hex Archives - The Tile Shop Blog Fri, 21 Mar 2025 18:04:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 147117943 Tile Patterns and Layouts https://tileshopblog.wpengine.com/tile-patterns-and-layouts/ https://tileshopblog.wpengine.com/tile-patterns-and-layouts/#respond Fri, 21 Mar 2025 18:02:28 +0000 https://blog.tileshop.com/?p=905 Every choice you make in your tile design is essential. Color, shape and material all contribute to the look and...

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Every choice you make in your tile design is essential. Color, shape and material all contribute to the look and feel of your space, but just as important to your design concept is your tile layout. Read on for 11 classic layouts you need to know before beginning your tile project.

1. Horizontal Straight Stack

This contemporary layout features neat lines that draw the eye across the width of the wall or floor, making your room appear wider. The simple design can be created with any rectangle tile, including subway tile. Here, bands of Coco White matte and glossy tiles add a stylized touch to the bathroom wall; mixing finishes is an excellent way to elevate a simple layout.

Straight stack pattern. This bright and modern bathroom features handmade-look subway tile in stripes of matte and glossy finish.
Featuring: Coco White Glossy and Coco White Matte.

2. Vertical Straight Stack

Just like the guards at Buckingham Palace, these “soldier stacks” stand firm and tall. Installing tile vertically creates the illusion of height in your space. Vertically stacked subway tile will make your space feel contemporary, while rectangular large-format tile makes your space feel both taller and more expansive.

A vertical straight stack design. This shower wall features white handmade-look subway wall tile and square mosaic black granite floor tile.
Featuring: Tribeca Gypsum White, Shanxi Black Flamed Granite and Noir Stanton. Design and photography by Renovation Husbands.

“Horizontal and vertical straight stacks are my favorite tile patterns for bathrooms because they present a clean and fresh look. It’s important to have a polished design in your bathroom.” –Kirsty Froelich, The Tile Shop Director of Design

This sink backsplash features a grey handmade-look subway tile in an alternating vertical and horizontal straight stack design.

Pro Tip: Combine vertical and horizontal stacks for a stunning, custom design.

3. 1/2 Offset Brick Lay

There’s a reason why 1/2 offset is one of the most traditional layouts. The simple enhancement of offsetting stacked tiles by 50% is visually appealing and helps hide any imperfections in the installation. Use subway or rectangle tile to achieve a classic brick-lay look, or square tile for a chic offset design.

1/2 offset brick-lay pattern. Blush-colored brick-look subway tile with marble leaf-shaped shower niche.
Featuring: Alison Victoria Brick x Brick Petal, Alison Victoria Elia Polished and Alison Victoria Precious Metals 24 Karat.
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4. 1/3 Offset Brick Lay

The stair-step effect in this pattern is created by offsetting each tile by 1/3 of its length. We recommend using a 1/3 offset when designing with tile that is 8 x 16 in. or larger. Shop large-format tile to achieve this stylish design on your floors or walls.

A 1/3 offset brick-lay pattern. This bright kitchen floor features white marble-look tile.
Featuring: Nature Carrara.

5. Herringbone

Install large or small rectangle tile at a 45-degree angle to create a dynamic herringbone pattern. You can enhance the vertical and horizontal zigzag movements by incorporating different colors, finishes or a contrasting grout color.

A herringbone pattern. A white handmade-look subway tile backsplash.
Featuring: Tribeca Gypsum White.

6. Double Herringbone

A double herringbone is created by connecting two rectangle tiles. This layout is less common because it can be difficult to perfect. However, when executed correctly, as seen in this contemporary bathroom designed by Friedman General Contracting, the results are stunning!

A double herringbone pattern. This bathroom features a white subway tile backsplash in a double herringbone pattern.
Featuring: Imperial Bianco Matte. Design and photography by Friedman General Contracting.

This stylish bathroom features white subway tile with black grout and black pencil trim details.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to consider your grout color! A contrasting grout will accentuate your layout, while a grout that matches the tile results in a subtler design.

7. Chevron

Like herringbone, a chevron pattern creates a dynamic, zigzag design. However, this layout is created by connecting the angled ends of specially cut tiles, rather than installing rectangular tiles diagonally. The result is a fashionable V-shaped silhouette.

