Category: subway tile

The Art of Tile: How to Choose The Right Tile for Your Space
There is so much tile to choose from these days and for the average homeowner finding something for your application and in your budget can be extremely daunting. Choosing the right tiles for bathrooms and kitchens involves considering both practical and aesthetic factors. Below I’ve laid out clear and concise considerations to help with your selection – as well as some beautiful inspiration photos!

via The Tile Shop 2023 Look Book

1. Consider the Usage:
- Bathroom: Look for tiles that can withstand moisture and are easy to clean. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are popular choices for bathroom floors and walls.
- Kitchen: Choose tiles that are resistant to stains, spills, and are easy to clean. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are also suitable for kitchen floors, while glass or ceramic tiles work well for backsplashes.
2. Durability:
- Both areas are high-traffic zones, so opt for durable tiles. Porcelain is known for its strength and resistance to wear, making it a popular choice.
via The Tile Shop 2023 Look Book

3. Water Resistance:
- Bathrooms and kitchens are prone to water exposure. Ensure the chosen tiles have a low water absorption rate. Porcelain tiles, in particular, are excellent for this purpose.
4. Style and Design:
- Consider the overall style of your home and personal preferences. Choose a tile style that complements your design vision. Ceramic tiles offer a wide range of designs, including patterns and textures.
5. Size and Layout:
- Larger tiles can make a room feel more spacious, but smaller tiles may offer more grip in wet areas. Consider the size of your space and choose accordingly. Additionally, the layout of the tiles can impact the visual appeal of the room.
via The Tile Shop 2023 Look Book

6. Color Scheme:
- Choose colors that match or complement your existing color scheme. Lighter colors can make a space look larger, while darker colors may add warmth and coziness.
7. Texture:
- In wet areas, consider textured tiles for better slip resistance. However, keep in mind that textured tiles may require more maintenance when it comes to cleaning.
8. Grout Color:
- The color of the grout can significantly impact the overall look. Dark grout can highlight the pattern of the tiles, while light grout may provide a more seamless appearance.
via The Tile Shop 2023 Look Book

9. Budget:
- Set a budget for your tile project. There are various price points for tiles, so find a balance between your preferences and what you can afford.
10. Test Samples:
- Always take home tile samples before making a final decision. This allows you to see how the tiles look in your specific lighting and how well they coordinate with other elements in the room.
11. Maintenance:
- Consider the level of maintenance each type of tile requires. Some tiles may need more frequent cleaning or sealing than others.
12. Long-Term Trends vs. Timeless Designs:
- Balance your desire for current trends with the desire for a timeless design. Trends come and go, so consider how your tile choice will age over time.
via The Tile Shop 2023 Look Book

If you have specific concerns or an unusual situation regarding your planned tile application, it’s best to speak with a pro, or even visit a local tile shop to get some information. When done right, your tile’s beauty and durability can last a long time!
December 1, 2023
Traditional kitchens, stunning and white, from architect John B. Murray

Below are some jaw-dropping traditional kitchens from the John B. Murray Architect. I’ve featured their work before, as I’m a big fan of the mix of modern efficiencies with the character and novelty of more traditional interior design principles.

My kitchen is nowhere near the size of these. In fact, I only have 4 drawers, but it is streamlined and efficient, so until we move or plan a massive remodel, which is NOT in the cards, I’ll be happy with my little kitchen having all cooking utensils such as good quality kitchen knives and simply admire these.

A huge island is a no-brainer when it comes to adding prep space, and the extra storage below can double your storage space. I love the plank ceiling and the matching pendants over the island.

Loving all of the windows here and the rustic wide plank hardwood floors are beautiful.

I guess this kitchen is more modern than traditional, but I thought it was worth sharing. In a narrow space the more light you can get the better. I love the sleek marble slab backsplash.

Love the classic use of subway tile as a backsplash in this elegant modern kitchen.

