history of subway tile

Created more than a century ago by architects Heins and LaFarge, the original subway tiles were used for, you guessed it, a subway—specifically the New York City subway in 1904. These tiles were perfect for subways because they were simple, clean and economical. They were so efficient that other major cities adapted subway tiles, from London’s Underground to Paris’ Metro. Soon, subway tiles became popular above ground as well, adorning Victorian kitchens and bathrooms because of their sanitary qualities.

Today, subway tiles are much more of a style statement, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still functional and durable. Many people love them for this exact combination. However, there are more choices than ever to consider so knowing what is right for you can be tricky. That brings us to our top three things to consider when you pick out your tile.

Top 3 Things to Consider

Subway Tile Design Tips

Once you know what you want as far as size, finish and shape, it’s time to explore different subway tile designs and what makes them work.

Try using a patterned, wallpaper-look tile above a wainscot and subway tile in a complementary color on the bottom. This will add color and interest to a powder room, and you can still keep the palette neutral.

The vertical straight set pattern in the charming space below adds height to the small shower in a contemporary way. We love how this pattern continues right through the nook and brings mid-century modern style to this soothing room.

With subway tile, pattern is everything. In the frame below, a herringbone pattern defines a focal point without straying from a soft, neutral color palette. There are so many interesting details here to attract the eye.

Subway tile is wonderful as a blank canvas to support other points of interest. A dazzling waterjet mosaic (first photo) or an artistic piece of Laura Ashley art glass (second photo) stand out on a subway tile background. Grout in a complementary color helps the true centerpiece shine. To transition between your subway tile and focal point (and to show it off!), incorporate layering pieces that do double duty.

The character of brick and the versatility of subway tile come together in this beautiful space. An elongated tile in a herringbone pattern gives this cozy nook a unique, textured design.

One of the best things about subway tile is the variety of patterns possible. Here, a mix of vertical and horizontal straight stack on the wall lend a modern appearance and a bold, colorful pattern on the floor is a jolt of energy.

Ask Kirsty

You asked, she answered! Kirsty offers her advice on some of your most common subway tile questions.

How do I decide on a gloss or matte finish for my subway tile? Is gloss more timeless? What’s easier to keep clean?

Glossy finishes typically present a more traditional and elegant look. Their reflective quality can also make your space appear brighter. Matte finishes offer a more casual, relaxed appearance. They don’t reflect as much light and will give the space a softer look. As far as cleaning, both matte and glossy tiles have their benefits. Matte tile does not show smudges or splashes as easily as a glossy tile, but glossy tile is very easy to wipe down and clean.

What color grout should I use with white subway tile?

Grout has an incredible impact on your tile and the space around it. You have three options: matching, complementary or contrasting grout. The best option for you depends on your goals for the final look. Matching grout to the tile color gives a classic, clean, monochromatic and seamless appearance. A neutral and complementary grout color adds subtle contrast without being a focal point. Opt for a color that accents the tile and overall design. Contrasting your grout color to your tile adds character, creates a bold, dramatic look and shows off the tile pattern. The grout becomes a part of the design rather than the backdrop.

How do I match subway tile with my cabinets?

There is no one formula for matching tile and cabinetry. It’s about what appeals to you. One tip I recommend is to look at your closet. What color clothing do you have? To which colors do you tend to gravitate? Just like your clothing style, you want your home to reflect you and your individuality. It’s also important to think about contrasts. Do you want a monochromatic look or do you want your tile and cabinets to contrast one another? Deciding this will also help guide your tile choice.

What subway tile pattern should I use?

(Tip: Refer to our blog post on subway tile patterns and layouts for examples of these looks!)

The most popular layout is a traditional horizontal brick. To make that appear more modern, use a larger size tile. Vertical and horizontal straight stacks are more contemporary layouts. Any vertical pattern will add height to your space—an offset brick pattern is more traditional and a straight stack is more contemporary. More unique layouts, like crosshatch and herringbone, add dynamic patterns, whether in a monochromatic or multicolored palette. The beauty and glamour of a herringbone pattern are unbeatable.