A chevron pattern. A marble chevron patterned kitchen wall with wooden shelves.
Featuring: Meram Blanc Carrara Chevron. Design by Nikki Chu.
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8. Grid

A tried-and-true design, this layout is created by simply arranging square tiles in a grid formation. It is ideal for patterned tile, especially when the pattern is enhanced by grouping four squares together, as it is on the Kelli Fontana Inlay Proper Florence Lace tile shown here.

A grid pattern. This elegant tile floor features an ornate botanical pattern.
Featuring: Kelli Fontana Inlay Proper Florence Lace.

9. Diagonal

Similar to the grid pattern, this layout consists of rows of square tile. However, as it is installed at a 45-degree angle, this pattern makes your floor or wall appear wider. We love how Timber Trails used this layout to add a contemporary twist to the classic checkerboard design. You can achieve a similar look using diamond-shaped tile.

Diamond pattern. Bathroom with white and cream checkerboard patterned floor and blue sink vanity.
Featuring: Bucak Light Walnut, Bucak Light Walnut Mosaic, Arctic White 8 x 20 in. and Arctic White 12 x 24 in. Design by Timber Trails Development Company. Photography by John and Maura Stoffer.

10. Versailles

Named after the French Palace of Versailles, this classically elegant pattern consists of rectangles and squares of varying sizes. While the Versailles pattern is commonly used for floor designs, it’s also striking on walls.

A Versailles pattern. This entryway features a black slate tile floor in a versailles pattern.
Featured: Adoni Black Small Versailles. Design by Bria Hammel Interiors. Photo by Spacecrafting.

11. Hex

The six-sided, honeycomb-shaped hex is a surprisingly versatile tile shape. Available in small mosaic formats and larger field tiles (up to 13 x 14 in.), all hexagon tile adheres to the same layout. However, the uniformity of similarly-sized hex tiles allows for custom patterns. Here, Beginning in the Middle created an elevated polka dot effect by adding Back Marquina hex to their Firenze Carrara hex design.

A hexagon pattern. This chic bathroom floor features grey marble hex with "dots" of black marble hex tile.
Featuring: Firenze Carrara Hex, Black Marquina Hex and Firenze Carrara Polished Threshold. Design & Photography by Beginning in the Middle.

Ready for a room refresh? The Tile Shop is here to help! Explore tons of unique tile combinations in real spaces with our Tile Visualizer, or schedule a free design consultation with our tile experts to get a jumpstart on your next project.

Find your local Tile Shop Showroom.

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Spring 2020 One Room Challenge™ Reveal Part 3 https://tileshopblog.wpengine.com/spring-2020-one-room-challenge-reveal-part-3/ https://tileshopblog.wpengine.com/spring-2020-one-room-challenge-reveal-part-3/#respond Tue, 04 Aug 2020 15:35:00 +0000 https://blog.tileshop.com/?p=2557 The third and final One Room Challenge™ reveal post is here! It has been so much fun to watch these...

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The third and final One Room Challenge™ reveal post is here! It has been so much fun to watch these spaces transform and to have the opportunity to work with such amazing designers. Is anyone else getting a serious itch to renovate their entire house or is that just us? Without further ado… let’s get into the remaining five spaces from the Spring One Room Challenge™!

Renovation Husbands

Starting us off with a bang is Stephen and David of Renovation Husbands! They took on an ambitious project tackling their master bedroom, closet and bathroom spaces. Even more impressive is that they did everything themselves!

Their bathroom before

What was once a storage space became the master bathroom of their dreams! Their design style flows seamlessly throughout the spaces, making each feel unique yet cohesive all at the same time.

Our shower was to be large, built-in, elegant, and most importantly, intentional. Intentional is [sic] word that we use all of the time when approaching a design – every aspect should look like it was done on purpose. 

– Stephen & David

Design by: Renovation Husbands.

And intentional it is! Every detail was perfectly executed. Inspired by Sarah of Room for Tuesday, they continued each aspect of the room throughout the shower. Any chair rail, baseboard or crown piece was continued into the shower to create a space space that felt cohesive all the way down to the tile and wood trim pieces.

Featured: Hampton Tumbled Hex Mosaic, Firenze Carrara Marble Barnes, Firenze Carrara Marble 8 x 20 in., Firenze Carrara Marble 12 x 24 in., Hampton Carrara Marble Skirting. Design by: Renovation Husbands.

