Hi Sylva!

I am a graphic designer and I've been working with an interior design studio...not sure if my CV is suitable for your survey ;-)

Anyway, like most of the people on this planet, I'd like to express my opinion regardless of my expertise :-D

I'm afraid to say that I do belong to the boooh-hex-tiles-club.

I did get tired of the hex tiles after seeing an overuse of them, often paired with gimmicky arrangement solutions (like when they are randomly mixed with other colours, or when they "blend" freely with a wooden floor to separate spaces, or when they feature additional ornaments that do not complement their geometry. The problem I have with all of this is that these choices will age poorly.

However, it all depends on the type of hex tile you use and the context they are placed in.

In fact, as incoherent as it might sound, I will be installing hexagonal tiles on my kitchen floor! hehe!

My flat is in Spain, and in the time the building was built, it was common to have hexagonal tiles. The arrangement is organised, the colours are muted and reflect the aesthetic of the local architecture.

Judging from your picture, I think that your hexagonal tiles will be just fine, and they won't age badly. And ultimately, you are the one that is going to live in that home, not the designer :-)

Thanks, Lyn. Where I live it's a design desert with nothing in stock and only design boards available to view. The sandstone-look tile is also available in 24" x 24". But it will take three weeks for delivery.

I agree about the 12" x 24" being builder grade tile. That is one tile size I can't stand.

@giorgella85, thank you so much for your comment. The hex I found doesn't have the dreary grey undertone that I see in so many porcelain tiles in the Pacific Northwest. That color is definitely aging badly.

The tile I found is also muted and it looks calm.

I like a hex. I prefer the larger ones like what you have. The little 1" ones make me crazy. Like any tile you choose, it is a matter of what else is with it. You cannot select something in isolation. I don't agree about a 12 x 24 feeling builder grade, but I think that has more to do with where I am compared to areas of the country where there is tons of building going on ( that is not the case by me at all! )

I don't feel like your tile choices are dreary - they are not white with gray ( that goodness ) that seems to be crammed into every corner of the homes these days.

Here are a couple of nice pics

Good luck!

Where some see boring, I see a warm neutral that isn't grey that could work with a lot of colors for other things. At least on my monitor it does not have that gray or pink undertone that many neutrals end up having. I think it could be nice as a consistent tone for flooring throughout.

I do not like hex and think it will scream dated soon but the fact is if you love it do it. I like 12 x24 porcelain tile for both bathroom floors and shower walls the same color for both and a the same tile only smaller for shower floor . IMO simple materials in a nice neutral ( BTW gray IMO is a neutral) in samll spaces mean you will like it a lot longer and it aslo gives you the opportunity to change wall color, accessories all easily done for a lot less that retiling .

I don't know. There are houses here from the 1920s through the 1970s with hex tile in them of various sizes, although this larger size is from the latest revival of hex tile, which maybe has been the last 15 years. Actually larger format tile in general is more recent, you rarely used to see much bigger than 18"

The junior high school I went to was built in 1924 and had hex quarry tile in the hallways. Things cycle in and out but any specific material is going to indicate Roughly when you installed it, because not everything can be the latest style unless you move every seven years and start over in a brand new house with the trendiest materials.

Hex tile is merely one shape and one element in a room. It's not something "most designers" like or dislike. It's not dated, since people have been using it in interiors and exteriors for centuries. Like so many decisions in design, it's the quality of the materials and the way they are used that make or break a room.

Here's a link to a hexagonal tile in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, dating from the 15th century:

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/451903

I like hex tiles and don't feel that they're tied to any specific timeframe. I prefer the small hexes to the large ones you're considering.

However, I would also consider sheet vinyl /linoleum. I have vinyl /linoleum in my kitchen and tile in my bathrooms ... I much prefer the kitchen's material, which is easier to keep clean (no grout), softer underfoot, easier on joints, and warmer to the foot ... the warmer feel makes the biggest difference to me. Being that it's a kitchen, dropped dishes don't automatically break.

Who cares what "most designers" like or dislike. They do not need to live in your house. You like it, do it.

Mrs. Pete, I am with you on sheet vinyl. It's fallen out of favor lately, but it's a perfectly legitimate choice for a kitchen floor.