This kitchen may be large, but the tile backsplash, wood hutch, and country table and chairs keep it cozy.

I don’t know if this is from a kitchen, but this shot was so pretty I thought it worth sharing. The cabinetry and wood paneling is gorgeous!

via John B. Murray Architect

June 26, 2019
Beach House – Decorology’s obsession this week

Beach House Decorating Ideas and Inspiration

Yay! Our much awaited OBX vacation is almost here. And after spending this past year working and taking care of a 3-year-old and baby, I really, really need a vacation.

How does a week at the beach house or at the lake house sound to you? I wouldn’t need anything this fancy to get my fix, but it is beautiful.

Warm sea air and ocean breezes on this beautiful porch would be an amazing way to spend the evening.
2 images above via DecorPad

A beach house should be bright, open, and airy. To better integrate it into the beach setting, opt for natural materials like sisal and jute. White and blue is a fresh clean palette the makes a not to the ocean.

At this beach house a neutral palette with pops of orange make the space more energized.

Notice a trend? A lot of beach houses use a lot of white, and slipcovered furniture makes for easy sand removal!

Even in the bedroom we find natural elements in the form of a sisal rug. The decorative pillows remind me of the colors of shells.

4 images above via Chango & Co.

Daybeds are a great idea for beach house decorating. I love the freedom to nap or read whenever I want on vacation.

This beach house bedroom is light and airy. The linen curtains allow ocean breezes through the space.
2 images above via The Iron Gate

This kitchen is amazing. I like that the island is a different color than the cabinets, it really warms up the space. The pale blue subway tile backsplash is amazing too!
via Kelly Nutt Design<

May 17, 2019
An amazing industrial chic New York City apartment

Okay, so this apartment isn’t technically in New York, it’s in Hoboken. I actually worked in Hoboken years ago when I lived in Brooklyn, and it’s a really cool city with great views and great food. I also recently discovered the work of John B. Murray Architect and have been binging on the portfolio. Here is just one of the amazing homes the firm has worked on.

Huge windows make for amazing natural right. And what about that fawn-spotted rug?

There is just something about bookshelves with a ladder isn’t there?

This kitchen is so dreamy. The subway tile backsplash, the rough hewn wide plank floors.

This home is full of amazing details and impeccable taste.

September 21, 2018
4 Intangibles That Make Your Home More Appealing

It’s easy to see a return on your investment for tangible home improvements such as painting or remodeling a bathroom or kitchen. It’s more difficult to put a value on intangible things such as lighting, mood, and use of space. However, these aspects of your home are as essential to your enjoyment, and perhaps even to resale value, as most tangible improvements. Here are four intangibles that will make your home more appealing.

Lighting

via mydomaine.com

Mood lighting is as important to your home as is functional lighting. When in the kitchen cutting vegetables for your Thai curry dinner, you need to be able to see what you’re doing and read the cookbook on the counter. But when sitting at the dining room table enjoying your freshly prepared meal with your family, you don’t need direct lighting glaring down on your dish. Think about mood versus function in your home, and do what you can to still be practical while giving your home that cozy feel. Just changing out some light bulbs to a lower wattage might help.

via Pinterest

Comfort

A consistent and natural temperature in your home is imperative to your comfort, and it’s one of those intangibles that will make a huge difference in the way your home feels. You don’t want Grandma to visit and have to bring her parka along to stay comfortable. A reliable and energy-efficient HVAC system that enables you to maintain a steady temperature and control humidity is essential to your well-being.

via Apartment Therapy

Fragrance

Have you ever stepped into someone’s home and had your nostrils assaulted by a foul smell? Your home’s fragrance is so important that real estate agents often instruct sellers to bake cookies or light vanilla-scented candles to make their homes more appealing to potential buyers. Don’t overdo it, though. Some people are sensitive to overpowering scents, so keep it subtle.