Stephen and David visited our showroom in Watertown, MA. They were assisted by Leoni, the store’s Assistant Manager: “We had ambitious plans and needed help from someone who was up for the challenge. Thankfully we were paired with Leoni. Leoni knows tile, and she knows what The Tile Shop has to offer. She took all of our questions seriously and provided us with amazing information on the process.”

Featured: Hampton Tumbled Hex Mosaic, Firenze Carrara Marble Barnes, Firenze Carrara Marble 8 x 20 in., Firenze Carrara Marble 12 x 24 in., Hampton Carrara Marble Skirting. Design by: Renovation Husbands.

From the moment they took on this project, Stephen and David knew that marble was the tile they wanted in their shower. They searched for the perfect marble that didn’t have too much yellow, consistent grays and was honed. They ultimately decided on our Firenze Carrara marble which offers beautiful variation making it a highly sought after stone.

Featured: Firenze Carrara Marble Barnes, Firenze Carrara Marble 8 x 20 in., Firenze Carrara Marble 12 x 24 in. Design by: Renovation Husbands.

They used our Wedi Shower System to easily create their custom shower. Made out of high density foam, the system allows you to easily waterproof your shower and prepare it for tiling!

Its foam is super lightweight and can be cut so much easier than cement board. The entire thing is absolutely brilliant. We will definitely be using the Wedi System again. – Stephen & David

Featured: Firenze Carrara Marble Barnes, Firenze Carrara Marble 8 x 20 in., Firenze Carrara Marble 12 x 24 in., and Hampton Tumbled Hex Marble. Design by: Renovation Husbands.

Without a doubt, they achieved the intentional space they set out to create while also creating something pretty beautiful, too! Check out their entire master suite here.

Coco & Jack

Next up is Steve and Alyssa Terpstra, the husband and wife team that is Coco & Jack. Ever since they moved into this house over three years ago, their master bedroom and ensuite has been on their to-do list, but there always seemed to be a room that took higher priority. This ORC seemed like the perfect time to finally cross it off their list.

Steve & Alyssa’s bedroom before

Before, their bedroom and ensuite were functional but lacked their personality.

I’ve been thinking about how to redo our space for quite a while, and I really wanted it to feel collected and layered, with an over all neutral colour palette that still has a lot of depth to it. – Steve & Alyssa

Design by: Coco & Jack.

Even though their ensuite is a small space, they were able to add a lot of different elements and textures throughout the space. They chose to use a mix of finishes that were both rustic and polished to create interest.

Featured: Claros Silver Travertine. Design by: Coco & Jack.

They chose finishes for the shower that would make the space feel open and bright since it is relatively small. For their floor tile, they chose our Claros Silver Travertine for its unfinished and rustic qualities. It contrasts the polished finishes that Steve and Alyssa chose for the rest of the space adding a more casual feel.

Featured: Splendours White Subway and Hampton Carrara Marble Shower Curb. Design by: Coco & Jack.

They chose to lay the Splendours White Subway tile in a vertical straight stack to make the shower feel taller. Our Splendours tile has gorgeous variation in color and an almost handmade look to it, which adds depth and texture.

Featured: Claros Silver Travertine, Splendours White Subway, and Hampton Carrara Marble Shower Curb. Design by: Coco & Jack.

It’s all in the details! They added a Hampton Carrara Marble Curb and shelf. It continues the neutral tones grounded throughout the space and gives the shower added functionality and a finished look. Arguably the star of the show, Steve built the aged brass frame for the shower door, which has us all wondering if Steve would build us one!

Featured: Splendours White Subway, Hampton Herringbone Marble Mosaic, Hampton Carrara Marble Shower Curb and Claros Silver Travertine. Design by: Coco & Jack.

The Hampton Herringbone Marble mosaic tile adds a subtle pattern and continues the neutral tones from the rest of the space. If they thought their space was functional, it now is not only functional but even more so it is beautiful! Read about their entire One Room Challenge here.

Home Made by Carmona

From start to finish, Ursula Carmona executed each and every part of her bathroom and closet transformation making it a true DIY project. While challenging at times, the spaces that Ursula created are timeless and finally fulfill the plans she has had for the space since she moved in!

Ursula’s bathroom before

While the overall bones of the space stayed the same, you would never believe that these were once the same room!

