Small-Scale Squares

Made of 4″ x 4″ offset tiles, the backsplash in this Swedish farmhouse-inspired kitchen proves simplicity can still be stunning.

Moody Black Travertine

Dramatic and unexpected, the Noir honed travertine mosaic brings an especially luxe feel to this chic kitchen. Boldly contrasting against the bright white cabinetry, the black stone features subtle silver veining that gently draws the eye throughout the space.

Mirrored Metallics

Reflective gold splatters glitter across the cowhide-look tiled backsplash in Annie Selke’s Palm Springs kitchen for a true show-stopping moment.

Tour Annie’s full desert oasis home for even more incredible tiled spaces.

Hues of Blue

A smokey blue backsplash pairs effortlessly with the colored island in this idyllic kitchen to create the most charming coastal atmosphere.

Explore more of our favorite coastal-inspired spaces if you’re loving this look.

Handcrafted Character

Featuring two unique handmade-look tiles displaying rich color variation and uneven surface texture from piece to piece, this charming cottage kitchen is layered in softness and one-of-a-kind character.

See more artisanal-style designs with handmade-look tile here!

Bright & Geometric

This crisp and clean kitchen achieves elegant dimension through its hex tiled backsplash. Not only do the six-sided shapes create visual interest, but the Bianco Puro marble elevates the entire space with an extra luxurious look and feel.

A Touch of Gold

Complete with a custom patterned backsplash, this ultra-glam kitchen is an absolute dream. The vertically stacked Splendours Brown brings rich texture and warmth to the space, while the gold mirrored tile accents – a part of designer Kelli Fontana‘s upcoming Spring/Summer 2023 collection – instantly offer a grand, high-end feel.

Modern Classic

A go-to for a reason, marble tile brings a unique timelessness to any space it’s in. With an elegant blend of warm and cool tones, the Royal Satin White marble backsplash perfectly embodies this kitchen’s “modern classic” design style.

Herringbone Haven

The high-contrast palette in this bold and beautiful kitchen is emphasized by the incredible dimensionality found in its angled herringbone mosaic backsplash.

Statement-Making Sheen

Whoever said white subway tile had to be boring? The Retro Lino tile showcased in this transitional kitchen’s backsplash is double-fired with a clear coat glaze, resulting in a radiant sheen that demands attention.

Mosaic Masterpiece

The ornate basketweave pattern made of two contrasting marbles in the Sampson mosaic transforms this light and airy kitchen into a sophisticated work of art.

Cool & Contemporary

Sleek glass subway tile in a crisp white hue is the perfect backdrop for this stunning modern kitchen donning clean lines and a calming color palette.

Artisanal Farmhouse

This whimsical kitchen puts an artisanal spin on classic farmhouse style with a handmade-look backsplash. Featuring a unique crackle finish, each tile has a lightly weathered appearance for that perfectly soft and lived-in feel.

Ready to find the perfect kitchen backsplash of your own? Schedule a free design consultation to get started on your next project – whether it’s a weekend DIY refresh or a major renovation, our tile experts are happy to answer any questions you may have!

We love to see all of your creative spaces! Don’t forget to share your projects with us by tagging us @thetileshop on Instagram or uploading it directly to our Customer Room Gallery.

The post 13 Beautiful Kitchen Backsplash Ideas appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

We’re so excited that it’s finally time to reveal the completed spaces we sponsored during the Fall 2021 One Room Challenge™! We have six incredible transformations to show you–complete with some breathtaking before-and-afters, so get ready to dive right in. If you need a quick recap on the featured designers we partnered with this season and their initial mood boards for the following projects, head to our Fall 2021 Designer Introductions.

JEWELED INTERIORS

Interior designer Jewel Marlowe of Jeweled Interiors decided to take on one of her clients’ living rooms for this round of the One Room Challenge™. The family tasked Jewel with creating a design that was sophisticated, soulful, and had an eclectic mix of color, pattern, and eras. Spoiler alert: she nailed it!

To bring the walls to life, Jewel incorporated a fun patterned wallpaper accented with a gorgeous greyish blue trim color. Small pops of color like mustard and coral contrast beautifully against the cooler tones to create a dynamic palette.

One of the biggest transformations of the living room was the fireplace makeover. Jewel knew at the very start of the project that she wanted to update the original fireplace, which featured a stacked stone surround, with something more modern and chic.