Flow

via Instagram

Good flow and use of space are other important intangibles that will make your home more appealing. For instance, no one wants to go up two flights of stairs to unload groceries. And the pantry should be in the kitchen, not in the basement. At the minimum, there should be one bathroom for every two occupants. Feng shui is also becoming a popular trend. It’s an ancient Chinese art and concept established more than 3,000 years ago. It shows people how to balance the energies and flow in any space to promote good fortune and blessings for the people living in it.

An inviting and memorable home will make you feel proud. And when visitors compliment you on your living space, it gives you a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, when you spend time on the important intangibles of your home, they can actually add value. The bonus benefit to having a home that is pleasing to guests is that it’s more alluring to you, as well. So, the next time you want to spruce up your home, don’t forget to spend time on the intangibles that will make your house appealing.

October 24, 2017
Incredibly chic and elegant homes

Chic Homes

With a toddler boy and another little boy due October 16th, a super polished and elegant homes like the ones below aren’t in my immediate future. That doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy feasting my eyes on reflective finishes free of little fingerprints, floors free of tiny toy cars, and countertops free of mashed bananas…

The sconces are amazing, as is the herringbone floors and moulding.

I’d prefer a wood floor over a concrete one, but for me that chandelier really steals the show…

2 images above via Adore Home

This space is crisp and tailored but the mix of hard and soft keeps it warm.

Pretty much love everything about this white kitchen. The subways tile and contrasting black island are perfect.

The carved desk is AMAZING. And the textured white wall behind it is an unexpected focal point.

More gorgeous moulding. The pure white with the wood floors is gorgeous.

2 images above via Cottages and Gardens

September 28, 2017
Fixer Upper: Small Town Charm

Fixer Upper

I’m not really a religious watcher of any show. We have Roku in our house, not live TV, so I tend to binge watch something for a couple weeks or so and then I forget about it. I had watched Fixer Upper before and liked it but started again recently. While I generally really like what Chip and Joanna do with their projects, there was one home in particular she did that I absolutely loved. It’s from the episode “Small Town Charm”

The Kitchen

I’m going to start with the kitchen because that is what I really, really loved about this renovation. The large island with the wood counter top and apron front sink is now in my “dream house” file. The murky blue subway tiles are gorgeous too.

The antique doors are to-die-for and the type of element that really brings a home to the next level.

Gorgeous kitchen, right?

The Staircase

Another element of this home that made it stand out to me is the beautiful staircase. I love how it’s open at the bottom and keeps the entire bottom floor feeling like one big space.

The landing of the staircase gives one a view of most of the first floor!

The top of the staircase

Staircase from the dining room.

The iron grate and railing has so much charm!

The Living Room

Love the mix of turquoise and tan leather in the living room

The Master Bedroom

Love the color accent colors in the bedroom and the dresser!

Read the whole story and see all the photos at HGTV

Turns out, I had seen this home before and featured some of it in another post, Beautiful Interiors (and great tips) from Fixer Upper’s Joanna Gaines

September 27, 2017
Interior Design Tips for Adding Versatility

Interior Design Tips

No sooner have we got the home looking perfect and summery than the days start getting shorter, and thoughts start to turn towards Thanksgiving. The temptation is to completely change the décor again, but that is not always practical. Here, we take a look at four design tips for adding versatility to your living space and making it perfect whatever the season.

via Instagram

via ?

Start with the doors

Every room has them, but they are often the last thing you think about when it comes to interior décor. The fact is, the choice of door sets a tone for the look of the entire room. A light wood finish gives a fresh, airy sense in the summer months, yet is still warm and inviting when the weather turns colder.

In a smaller room, white is a great choice, as it gives a better feeling of space, but be careful in larger rooms, as it can end up feeling cold and stark. That does not mean white should automatically be ruled out, but think about combining it with soft furnishings and perhaps wall hangings.

There is a huge variety of doors available, why not have a look here to see what would work best in your home?

Soft furnishings

via Glitter Guide

via ?

