This coffee-to-cocktail bar from the 2019 Fall One Room Challenge™ is a sight to behold! Nicole from Nicole White Designs opted for a bold, art deco tile and it paid off in a big, statement-making way.

This classic, simple bar can be dressed up or down for whatever purpose you want it to serve.

This welcoming rustic bar is the perfect place for a hot cup of coffee.

A crisp white backsplash is the perfect contrast to bold cabinetry.

A mirrored bar ups the glamour factor—perfect for entertaining and hosting!

A tiled bar is the perfect place to take a risk. Adding bold hues or patterns is one easy way to make your bar stand out. It’s meant to be a fun spot, right?

Shiplap walls, sea-green cabinets and a mosaic in a mix of soft neutrals combine to form a relaxed, beachy bar.

Want to achieve glamour without going too bold or dramatic? This gold mosaic adds just the perfect amount of glitter to make it special.

This Annie Selke tile featuring flecks of metallic gold create a soothing visual break from dark shelves and cabinets.

What to do with this in-between-rooms nook? Make it into a functional and beautiful bar, of course!

Reclaimed wood tiles are the perfect backdrop to this natural wood bar in a cozy basement.

On that note, we’re feeling a little thirsty. Don’t forget to share your Tile Shop tiled bar on our social media channels with #thetileshop. Ready to start your own project? Get started with a remote design consultation today!

The post Our Favorite Tiled Bars appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Contrasting Colors

Boldly contrasting colors are a sure way to make a big impact. Dark and light tones play off of each other, making each stand out even more. Below, the dark backdrop also serves to highlight the sleek lines of the contemporary tub.

Contrast goes glam with this dramatic display that plays up sumptuous style.

Contrast can be created with color combinations beyond black and white. In a warmer take on the style, a wood-look floor balances grey and white walls with tons of welcoming textures.

Monochromatic Mix

If you’re dreaming of a clean monochromatic color palette, try incorporating different finishes, sizes, shapes or materials on the walls and floors. This adds dimension, texture and interest to a design while keeping it clean. You can also include functional and safety features this way. Here, a glossy ceramic wall tile is an easy-to-clean option that protects the backsplash from spills. The coordinating porcelain floor tile is durable and transitions between the surfaces smoothly in the same soft grey color palette.

“People always ask me, ‘If I use ceramic on the floor, don’t I have to use it on the walls?’ The answer is no! Mixing it up creates a more interesting space.”—Kirsty Froelich, Tile Shop design manager

This space demonstrates a perfect example of using mixed materials (also known as “fusion.”) With ceramic wall tile, porcelain shower wall tile, porcelain floor tile and marble trim pieces, all of these different materials unite in a cohesive way and in a monochromatic color palette to portray a serene spa bathroom.

We love how these floor and wall tiles are so different from one another in finish, shape, size and material yet coordinate flawlessly. The space works because the color palette is soft and neutral and hints of organic materials add warmth and interest.

Here, the similar polished finish of the ceramic subway wall tile and the marble shower pan tile unifies the shower’s style. A framed marble mosaic is an added touch of elegance—fusion at its finest!

Varying the shape of your wall and floor tiles is another way to add interest in a monochromatic design. From the mix of porcelain and ceramic to the distinct shapes, there is so much to entice the eye in this cream laundry room!

This is a great example of fusion. The materials on the walls and floor could not be more different, consisting of real wood, wood-look porcelain and a slate and porcelain mosaic, but they all have a similar rich hue that ties them together.

Coordinated Collections

One of the easiest ways to ensure your design flows together is using the same collection or series on walls and floors. One of the great things about The Tile Shop’s stone collections is the sheer number of different shape, size and trim options. Collections are also sourced from the same quarry, so, while no two pieces are ever the same due to natural variation, you never have to worry about different tiles coordinating.

This space uses the same stone, Milas Lilac, on every surface, so there’s no fear about the tiles not coordinating. By using many different shapes (we’re not even sure we can count them all!), distinct zones are established, subtly distinguishing the shower from the vanity area.

To make designing a coordinated space even easier, we’ve extended it beyond stone. Our proprietary Fired Earth ceramic and porcelain collections, like the Carrara Gris floor tile below, coordinate with our marble collections, too. This makes adding a special designer touch even easier. Handmade Weekly elevates her fusion design beautifully here, with a marble-look ceramic tile and a unique statement marble mosaic. Marble trims polish the look to perfection.