Between all the shapes, sizes, finishes and patterns available for subway tile, there are countless designs to be discovered. However you decide to use subway tile, just make sure to follow The Tile Shop golden rule, and make it your own!

The post Subway Tile Design Ideas & Tips appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Jenni Radosevich

Can you give us a little background about your education and work experience and how you got started before you created I SPY DIY?

I went to the University of Wisconsin—Madison for magazine design and journalism and then I moved to New York and started working at InStyle magazine. While I was there, I started a DIY column and it ended up taking off. That’s where I SPY DIY came from.

The column led to my blog, and then Random House asked me to write a book which came out in 2012. Eventually DIY fashion turned into DIY home when I moved back to Wisconsin. My fiancé convinced me to buy this fixer-upper house to renovate, and then a friend suggested I pitch the renovation to HGTV. I ended up doing a pilot that aired three or four times. They decided not to pick it up but I was fine with that because I learned doing a TV show is a lot of work! Since then I’ve been working on different renovations for my fiancé’s rental properties and then began my next big project: the Barnhouse.

How long ago did you make your I SPY DIY blog and renovating a full-time career?

In 2012. Right when my book came out, I left InStyle, and I’ve been doing it ever since.

Were you surprised that everything took off so quickly? It sounds like a whirlwind!

Yes, it was crazy! That was back when DIY was just becoming a “thing”. I had CNN calling me and asking me to tell them about DIY. It took off really quickly and it’s crazy to see how many other girls have been doing DIY since then. It went from being 3 or 4 of us to a ton of DIYers.

Was your first renovation intimidating? How were you sure you could redo a house from the bottom up?

Having TV cameras film your every move was good motivation. I had to fake it until I made it! It was a bold move, and it paid off. It was a quick way to dive into the renovation process, and I didn’t really have a chance to fail because I just had to keep on going. (Note: She redid the entire home in just 4 months!)

What was your process like? Did you have a vison for the house as a whole or go room by room?

I have no idea how I pulled that off! We had a budget, and The Tile Shop was awesome for that. I started by picking out what I could afford for materials, and it ended up being a lot of subway tile. In the bathroom, I used more interesting patterns to use these simple subway tiles and elevate the look.

“Every other room I just kind of tried to go with my gut instinct and not second guess myself. If I liked something, I moved forward with it because there wasn’t time to rethink.”

It’s been interesting with the Barnhouse because I have more time to make decisions and ask my readers. It’s more interactive, but it comes with definite pluses and minuses.

Your style certainly inspires a lot of people. Where do you find inspiration and ideas?

It’s tough because I try not to do what everyone else is doing. I think that with the last house, I did look at other people’s projects too much because I didn’t know what I was doing. Now, I try to go with my gut. The Barnhouse has an older feel so I look more at European-type kitchens. I was just there for a couple weeks, and I tried to pull a lot of inspiration from what I was seeing. Since we’re calling it the Barnhouse, I’m trying to do more antiquing and finding older pieces so the house has a more authentic feel because it was built in 1875. I’m trying to stay away too much from Pinterest and all those places that you typically get inspiration because I don’t want to be too influenced.

How do you describe your design aesthetic? Or do you have one? It sounds like it changes based on the project you’re working on.

I used to think I should have a certain aesthetic that you can tell from house to house is mine. But ultimately, I think every house needs something a little bit different. The last house we fully gutted, and we were starting from a clean slate. And this one, there was already a character about it and the super-modern vibe didn’t feel right. Painting the exterior red is something I never would have done but everyone in the neighborhood loved the big red house that become known as the Barnhouse. I didn’t want to lose that uniqueness. I try to take the character that the house has given me and work with that.

“Every house needs something a little bit different. I try to take the character that the house has given me and work with that.”

What is a typical day, if there is one, like for you? 

The best days are the ones where I get to run around all day and go shopping for the houses. Today I was running around getting lighting, working with the electrician and now I’m off to find a mirror for the bathroom. My days involve a lot of troubleshooting for the houses and figuring things out. I do a little computer work, but I try to stay off it as much as possible. I’ll post Instagram stories to get my readers’ opinions and show them the process. I try to cut things off at a decent time, and then I hang out with my puppies.