While she originally considered using a slab, she decided to go with the large-format Noir Honed Travertine as it would give a similar effect at a lower cost. The result? A sleek and luxurious fireplace that creates the perfect focal point for the room.

Shop our extensive collection of large-format tiles here.

To achieve more of the slab-like appearance, Jewel used a dark grout color that blended in with the deep black travertine, making the grout lines nearly invisible. The incorporation of trim and skirting pieces allowed for an especially cohesive and elevated design by offering a more polished overall appearance. How beautiful does it look paired with the inky blue paint color used for the surrounding built-ins?!

I think it is fair to say that one of the client’s favorite parts about the living room makeover is the new fireplace surround.

-Jewel

Looking to complete a fireplace refresh? Explore our favorite fireplace design ideas for even more inspo!

Check out our 2019 One Room Challenge™ reveals to see another project we collaborated with Jewel on in which she completely transformed her kitchen!

OUR FIFTH HOUSE

Since moving into her home two years ago, Carmel Phillips of Our Fifth House knew she wanted to update the library room and adjoining unfinished porch overlooking their backyard. Having always felt like the spaces were missing a number of major design elements, she was ready to use this season of the One Room Challenge™ to make them both perfect for her and her family.

A total blank slate, Carmel aimed to give the covered porch a relaxed patio vibe that would be an ideal spot for lounging and reading.

Talk about a transformation! Using our Swan White Hex and Stream Black Hex, she brought the porch to life with a striking striped patterned floor that feels fun and fresh, yet classic.

See even more creative custom tile patterns here.

The porcelain hex tiles feature unique veining and a matte finish for a high-end marble appearance, but offer increased durability and easier maintenance.

Hands down, the hexagon floor tiles from The Tile Shop were a game-changer out here.

-Carmel

Our favorite part of Carmel’s update? The tiled coffee table she DIY’ed with our Track Stack Navy tile! It adds such a fun pop of color and the small kit-kat shapes offer lovely visual contrast against the hex flooring.

Now, onto Carmel’s second project – the library! When it came to this room, Carmel wanted to design a space that was cozy and layered, grand and timeless, and sophisticated without feeling too precious. See the gorgeous results below!

A small, yet impactful update Carmel was able to accomplish was the library’s dry bar, which had remained unfinished since she and her family had moved into the home.

Using our Antique Mirror Bevel Glass mosaic for the bar’s backsplash, she created a striking focal point. The tile’s beveled edges add an extra element of dimension, while Carmel’s incorporation of stained wood shelving achieves beautiful juxtaposition against the glamour of the mirrored design.

PINCH PLATE PARTY

Yearning to update her kitchen for nearly five years, Lauren Comer of Pinch Plate Party decided it was finally time to tackle the project for the One Room Challenge™! Her goal? To create a kitchen design that was cozy, welcoming, and sophisticated.

Lauren opted for a rich color palette of greens, blacks, and browns while creating added visual interest through layers and textures. One word: stunning!

For the kitchen backsplash, Lauren used the handmade-look Riad White tiles for the charming artisanal style they offer through uneven surface textures and a variety of rich, creamy tones. She especially liked how the uneven edges brought an element of softness to the space.

Learn all about the unique characteristics of handmade-look tile here.

In the photo below it’s easy to see how the kitchen’s natural light highlights just how authentic these ceramic tiles appear with unique grooves and waves running across the surface for one-of-a-kind texture.

For flooring, Lauren chose to replace the kitchen’s hardwood floors with the Madera Miel Luxury Vinyl SPC flooring for both the appearance and practicality it offered. Not only did she love the warmth the mid-tone brown color brought to the space, but she needed something that could withstand the everyday wear-and-tear of having both a young child and a dog.

I like that this flooring gives us the look of modern wider plank flooring with the added durability and waterproofing that comes with vinyl floor tiles.

-Lauren

Explore our Luxury Vinyl Tile to learn more about the benefits of LVT and see our variety of wood- and stone-looks.

BARI J. DESIGNS

Bari J. Ackerman of Bari J. Designs is another returning designer in this season’s One Room Challenge™. This time around, she decided to repurpose the old laundry room in her new home into a maximalist-style butler’s pantry. Keep scrolling to see how, once again, Bari has blown us away with her talent!

Be sure to check out the artistic tile-work displayed in the primary bathroom renovation she completed last spring.

