    you don't have a large area to tile so I think the smaller tiles (but not a 3x6) would look better.

    are you doing a diff layout?


  • 4 years ago

    What brand of engineered white oak did you buy? I'm thinking of the same color, wide planks etc...

  • 4 years ago

    @Beth H. : Thanks for the advice, good to know that this size will look good. I like the offset traditional installation.. or the herringbone. Going to try to decide on that next. Or do traditional for most of the backsplash + a herringbone pattern over the range / under the hood area.

  • 4 years ago

    @Jan Donovan Hi Jan, I went with Bella Cera brand - the collection is called ”Belle Harbor” and the color is Woodhaven. They are 6.5”

  • 3 years ago

    What happened?! I wanted to see Cloe compared to Ivy Hill!

  • 3 years ago

    I just saw this old post and I was wondering what you ended up doing!! I am between both as well.

  • 3 years ago

    I too would like to know what you ended up with? Also, what is the color of your cabinets?