“While we might be great at communicating, we are not always great at agreeing on architecture and decor,” Cristin said. “Zach is from the mountains and loves modern design and rustic elements. I’m from a small town in South Carolina and love all things southern, traditional and cozy.”

Kitchen

As we look through the rest of their mountain home, we think it’s safe to say they did an amazing job at deciding every design detail.

How gorgeous is the Meram Blanc Carrara Marble backsplash? The stone’s white undertones and light-grey veining beautifully unite with the white cabinetry and reclaimed wood accents.

Laura Ashley Laundry Room

The combination of black cabinetry and light-toned tiles creates a stunning contrast in Cristin’s laundry room.

This backsplash is so charming, we just had to include a close-up view! Patterned backsplashes are a great way to add a personalized statement in your home.

Love this look? Check out the rest of our Laura Ashley collection!

Porch Palace

Disclosure: If you get porch envy easily, then you might want to skip this section. From stunning views to charming decor, this space has it all!

“I thought it would be fun to embrace the bohemian trend,” Cristin said. “I decided to mix several patterns of textiles to pair with our simplistic furniture and keep everything neutral and inviting.”

See all of Cristin’s modern-neutral porch decor here.

Mudroom

Before Cristin visited The Tile Shop, she wanted a small, dark slate-looking floor tile for the mudroom. But to her surprise, the in-store inspiration helped Cristin choose a tile that best fit the smaller space.

“The larger sized Nain Negro really helps open up this narrow space. The tile has the look and feel of slate, but it’s actually a durable porcelain tile,” Cristin added.

“The in-store tiled displays really helps you gauge different sizes and colors and how it will look in your space,” said Cristin.

Master Bathroom

“The Tile Shop helped me tremendously with this space as we had to decide what patterns and sizes would best complement each other and how much tile we would need for the shower and floor,” Cristin said. “I also learned all about niches in the shower wall, polished edging, Dural systems and all finishing pieces when designing a bath.”

Welcome to Hampton Carrara heaven! From herringbone patterned floors to offset pattern shower walls, this master bath shines with elegance.

Guest Bath

“Our guest room is downstairs in what I lovingly refer to as man land—this is where all of Zach’s favorite rooms are,” Cristin explained. “We wanted the bathroom to be dark, moody and rustic.”

Children’s Bath

While the other bathrooms in the house showcase lavish marble appeal, Cristin wanted a clean, simple and affordable tile design for this last space. Luckily, she didn’t have to sacrifice her style and was able to achieve her goal with the stone-look tile flooring. Calacatta Bianco unites the durability of porcelain with the stunning look of marble.

Looking for design inspiration or DIY tile installation tips? From inspiration and tile samples to free design services, we’ll partner with you for every step of the way.

Follow Cristin Cooper on Instagram for lifestyle tips and home décor inspiration.

The post Cristin Cooper’s Mountain Hideaway appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Michelle’s interior design career has reigned for 30 years. When Michelle is not designing projects around the world and leading her renowned showroom, Ceylon et Cie, she’s searching for her next source of inspiration.

“I’m a curious person, I always have been,” Michelle said. “I love traveling, nature and visiting forgotten properties. Before the iPhone, I used to sketch details that caught my eye. Wherever I go in the world, I take pictures, whether it be museums or a trim on someone’s dress sitting next to me. The world is full of inspiration. Yo­­­­u just have to look for it.”

The Main Kitchen: Bold, Patterned & Unique

From a stunning Mayan-inspired mural to dramatic accents of our Rosso Marquina trim tile around the window, Michelle left no detail forgotten.

Why did you choose to incorporate Rosso Marquina?

“It’s stunning, bold and dramatic. From all of The Tile Shop’s beautiful marbles, I felt this one stood out, and I knew that I could create something special with it,” Michelle explained. “I also love the variety of profiles and trim. There are so many fantastic ways to use it.”

Michelle beautifully executed the colorful cabinetry kitchen trend. On one end of the kitchen stands daring blue and soft pink cabinets to lighten the mood of the kitchen. The opposite side of the space displays dominate, black cabinetry with a unique sculptural design. The strong contrast between the opposing cabinets completes the kitchen’s dramatic presentation.

How did you create the black sculptural cabinets?

“I had in my inspiration folders for many years—a Louise Nevelson sculpture that I had taken a picture of in New York,” Michelle said. “I have been thinking for years of a way to create cabinetry based off this. I literally glued all of the pieces on with the carpenter and it took forever!” 

The Cocktail Bar: Opulent, Provocative & Bespoke

Tell us about the iconic mural! What inspired you to pick this piece and recreate it on wallpaper?

“I was looking for an art deco bar that felt like we were somewhere else in time and yet still current. I had taken the photo of the mural years ago and saved it. With the help of Paul Montgomery studios, we brought to life the spectacular image. It’s based on the story written by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book,” Michelle said.

Michelle continued designing with the opulent theme with Marmi Classico Nero Venato Silk Porcelain tile flooring. The white and gold veining, satin-black marble look and soft finish make this selection as smooth as it is sleek.