A longtime fan of iconic British designer William Morris’s work, Bari incorporated two of his archived prints into the pantry’s design–through both wallpaper and tile–in order to create this breathtaking vintage-inspired space.

Exemplifying one of our favorite 2022 design trends, Bari created her own custom tile pattern using two tiles from the Morris & Co. Pure Net Collection. Displaying an ornate floral pattern and cornice-like details derived from one of William Morris’s original wallpaper designs of 1895, the Linen and Black Ink tiles complement one another beautifully to create this truly chic floor.

Learn more about our exclusive Morris & Co. Pure Net Collection here.

The pantry’s backsplash features the Hampton Carrara Polished marble. With crisp white coloring and soft grey veining, this subway tile effortlessly grounds the space’s bolder elements of pattern and color while elevating the overall design with an extra luxurious feel.

JOY STREET DESIGN

Kelly Finley of Joy Street Design started the nonprofit organization Joy Street Initiative in 2018 as a way to give back to her community by designing local shelters. For this One Room Challenge™ project, Joy Street Initiative partnered with Ruby’s Place, a nonprofit committed to ending domestic violence, human trafficking, and violent crime, to help design a new youth shelter called the House of Hope. A seven-bed facility, the House of Hope provides emergency shelter for runaway and homeless youth.

When it came to renovating the existing building, Kelly’s main goal was to create a space that felt fresh, colorful, and fun. Keep reading to see the amazing job Joy Street Initiative did in transforming this building into a safe and inviting environment.

One of the most notable (and colorful!) updates was the bathroom. Featuring our Imperial tiles in Bianco, Black, Oatmeal, Sage, and Spice, Kelly designed a custom pattern for the backsplash and shower surround that felt fun, youthful, and fresh.

Throughout the rest of the shelter, including the main living areas and bedrooms, Kelly replaced all of the building’s flooring with our Madera Miel Luxury Vinyl SPC Tile to achieve the clean and classic appearance of wood with easier maintenance and increased durability.

Learn more about all of the amazing work Joy Street Initiative does here!

BLUE ORCHID LIVING

Mehr Niazi of Blue Orchid Living decided to renovate her unfinished laundry room during this round of the One Room Challenge™, yearning to transform it into a space that she actually enjoyed being in. The best way to do that? Glam it up a bit!

Since she would be the primary person seeing and using the space everyday, Mehr gave herself some creative leeway when it came to the design – and we are so glad she did!

Explore some of our favorite laundry room designs here.

A big believer that the smallest of details can make or break a design, Mehr thoughtfully created a custom tile pattern using penny round tiles for the laundry room’s floor. The combination of taupe, sky blue, and white penny rounds gives the space a classic, yet one-of-a-kind feel. Plus, the color palette ties in perfectly with the winsome floral wallpaper!

If you’re loving the custom pattern trend as much as we do, be sure to check out our guide to creating custom tile patterns for a personalized space!

And with that, the Fall 2021 One Room Challenge™ reveals have come to an end! As always, it was an incredible experience being a part of the ORC this season and collaborating with these six spectacular designers. We hope you gathered some fresh inspiration and are excited to start a project of your own! Be sure to schedule a free design consultation with one of our tile experts to get any questions answered.

The post Fall 2021 One Room Challenge™ Reveal appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Beyond being our neighbor and an incredible partner, Kelli’s designs continue to blow us away. The level of detail and intentionality put into each design showcases her true artistry. In this Q&A, we’re chatting with Kelli on her recent Trillium and Heritage projects.

The Heritage Project

House Stats

Two-story
7,706 sq. ft.
5 bedrooms
6 bathrooms

Can you tell me about the Heritage house? Is there any story behind it and the project that you want to share?

“For our original Heritage project, I was over the moon inspired by two trips that we had taken to California. I was inspired by restaurant designs like that of The Butcher’s Daughter in Venice where I could have spent the day sipping on my rosemary latte with hemp milk in this vibrant bohemian daydream for people watching. From the minimalist oceanfront beach homes of Malibu to the idealistic, almost unreal splendor of Hotel Bel-Air in LA. It was one charge of creative energy to another.”

“It’s funny, my assistant brought this to my attention the other day. When I’m dreaming up a new project, I’ll often start compiling different inspiration images, textiles, colors, and material samples to convey the home story I have in my head, to bring my ideas to light. There are many pieces and parts.”

My job as a creative in this industry is to bring forth a feeling for our custom WEST BAY HOMES. As we know, feelings change and stories need to be told. It’s a story I want to tell using the home as my canvas.

