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gtdj519

Which finish for tile?

4 years ago

Hi

ive chiosen this wave tile from sonoma tilemakers for the wall behind my barhroom vanity it will be floor to ceiling accent / statmement wall . they are glass tiles and the color is a combination of shades of light blue, light grey, white


i cant decide between finishes. one is a silk finish ( matte/ marble looking finish) the other is an irridescent finish ( shiny, reflective )


there are things i like abiout both, so im having a hard time choosing on the large sample board, half is done in silk and other half done in irrdescent i actually think the blend is oretty, and . i inquired about doing a blend, but they do not make them that way .






thansk!!

Comments (65)

  • 4 years ago

    your bathroom is gorgeous thank you for posting . that is a good suggesrion about the sunlight. i will consider that and take note of the room


    i did reach out to sonoma and asked if they could blend the two they said no, they cant, they are sold in sheets that are all one finish .


    i thoight about doing alternate rows of finish, but wasnt sure if that would look good or not


    that is an idea about blending them on your own, but god… i think my tole installer would to strangle me . that would be tedious…. no no??

  • 4 years ago

    I mean lay them on the sheets as they come, but alternate the finishes as you go across so that at the end there’s a wide vertical ribbon of plain next to a wide vertical ribbon of iridescent and so on, all the way to the ceiling.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I used a very smilar tile from Walker Zanger. (10 years ago) It was the irridescent finish.


    BTW, make sure you wipe on a quick sealer and buff dry prior to grouting. this glass has tiny fissures in it and it will hold onto the grout. sealing it first will prevent this.

    use a good unsanded grout. Since yours isn't going in the shower, you can use a brighter white if you like.

    If you want blended, look at Oceanside tile, . I like the Casa Calif

    http://tools.glasstile.com/casa-california-color-palette.aspx

    This is the Satin finish. (they have two others)


    they do custom blends.

    http://tools.glasstile.com/GradientBuilder.aspx

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    gtdj519 I think the one on the second photo will be my preference.

  • 4 years ago

    Mama cita…. aaah understnad what you mean . i was envisionimg one row floor to celing of silk , next row floor to ceiling of irridescent etc etc i think that would look bad, almost like a striped effect


    but are saying i should think of doing one row with altenaring sheets of silk/ iridesncet/ silk irridecent etc etc

    i understmad . that is an option to explore thank you dor thinking of that


    beth- your bathroom tirned out beautiful that accent wall is still current and stunning.

    yes, indid look at oceanside, but they are way more expensive than sonoma; ( more than double ) and sonoma isnt that cheap

    the sonoma is about $40 a squre foot and the Oceanside were over $100 a squre foot . But yes, they do have the blending options which are lovely . great suggesrion with that, but more than inwant to spend unfortunately

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    wow, they were that much?

    Encore Ceramics also has them, and they're in the 40-$50 range. (not glass though)

    http://encoreceramics.com/inspiration-room/



    They have a slew of designs to choose from, and you can pick your own blends

    http://www.ambientetile.com/collections/encore



    the mixed circle mosaic is pretty cool looking


    this is the Flame in peacock. they have the most beautiful jewel tones




    Gradient blends.


    https://ceramicmatrix.com/product/gradient-blends-by-encore-ceramics/

    here's a dealer for this one

    Susan Jablon Mosaics is another source.

    https://www.susanjablon.com/pages/bathroom-ideas

  • 4 years ago

    Beth… who do you use for the encore tiles?

    i jist priced those exact tiles ( tripoli and flame) yesterday and was quoted $100-129 a square foot!




    i thought as you you did and saw that the mold for the tripoli was exactyl the same as the somoma tile i chose , whxih was why i called . i thought great… i can make a blend nitnat those prices im not 😂

    i even proced another tile through encore for my kitchen to see if a dofferent style was cheaper, and it was jsit as coslty


    if you have a contact for encore, olease share, as my local encore dealer gave me those prices yesterday .

  • 4 years ago

    good lord,,,those prices have really gone up! last I heard someone on here used Encore w/the subway crackle glaze and it was abotu $40. Didn't realize the mosaics were that much more.


    Sorry, I don't have a contact. wish I did for that price!

  • 4 years ago

    Yes, the prices i was given for the mosaics was crazy. i solidified my choice after that to sonoma, which i do really love, so i dont feel like im settling. i am just torn between finishrs , as id love a blend . not sure how alternating sheets will go if i decide to take the chance .

    im not intalking these myself, contractir is. he is familiar with the tile, so im not concerned anout it being done properly . just worried how it will tirn out if i blend it myself

    little nervous about that. LOlL

  • 4 years ago

    sonoma does have blends, but i'm guessing your want something diff? try the blends in the ceramics instad of the glass. they have a Glacier blend that is pretty, and their metallics are really cool. (Black Nickel blend)

  • 4 years ago

    Well, both of these are blended. they are both pretty

    its just which finish i cant decide on 🤦🏼‍♀️

  • 4 years ago

    Everything has gone up and you are paying way more for shipping too!