I wanted to elevate the design in this room to be classy and sophisticated. Just because it’s not the biggest master bathroom doesn’t mean it can’t be loaded with modern luxury. – Ursula

Featured: Firenze Calacatta Honed Marble. Design by: Home Made by Carmona.

To add a luxe look to this bathroom, I went with a honed Marble floor tile from The Tile Shop, in a herringbone pattern in the center, and a border around the edges. – Ursula

Featured: Firenze Calacatta Honed Marble. Design by: Home Made by Carmona.

After some debate, Ursula decided to lay the floor tile in a herringbone pattern rather than playing it safe with a traditional staggered pattern. We are so happy she decided to go for it! The herringbone pattern complements the luxurious design that Ursula set out to achieve.

Featured: Firenze Calacatta Honed Marble. Design by: Home Made by Carmona.

Elements from her closet continue across the hallway and into the bathroom. We are so in love with the wallpaper Ursula used in her closet. It adds the perfect amount of statement while still feeling classic.

Featured: Firenze Calacatta Honed Marble. Design by: Home Made by Carmona.

There is no question that Ursula created a glam, luxurious bathroom and closet that is centered with classic features. Get all the details on the full spaces on her blog.

Beginning in the Middle

What originally seemed like a relatively straightforward project for Catherine and Bryan of Beginning in the Middle, quickly turned into much more, but are we so obsessed with the end result! For this season of the One Room Challenge, they chose to transform the attic master suite of their parents’ new, old cape cottage. When we say we’re ready to move in, we mean it!

The attic space before

I want this space to feel cozy, quaint, and classic with modern accents.  I’m leaning into the modern English cottage aesthetic here.  Think creamy neutrals, florals, modern lighting, and some planked walls/ceilings. – Catherine & Bryan

Design by: Beginning in the Middle.

Initially, their plan was to add a bathroom without adding a dormer, but a few weeks in they began to reconsider. Adding the dormer would increase the bathroom space about 50 square feet of space. After a lot of consideration on whether it was worth it paired with the cost and timeline aspects of the challenge, Catherine and Bryan went for it! Now looking back, it made a huge difference.

Featured: Firenze Carrara Marble Hex and Black Marquina Marble Hex. Design by: Beginning in the Middle.
Featured: Firenze Carrara Honed Marble. Design by: Beginning in the Middle.

They chose to use our Firenze Carrara Honed Marble which brings a classic and traditional feel to the bathroom. The grey veining contrasts beautifully off the white walls balancing the entire design.

Featured: Firenze Carrara Honed Marble. Design by: Beginning in the Middle.

The floor will primarily be the Firenze Hex tile, and we’ll use the Black Marquina Hex pieces to create the pattern. […] Having just a bit of black mixed with veiny white marble is going to add a really nice splash of contrast to the bathroom. – Catherine & Bryan

Featured: Firenze Carrara Honed Marble, Firenze Carrara Marble Hex, Black Marquina Marble Hex and Bianco Carrara Marble Threshold. Design by: Beginning in the Middle.

With some last minute changes due to COVID-19 and construction delays, there are a few finishing details left to complete the space. Read all about Catherine and Bryan’s 8-week transformation on Beginning in the Middle.

House of Hipsters

Her first time being a Featured Designer, Kyla, the brain behind House of Hipsters chose to take on her home office and gym. Her office seemed to be a place where furniture gets its chance but never seems to get a permanent spot. Let’s see what Kyla was working with!

Kyla’s office space during photoshoots before

It just wasn’t right…again. Being that I spend most of my time in this space, I want it to feel more welcoming and cozy…not cluttered and chaotic. […] More often than not it’s a dumping ground for sourced merchandise waiting to be cleaned, processed, and styled in the shop. – Kyla

Featured: Tresana Blanco Porcelain. Design by: House of Hipsters.

A gorgeous space with plenty of natural light, Kyla’s office had great potential. Some fresh floors, new furniture and unique art makes this space truly one of a kind.

Featured: Tresana Blanco Porcelain. Design by: House of Hipsters.

It was a last minute idea to add this arch connecting these two spaces and it turns out to be one of Kyla’s favorite details from the space. The Tresana Blanco large-format faux marble tile flows seamlessly in both rooms. It gives the space a glamorous feel without the added care of real marble.

Featured: Tresana Blanco Porcelain. Design by: House of Hipsters.

