Go Bold With a Geometric Pattern

Want to make your floor the focal point? A bold geometric pattern is sure to be a show-stopper. Tie it into other design elements in the room through color or pattern, or use white tile or paint on the walls to keep the floor the main feature. Whether you choose bold colors like the encaustic-look Artisan Tiare tile or a black-and-white design, the clean lines of a geometric tile will make your bathroom feel neat and orderly.

Embrace Ultimate Luxury With Marble

Nothing is more luxurious or unique than natural stone, and no stone exudes elegance quite like marble. Most of our marble collections include tile in a variety of sizes and shapes so you can match a square or rectangular tile with a mosaic to create distinction on the floors while still maintaining cohesion in your space. Designer Nikki Chu has done just that in this bathroom covered in floor to ceiling Ashford Cararra. We love how the smaller format hexagon floor tiles provide some relief from the large-format wall tiles. Read A Step Inside: Nikki Chu’s Neutral-Luxe Total Home Reno for more of her design philosophy and inspiring spaces.

Create a Coastal Chic Vibe

Want a bathroom that radiates beach vibes year-round? Our Summeland by Jeffery Alan Marks tiles, inspired by the California Shoreline, will infuse your bathroom with warm and inviting coastal charm.

Extend the Floor

Tile doesn’t need to stop where the floor ends. If you’re loving your floor tile, take it up the tub or shower wall. The Laura Ashley Sunflower tile on this tub wall is an unexpected detail that adds charm and character to this bathroom. View more spaces featuring tile inspired by the iconic British brand here.

Play With Scale Using Large-Format Tiles

Want to make a small bathroom appear bigger? Large-format tiles require fewer grout lines, making your floor feel more cohesive and your space more expansive. The 24 x 47 in. Aqua Blu tile used in this bathroom designed by Rashida Banks makes this bathroom feel luxuriously spacious.

Add Elegance With Marble-Look Tiles

If you like the look of marble but not the price point, porcelain marble-look tiles, like the Tresana Blanco used in this gorgeous bathroom designed by Brooke Pavel, are a durable and cost-effective alternative that’s sure to dazzle. We have a wide variety of marble-look tiles ranging from crisp white to black. Choose soft, subtle veining or go dramatic with thick, bold hues. Whatever style, marble-look tiles will add a touch of class and elegance to your floor.

Create Vintage Charm With Penny Rounds

Small and neat penny rounds are as classic as they are chic. We have a wide selection of penny rounds, mounted on a mesh backing for easy installation. Choose a pre-made pattern or create your own using the wealth of colors available. The delightful pattern below designed by Timber Trails was created using the Penny Round White Gloss and the Penny Round Cloudy tiles.

Keep it Simple With Black and White Patterns

If you want to infuse color in your walls, mirrors or fixtures, a simple black and white tile floor pattern will complement rather than detract from the rest of your room. The Cloth Black and White tile used in this bathroom designed by Zig & Co. adds to the whimsical character of the room while allowing the bright colors and fun butterfly-patterned wallpaper to shine.

Marvel With a Beautiful Mosaic

Mosaics don’t just make for gorgeously intricate floors, the small tile pieces also require more grout lines, which provides more traction on floors prone to wetness. Mosaic tile comes in a wide variety of shapes–from hexagons to basketweaves to petals and more–and comes on a mesh backing for easy installation. Choose a mosaic in a mix of colors, like the Modena tile in this shower designed by Nikki Chu, to add exciting detail to your floor.

Create a Classic & Classy Checkerboard

If you want to add character to your floors, a checkerboard pattern is a style that is simultaneously sophisticated and fun. The alternating tiles create a dynamic movement that will enliven your floors with energy and playfulness. Whether you use traditional black and white, a muted white and cream or a bold color paired with a pattern, checkerboard tile is a versatile classic that’s always in style.

Mix Colors and Patterns

Have a wallpaper you love for your bathroom? Pair it with a patterned floor tile. When you keep to the same color palette, you can play with patterns and not clash. A lot is going on in this bathroom designed by Zig and Co., but keeping everything in blue, green and white maintains an intentional design scheme.

Keep it Neutral

If bright and bold isn’t your style, don’t be afraid to embrace a neutral color palette. Beige doesn’t have to be boring–a fun shape and subtle pattern can add interest to a floor without becoming overwhelming. We love how the Blot Noon Hexagon tile creates a pattern that’s as appealing as it is calming.

Create a Natural Look With Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Want the natural look of wood in your bathroom, but are afraid it will be difficult to maintain in a room prone to wetness? Luxury vinyl flooring is an easy-to-maintain, 100% waterproof flooring option that will mimic the look of natural wood and stone. It is also easy to install, making it a great option for a DIY project. We have luxury vinyl flooring in a wide variety of wood and stone styles, so you can get exactly the look you want.