Walk us through your design process.

“In my process, my mood board pictures won’t really have any connection to an onlooker but for me, the pieces and parts click rather quickly and effortlessly. To you, it may look like an image of a gothic revival home and an abalone shell belt and you may scratch your head, but to me, it’s the wide steps on the front elevation of the Victorian porch that I’m zeroed in on and the shell belt represents the finish I’ll try to achieve for the shower tile in the basement bathroom.”

Tell us about this show-stopping wet room. Walk me through your design process.

“In my career, I have had the great fortune to design well over 100 bathrooms and I think that as you gain confidence in your career, you desire to challenge yourself – at least I do. A lot of thought and planning had to go on behind the scenes to create an epic yet approachable personal spa bathroom experience such as this. I wanted it to feel warm, although expansive. I wanted the space to feel connected to nature — a shower in the treetops is a splendid way to start or end your day. I wanted this environment to make you want very badly to interact with it. I am so pleased with the way it turned out. The kids get the sports court but the adults get this, you know!”

“We loved the buttery white-oak tone of the wood. When I looked at the space and saw the sheer size and knew how much tile would be there, I wanted to counteract all of the tile with wood. Travertine is a beautiful option that is classic. Paired with the hardwood floors, it made the floors look like one body of warmth. We chose to pair it with large format porcelain to make the space feel super luxurious.”

I want to make it beautiful. I want to make it highly functional, and I definitely want to make it fun.

What are your tips when mixing materials in a space?

“Don’t worry about what’s cool at the time. Go with what is best suited for the space and don’t get too caught up on it. Make your selections personal and go with your gut!”

How about the prep space in the Heritage project. What were you inspired by?

“You enter the house, you wash your hands. I’ve been creating homes with hand washing in mind long before COVID. The concept is an easy-to-access sink, upon transitioning into the home. The prep space is also wonderful for specific daily tasks or morning rituals like making coffee or morning smoothies. The prep kitchen is a workhorse that keeps the main kitchen clutter to a minimum. At WEST BAY HOMES, we are all about the ease and elegance of living.”

The Trillium Project

House Stats

Rambler
7,030 sq. ft.
5 bedrooms
6 bathrooms  

Since the Trillium project was a remodel, how does your design process change compare to new builds?

“With remodels, you are forced to work within the parameters of the existing home in some capacity, and you’re hired to bring forth innovative design ideas and solutions to support the homeowners in living a lifestyle that will bring ease to their daily lives.”

What were the client‘s requests for the Trillium project?

“Originally they came to us after already having a conversation with an architect who had proposed a significant addition. After I walked through the house, many of my ideas actually ended up saving them a lot of money. We cleaned the whole house up and added tons of tile, millwork, lighting, doors, everything.”

Tell me about the hidden kids’ bathroom. What was your inspiration behind that?

“With the kids sharing a room, we created a custom bunk bed, 2 closets, and a large toy storage space where the fireplace once sat. The homeowners also requested a lot of storage for books, so we had to be clever. This is how the bookcase ledge wall that opened to the children’s new bathroom came to be. It was a way to delight the children while providing the family with all the elements they wanted to incorporate into the newly designed nursery space.”

How does tile play a role in your designs?

“I use tile to make statements. It really is a huge supporting role in my designs and helps me create a strong story for the house. Whether it’s something traditional or earthy, tile is a great way to reflect the identity of what we want to say through the design. It is an awesome material for putting an exclamation point on the aesthetics of a space.”

Share a little bit about how functionality plays into your designs. The swinging door leading from the laundry room to the kitchen is ingenious!

“Prior to the WEST BAY HOMES remodel, the laundry space was dark, cramped, and a place you would not like to spend much time in. It had a wall within it that made no sense. The only thing it had going for it was 2 access points and a window. Regarding the access point from the kitchen: wouldn’t you rather have a seamless cabinetry door as opposed to an awkward door within your kitchen space. The cabinetry door opens, and surprise…your Pinterest-worthy pantry and sleek, functional laundry space is revealed. Who wouldn’t want a surprise like that?”

For me, it happens really quickly. I see a space and I know exactly what I would do to improve it.

In the half bath, you mix a few patterns of tile as well as with the wallpaper, any tips or best practices when mixing patterns?