After some thought, Kyla chose to install the Pixel 2 Black Ceramic tile without grout to achieve a cleaner look. We love the contrast between the Pixel 2 Black and the Tresana Blanco floor tile. If only every at-home gym looked this glam!

Here’s a closer look at the black tile. You can see it has a subtle metallic dot pattern that gives the wall some added texture and edginess. – Kyla

Featured: Tresana Blanco Porcelain and Pixel 2 Black Ceramic. Design by: House of Hipsters.

View Kyla’s entire One Room Challenge space!

Learn more about the One Room Challenge here.

If you’ve made it to the end of our part 3 reveals, congrats! We can’t wait for the next season of the One Room Challenge. In the meantime if you’re inspired to start on your own project, let us take the intimidation out of the equation. Make a free appointment to talk about your project, either in the store or with a remote consultation, anytime. Learn more here.

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6 Bathroom Trends to Try Now https://tileshopblog.wpengine.com/6-bathroom-trends-to-try-now/ https://tileshopblog.wpengine.com/6-bathroom-trends-to-try-now/#respond Thu, 21 Mar 2019 18:49:24 +0000 https://blog.tileshop.com/?p=1103 One question we get asked a lot is what’s new and trending in tile and home design. We encourage everyone...

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One question we get asked a lot is what’s new and trending in tile and home design. We encourage everyone to make their project their own instead of focusing so much on what’s popular. Like Kirsty Froelich, Tile Shop design manager, says, “I truly believe that you shouldn’t worry about what’s in fashion because, if you go with what you love, you make the fashion.” (Spoiler: one of our trends is individualizing your space.) But there are always different looks and styles that are in demand. Here, we identify the top six bathroom trends to try now for something a little different.

Colorful cabinets

Neutral is nice, but colorful cabinets add an unmatched wow factor. Painted cabinetry, especially in soothing greens and blues, is perfect for adding pops to a neutral bathroom or bringing out a particular color in your tile. Below, the cobalt-blue paint color of the cabinet makes the same color in the tiles stand out, unifying color the room.

Bathroom with blue vanity cabinet

Featured: Talavera Encaustic. Design by The Divine Living Space. Photography by Spacecrafting.

Remember that using color doesn’t mean it has to be bright or bold. This soft, minty green brings a calming note to an otherwise neutral space.

Pale green bathroom vanity

Featured: Octagon Matte White with Black. Design by Bria Hammel Interiors. Photography by Spacecrafting. Building by SD Custom Homes.

Here’s another example of coordinating tile and cabinet colors. This time, the navy trim piece is the inspiration for the cabinet color.

Framed patterned floral tiles

Featured: Victoria and Albert Morgan Blue Decor, Imperial Bianco Bevel Gloss, Imperial Bianco Barnes, Imperial Bianco Gloss Pencil, Imperial Cobalt Gloss Pencil

The turquoise tone below was pulled from the wood-look tile, making it more prominent.

Moody turquoise cabinet

Featured: Sambu Azul Wood Look. Design by Sublime Homes.

This dusty blue looks like it’s straight from a day spa’s color palette.

Bold Walls

Whether an unexpected color, a dark hue or a lively pattern, a statement wall speaks volumes—and is easier to pull off than you might think. This bold pink-and-black color scheme is lightened by white cabinets and woodwork. Don’t be afraid to experiment and have a little fun, especially in small-scale powder rooms.

Bold takes on a different meaning in this image. Instead of bright, this design is dark and glamorous. The intricate details and luxe gold touches make this room feel opulent from top to bottom.

If this bathroom makes you reconsider both dark walls and oversized florals, you’re not alone. Picking just one wall to cover in a print and coordinating that color with the floor keeps the space chic.

An unexpected color can still create a clean and simple space. Opting for a darker tile mixed with white walls is the best of both worlds.

Bold blue wall tiles

Featured: Dot Indigo and Matte White 1 in Mosaic. Design by Paro Home.

Mixed Metals

Decorating is all about coordinating instead of matching exactly. Gone are the days of using the same finish everywhere in a room. This mix makes spaces look intentionally eclectic and give them more personality. The simple combination of a stainless tile trim, matte black faucet and bronze-look mirror modernizes this farmhouse bathroom below.

The different materials of the lights and faucet are made hardly noticeable because they’re not right next to each other, and they both work with the style of the room.

Neutral bathroom

Featured: Laura Ashley Wicker Dove Grey Matte, Imperial Brite White Matte Subway. Design by I SPY DIY.