We hope one of our favorite trends for 2023 sparks an idea for your next project! If you end up using one of these ideas, or a great bathroom floor idea of your own, we hope you will share it with us by tagging us on Instagram–we love to see your tile creations!

You can find even more inspiration on Customer Room Gallery where our tiles are used in a variety of real spaces! Or, if you’re looking for some guidance on an upcoming project, set up a free design consultation to get advice from our tile experts.

The post 13 of Our Favorite Bathroom Floor Tile Ideas for 2023 appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Pop of Pink

This chic, feminine room designed by At Home with Ashley is a complete dream. A pink pencil trim adds charming detail to the Hampton Carrara polished tile and ties in with the bold floral wallpaper. If you’d like to learn more about incorporating this style in your home, read 6 Tips to Design With Color from At Home with Ashley.

Delightful Pattern

Fresh, clean white walls balance the charming hand-painted look of the Decor Daiza White Pav giving the patterned tile the spotlight. If you’re loving this design by Timber Trails as much as we are, check out our tour of their Varsity Blues home.

Modern Geometry

The lined pattern of the Ragno Blanco tile creates playfulness in this laundry room that’s sure to make folding fun!

Classically Charming

The custom-designed penny round mosaic tile is intricate without being busy. We love how the colors complement the other elements in the room, like the floral wallpaper, blue cabinetry and bench. This is a laundry room we wouldn’t mind lounging in between wash cycles!

Splendid Neutrals

This fresh and contemporary laundry room is an inspiration! The stone mosaic of the Montauk Light Grey tile creates a clean, geometric design that enhances the neutral elements in the room.

Light & Dark

Black and white but definitely not boring, this laundry room uses a simple color scheme to coordinate the Laura Ashley Wicker Charcoal tile with the bold-patterned wallpaper. For more tiles from the iconic British brand, shop the Laura Ashley collection.

Fresh-Hued Blue

The Decora Ornament Blue tile adds interest to the fresh and clean aesthetic of this beautiful blue laundry room designed by Kelli Fontana of West Bay Homes. See more inspirational rooms from her Sun Coast Estate on our home tour.

Awash in Luxury

We can’t stop gushing over this gorgeously lush laundry room designed by Nikki Chu! The opulence of the bold gold, grey, brown and ochre veining in the Macchia Vecchia marble-look tile is embellished by the gold accessories, while the Track Stack White Two Tone mosaic tile creates balance with its neat, orderly lines.

Clean and Contemporary

The brownish-grey concrete appearance of the Nord Ris Hex tile coordinates well with the grey cabinetry and delicate floral wallpaper in this bright and airy laundry room.

A New Take on Vintage

This custom hexagon mosaic tile floor creates a look that’s at once modern and traditional. The simple wood cabinetry and black fixtures throughout the room add to the timeless feel.

Feeling inspired to freshen up your laundry room? Schedule a free design consultation to get started.

We love seeing your spaces! Share your next project by tagging us @thetileshop on Instagram or uploading it directly to our Customer Room Gallery (you can find even more design inspo there, too)!

The post 10 Rooms That Will Make You Love Laundry Day appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Unique among design styles, mid-century modern design can be traced back to a specific person. The history begins with Joseph Eichler, a real estate developer in California during the 1940s through the 1960s, who advocated and built more modern-style housing. Whole suburban neighborhoods of homes (called “Eichlers”) from this movement still exist in California and beyond today. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, Eichlers often feature flat or A-framed roofs, vertical wood siding, clean and geometric lines, few street-facing windows, and large windows or skylights that let in light and nature. Their interiors introduced the country to exposed beams, concrete floors, sliding doors and en suite bathrooms. While we may take many of these design features for granted today, in postwar America, when people were used to mass-produced homes, architecturally pleasing Eichlers were a breath of fresh air. See some examples of this style, and read more about it here.

Why did this new style make such an impact that we’re still talking about it decades later? Many of the hallmarks of mid-century modern design still feel as fresh, clean and current today as they did in the 1950s:

• Open floor plans
• Simple, clean lines
• Neutrals (especially grey) combined with bright colors (especially orange and green)
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Simple furniture (similar to today’s Scandinavian style)
• Artistic items

There are also some specific things you can look for to determine mid-century tiles:

• Color, especially rich colors like green and orange
• Geometrics
• Fan shapes
• Organic shapes
• Metal edging
• Handcrafted, artisan look
• Straight stacked subway tile
• Beveled and framed subway tile
• Large-format tiles

Let’s look at how some real spaces use these mid-century modern elements. You’ll notice that a lot of the trends overlap from picture to picture which goes to show that these elements are true hallmarks of mid-century modern design!

Color

Who doesn’t love a pop of color?! Whether featured in tile, cabinetry, fabrics or accessories, have fun with your design and include something bold and bright (bonus points for rich colors like orange and green).