“The clients have roots in England and Africa and also wanted a contemporary, yet timeless feel to their home. I swooned over the uniqueness of their style request and this powder bath has it all! The Zebras Wallpaper by Scalamandré was the perfect backdrop for this bold mix of textures and finish. In my mind, the powder bath is a concentrated environment where you can be a little more indulgent in your design choices than the main living areas of your home.”

My pro tip: if you’re too afraid to do something in your kitchen or great room, try it out in your powder bath. Another tip: if it doesn’t scare you a little, you’re not quite there yet. Take risks and choose materials that make your heart skip a beat.

The Fun Five

What has been your quarantine obsession?

“After being diagnosed with stage 0, grade 2, DCIS breast cancer in December 2019, my incredible family went from cancer straight into COVID and some days were really difficult. For all the challenges 2020 brought there were so many blessings and clarity for what I’ll value a whole lot more moving forward.

Health. Real whole foods and nourishment became my thing. I’ve always loved to cook, but something shifted really naturally for me during the quarantine. I craved whole, delicious, colorful, beautiful food more than ever. So I was cooking morning, noon, and night in the thick of quarantine.”

What are you streaming right now?

“I am currently not streaming any TV shows or movies. I just stumble upon something on Netflix–I am not necessarily obsessed with any specific show. I do love listening to many different genres of music. Often, I tell Alexa to play “chill electronic” music when we are working in the studio. I also enjoy listening to music on my record player. Some of my personal favorites are artists like Drake, Lana del Ray, Etta James, and Led Zeppelin.”

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

“I like thrifting – a day perusing consignment shops for furniture or unique secondhand clothes is always enjoyable. I also love going on little getaways with my husband. It’s kind of strange the thing about not working because in some ways I kind of always am. Even when I’m on vacation, I’m taking pictures and drawing an idea for a floor plan on a cocktail napkin from the hotel lobby. I’m blessed in the way that my life is the beauty in my work and my work is the beauty of my life and it’s all blurred together and I am so grateful to make a living creating what I love.”

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

“Amy Adams. I love all of her work. I have read that she is gracious, hardworking, and an engaging professional and those are qualities I admire. She creates a backstory for her characters and I can relate to a creative approach like this. Her roles run the gamut from comedy to high drama and I really respect the range of characters she can portray. I could never subscribe to just one aesthetic. I am always evolving and trying new things. It’s one of the things I love most about my profession.”

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

“I fantasize about being a restaurateur sometimes. A florist? A party planner perhaps. I do believe I am doing exactly what I was meant to do and I think all roads would have led me to be a designer no matter what.”

Thanks again to Kelli for sitting down with us and for constantly inspiring us with her spaces. Keep up with the latest from Kelli and West Bay Homes on their website and Instagram.

The post A Design Q&A with Kelli Fontana Vogelgesang of West Bay Homes appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Our customers tackled projects both big and small. From a kitchen backsplash…

…to a complete overhaul, these projects completely transformed the space.

One of our favorite spaces, especially in preparation for the fall and winter, are mudrooms. Both beautiful and functional, mudrooms end up being one of the most used spaces in a home.

Deeper jewel tones are our latest favorite trend! A fun refresh from classic all white designs, we love seeing projects using bold colors.

Creating new unique tile patterns gave their space a one-of-a-kind look. Whether using subway tile or hexagon tile, the possibilities are endless.

More than ever before, people were looking to find comfort and retreat in their own homes. A relaxing spa-like bathroom oasis quickly became a must!

From a Modern Farmhouse kitchen to a Transitional bathroom, these projects mixed and matched design elements to create a true reflection of the customer’s personal style.

Learn how to achieve Modern Farmhouse and Transitional style in your home!

A gorgeous space might not be able to do their laundry for them, but it does make it a whole lot more exciting! Here are sixteen other stunning laundry rooms to get inspiration from.

A quick fireplace refresh is a great project that can make a huge impact! From traditional stone to a contemporary 3-D tile, we have tile for any project.

Get more fireplace inspiration here.

We can’t forget about the Spring One Room Challenge! We worked with fourteen designers who each spent eight long weeks tackling their projects. There is no doubt that the end result was stunning!

Get caught up on the Spring One Room Challenge!

Even pets got some extra love this summer! It was the perfect time to finally take on that dog shower like this one for Murphy.

Get your home ready for your furry family member with our guide here.

Whether it was a DIY project or there was a little extra help, these projects inspire us every single day.