    I wouldn't alternate satin and iridescent sheets. You will get a stripe effect, because they reflect light so differently. Now, if they would have blended them within each sheet, then that would be different.

  • 4 years ago

    I agree chipsa i feel it will look odd

    i have to decide which to choose

    ugh…

  • 4 years ago

    Matte looks like seaglass to me. Iridescent makes me think disco ball or bling jewelry (but not in a bad way). What overall feel do you want? Which one hits that feel? Either will be pretty.

  • 4 years ago

    Hi kj

    they ate bith glass

    they are both a mix if light blue , light grey tones


    the silk because of the finish , is a touch lighter in tonrs than the irridrscent . also shows a bit more white marbeling in some pieces .


    the itridrscent is a touch darker in tone fue to the finish in some spots, but still light blue in color shows a bit more of the gray tomes


    i love light blue , either would give a soft and etheral feel to the bathroom in either finish

    this is wny its si tough.. 🤦🏼‍♀️

  • 4 years ago

    Which tile, specifically, is it? I know you said the photography is off, but I don't see even a hint of blue in your photos. Monitors portray colors differently, too, so knowing which color you chose would be helpful. In some colorways, the color in the silk version is too muted and looks dull.

    Without knowing the exact color, I will say that the silk (as stated earlier by someone else) is like sea glass and will have a "softer" look to it. The iridescent will have a "harder" look to it.


  • 4 years ago

    “…either would give a soft and ethereal feel…”
    The matte finish is softer, as many folks have noted here. The iridescent finish is brighter and harder. With your white vanity, iridescent will be bolder, starker, potentially chilly.

  • 4 years ago

    Thank you for your thoughts.


    its sonima tilemakes , swish lattern, the color is called Lotus for both finishes

    i’ll post a oic directy from the website, it shows more of its true color better

  • 4 years ago




  • 4 years ago

    Heres a couple online pics of what i


    i believe is the same color, just different shape

  • 4 years ago

    That last photo is stunning! Whatever it is, do that.

    I am a lover of green but don’t “blend” your initial choices in alternating rows. I think you got great advice from @chispa about how your room is lit by natural light or not.

    Sorry the tile you love is so damn pricey! Yikes. Is the blue above more reasonable?

  • 4 years ago

    Hi red


    i beleive the last photo is the same color as the tile i chose - its called lotus , but just done i in a different shape in that pic


    sonoma tile makes various shapes and offer them in a chocie of colors( lotus being one of them) someone on here asked me for better pics of the color to see. my phone doesnt show the true color very well in pics, so i thought a web pic may be better to show a better sample of how it looks in person


    i love the wave shape, especially for a bathhroom, so i am sold on the shape.

    yes, therr have been many good suggestions regarding the finish, so i am absolutely taking all the advice into considerarion. appreciating all the feedback! its very helpful and makes me think of things i wouldnt have otherwise.

  • 4 years ago

    Sorry…. didnt answer your question LOL

    the blue wave tile above is the one i love, and its pricey, but not undoable for me

    its $40 a sf. its okay price wise

    inwasi talking above in a few comments with beth about oceanside and encore tiles thsie are ridiculous …$ 100-130 a sf!

    Im not paying that ; no way

  • 4 years ago

    Since you are particularly drawn to the shape, in the Lotus I would do the iridescent. The definition of the shape is almost lost with the silk finish in that color.

  • 3 years ago

    Bathroom is 75% done i went with the irridescent tile. srill cant captire the true color of the tile on camera they are really a pale blue blend. thanks for all the help!






  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    tile is beautiful.

    However, I'm concerned that those niches weren't completed (waterproofed) Prior to this tile going up. what's going on w/those?

    how is the outside edge being done?

    what are the plans for waterproofing?


  • 3 years ago

    thank you beth

    the shower/ tub area was absolutley waterproofed.

    that pic is not of the shower niche- thsoe are 2 cut outs for medicine cabinets that will be over the double vanity.

    cement board was sued under the tiles.

    as i said, the barhroom isnt complete. Edging,trims, mirrors mirrors, fixtures etc all have to still go in. i just wanted to show the tile choice and progress.


  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    whew. ok. thanks for clarifying. I just looked at the tile and thought it was the shower wall!!

    I love the tile. I also think the flooring tile compliments it nicely.

    what do the vanities/counters look like? can't wait to see it all done!


    (is it a floating vanity? wondering why the tile was done all the way down on the wall? I know this tile isn't cheap. )

    gtdj519 thanked Beth H. :
  • 3 years ago

    No worrries thanks for lookong out, as i know warerproding is vital

    the vanity is a regar vanity. we tiled all the way bescuse our GC and tile store bith recommended it for a few reasonss. in the event the vanity is ever changed, and the hassle if cutring thr tile around the vanity ro make sure its framed priperly. what i would save in tile cost, id end ip paying in lsbor cost for the cutring and installing to fit around the vanity. it was a wash cost wise.

    it will be a white vanity and the countertop i am doing is a plain white quartz.. i want it to be simple and clean looking and allow the mosaic tile to be the room statememt.