Patterns That Pop

One of our most popular wall and floor tile combinations is patterned and non-patterned tile. For the bold at heart, there’s nothing better than an accent wall or floor brimming with striking shapes. Paired with a neutral color, the overall effect is delightful. This hexagon shape, duplicated in the floor tile, garners just enough attention to set this shower apart.

Here, a boldly patterned floor is softened with a coordinating, neutral wall tile.

White subway tile plus a bold, old-world style encaustic is always a good idea.

Tone on Tone

One sure way to demonstrate a cohesive look between floors and walls is to pick a neutral or color from one surface and use it on the other. The soft grey wall tiles below perfectly reflect the same mottled grey in the pattered floor.

The unique ombre effect on this Annie Selke floor tile presents the opportunity to pull two different colors onto the wall design.

This concept does not have to be all or nothing. A hint of color, like the beachy brown in the floor tile that’s also found in the chevron stripe on the wall and shower, goes a long way towards tying this room together.

This kitchen plays with a number of different colors, but choosing the backsplash subway tile in hue plucked from the floor tile ensures that the space feels cohesive.

Multiple patterns can get tricky but this space strikes a perfect balance. Surrounding this floral art glass splashback with a neutral frame and a subway tile in a color that is duplicated in the floor tile, the patterns do not compete.

Eclectic

Rules are made to be broken, right? Sometimes a design that doesn’t follow any of these rules or even breaks them just works. Here are some of our favorite eclectic combinations that don’t follow the guidelines. Here, pattern, wood look and a bold subway tile create the perfect modern farmhouse nook.

Bold geometric shapes on the walls and floors and exaggerated contrast?! This look is bold, but the black-and-white palette keeps it clean.

Here’s another example of a bold pattern paired with multiple colors. The grey color is reflected in the patterned tile, and the wood-look floor acts as a neutral that balances the space.

There are dozens of different wall and floor tile combinations. It just depends on your desired overall effect—whether it’s eye-catching contrast, calm coordination or eclectic patterns. Ready to take the next step? Schedule a design consultation or stop into a store to talk to a tile expert and get started!

The post Tried-and-True Wall and Floor Tile Combinations appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

What inspired the overall look and design for Refined Rustic?

“Tile is always my starting point. It’s the first item I select for a home, and it sets the tone,” Julie said. “The Annie Selke tile used in the basement bath and the laundry room were just introduced by The Tile Shop, and I loved them. They are what set the tone.”

Eye-Catching Entrance

The entrance of your home should set the tone, and Timber Trails did exactly that. The black features, warm wood flooring and courageous wallpaper greet you with open arms.

Dining Room

Behold, the grand dining room. This stunning space is Julie’s favorite room in the entire house. “It is the first thing you see when you walk in. I love that the white paneled walls are offset by the black ceiling,” Julie said.

“When people see a design and say, ‘I never would have done that, but I love it.’ That’s when you know you’ve done your job as a designer.”—Julie Howard, designer for Timber Trails DC

The hallways in this home stretch as far as the eye can see, connecting you to countless uniquely designed rooms that stimulate and inspire.

Laundry Room

“We used Annie Selke Ikat Black in the laundry room because, to me, a laundry room should be fun. It doesn’t need to match the rest of the house because half of the time the door is closed,” Julie said. “Plus, who enjoys laundry? It’s nice to design a laundry room that makes you smile when you enter.”

“I’ve never been scared of black. I painted my first adult bedroom black 20 years ago, and it is still my favorite room I’ve ever designed,” Julie said. “It’s certainly caught on over the years as I’m seeing it on more walls and in more kitchens and baths. Black doesn’t date, and you don’t tire of it.”

Victoria Grey Bath

Victoria Grey marble defines luxury. Its versatility and stunning appeal makes it perfect for numerous styles. We especially love the eye-catching stone mosaic rug look framed by Victoria Grey stone.

Kitchen

While the tumbled marble softens the space for a traditional feel, the accents of white oak warm up the kitchen for rustic, farmhouse appeal. The sleek counter tops and appliances are incorporated for a flair of contemporary style. What do you get when you unite these amazing designs? The always trendy transitional style.

If the space wasn’t already perfect enough, the added elements of hygge, like greenery and wood features, add in the perfect sense of comfort. Read our blog post on what makes Scandinavian looks so chic!

Living Room

As a member of our Pro Network, Timber Trails DC has maintained a strong and meaningful partnership with the Lombard, IL location and store manager, Kevin. Together, Timber Trails DC and Kevin have completed over 40 homes!