We have been blown away with all the inspiration we took from these projects. Now, excuse us while we’re re-doing our entire homes…

Want to see your space featured? Tag us @TheTileShop in your photo or upload your project to our website directly! Let real customer projects inspire your next one with our Customer Room Gallery.

The post Our Favorite Customer Projects This Summer appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Kitchen & Living Room

The goal for the kitchen was to design a “really beautiful space for community,” Orie Prince said. From entertaining friends and family to day-to-day use, the 13-foot-long island seamlessly achieves the design team’s intention. Detail after detail, this kitchen has it all.

The interior decor’s large variety of texture and color immaculately replicates the warmth of the outdoors.

Master Bedroom & Bath

From acting to activism, Sophia is what we would call a busy bee. Someone as involved and dedicated as her would most likely want the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation. What better place than a master bedroom and bathroom?

Sophia referred to her new master bathroom as “the dream of dreams.” With a space this impressive, she is absolutely right!

We especially can’t get enough of the open, curved shower. Imperial Blush Mosaic beautifully plays off of the bathroom’s warm color palette. The glossy finish adds the perfect shine to help brighten the space.

Home Office

Fun fact: Orie and his team soundproofed the home office so that Sophia could have a space to record her latest podcasts.

Guest Room & Bath

The warm tones from the master bathroom were repeated in the guest bathroom to create the perfect sense of unity. This shower wall is embellished with a dark-hued Imperial Sienna Gloss Mosaic.

Powder Room

If you couldn’t tell by now, Sophia loves color just as much we do. We are mesmerized by this blue powder room. Love the color blue? Check out our blog post that is dedicated to this confident color!

Read the entire story on Sophia Bush’s collaboration with Elle Decor.

Dive into the world of color with the Imperial Collection. With over 600 pieces in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, you can express your individual style and personality however you imagine.

Having trouble finding a color or design that best fits your home? From inspiration and tile samples to free design services, we’ll partner with you for every step of the way.

The post Sophia Bush’s Hollywood Hills Bungalow appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

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

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

The Main Kitchen: Bold, Patterned & Unique

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

Why did you choose to incorporate Rosso Marquina?

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

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

How did you create the black sculptural cabinets?

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

The Cocktail Bar: Opulent, Provocative & Bespoke

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

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

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

The Art Kitchen: Private, Psychedelic & Emblematic 

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

What does maximalism in design mean to you?

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Speakeasy: Whimsical, Creative & Amusing

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

What do you like most about working with tile?

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

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

Find more interior design inspiration at House Beautiful.

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

All photography by Douglas Friedman.

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

What inspired the overall look and design for Refined Rustic?

“Tile is always my starting point. It’s the first item I select for a home, and it sets the tone,” Julie said. “The Annie Selke tile used in the basement bath and the laundry room were just introduced by The Tile Shop, and I loved them. They are what set the tone.”

Eye-Catching Entrance

The entrance of your home should set the tone, and Timber Trails did exactly that. The black features, warm wood flooring and courageous wallpaper greet you with open arms.

Dining Room

Behold, the grand dining room. This stunning space is Julie’s favorite room in the entire house. “It is the first thing you see when you walk in. I love that the white paneled walls are offset by the black ceiling,” Julie said.

“When people see a design and say, ‘I never would have done that, but I love it.’ That’s when you know you’ve done your job as a designer.”—Julie Howard, designer for Timber Trails DC

The hallways in this home stretch as far as the eye can see, connecting you to countless uniquely designed rooms that stimulate and inspire.

Laundry Room

“We used Annie Selke Ikat Black in the laundry room because, to me, a laundry room should be fun. It doesn’t need to match the rest of the house because half of the time the door is closed,” Julie said. “Plus, who enjoys laundry? It’s nice to design a laundry room that makes you smile when you enter.”

“I’ve never been scared of black. I painted my first adult bedroom black 20 years ago, and it is still my favorite room I’ve ever designed,” Julie said. “It’s certainly caught on over the years as I’m seeing it on more walls and in more kitchens and baths. Black doesn’t date, and you don’t tire of it.”

Victoria Grey Bath

Victoria Grey marble defines luxury. Its versatility and stunning appeal makes it perfect for numerous styles. We especially love the eye-catching stone mosaic rug look framed by Victoria Grey stone.