The Art Kitchen: Private, Psychedelic & Emblematic 

Behold, the art of maximalism. Maximalists strive to design bolder, brighter, busier and bigger. With “more is more” in mind, Michelle designed her kitchen with personality, worldly wallpapers and bohemian decor.

What does maximalism in design mean to you?

“Minimalism has reigned for many years. However, I have always been a maximalist. While others were doing less, I have been holding the course for more,” Michelle explained. “It’s just simply what I’ve always been drawn to and loved since the beginning of my career. I guess the rest of the world finally caught up.”

“People should live in what makes them happy.”—Michelle Nussbaumer, founder of Ceylon et Cie.

What is your response to people who are afraid of designing boldly?

“Beige and white are not colors. I live and design in Technicolor. I personally don’t ever want to live in a sterile, white-box type of laboratory. I think that people should live in what makes them happy. For me, that’s pattern. There are so many ways to incorporate color and pattern, and I think sometimes people forget about the floors, which are an easy place to start,” Michelle said.

What is your favorite kitchen out of all of the Kitchen of the Year spaces?

“That would be really hard to choose,” Michelle replied. “But I would say that I feel most at home in the Art Kitchen. It is my own private space, so I created a room that is very personal to me. It’s comfortable, cozy and inviting. And quite a few of my favorite things are in this room.”

The Speakeasy: Whimsical, Creative & Amusing

Eye-catching looks of stone and glamorous gold features create an ambiance of grandeur and charm. Stone-look tiles perfectly elevate this space with their rich stone appearance and the durability of porcelain.

What do you like most about working with tile?

“I love tile, and I love any material that create new patterns and backdrops for my design. The Tile Shop has such a huge array, and there are so many ways to combine your products and create something so completely individual and different. I mixed faux-marble porcelain tiles with real marble to create a very luxurious and sumptuous space,” Michelle said.

Do you have the same design taste and ambition as Michelle, but lack the design expertise? Have no fear! Let us take the intimidation out of the equation. Schedule a free design consultation with one of our tile design experts.

Find more interior design inspiration at House Beautiful.

Follow Michelle Nussbaumer, Ceylon et Cie and House Beautiful on Instagram.

All photography by Douglas Friedman.

The post Spotlight on: Michelle Nussbaumer appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

“Blue is known for its trust and dependability. It’s reliable, responsible, and mentally soothing. For that reason alone, it’s one of the most-liked colors across the entire world.”—CoSchedule

Pattern Play

The color blue is said to encourage efficiency and confidence. Patterns are a great way to express your personality. Put the two concepts together, and you have the ultimate courageous look!

Liven up your patio with an energetic pattern and color. Blu Widow Hex was made to entertain and set the scene for your summer backyard bash!

Seaside Oasis

Light blue is the best color to design with when it comes to easing stress and promoting tranquility. Which is why it’s the a perfect color for creating a variety of coastal looks.

The Pixel series’ deep sea blue, teal and sea-green colors will add a nautical twist to a bathroom or kitchen. These ocean-inspired tiles are pool rated, making them perfect for adding a refreshing twist outdoor spaces.

Check out our latest signature look, Beach House Bath, in the image below. This eye-catching display features tile from our Color Market series. The light blue was pulled out of the floor and repeated on the wall to complement the bright colors.

“While the floor colors provide vibrancy and fun, the soft blue wall adds a calming effect, tying the beach vibe together beautifully.”—Kirsty Froelich, Tile Shop design manager

You can find Beach House Bath and explore more of the Color Market series’ endless colorways in a showroom near you.

You don’t have to dive beneath the ocean’s surface to find this next tile. Patchwood Deep Ocean’s wood look and dark shades of blue and grey replicate wooden planks from sunken ships.

Farmhouse Blue

Blue and white have remained a classic country palette throughout the years. The timeless duo adds a welcoming and refreshing look to any design. Our rustic Star Blue tile holds an identical coloration and feeling. Utilize the tile’s vintage charm and appearance to complete a modern farmhouse look.

The playfully patterned accent backsplash in the image below belongs to our Annie Selke Ikat collection. This bold blue tile adds a bohemian vibe to the artisanal-style subway tiles and country kitchen.

Luxurious Blue

Who knew blue stone and stone-look tiles could be so appealing to the eye? We did!

Refine your kitchen backsplash with the soft blue undertones of Victoria Grey marble and refreshing white marble. This chevron mosaic provides a perfect accent of elegance.

Aqua Blu defines the look of luxury and individuality. The polished blue stone look instantly elevates this shower.

Bold and Blue

For our last look, we were inspired by the saying “go big or go home.” Improve the atmosphere of a small space by filling it with shades of blue. While this bathroom’s courageous focal point is the blue tile, the designer brightened up the space with accents of white and gold.

Step into the refreshing shower oasis below—the glistening blue Humboldt Glass subway tiles lighten the atmosphere. We love the coordinating niche and floor tiles. The Hampton Carrara marble adds an appealing sophistication to the design.

Ready to refresh your home with the color blue? We have plenty of blue tiles to help with that. Visit your nearest showroom to see the largest selection of tile in U.S.

The post A Color Story: Blue appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.