A black faucet that coordinates with the light fixture lets the more glamorous mirror become the focus.

Matte Black

A relatively new finish gaining popularity in the industry, the photos below prove the adage that every room needs a touch of black. Below, the matte black fixtures paired with the black recessed shelves lend the perfect amount of contrast.

The lower half of this space is almost entirely outfitted in matte black, but the white walls and access to natural light fully brighten it up. White subway tiles and contrasting black grout coordinate with the matte black and tie the space together all the way up to the ceiling.

Between grey subway tile walls, a wooden vanity and encaustic tile floors, there are a number of different colors and finishes happening here. Matte black accents, finishings and accessories unify with a cohesive feeling.

Grey shower and encaustic floor

Featured: Imperial Oatmeal Gloss, Imperial Oatmeal Gloss Pencil, Imperial Oatmeal Gloss Skirting, Liria Negro Encaustic, Noir Polished Arabesque Travertine Mosaic

Sculptural Elements

These dimensional pieces, whether found in tiles, bathtubs or artwork, are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, like a sculpture. They are often simple and minimal with smooth lines and add an artistic component to a space. Below, this unique bathtub serves this purpose with its clean and sweeping lines.

The light fixtures in the space below are works of art.

Statement bathroom chandelier

Featured: Verona Blanco Polished, Camilla with Mirror Glass and Stone. Design by Russo Residential.

The combed, geometric design on this wall mosaic perfectly exhibits this trend in a soft way.

Combed geometric mosaic

Featured: Bianco Puro Combed Hexagons Honed Mosaic, Bianco Puro Honed Somerset, Dural Chrome-Plated Brass Square Edge, Bianco Puro Honed

These wall tiles are a compelling way to make neutral walls stand out.

Dimensional white wall tiles

Featured: Memphis Bianco Di Elba

Below, this sculptural lighting fixture creates subtle, modern interest.

Bathroom with mix of styles

Featured: Liria Negro Encaustic, Imperial Brite White Matte Subway, Black Hex. Design by Timber Trails Homes. Photography by Stoffer Photography Interiors.

The sweeping movements of this tile take white walls from bland to beautiful.

Individuality

More and more we see people wanting their spaces to stand out from the crowd and speak to their own individuality. Something simple and neutral might be less intrusive to the next buyers, but will it make you happy for as long as you live in your home? Do what you love (and it just might be what sells the next homeowner). This gorgeous Milas Lilac marble is refreshingly unique and striking.

Stunning purple marble

Featured: Milas Lilac Polished Chevron, Milas Lilac Polished Skirting, Milas Lilac Polished 8 x 20 in, Milas Lilac Polished Hex, Milas Lilac Polished Somerset

Another way to show your colors is to do just that—design with color. There are more options than ever to personalize with a spectrum of color choices.

Expressing your individuality might also come in the form of a unique design made from different shapes and colors of tiles. Many of our collections are made to be mixed and matched into playful configurations.

If glamorous is your style, go all the way. This stunning mosaic sets the tone—elegant and feminine.

We hope you found inspiration in some of the latest bathroom trends. Still searching for ideas? Visit our bathroom tile idea page for more inspiration.

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A Tour of the Victorian Farmhouse https://tileshopblog.wpengine.com/tour-victorian-farmhouse/ https://tileshopblog.wpengine.com/tour-victorian-farmhouse/#respond Wed, 27 Feb 2019 17:00:12 +0000 https://blog.tileshop.com/?p=1048 Four and a half years ago, Stephanie and her husband Travis, who were expecting their second son, went to look...

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Four and a half years ago, Stephanie and her husband Travis, who were expecting their second son, went to look at a big, gorgeous home that was out of their budget. Mysteriously, there were no photographs of the home’s interior on the realtor’s website. When they got there, they understood why. Though the outside was every bit the Victorian beauty they’d seen online, the interior was a complete mess. It hadn’t been updated since the ’60s, and they immediately knew it would be way too much work to even consider. By the time their 20-minute drive home was over, they’d decided to buy it.

The Victorian Farmhouse

The Victorian Farmhouse

The Victorian Farmhouse

Enter the Victorian Farmhouse, a unique over-100-years-old blend of a city-style Victorian and a country farmhouse near Milwaukee, WI. Stephanie and Travis certainly had their work cut out for them. All 13 rooms in the home needed to be completely redone. So, what convinced them that it’d be worth the work? Stephanie’s ability to see past the mess to the hidden original elements showed her that beneath all the musty layers was their forever home. And, four and a half years later, taking that leap of faith has paid off.