Kitchen

While the tumbled marble softens the space for a traditional feel, the accents of white oak warm up the kitchen for rustic, farmhouse appeal. The sleek counter tops and appliances are incorporated for a flair of contemporary style. What do you get when you unite these amazing designs? The always trendy transitional style.

If the space wasn’t already perfect enough, the added elements of hygge, like greenery and wood features, add in the perfect sense of comfort. Read our blog post on what makes Scandinavian looks so chic!

Living Room

As a member of our Pro Network, Timber Trails DC has maintained a strong and meaningful partnership with the Lombard, IL location and store manager, Kevin. Together, Timber Trails DC and Kevin have completed over 40 homes!

“We have a great push and pull. He keeps me in check when I tend to go too far, and he’s on top of everything down to each tile I need,” Julie said. “Kevin makes me feel like I’m his only client, which is great when you call in a bind, which I often do!

Master Bath

Siberian Pearl marble accompanied by deep black and gold features—dramatic elegance at its finest!

“The marble in the master is so pretty because it is a white marble, but it has a lot of warm tones in it and is different than a white and grey Carrara marble,” Julie said.

Master Bedroom

Jack & Jill Vanity

How charming is this beach-inspired Jack and Jill bath? The repetition of the wood-look tiles on the wall and floor create such a pleasing, cohesive look.

Basement Bath

We end this home tour with one of our favorite spaces in the house: the basement bathroom. This space encompasses the three colors that are used throughout the house: black, white and brown.

We love the juxtaposition between the black and white features in this bathroom. While the patterned floor tile proudly catches your eye, the shower tiles contrast the bohemian pattern with a classic, solid-white subway. Notice the black grout lines in the shower—darker colored grouts create more character and add a more pronounced look to the grout joints.

Stay up-to-date with Timber Trails DC and all of their stunning builds by following them on Instagram.

Are you a home developer or interior designer? Let’s partner on your next project. Join our Pro Network program and receive specialized pricing and services.

All photography by Stoffer Photography Interiors

The post Timber Trails’ Refined Rustic appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

This spring, we had the honor of being an official sponsor of the One Room Challenge. Twice a year, 20 designers/influencers take on the challenge of transforming an entire room in just six weeks. Each week, the official participants share an update on the progress of the space. Luckily for us, the three designers we supported revealed some outstanding spaces at the end of the challenge. We hope you enjoy each of these spaces as much as we did!

At Home with Ashley

The first space by At Home with Ashley is one of the most uplifting laundry rooms we have ever seen. We realize that might sound like an oxymoron, but just see for yourself!

From classic white subway tile to rainbow painted flooring, Ashley incorporated numerous elements to bring this space to life. Ashley designed this space with so much bubbly character that it even had us wanting to invite ourselves over to do a few loads of laundry!

White subway tile is perfect for adding an attractive look to a space without taking attention away from bold accents and focal points. In Ashley’s laundry room, the tile perfectly supports the vivaciously patterned Euphemia 5 Wallpaper.

“To me, subway tile is still a classic look that feels very appropriate in our 1905 house. To modernize the tile, I added gold trim,” Ashley said. “The space feels so clean now with the walls of tile, which seems perfect for a laundry room!”

Visit At Home with Ashley’s Instagram or view her entire One Room Challenge space.

House of Jade Interiors

Picture a modern country kitchen—the type of kitchen that provides the perfect combination of warmth and charm. House of Jade Interiors took that idea and perfected it.

The magnetizing, modern and rustic features bring this modern farmhouse to a whole new level. While the backsplash reflects twenty-first century beauty, the tile’s handmade look and texture create a tranquil, artisan appeal.

We are obsessed with all of the organizational features in this kitchen. Take the center island for example— these gorgeous grey cabinets accent the white cabinetry and wood flooring perfectly.

House of Jade Interiors incorporated both glass cabinetry and open shelving in the images below. The combination of concepts truly give the feeling of modern farmhouse.

Notice the unique feature of tile inside the glass cabinets in the image above! We love this subtle feature because it adds texture and gives the enclosed cabinets a simliar feeling to the open concept cabinetry. If you love open shelving as much as we do, check out our Kitchen Trends for 2019 blog post.

Visit House of Jade Interiors’ Instagram or view their entire One Room Challenge space.

Jessica Brigham

Jessica Brigham’s wondrously green kitchen had us jumping for joy the moment we saw it! Jessica glamorized her 1934 craftsman bungalow kitchen while still paying tribute to its original, vintage character.