Geometrics

Geometrics are another style that often appears in mid-century modern design. There are as many different ways to use geometric tiles as there are geometric tiles available. Use one color, mix and match or stick with neutrals for a more subtle approach to geometry.

Straight Stack

The most common and classic layout for subway tile is the brick-lay pattern. (Learn all about subway tile patterns on our blog post about the topic.) A more contemporary and mid-century modern way to install rectangular tiles is the straight stack. It features a clean layout and straight, even grout lines.

Organic Shapes

Handmade-look tiles, an artisan feel and organic shapes all work well in mid-century modern style. A subway tile with a soft twist and a hexagon with a handmade-feel beveled edge fit the bill.

Explore more design styles on the blog or our website. Loving mid-century modern for your next project? Book a design appointment to get started today!

The post Mid-Century Modern Style appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

We are excited to bring a designer spotlight to you. Bria Hammel of Bria Hammel Interiors is another designer local to The Tile Shop’s Minnesota home base, but she’s been making big waves all over the country. From her dreams of going global to staying true to her traditional Southern style, read on to learn about the woman behind Bria Hammel Interiors.

What is your educational background and work experience?

I went to college at the University of Kansas where I started out studying business and then switched majors to interior design. During that time, I had an internship working for a residential and commercial interior design firm. The designer had a showroom where she sold furniture and accessories, so I was able to see the retail side of things, too. It was great because I got a lot of experience trying out all different areas of interior design and it helped me hone in on what I was passionate about.

I worked there for a few years until my family convinced me to move back to Minnesota where I took a job as an interior designer at Ethan Allen. Retail was a great way to meet a lot of vendors, like fabric reps, manufacturers and other designers. The experience exposed me to a lot of different parts of the business. After about a year, I got promoted to design team manager at the Edina location. Being a manager gave me a lot of training for running a business and what the financial side of that involves but it was also completely related to the design industry.

Once I got married, I didn’t want to work crazy retail hours anymore, and I went to work for a high-end interior designer who was just starting her business. She brought me on as a design assistant to help her launch the business. It was amazing to be along for the journey of watching a business grow. It also helped sealed the deal on the relationships I didn’t have when I originally moved back. Once I had my son, I knew I wanted to stay home with him and start my own business, and I started Bria Hammel Interiors in 2012.

Did you always have an eye for design? You said you started school majoring in business and made the switch to interior design. Did you just realize that’s what you wanted to do or how did you decide to make that change?

My mom was a serial house flipper when I was growing up. She’s a physician, but she loved to buy houses in her spare time. We probably lived in ten different homes when I was growing up. I always refer to her as a closet designer! I grew up furniture shopping and hanging out in wallpaper stores with her, but I never thought being a designer was an option. When I went to college, everyone started calling me a young Martha Stewart because my room was the nicest out of everyone’s in the house. At one point, someone asked me why I wasn’t planning on doing that for my career. And I thought, “That’s a good idea, I think I will.” And I changed my major that semester.

What do you see as the Bria Hammel Interiors vision?

We want to become the go-to design firm in the country. I hate to limit us to just being local because our biggest projects are out of state. We really are passionate about residential interiors from the ground up. Our favorite projects are when we can help the client design the home and then decorate the home. We want to be that brand that everyone knows.

We started a new product line called Brooke & Lou in August. That’s the company I’d love to scale and build into a bigger business. I think there’s a larger need in the market to have places where people can get a designer look without having to hire one. That’s a big part of why we launched Brooke & Lou—so we can offer our look and style to anyone who wants it. We wanted to fill a need in the market for fashionable designs that were durable and family friendly, too. A lot of these products are what we’ve trademarked as “life friendly.” I feel confident saying someone can put them in a home with a 3-year-old and they’re going to withstand wear and tear without sacrificing style and beauty.

“Our travels. Your home. Each piece in this collection was handpicked during one of our many travels around the world. They’re ever changing, one of a kind and uniquely perfect for your home.”—Bria Hammel on Brooke & Lou “Collected”

Do you have a signature style, something that makes someone say, “That’s a Bria house”?

I would say we’ve kind of skimmed by this mid-century modern trend and stayed true to our roots of a fresh, young take on traditional style with a little southern mixed in. Our style is color, preppy and fresh but classic enough that it doesn’t scream 2019. We don’t design to trends. We design to our style and our clients’ styles. It’s a similar aesthetic but it also varies a lot.

“We don’t design to trends. We design to our style and our clients’ styles.”

That makes sense. That’s what your clients discover you for, your style, so that’s what they want.

Right, it wouldn’t make sense to change it completely. They come to us because they love what they’ve seen.

 Bria Hammel Interiors does new construction, remodels and decorating projects? 

Yes, and we’re starting to get into some boutique commercial design, too. We’re willing to take on these projects as long as the vision is high design. We’re not working with cubicles but with a livable, more residential feeling space.