  • 3 years ago

    Even though you say the camera doesn’t really capture the beauty of the tile, it looks amazing! I’m sure it will be the star of the room when you’re done.

    gtdj519 thanked RedRyder
  • 3 years ago

    Thank you red ryder . very kind statemrent. I have no regrets about choosing irridescent finish. it has a beautiful shine and not overwhelming in any way; which I was worried about. its a beautiful finish for a bathroom.

    its odd the way the color photographs: it looks silver/ gray in pics its blends of light blue, white, and pale gray!

    ive tried with lights on, off, flash, no flash- LOL i give up 😂

  • 3 years ago

    Beautiful. Love the colors and can't wait to see it all finished.

    gtdj519 thanked Karenseb
  • 3 years ago

    Hi

    bathroom is nearing completion.

    i went with irridescent finish and have no regrets. turned out beautiful.

    shoukd i paint the walls white, a pale grey, or a pale blue? Its only 3 walls. 2 side walls and behind toilet wall thoughts?

    the tile photograph very weird- its much lighter blue/ grey / white in persom





  • 3 years ago

    It’s beautiful, even though your camera doesn’t do it justice. Very, very pretty!

  • 3 years ago

    Thank uou RedRyder. any suggesrion on what color to paint the 3 walls? white, light grey or light blue?

  • 3 years ago

    gorgeous. man those tiles are pretty.


    what are the walls now? are they painted or just primed?


    do you have any preference?


    Smoke might be nice. here are a few others that are a bit more blue with some gray





    Smoke Embers is a nice gray. I used it on my neighbors bathroom. Not really a blue-gray though.

    the right blue/grays have a lot of purple in them. it might not be the right shade.



    if you see more green, try the two on the bottom left. the grays on the right are more silver grays w/morning fog leaning toward lavender gray.



    In my own bathroom I used BM Gray Cloud


    you can see how it's a cooler gray on the walls in this pic. plentry of light too.


  • 3 years ago

    Thank yoy so much beth H. the walls are primed only.

    i will look at smoke. i agree some blue- gray colors lean puple

    that is why i was thinking a light grey

    or light blue if i do a color.

    or, just do white- id use decorator white .


    my original preference was to do a very pale blue, but now seeing the tile up on the wall, im second guessing blue paint, and rhinking i should let the blue tiles just stand on their own . (?)

  • 3 years ago

    not necessary. The blue isn't going to detract. you have a lot of white already. if you like the blue, you could always go w/a darker tone. it doesn't have to be light.

    Steepcliff gray could be very dramatic.


    pick up some of the other grays like French gray and Smoke Embers. see how those look.

    it's only paint. try as many as you like.


    (BTW, if you get a color match w/behr paint, theyre only $3. it won't be an exact match to the name brand, but should be in the same tonal range. personally I prefer Behr so if you like it, just use that paint w/the color match)

  • 3 years ago

    Yes, i habe a lot of white, so maybe a color is good for the walls.

    ill her some samplize sheets in greys and blues and see how they look. ill reconsider a blue

  • 3 years ago

    Depending on your lighting, I think SW Misty 6232 could look great. https://paintcolorproject.com/sherwin-williams-misty/

    https://chrissymarieblog.com/sherwin-williams-misty




    gtdj519 thanked A M
  • 3 years ago

    Thank AM that is a pretty suggestion. will look into it

  • 3 years ago

    Your vanity and floors are light, so the deeper colored blue-grey @Beth H initially suggested could work. Get some Samplize to help you visualize.

    gtdj519 thanked RedRyder
  • 3 years ago

    Thank you redryder. will do

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I had been going through previous answers before commenting. And I found chispa’s suggestions quite relatable. Having worked with a similar setup at my place in the past, I can say I agree with chispa. Direct sunlight enhances the look of the silk ones while iridescent ones look better in indirect light.

  • 3 years ago

    dhi4U

    yes, chispa had great advice that i listened to. it was helpful. I ended ip going with the irridescent and very glad that we did. thanks so mcuh!!

  • 3 years ago

    The bathroom was painted today. Thank you Beth H and other with the great suggestions! I took you advice and went in the blue/ gray direction for wall color. After sampling the colors suggested and similar , I chose Fanfaire by BM. It’s a really pretty soft blue/ gray, leans more to blue. Pics aren’t great, maybe daytime is better to take a pic, but here’s a few shots anyway. You were all right- it doesn’t compete with the blue accent tile, it actually enhances it. I’m very happy with it. Vanity Counters go in next week 😊

  • 3 years ago

    that's a perfect compliment! I haven't heard of that color. it looks very similar to my Gray Cloud.


    on here it has a lot more blue to it.


  • 3 years ago

    beth H , thank you! i started with smoke, but it read a tad bit green in the room and a bit heavy, but had a besutfuil tone that i really liked and wanted to stay in that color direction , so i tried to find somehhing simiar.

    fanfare is on the same color strip as babys breath and blue veil. its the color in between those two. its very pretty… soft looking, but with a bit of depth.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Update…

    thank you for all the help from members. Wanted to post pics of the completed bathroom. So glad it is done!