Do you have a favorite Tile Shop tile you find yourself coming back to?

In the Barnhouse’s upstairs bathroom and kitchen backsplash, I used Splendours in white. It’s a subway tile, but it has a hand-glazed look. I just love that it’s irregular, organic and handmade looking. I definitely see myself using that one again because it’s an elevated version of a subway tile.

Featured: Splendours White, Laura Ashley Mr Jones Charcoal Matte

I love the Laura Ashley Wicker Dove Grey tile I used in the master bathroom, too. It’s patterned, but it’s not too overwhelming. It feels serene in the bathroom. I am so happy with how that one turned out. I would love to use that one again in another bathroom.

Featured: Imperial Bianco Gloss, Laura Ashley Wicker Dove Grey

Oh my gosh, the Bricklane White tile that is on my kitchen floor and entryway floor is my favorite thing. I think that’s my favorite tile in the house. I love that The Tile Shop always has something for my budget, whether it’s large or small.

Featured: Bricklane White

Do you have any tips for people designing with tile? 

Tile can be overwhelming, but you can do really cool things on a budget, like I did in my bathroom upstairs. We used a herringbone pattern. Installing the tile in unique patterns and using a darker grout can have a high impact. The combination of black and white always pops. If you’re going to use a statement tile like Laura Ashley, pair it with something less busy like a subway tile and use similarly colored grout so you don’t have an overwhelming tile on both the floor and the wall. Pick which one is going to be your statement and then have the other one be more neutral. In a small space (especially one without a window), consider using lighter tiles to brighten up the room. Look at size of your space and the light before you pick the tile. If you have a bathroom with a lot of light, you have the option of using a darker, bolder tile.

Featured: Imperial Bianco Matte, Silver Hex

What do you pick out first in a room?

It depends. For me, I like to use neutral tiles because they’re more permanent than everything else in the bathroom. Then I use accessories and other pieces in the room to add pops of color. It works great for me because I love to change things up so often and everything I decorate with can be an accent.

What do you like about working with tile?

Since it is more permanent, it can be daunting. It’s not as easy as changing up a paint color. But I like the big impact that it makes. In this house, we did a lot of fully tiled walls. The bathroom tile goes up to four feet all the way around the room and it just makes it look expensive and finished. It really elevates a space. Especially in a kitchen, once you put the backsplash in, it ties everything else together.

What advice would you give someone trying to get into remodeling or someone that has never redone a house before?

My advice is to make a decision and stick with it. There are always going to be a million options. The most important thing is to be decisive. When you start second guessing things and making changes, that’s where things start getting costly.

What’s your favorite part of your own house?

The upstairs bathroom, the clawfoot tub and how that whole room came together. It’s super serene. It’s also one of my most popular rooms in my house on Instagram.

Featured: Imperial Bianco Matte, Hex Matte Black

The Fun Five

What’s your dream vacation?

3 weeks in the south of France.

What are you streaming right now?

I’m desperately looking for something to watch! I liked watching Queer Eye. I watched them all on the plane for my recent trip. It’s great to have in the background and I cry in 90% of the episodes.

What is your favorite hobby when you’re not working?

Antiquing, even though it is kind of work. I love thrifting. Whenever I’m having a super stressed day I got to Antiques on Pierce. It’s a four-floor massive antique store. I go there and wander around for an hour and it relaxes me. Everyone is nice to me and they have me a VIP (very important picker) card. It makes me calm.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Who I’d want it to be would probably be different than who it would be. It’d probably be a cute girl like Ginnifer Goodwin. I’d want it to be Rachel Bilson.

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would your career be?

Something in the creative field. Maybe graphic design, which I did earlier on, working at an advertising agency or visual merchandising in a store.

Follow along with Jenni’s Barnhouse projects and more on her website, Instagram and Facebook page.

The post Spotlight On: I SPY DIY appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.