Check out the final kitchen reveal in the image below. The Forest Green cabinets are probably the highlight of this charming kitchen, but we can’t deny our love for the delightfully textured backsplash (even if we are a little biased). Let’s discuss the three reasons why we love this backsplash.

Firstly, the tile. The Penny Round Gloss White Mosaic wall displays a texture that is absolutely inspiring. Since the tile and grout are both white, the tile perfectly blends together—almost disappearing into the wall as if were an illusion. But if you look closely, the glossy finish seductively pulls you in.

Secondly, the counter-to-ceiling tile design. This trend is perfect for adding height and a cohesive look to your space. Even Jessica said installing tile from countertop to ceiling was the best decision she ever made.

Thirdly, the brushed gold and brass features. These accents of glam seamlessly fit in with the contemporary yet vintage kitchen. Notice the gold profile trim along the ceiling line in the image above and at the edge of the backsplash in the image below. These chic trim accents effortlessly united with the aged brass lighting and brushed brass wall plates.

“These itty bitty pennies brought in a subtly glamorous, glossy grandeur to the space—a little razzle dazzle, if you will.”—Jessica Brigham

Jessica’s colorful cabinetry just so happens to be one of our 2019 kitchen trends. Check out the rest of this year’s latest kitchen designs now.

Visit Jessica Brigham’s Instagram or view her entire One Room Challenge space.

Are you looking for more renovation inspiration? Check out these talented ORC guest participants: Sincerely, Marie Designs, Handmade Weekly, A Life Unfolding, This Minimal House, Porch Day Dreamer and Brush Colored Glasses.

The post Spring One Room Challenge™ Reveal appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

We hope to inspire you with some of our favorite customer-designed kitchen backsplashes below!

Patterned Play

Patterned, or “ooh, that’s fun!” tile is getting very popular for the added personality and style that it brings to a space. Take the tile all the way up to create the effect of wallpaper on a statement wall that goes beyond function.

In this fresh kitchen below, glossy subway tile covers the wall and textured patterns with copper accents stun. We are obsessed with the old-world-look Flow tiles that uniquely resemble tin (available in lots of colors, too!).

If you like to dabble in creativity and want to design a truly unique space, divvy up the various colors of mosaics for a one-of-a-kind tile pattern. Your guests will be in awe, and your space will reflect your unique personality (and creative skills!).

Subway Style

Who can argue against a classic subway tile with dark grout to really make it pop? This timeless look still shines and is especially breathtaking with floating shelves on display.

Opt for an artisanal subway tile if you’re looking for a glossy glow that styles well with a modern farmhouse look. Don’t forget the dog!

While we love a classic white subway tile, we adore a pop of color with these rectangular fan favorites! This bouncy blue is a relaxing, yet lively, hue that adds interest to the otherwise white space. For a modern addition, consider an accent with metallic penny rounds that peek out and customize this backsplash.

Modern Mosaic

Mosaic tile, a tiny collection of beautiful tiles, are a go to when it comes to tiling this typically smaller space. Bring a burst of personality into your space with these unique tile options, from penny rounds to hexagons, in an array of colors.

“These itty bitty pennies brought in a subtly glamorous, glossy grandeur to the space—a little razzle dazzle, if you will.”—Jessica Brigham

We love how large this kitchen looks with the expansion of penny round tiles up to the top of the wall. The continuity and sleekness of the white mosaic and coordinating grout makes this kitchen light and bright while infusing texture.

“Fact: installing tile from countertop to ceiling was the best choice I ever made.”—Jessica Brigham

Looking for a perfect example of a small backsplash that adds significant glamour? Look no further. The Victoria Grey Harlow chevron mosaic adds dimension with color variation and overall brings a gloss and shine to this small space while ultimately keeping the walls clean and covered.

Check out the way this wall sparkles! A modern grey mosaic with shape and texture will instantly amplify any kitchen space.

This cool and calm space is simply breathtaking. The Glass Snow Napier mosaic is a combination of glossy and frosty finish, invoking modern style in this crisp, contemporary kitchen.

Did you know that The Tile Shop offers the largest selection of tiles in the U.S.? Let us help you bring your tile backsplash ideas to life and bring personality to the kitchen. Schedule a free design consultation to learn more about customizing your space. Want fresh inspiration every day? Don’t forget to follow @thetileshop on Instagram!

The post Customer Favorites: 10 Backsplashes We Love appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.