Do you prefer starting from scratch or is it refreshing to simply decorate?

We love to start from scratch because that’s when we can be the most creative and we can push our clients to think outside the box the most. But there’s nothing like a really good decorating project where we have a really beautiful palette and we make it feel livable, functional and usable.

If you have a turnkey project, what is that process like? Where do you start, find inspiration and decide what that vision is going to be for that specific home?

It’s so important for me that what you see from the outside is a reflection of what you see on the inside. I don’t like walking into a home and thinking, “Whoa, I was not expecting these paint colors or this furniture.” That is always the number one indicator of what we’re going to do—the architectural details and the exterior elevation. From there, travel is probably the number one place I seek inspiration. I’m always picking up things for a project or finding amazing things I have to have. So, as far as what we include in our designs, that’s a big piece of it. On Brooke & Lou, we have a collected section that’s all one-of-a-kind antiques and pieces we find on our travels. People don’t have to travel the world to find these pieces—we find and curate them on our website.

Collected Objects from Brooke & Lou

As far as our process goes, it’s always really important to have our clients share inspiration with us. There are a lot of different things we can do within our style, so it’s so important to incorporate the look they want—whether it’s formal or casual, high contrast, more neutral, more colorful and anything in between. We lean heavily on client onboarding meetings to bring in their inspiration like magazine clippings, Pinterest boards, Houzz pages, blogs or even a piece of fabric they’ve always loved—whatever inspires them.

Is there a favorite part you have about designing a home, like a certain room or using a certain material? Anything that’s a highlight from house to house?

I wouldn’t say I have a favorite room to design. We just did this under-the-stairs bookcase nook and, in an 8,000 square foot home, it’s one of my favorite spaces. To me, it’s about finding these spaces where we can make a big impact, those moments where people aren’t expecting to see so much beauty. It makes the space feel really special.

“To me, it’s about finding these spaces where we can make a big impact, those moments where people aren’t expecting to see so much beauty.”

What’s your dream client or project?

I have two. As far as location, I would love to do a large home in Europe and get more into international design. And I’d also love to design Reese Witherspoon’s house. She’s very on brand with us.

I was going to say, your style definitely has Draper James vibes. (Draper James is Reese Witherspoon’s clothing and lifestyle brand and store.)

For sure, I have the same wallpaper in my dining room as their fitting rooms. (See the wallpaper and take a virtual tour of their store here!)

Was that a coincidence or planned?

It was definitely planned!

Do you have any favorite Tile Shop tiles you find yourself coming back to and using over and over?

The one we used time and time again is the Hampton Carrara marble collection. It’s so classic and we can have a lot of fun playing with the installation. I also love the Annie Selke collection. At the New York City launch event, I got to speak with Annie. I love how color is infused in the collection. It’s not over the top, and it’s usable in a lot of different styles of homes. You don’t need a lot of it to make a big impact. The line allows us to play with design and get creative. I was really impressed with that collection.

Do you have any tips or anything you’ve learned throughout your years working with tile? A lot of people don’t know how to pick tile out or whether to choose things like cabinets first or tile first. What have you learned?

We like to start with tile, especially in those spaces like a bathroom or on a fireplace where we use a lot of it. One thing we’re always telling our clients is to push the envelope with their tile installation and think outside the box. With subway tile, people often default to a classic brick pattern. But if we install it in a unique pattern, we can get so much more impact. Just thinking of different ways to use the tile makes the space feel so much more special.

What advice do you have for aspiring designers?

If you’re thinking about going to school for interior design, make sure to try everything out. There are so many different avenues. You can work for a brand manufacturer or a commercial or residential designer, but use your schooling and internships to test the waters. Then when you graduate, you can start out where your passion is. The more you can expose yourself to the parts of the business, the better you’ll be when you’re out of school.

The Fun Five

What’s your dream vacation?

Lake Como, Italy.

What are you streaming right now?

I love The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I love the fashion and interior design in that show.

What is your favorite hobby when you’re not working?

Hm, do I have a hobby? I feel like work is my hobby! I guess I’d say traveling. But work really does feel like my hobby because I love it so much.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

Probably Reese Witherspoon! (We had a hunch she’d pick her!) She just feels so grounded and down to earth. I feel like I’m her best friend, and I’ve never met her before. I love that she’s an entrepreneur, too, and she’s found ways to share her passion and make money. She just has a very approachable style.

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would your career be?

Oh my goodness. I would probably be in some kind of business management role. I love the business side of this job, crunching numbers, figuring out how we can grow, what’s working, what’s not working and putting new systems in place to make us better.

Thanks for chatting with us, Bria! Keep up with her adventures in design on her Instagram, Houzz and blog.

The post Spotlight On: Bria Hammel Interiors 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.