“We have a great push and pull. He keeps me in check when I tend to go too far, and he’s on top of everything down to each tile I need,” Julie said. “Kevin makes me feel like I’m his only client, which is great when you call in a bind, which I often do!

Master Bath

Siberian Pearl marble accompanied by deep black and gold features—dramatic elegance at its finest!

“The marble in the master is so pretty because it is a white marble, but it has a lot of warm tones in it and is different than a white and grey Carrara marble,” Julie said.

Master Bedroom

Jack & Jill Vanity

How charming is this beach-inspired Jack and Jill bath? The repetition of the wood-look tiles on the wall and floor create such a pleasing, cohesive look.

Basement Bath

We end this home tour with one of our favorite spaces in the house: the basement bathroom. This space encompasses the three colors that are used throughout the house: black, white and brown.

We love the juxtaposition between the black and white features in this bathroom. While the patterned floor tile proudly catches your eye, the shower tiles contrast the bohemian pattern with a classic, solid-white subway. Notice the black grout lines in the shower—darker colored grouts create more character and add a more pronounced look to the grout joints.

Stay up-to-date with Timber Trails DC and all of their stunning builds by following them on Instagram.

Are you a home developer or interior designer? Let’s partner on your next project. Join our Pro Network program and receive specialized pricing and services.

All photography by Stoffer Photography Interiors

The post Timber Trails’ Refined Rustic appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Gepetto Series

The eight tiles in the Gepetto series feature unique arrangements of cut natural wood pieces that allow you to design with original and contemporary patterns.

Installation

This series has a unique (and easy) installation process that is worth noting. Gepetto tiles come with a peel-and-stick adhesive backing. That means no thinset and no grout are required! All you have to do is prepare the wall by cleaning it with soapy water. And, since wood is a natural material, make sure to let the tiles acclimatize to your space for 7–10 days before installation. Tile Shop Design Manager Kirsty Froelich recommends laying out your design on the floor first and using a level so you only stick the tiles once. If you follow these simple tips, anyone can install this beautiful wood tile.

Featured: Arco Acustico

How to Use

Because of the adhesive backing, Gepetto can’t be used in wet areas. However, the easy installation makes them more versatile than your average tile. Think outside the box and create the look of a headboard behind a bed like in the image below. Warm up the space behind a TV with a textured accent wall. Make any nook or wall a statement with wood tiles. Transform a backsplash that isn’t exposed to lots of water into a textured, eye-catching area. You can even frame wood tiles as a work of art and let them speak for themselves. Regardless of how you choose to incorporate them into your space, the Gepetto series affordably dresses up walls with warmth and comfort.

Featured: Arco Acustico

Reclaimed Wood

The most unique aspect of our reclaimed wood tiles is their history and the journey they have made to our stores. Decommissioned antique ships are pulled from harbors in Southeast Asia and the wood is removed from the boats by hand before being sorted and cured for 60 days. Finally, pieces are cut, finished and assembled into the mosaics and trim pieces you see today.

Featured: Reclaimed Wood Architectural

Installation

Just like the Gepetto series, reclaimed wood should be allowed 7–10 days in your space to adjust to the temperature and humidity before installation. Unlike Gepetto, this collection does not come with an adhesive backing. Instead, use a Taylor wood adhesive to attach the tiles to the wall—no thinset required. Adding finishing nails afterwards will ensure that the tiles are fully adhered. For larger installations, consider placing plywood behind the tiles. A store associate at The Tile Shop can help you choose the best installation method for your project. It’s also important to check your local codes to be sure your project is far enough from sources of heat.

Featured: Reclaimed Wood Architectural. Design by Sublime Homes.

How to Use

Feature walls, commercial spaces, bars, kitchen islands and even ceilings are all perfect places to feature reclaimed wood. Powder rooms also work but avoid using these tiles in a full bathroom where conditions are too wet. The rich, authentic colors of natural wood add uncompromised depth and texture to a space.

Featured: Reclaimed Wood Architectural and Hartland Blend Mosaic

A Variety of Styles

Covering your walls with natural wood might give you visions of rustic cabins in the woods, and that is certainly one achievable style that adds lots of hygge vibes to your space. But wood does not limit itself to rustic decor. In fact, any number of styles are possible depending on the rest of your space and what other tiles you decide to use. For example, pairing reclaimed wood with brick-look tile gives an industrial look and pairing a chevron wood mosaic with a subway tile delivers a contemporary feel.