Tile was an integral part of this remodel because Stephanie’s choices, especially marble and hexagons, allowed her to honor the age and style of the home with new materials and create the modern farmhouse of her family’s dreams.

House Stats

Year built: 1892

Owned for: 4.5 years

Square feet: 3,000

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 2

History

Stephanie has put almost as much work into the researching the history of the Victorian Farmhouse as she has designing it. Through Ancestry.com, the historical society and the library, she learned that the original owners were successful dairy farmers William and Elenora Foster (pictured with the home below). The family’s success in farming allowed them to build this Victorian-style home out on their country farm. The house was originally built as a wedding gift by William’s parents, who lived next door, and the family stayed in the home until the 1940s. Stephanie and her husband are only the fourth owners in 127 years. At one point in its history, the house was used as a guesthouse for travelers passing through.

Historic photo of original owners

Stephanie found this amazing photo of her house with its original owners.

Historical Details

The intact historical details of the home were a big selling point for the couple. From the grand staircase down to the intricate doorknobs, there are hidden treasures everywhere. The front parlor is one of their favorite places because of the cozy atmosphere the fireplace and the stained-glass windows create. In the dining room, the original woodwork of the two-toned floor is the standout feature. To complement this original detailing, lots of antique and thrifted items were used. This bench in the entryway, originally used as church or theater seating in the 1920s, was salvaged from a dumpster and perfectly suites the home’s style.

Staircase and chairs

Grand staircase

Entryway and staircase

Entryway

Antique doorknob

Stained-glass window

Front parlor

Dining room

Dining room

Kitchen

The kitchen shines as an authentic-yet-functional space with its mix of modern conveniences and historical details. Maintaining the character of an 1890s home while bringing a fresh take was the ultimate design goal. Rustic and vintage pieces, like the colorful Depression glass from the 1920s that Stephanie has been collecting for years, add character and a farmhouse feeling. Modern materials, like this marble-look tile and updated appliances, have an updated look that coordinates with the rest of the space.

Kitchen island

Extending the tile all the way to the ceiling gives the room height.

Old wood and new tile

Old meets new

Laundry Room

Like much of the house, the laundry room also has amazing wooden features. The vintage bench and hexagonal tiles, which Stephanie loves and repeated throughout the house, flatter these features and combine function with style.

Laundry room

Wood ceiling details in the laundry room

laundry and mudroom

Featured: Hex Matte Black

white bathroom

The hexagonal motif is repeated in this bathroom. Featured: Carrara Gris Gloss Subway and Firenze Carrara Honed 2 in Hex. Stephanie used Wedi Fundo Primo Shower Kit to build the shower.

Wrought-iron bed

Stephanie found this bed (that retails for around $1,000) at Habitat for Humanity Restore for only $65! The style fits perfectly in the master bedroom, which was the servants’ quarters in the original home.

The claw-foot bathtub is another Craigslist find. It was in terrible shape so Stephanie restored it and painted it black. Now, it’s one of her favorite places to relax in the house. Featured: Firenze Carrara Honed 2 in Hex

Read more about the Victorian Farmhouse journey on their blog.

All photography except third photo by Stephanie Kreger. All contract work by The Kreger Company of New Berlin, WI.

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Self-Expression Through Geometric Tile https://tileshopblog.wpengine.com/self-expression-through-geometric-tile/ https://tileshopblog.wpengine.com/self-expression-through-geometric-tile/#respond Thu, 15 Nov 2018 21:01:54 +0000 https://blog.tileshop.com/?p=446 Designs and trends are constantly evolving, allowing for the ultimate expression of creativity and imagination. One trend we’ve seen pushing...

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Designs and trends are constantly evolving, allowing for the ultimate expression of creativity and imagination. One trend we’ve seen pushing the boundaries of ingenuity, artistry and self-expression is geometric tile. We’re going to highlight our favorite geometric tiles and how to use them to their full potential.

