On the Tiles
Beyond bathrooms and backsplashes, tiles can beautify every room
Inside the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré, Portugal. Photo by Jose Luis Filpo Cabana.
Several careers and ages ago, whilst I was visiting a friend in a Rhode Island suburb, his next-door neighbours, an older husband and wife from Naples, invited us over to try some of his homemade grappa. Upon entering their home, I was gobsmacked.
The walls, floor, and ceiling of the living room were completely clad in white ceramic tile.
Up until then, I’d only seen ceramic or stone tile used 1) in bathrooms; 2) as kitchen backsplashes; 3) in entryways; and 4) as flooring in photos of Florida and California houses. I’d grown up in Old England, moved to New England, and at that time barely travelled anywhere else.
That you could cover your walls, in your living room, with glossy tile! 🤯
I didn’t particularly like the room, remarkable though it was, from the yellow crushed-velvet sofa to the black tassels hanging from the plastic-encased lampshades to the almost life-size porcelain statues of rearing horses and roaring lions. But I admired its commitment and how much they loved it. “She decorated it all herself,” the husband said, beaming, as he pointed to his wife. If someone ever finds a cure for cancer, I doubt their parents will be prouder than this man was of his spouse.
That room, even more than my first trip to Portugal with its spectacular azulejos and my later visit to Gaudí’s mosaic-filled Park Güell, opened my mind to the possibilities of tile.
For instance, Brooke Wagner Design layered extra texture into this neutral space by tiling the interior of this arch. Photo by Ryan Garvin.
I’ve since used tile in lieu of dado rails and below dado rails. I’ve framed windows, doors, and mirrors with tile. I’ve paired all colours and patterns of tiles in bathrooms, kitchens, landings, and playrooms. I framed a client’s collection of Delft tiles so that they could take place of pride in her dining room.
The only place I don’t use tiles? Kitchen and bathroom counters. The grout gets dirty too quickly, and crumbs and other detritus become nigh on impossible to clean from the crevices.
Below are a few rooms with tiles to help spur your own love of the material.
Hawksmoore Construction used tiles to emphasise this alcove bar. Tiling is also wonderful for accentuating the alcoves flanking a fireplace.
Of course, tiles can also dress up the fireplace itself. Molly of @harleyhousebythesea tiled the firebox and hearth of her nonworking fireplace…
While Renouveau Hom used spectacular three-dimensional handcrafted tiles (from Arto) on this hearth, surround, and chimney breast.
One more fireplace, from Construction2style, because it shows just how many possibilities tiling offers. The artistry!
Want to dress up a slender wall? Tile it. Personally I’m not a patchwork fan, so I’d have opted for stripes; I adore a good stripe. Photo courtesy of Mitcham Tile Centre.
Speaking of good stripes, how fabulous is this chevron pattern from Gillian Design.
Event planner/designer Gala Phipps used tiles to create a bespoke headboard. Pairing tiles with a minimalist bed frame gives you upscale chic on a downscale budget.
A rug made out of tile, by YSG. I also like how the tile runs up the base of the kitchen island, contrasting against the richly figured wood and the stone sink.
One more, courtesy of The Tile Guy: an ideal way to ensure a neutral, minimalist space is rich in visual panache.
PS: The neighbours’ homemade grappa was even more remarkable than their living room. Thank goodness we didn’t have to cross any streets to get back to my friend’s house after we’d enjoyed a few glasses’ worth.