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!

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If you’ve noticed blush tones working their way into decor and design recently, you’re not alone. Whether in Goop’s feature on “The Pink Revolution” or the resurgence of a retro bathroom trend, people are talking about this hue. The popularity of this soft-but-not-too-soft shade of pink has grown in a big way in the last few years, and tile has not been immune to this trend. It’s easier than you think to tile a stunning space in pink. We’ll show you the different ways to incorporate blush into your design, whether as an accent or an all-over neutral, and make it your own.

The Old Pink

If you thought about pink a few years ago, your mind might have gone to a shade of mauve popular in the ’80s or a pastel, baby pink associated with nurseries. Like most colors, it has gone through evolutions and waxing and waning periods of being in fashion. The construct that pink is only for girls has existed for years, but the connotation is certainly changing.

“Pink is not a serious color. This is why I like to use it seriously. It is lovely and at the same time it brings in a certain distance, as if the decor made fun of itself.”—Pierre Yovanovitch, designer

The New Pink

Pink has never been as accessible as it is now. The shade can be feminine but doesn’t have to be. It pairs well with both bold and soft colors. Blush softens other intense neutrals like shades of brown, grey and black and is a compromise between a bold magenta pink and a saccharine pastel color. The new pink is neutral enough to be the perfect addition to any space. The blush tile in the photo below is a large-format size, adding an element of modernity.

3 Ways to Use Blush Tile

The effect of using blush in a tile design all depends on what you pair it with. With greys and other crisp neutrals, blush is a chic addition to an elegant space, like in the colorful but refined space below. In a large format or a metallic finish, it feels even more current. Blush can be a pop of color in a neutral space or a neutral shade in a bright, colorful palette. Here are our favorite ways to incorporate blush to get the style you’re looking for.

The New Neutral

Paired with other neutrals and simple details, blush serves as a modern, warmer neutral color in your palette. The below shower is a chic twist on a soft, all-over color that adds just the right amount of interest to a space. The textured design pops out from the rest of the shower without interrupting the simplicity of the monochromatic look.

We love the color palette in the image below. Soft grey, charcoal and white pair beautifully with the blush hues of Columbus Pink.

The pink tile below is so soft that it truly is a neutral. The overall effect is relaxed, chic and subtle.

Modern Elegance

London’s iconic Sketch restaurant is the perfect example of blush epitomizing modern elegance. Glittering gold and rose gold details, elegant finishings and blush pink are a winning combination. The shade is more welcoming than grey tones and feels utterly contemporary.

The color combination of blush and gold, especially in the subtle metallic paint splatter pattern below, is effortlessly chic yet fun.

Bold Accent

Combined with magenta and other bright colors, as seen in the photo below, blush works well with bold colors, livening up an otherwise neutral room. The abstract pattern of the glass tile (based on this colorful fabric) from the Annie Selke for The Tile Shop collection lends a playful, bright feeling to the shower.

If you just want to dip your toe into playing with blush, you can keep your tile design neutral and add pops of color with accessories, like the stool in the image below. The burnished gold finishings and crisp neutrals define the space in classic style with blush making the space feel current.

Here’s another way of incorporating a touch of blush into your design. Not only is it reflected in the art glass tile in the en suite, but the coordinating bedding and accessories allow blush to unite the space.

The Versatility of Blush

Just because blush is a trendy color doesn’t mean that you can’t make it your own. Using the Color Market Blush tile as our foundational pink hue, we set out to show how different a blush-based color palette can be using two designer collections from Pottery Barn as our inspiration.

This first mood board is undeniably elegant. Monique Lhuillier’s collection features hints of rose gold and a pared-down, modern color palette that benefits from the warmth and pop of color that blush adds. Crisp white, soft grey and cream round out the coloration of the collection.

It’s hard to believe the same shade of blush is the foundation for these two distinct color palettes. Turquoise blue, magenta and lime green accents cause blush to act as a neutral. Paired with bright, bold accent colors from the Lilly Pulitzer collection and a crisp white marble, this mood board exudes fun in a grown-up way.

Whether a dash of pink warms up your elegant space or a bright and colorful accent adds much-needed interest, today’s blush is far more versatile than the hues of the past. Explore our “Think Pink” Pinterest board for more inspiration.

Source of Pierre Yovanovitch quote: Architectural Digest

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