Types of finishes

Finishes, or different effects on the surface of a tile that alter its appearance, are generally divided into ceramic, porcelain and other man-made tiles vs. stone categories because of the different ways the materials can be treated. First, we’ll explore the processes that define stone finishes and then look at man-made tiles.

Stone

Stone tile with a polished finish has been passed under a series of polishing wheels with increasingly finer pads using water and polishing compound to assist in the process. This results in a smooth and shiny tile, perfect for adding a touch of luxury and glamour to formal and traditional spaces. Marble is a one type of stone that is often polished.

Satin finishes are produced through the same process as polished but using fewer polishing wheels. This lends a softer and less shiny appearance to the tile, the perfect balance between polished and honed.

Honed tiles go through the same process as polished and satin but with even fewer wheels that result in a smooth matte finish. This is the most casual finish of the three, reflecting very little light and contemporizing a design.

For a brushed finish, stone is run under wheels with metal bristles to achieve an orange peel-like finish. Benefits of a brushed tile are that its texture provides softness, it handles wear and tear and has a relaxed character.

To obtain a tumbled finish, tiles are put into large drums filled with aggregate and shaken. The aggregate wears down the surface of the stone, giving it a rough surface and more rounded edges. Tumbled stones offer increased traction, hide imperfections and flawlessly coordinate with rustic décor.

We’re going au naturel with this one. With natural finish stone tile, what you see is what you get. Nothing is done to the surface of these tiles, and, besides being cut to size, they’re just like they looked when they were quarried. Natural tiles give an authentic and outdoorsy look to your space. Slate is a common example of a natural finish stone.

Filled and unfilled are not exactly finishes, but they alter the surface of a tile so they’re worth mentioning and defining here. Filled stone has its natural crevices and holes filled with an epoxy resin mixed with stone dust in a color that closely resembles the stone’s natural color. This makes the tile easier to clean and install. Unfilled stone is left in its natural state, voids and all. This allows you to choose to fill it with the grout color of your choice or leave it in its rustic, raw state for a unique look.

Here, you can see the difference in appearance of an unfilled travertine compared to a filled travertine. Bucak Silver Honed Unfilled Travertine, on the left, has visible holes and crevices on its surface, whereas Bucak Light Walnut Honed Filled Travertine, on the right, has a lighter colored compound filling in these areas.

Ceramic and Porcelain

Polished tiles are double fired, first with the desired pattern or color and then with a clear coat. Afterwards, they go through the same polishing process as stone, passing under polishing wheels with water and polishing compound. Lastly, the tiles are sealed to retain their appearance. Stone-look porcelain or ceramic tiles are often in polished finishes to mimic the look of natural stone.

A glossy finish is different from polished in that it is created with a glossy glaze instead of a polishing wheel process. Depending on the texture of the tile, gloss glazes can pool in areas, creating thicker and thinner areas of glaze and variations in coloring.

Matte tiles are covered in a non-shiny glaze that is applied with an ink jet machine or in a waterfall stream glazing method. This process yields tiles with a flat finish that do not reflect light and offer a contemporary look.

Multifired tiles are one of the most exciting technological advancements in the industry in recent years. They’re so interesting, we devoted a whole blog post to them! These are tiles that go through more than two firings in a kiln, usually to give them 3-D texture, metallic finish or another interesting effect that is not possible with just one or two firings.

An anti-slip surface is perfect for tiling in wet areas like bathrooms, entryways or mudrooms. They’re also great if aging in place is a consideration in your home. A fine grit or sand is added to a matte glaze to create a rough, gripping texture on the tile.

Textured tile is made by pressing materials into a mold that give a textured effect, such as that of natural stone or wood. Then it’s glazed and fired to achieve the desired look. The below tile is actually a porcelain that has been textured to look like a tumbled stone.

Congratulations! You’ve just completed a crash course in natural stone and man-made tile finishes. If your head is spinning, don’t worry. Our tile experts are waiting in your local store to help you design your next project and choose your perfect tile. Schedule a design consultation or stop in today.

The post Guide to Tile Finishes appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Country Kitchen

Open-concept floor plans are perfect for creating a warm, welcoming environment. By uniting the living room, kitchen and master bedroom, Annie turned this loft into the perfect guest house!

Notice the stone floors? They’re actually all made out of porcelain! Chester Silver Versailles’s stone look and chiseled edges add stunning, visual interest to every room.

To maintain a cozy look, Annie chose Artisanal White for the kitchen backsplash! The handmade look and crackle finish lend the perfect amount of softness and charm. Take a closer look below.

The Metallic Master

The architectural travertine wall tile behind the head of the bed proves that tile can go beyond the kitchen or bathroom. Harmony Silverleaf Mosaic Travertine adds a perfect wow factor with its three-dimensional design and lustrous silver-leaf finish.

Barn House Bath

Travertine stone’s variety of finishes and styles make is so versatile that Annie coordinated it in both the master bedroom and bathroom!

From the ceramic wall tiles to the travertine floor, neutral colors unite in this master bath.

Claros Silver Tumbled Cobble is an excellent option for this shower floor. Its tumbled finish makes it a natural nonslip textured stone!

What is travertine tile? What makes it so versatile? Check out our resource article for everything travertine.

We can’t be the only ones who are a little jealous of the luxurious tub and bathroom, right? Subtle patterned tiles are a great way to make an appealing and timeless statement. The serene, lattice pattern on the wall is so calming to the eye.

It’s time to take a peek inside the kitchen and master bath of Annie’s home!

What’s Cooking in Annie’s Kitchen?

We can’t resist a bright, airy kitchen! Light tints of white, tan and grey create a perfect color palette for a timeless design.

Love the look of stone but want the durability of porcelain? Well, you’re in luck! Annie utilized Cassettone Grey Mosaic’s distinguished, stone look without sacrificing longevity.

Spectacular Speckled Shower

Sure, you’ve seen bold tile looks before, but no statement compares to the design in this shower! Silverleaf Speckle features mirrored silver splatters on top of a cowhide-look texture. This designer tile truly commands and deserves your attention.

Lavish glamour is matched on the bathroom floor with the rows of DURAL Chrome Gloss Square Edge. The metallic trim pieces light the room for an elevated finish.

Craving more Annie Selke? Explore the entire collection.

Ready to start your tile remodel, but you don’t know where to start? We have all the resources you need for your next remodel. Schedule a free design consultation with one of our tile design experts. 

The post Annie Selke’s Barn House in the Berkshires 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.

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