Cathi Lloyd, Northern Indiana, on Tile Trends

4/28/2015

Tile Trends: The latest in versatile, distinctive designs : Home & Garden

Tile Trends: The latest in versatile, distinctive designs

Courtesy of Cathi Lloyd, Decorating Den Interiors

Natural­looking stone with an accent band makes this expansive shower modern yet classic.

April 11, 2015 8:12 am • Jane Ammeson Times Correspondent

Tile brings both functioning and style to any room and this year, with technology now able to produce distinctive tile options such as specialty shaped stone mosaics, glass mosaics in a wide variety of looks, an elemental feel with natural looking tiles re­ imaging wood, porcelain, ceramic, stone and finishes in metallic, burnished or distressed wood—all in sizes galore. Patterns range from contemporary to traditional and colors and textures almost endless. And instead of just planks, wood­look tile comes in parquets

Easy steps to fizz up your foyer Define the space with a bold color to create a warm welcome.

Add a runner or if you don’t want to worry about keeping it clean, paint one on the floor.

Create an eye catching wall display—with interesting groupings of photos, frames, shadow boxes, travel paraphernalia, family mementos, historic family photos, postcards and mirrors.

Or go for one large piece of art.

Decorate tables with interesting objects—beach glass in various sized jars, uniquely shaped

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4/28/2015

Tile Trends: The latest in versatile, distinctive designs : Home & Garden

and squares. Now there are also even more colorful grouting options to add pizzazz to tile designs. Tile trends also help create new looks, add visual interest and depth to any room turning a plain, neutral space into an individualize look reflecting the owner’s

vases, photos displayed in a variety of frames or a display of whatever you like to collect.

Large mirrors are great for giving the illusion of a larger space.

Chandeliers add a dramatic statement to a foyer no matter its size.

personality and style.

Fresh flowers or potted plants always give a positive vibe to an entrance space.

“The large open shower is enhanced with a

Urban dweller? Try lining your walls with vintage architecture finds—old tin types, street signs, covers of old books, streetscapes from a different era, shells found on the beach and work from local artists.

stone/pebble type of flooring for a back to nature feel,” Cathi Lloyd, owner of Decorating Den Interiors in St. John, showing photos of bathrooms she’s designed. “The interior tile is accented with a scroll border above the hand held shower head. The claw foot slipper tub features a classic diamond pattern on the floor crated with 16" tiles. On the outside

In the country—add historic rural charm with old washboards, metal watering cans, single windows with faded and chipped wood frames and whatever else you can find at garage sales or in old barns.

pony walls of the shower, the tile is again placed on a diamond pattern and accented with fleur­de­lis medallions.”

To add warmth—both physically and visually—Lloyd incorporated the addition of heating coils under the tile for a warm floor on even the coldest winter mornings, a champagne gold drum light fixture over the bathing area and paisley Empire swag treatment to soften all the hard stone and tile.

Because shades of gray continue into this year as the color, Lloyd shows another bathroom which features a grey and cream color scheme with marble tile throughout. Here, the large floor tiles are placed in a diamond pattern which accentuates the large open floor area and smaller coordinating marble tile is featured in the shower. As an added effect, the focal point on the shower walls features linear grey and cream metal tile insets.

A third bathroom uses beautiful rectangular shaped tiles installed in an offset pattern with two borders of complimentary tile added for interest and to accent the shower space.

“One of the big trends we’re seeing is tile that has an amazing wood like look to it,” says R.K. Muller at Master Tile Carpet One Floor & Home in Merrillville. “Originally, when they first came out with wood looking tile years ago, people said why would you use that, why wouldn’t you just use wood, but today’s wood looking tile is highly resilient, has long term resistance and even when you’re standing on it, looks just like wood. It’s perfect for high traffic areas and foyers and kitchens because it can take hard wear and water.”

Muller also points out that wood­look flooring also gives all the warmth and texture of wood in a tile. Wood­look tile is all part of the many new techniques used in making tile, he says.

“Tiles look more natural, whether it’s stone or wood,” he says. “And with the latest technology they’re able to match the color and texture of natural materials. Like with natural wood, they now have the ability to put knots in the tiles just like hard wood flooring would have.”

Muller also notes that the wood­look now comes in bigger sizes such as 12” x 24”, 18” x 18” and even as large as 48”. Textures can give the look of reclaimed, barn, rustic and aged wood as well as that of exotic hardwood. A mix of natural elements like wood­look and natural stone also is an emerging trend this year.

Decorative bands for backsplashes is also continuing to grow in popularity says Muller.

“With all the new tiles coming out, you can use them in many spaces, not just in bathrooms and kitchens,” he says. “They’re great in small spaces or anywhere you want to add a touch of style and interest.”

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