In these examples, it’s easy to see how natural wood tiles can work into different design styles from industrial to contemporary.

Reclaimed wood is the perfect addition to an industrial loft space. Featured: Reclaimed Wood Chevron Mosaic, Reclaimed Wood Geometric Mosaic, Provenzal Alhama Cotto, Antique Copper Metal Somerset and Imperial Gunmetal Gloss

The tile pairings and soft coloring give this inspiration a thouroughly contemporary vibe. Featured: Freccia Bianca Wood Mosaic, Quadrati Bianchi Wood Mosaic, K Wood Light and Bianco Puro Honed Marble Somerset

Ready to get started? Shop all architectural wood tiles at The Tile Shop or schedule a design consultation to meet with a store associate today.

The post The Versatility of Real Wood Tiles appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Hygge. You’ve probably seen this strange word floating around your social media timeline or read it on a list of the latest design trends, but what does hygge mean? Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is the Scandinavian word for coziness, comfort and well-being. By incorporating these five elements of hygge, you can foster relaxation and establish feelings of warmth in your tiled spaces.

1. Soft Textures

What says comfort more than soft textures? Adding oversized blankets and pillows to a room is highly effective because they motivate guests to lounge and settle in. Timber Trails DC created the perfect place to cozy up with a good book.

Soft textured tile can be a surprising element of hygge. While tile with a high-gloss finish expresses a modern feeling (left photo below), honed and matte finishes add more warmth with their subdued edges and texture (right photo below).

By replicating a soft touched appearance, Tessuti HD Off-White provides a subtle linen pattern and matte texture. Faux fur adds a gentle dash of luxury to complete the serene scene below.

2. Warmth

Incorporating warmth transforms an ordinary room into a gathering room. With a fireplace at the heart of your home, it will radiate warmth and comfort throughout each space. If you can’t have a fireplace, you can still achieve the hygge effect with candles and soft, warm lighting.

Surround your design with tiles that unite the fireplace with the room. Tiles with a glossy finish reflect light and draw attention to the toasty flames.

3. Uplifting Messages 

The goal of hygge is to create warm, fuzzy feelings. Display motivational sayings as artwork in a room. The message of your signage should reflect the attitude or ambiance in your home. Uplifting quotes seamlessly lighten the mood of a room. West Bay Homes created this encouraging message entirely out of mosaic tiles.

4. Color

Color plays an important role in any design because it sets the tone of the room. To revitalize your space, incorporate a color palette inspired by nature. Soft tints of grey, green, brown and pink exemplify hygge. Most of all, include tones of white throughout your home because it is the most representative color of Scandinavian chic style.

To create a feeling of luxury, embellish your design with accents of gold.

5. Nature

Bring the outdoors in with elements of nature. A common way people escape their busy lives is by immersing themselves in nature. There’s something about nature that rejuvenates the soul.

Lush leaves, bouquets of flowers or potted plants stimulate a hygge feeling in a room. The natural variations in greenery allow endless opportunities for decoration. Vibrant flowers make for great accent pieces while greenery complements the neutral colors in a room. The organic liveliness of plants inspires growth and a better frame of mind.

“Adding plants is a really easy way to bring a little bit of the outdoors in. It’s instant hygge!” – Kirsty Froelich

Growing plants in your home doesn’t require a dip into your savings account or a botany degree. The Sill is a great resource for first-time plant parents. They offer a wide variety of beautiful, inexpensive and low-maintenance plants.

Installing wood or wood look tile is another great way to bring nature into your home. Tile made of real wood creates a rustic presence and helps intensify the coziness of a den.

How can you incorporate hygge into your own home? Create a spa oasis in your bathroom with candles, fluffy robes and blush-toned tile. Complete the cabin feel in your den with the roaring flame of a fireplace, wood-look tile and accents of greenery. Boost the blissful aura in a studio apartment with welcoming signs and lush foliage. With the five elements of hygge, you can increase the sense of contentment in any space.

Need more cozy inspiration? Check out our heart-warming hygge Pinterest board and schedule a design consultation to complete your hygge home.

The post Five Elements of Hygge appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Featured: Textile Graphic White

What Is Modern Farmhouse Style?