The problem with sheet vinyl right now is primarily esthetic. When I installed sheet vinyl in 1996, I had a number of relatively plain options from which to choose. Not a series of fake looking stones or fake looking woods.

The second issue is quality. I was able to choose between three categories of quality/durability. The top of the line was an inlaid vinyl (which was a bit too "particulate" for my needs), a medium quality and the lowest quality. With a couple of companies the top of the line doesn't exist anymore. It's mostly market to people looking for the cheapest possible option for flooring. And this becomes a self-fulfilling property because the lack of options will make most people choose something else.

Had I been able to get what was available in 1996 in my recent project I would have strongly considered it.

I don't dislike the hex tiles but simply find your choice to tile uninteresting and builder grade look.

I like the 24 x 24 tiles and think about it... even if you have to wait 3 weeks, that's nothing compared to all the years you'll be living with those tiles.

Who cares what "most designers" like or dislike. They do not need to live in your house. You like it, do it.

Can we put this on t-shirts? For real - one of the WORST advertisements for using a professional designer is the pushy mentality of "I have better taste than you do!" - tile shape preference is pretty subjective. I detest 12x24 tile, but I'd never try to convince Patricia to install small format mosaics in her bathroom. It's your house - pick a tile you love and can live with. More importantly, pick a tile that your installer can install properly. I love penny tile, but not everyone knows how to install it. Don't be afraid to special order the right tile either - the internet is a terrible place, but it allows you to access lots of materials that previously would be out of your reach (as long as you're willing to spring for shipping and/or wait).

My house was built in 1909 and has hex tiles in one bathroom. Some are cracked but that is just “character”, house was remodeled in 1934- they may have been done then. A neighbor has a 1950 house with hex tiles. Sooo don’t listen to designers. If they have been around that long, then they won’t go out of style anytime soon. If you like it, GO FOR It!

I like the small mosaic hex tile. They can work in vintage homes and very contemporary homes.

I also love the exterior hex paving you see in Europe.

What I don't like is the 6" - 8" hex tiles which seemed to be popular in the early 60s. IMO those tiles coming back now are nothing more than a trend and unless your architecture supports the choice will become dated.

This is the first hex tile I've seen that I like and I think it's because it reminds me of the hex European pavement variations.

I like hex and don't think it's going to look dated since I grew up with hex in our 1960's or 70's built home. To me, I think the super trend is the picket fence or scallop tile, but when used on backsplashes, those are easy enough to remove when people tire of them.

I love your tile choices. I did something very, very similar (coloring of your hex but in a large rectangle) in a small bathroom recently. I'm a fan of Maria Killam. Keep those hard surfaces neutral. I did 1/16" grout lines and chose a grout that blends almost perfectly. I want the floor to recede and not pop out with "design" and "interest". Because I don't want to regret the more expensive flooring choice down the road.

If you love and sizes/colors work well in each bathroom (shower and wall tiles, vanity, etc) that‘s key in a decision. Might be nice to use something more fun in the laundry room.

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I clarified with my designer friend that while she prefers straight lines, she does like the size and neutral color of these larger hex tiles.

We will not be living in this house long term and that's why I am keeping the tiles a neutral cream color. Plus, the warm color goes well with our newly refinished oak hardwood floors.

The smaller bathroom has a tub/shower combo. While the original budget doesn't include replacing the tub and tiling the walls, I may have to think that decision.

The master bathroom and the laundry room will be done in either Lost River 24"x 24" in Cascade or Arizona Tile Borgo 24" x 48" in Caldo.

The kitchen cabinets are a dark cherry and the doors have traditional raised fronts. So, I don't want the other cabinetry to even try to compete with the kitchen. The cabinetry in those three other rooms will have doors with flat fronts. The bathrooms will have floating vanities in a soft white and the laundry room will have off white cabinetry.

Below is the kitchen. I am replacing all of the pulls. The countertop is black granite tiles and will also be replaced with a single level countertop in light color quartz.

Let me know if I am making any grievous errors with the cabinetry for the three other rooms.

Here's one of the drawer fronts on a piece of Lost River Cascade tile.

The tiles look great…shape/size and color wise.

Can you share a completed pic of your hex tiles?

Aimee Tremaine the floors turned out great! So much so, that I am putting them in our next project. I will see if I can find some pics on my laptop.