“Geometric shapes hold an energy pattern, and scientists did some experiments which say certain geometric shapes can affect matter around them. It’s simply because when a human looks at a shape, they instantly receive energy from their brain.” – Tom DeLonge, musical artist

The extravagant movement, iconic shapes and energetic patterns of geometric tile allow you to make a statement in any space. These tiles aren’t just an addition to a design – they ARE the design. Geometric shapes include squares, rectangles, triangles, polygons, hexagons, diamonds, pyramids and more. With so many different variations and shapes in geometric tile, the possibilities are endless!

Categorizing Geometric Tiles

Geometric Patterned Tile 

Stunning designs can be printed on tile to add an artistic flash to any space. Glamorous patterns have universal use. You can either cover a wall to make a bold statement or display a small statement as a piece of art.

Some printed patterns are made to complement modern spaces while others are created to wow viewers. The geometric tiles above define a wall with an elegant yet subtle diamond pattern. In contrast, the bold and bright pattern on the image below almost demands (and deserves) attention.

Featured: Artisan Tiare

Patterned tile can bring a very artistic and contemporary look into your home. The tile below creates a 3-D effect by using two different colored triangles and rhombuses to create a geometric structure.

Geometric Shaped Tile

While most tile like subway or square tile only has four sides, geometric shaped tile brings tile design to a whole new level. Shapes like hexagons, diamonds and rhombuses stand out compared to standard rectangular formats. Geometric shapes can be either 2-D or 3-D. The front cover of our 2018 design book contains a very fresh, modern 3-D pattern. Yara Metal Silver Hex ceramic wall tile is unique because not only is the shape a hexagon, but the tile contains several different 3-D triangles for extra texture and augmentation.

Geometric Mosaics

Mosaics are small pieces of tile that are intricately placed together on a mesh sheet to create stunning patternsthat’s what makes these mosaics so unique. Not all mosaic designs are the same. Check out the lavish, Nova Hex Graphite mosaics in the image below. The mosaic pattern is created by repeating stretched hexagons to add glamour and dimension.

The pattern on this next image shows a mosaic from the Legno Limestone collection. This design presents a stylish look with its wood-like texture and variety of shapes.

Featured: Legno Geometric

Ways to Use Geometric Tile

The Center of Attention 

When people want to make a bold statement, they might use a big collection of art, flashy furniture or even a bright-colored tile or wallpaper. While those are all great options, geometrically patterned tile is your key to making a show-stopping space. Cover your floor or wall with tile to make a bold, eye-catching presentation.

Subtle Accent Displays

Don’t let the boldness of geometric tile intimidate you. Many people turn away from geometric patterned tile and layouts because they think it might be overwhelming. But patterns can be displayed as an accent piece if you aren’t committed to the full effect. Kirsty Froelich, The Tile Shop design manager, loves adding small statement displays to rooms because it adds a dash of emotion and color.

“You don’t need to be scared of using geometric tile and patterns. They are a great opportunity to add something exciting that won’t overpower the features in a space. – Kirsty Froelich

Display a geometric accent piece in your shower or on the side of a bathtub or island countertop. “Accents give you a chance to add unexpected artistry,” Froelich said. As seen above, these geometric displays are ideal for people who only want a subtle but stunning statement.

A Lively Greeting

Incorporating geometrically patterned tile is wonderful in an entryway. Fun and spirited patterns give guests an immediate welcoming impression. West Bay Homes perfectly completes a modern farmhouse design with the vintage, symmetric Star series.

Image from West Bay Homes. Featured: Star

Modern Elegance

Solid-white tile is a great choice for creating a clean, modern presence. The White Hex tiles below create a chic, fresh feeling without an overbearing display.

Featured: White Hex

Create Your Own Masterpiece

A current trend is to create your own geometric designs and shapes with tile. This trend attracts the bold and brave designers. Every concept you explore is a statement and your very own work of art. The Connect series in the image below was made to mesmerize. The small triangular pieces allow you to create extravagant designs for a modern twist. This method of using geometric tile guarantees originality and personalized taste and vision.

Featured: Connect Tri 

“Styling with geometric shaped tiles gives you more flexibility and freedom to make whatever you want.” – Luke Crownover, Tile Shop product manager

Whether a bold, patchwork arrangement of patterned tiles, an elegant kitchen backsplash or a simple display of white hexagons, geometric tile will always be the ultimate tool to express yourself. Inspired by what you see? Schedule a design consultation to achieve your next vision with geometric tile.

Source of Tom DeLonge quote: Spin Magazine

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