Modern farmhouse style is all about warmth, simplicity and function. It’s never fussy, and it always feels lived in. A modern farmhouse interior is one where guests feel at home curling up into a comfortable chair. It’s a beautiful and fresh way to combine tradition with trend. Eclectic-minded individuals will easily embrace the modern farmhouse look because antiques, vintage pieces and new items in a variety of design styles all have their place and can work together seamlessly. In the example below, a modern chair, pillow and rug easily coexist with antiques, traditional wood  and classic elements of Americana. The overall look is welcoming, warm and the embodiment of the modern farmhouse trend.

If you think you’ve seen this style before, you probably have. This design aesthetic has gained a lot of traction after being featured prominently on “Fixer Upper” with Chip and Joanna Gaines. It’s also popular because it incorporates aspects of many different styles—modern, country, industrial and rustic, to name a few—which appeals to a wide audience.

Since modern farmhouse style is all about mixing and matching, tiles can easily become an integral design element that incorporate with the other elements in the room seamlessly. Hundreds of tiles embody the modern farmhouse aesthetic, however, we recommend choosing tiles from one (or more) of the following categories that epitomize the style.

Modern Farmhouse Tile: Metallics

Featured: Star, Imperial Pewter Gloss Subway, Brushed Copper Rounds, Etna Concreto Wood Look, Antique Copper Somerset

Modern Farmhouse Tile: Wood and Wood Look

Featured: Cleveland Roble Wood Look, Star, Imperial Pewter Gloss Subway, Imperial Pewter Gloss London

One of our favorite modern farmhouse looks, the bathroom above is a perfect example of warming up a room with wood and wood-look tile. The wood-look tile on the shower wall warms up the entire room and visually ties all of the tiles together as a transitional color between the light and dark shades. The natural wood vanity and mirror complement the shower wall without being a perfect match—another essential ingredient to modern farmhouse design. It’s not about perfectly matching pieces but about coordinating them. Other elements that give this bathroom a modern farmhouse feel are the wire basket, the mixed metallic fixtures, the encaustic-look floor and the apron sink.

Modern Farmhouse Tile: Encaustics and Patterns

Featured: Villandry Azure, Imperial Oatmeal Gloss, Imperial Oatmeal Gloss London, Amalfi Light Sand Mosaic, Waldron Stria

This isn’t the first time you’re seeing patterned tiles in this post. In fact, almost every featured modern farmhouse design incorporates encaustic or patterned tiles for one simple reason—they’re everything to love about modern farmhouse style. Patterned tiles add a handmade, vintage feeling and colors that warm up a space casually, creating that lived-in, functional feeling essential to a modern farmhouse space.

The encaustic cement tile in the bathroom above adds a classic pattern while incorporating warmth through color. The natural wood of the vanity and mirror coordinate with the floor tile and warm up the traditional subway tiles to complete the look.

Modern Farmhouse Tile: Handmade and Handmade Look

Featured: Star, Hampton Tumbled Niles. Photo courtesy of West Bay Homes.

With the look of a well-worn, vintage piece, it’s no surprise that handmade and handmade-look tiles are perfectly suited to modern farmhouse design. They lend an authentic and traditional feeling to a room that is an essential component to the style. Instead of clashing with clean white cabinets and walls, the Star floor tile in the image above serves to soften and enhance the neutral color palette while introducing a weathered feeling to the room. Other elements of modern farmhouse interior design used here are white painted wood, shiplap walls, a woven basket (a motif also reflected in the basketweave mosaic tile), vintage wooden chairs, mixed metallic fixtures and the functional layout and design of the space. Brick and brick-look tile, as well as most “imperfect”-looking tile, will also work well with this style.

Featured: Bricklane White

If you love this look, see more modern farmhouse style done right by one of our inspiring Pro partners who have perfected this design style, West Bay Homes.

Accessorizing the Modern Farmhouse

The rules of accessorizing in modern farmhouse style are much the same as the rules for tiling. Ask yourself if an item makes the room feel comfortable, inviting and authentic. Painted cabinets, farmhouse or apron sinks, shiplap, barn doors, wire shelves, woven baskets, Shaker-style furniture, industrial lighting, big farm tables and rustic pieces that look like they could have been salvaged from a farmhouse (or, better yet, actually were!) are a great start. As you continue to build upon the essentials to create your modern farmhouse, make sure everything you add is something that you’ll love spending time with every day.

Ready to get started? Schedule a design consultation with us today.

Featured: Decor Basma White Pav

The post How to Achieve Modern Farmhouse Design with Tile appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.