When it comes to setting a theme without spending too much time or money, there is nothing like focusing on the soft furnishings. Everyone loves cushions, and it is so easy to change the covers from something pastel and bright in the summer to something warmer and darker in the winter.

However, it does not have to stop there. Also think about throws and blankets. In the summer, a white or stonewashed style throw over the back of the sofa gives that seaside feel. As the weather gets colder, change it for something thick and textured – perfect to snuggle under on a cold night.

Accessories

via Design Love Fest

A wooden basket is one of the most versatile accessories your room can have. In the summer, use it to store newspapers or magazines, and in the winter, it can become a log basket. Even if you don’t have an open fire, it is a great accessory to give your room that feel of being a sanctuary from the cold weather.

Think about what goes up on the walls too – those seascapes or wicker hangings that look great in the summer can be replaced by something warm and textured in the winter months. It is the work of five minutes, but makes a big difference.

Try a little Feng Shui

via The Snug

via The Decorista

Some people go for years without moving a piece of furniture, but we say you should redesign the layout according to the seasons. In summer, you want an airy, more minimalist feel, and if you have large windows looking out onto the world, these should be the focus of your attention.

In winter, bring things together. Create more of an inward focus, on either the fireplace or, of course, the TV. It will feel like a completely different room.

*this is a collaborative post

July 17, 2017
5 Simple Ways to Renovate Your Bathroom
If you want to refresh the look and feel of your bathroom then you would benefit from these 5 simple ways to renovate a bathroom. These tips should make the overall bathroom renovation experience a more pleasant one.

via Zillow
1. Go Green with Appliance and Materials
We all have to do our part for the environment so if you are swapping out your fixtures like the toilet or sink you should get units that are more environmentally sustainable. The costs of these units may be slightly more than their conventional counterparts but you will save water and resources over the long-term.

via One King’s Lane
1. Update the Grout and Caulking
The grout and caulking inside your bathroom are the first things that show signs of aging so you should consider replacing it with new grout and caulking. This simple step can really enhance the look and feel of your bathroom. This is also one of the most economical projects you can perform without having to hire a professional.

via Tweet Your Trip
1. Replacing the Tile in Your Bathroom
A great way to really enhance the look of your bathroom is to install new tiles. This project is not something you should attempt on your own. If the tile is not installed properly it could lead to water seeping into the flooring which leads to huge problems. In this type of situation you should reach out to contractors that specialize in this type of renovation work. When screening the contractors you should check out their past work to make sure they are capable before you make the decision to hire them.

via archzine.fr
1. Paint the Entire Bathroom
One of the best ways to revamp the look and feel of your property is by painting the bathroom. The paint needs to be durable to handle the changes in temperature whenever you take a hot shower. Since there is a large amount of humidity generated, the paint needs to be water/humidity resistant for optimum results. You will need to make sure the paint properly dries before you take a shower or it could smear. Plan the painting around a day when the entire family is out so there is little to no demand for the shower.

via valyo.com
1. Use a Bathtub Insert
Instead of spending a large sum of cash purchasing a new bathtub which you will require extensive renovations to make room for it you could invest in a bathtub insert. With these inserts the new tub is placed directly over the existing one. This new tub fits seamlessly with your existing one so there is no need for added renovation work. The addition of the new bathtub is a renovation job that is relatively low cost but really enhances the appearance of the bathroom.

By following this outline our bathroom will look great while at the same time saving some money in the process. The sooner you begin these bathroom renovations the happier you will be so start doing your review work now.

*disclosure: this post in partnership with Perth Renovations
July 14, 2017
Beach House Inspiration: Decorology’s obsession this week

Beach House Decorating Ideas and Inspiration

Unfortunately we don’t have a beach house, we aren’t even looking at beach house rentals this year, and we don’t even have a vacation planned. And after spending this past year working and taking care of baby, I really, really need a vacation. So for now, I will just have to settle for beach house eye candy.

How does a week at the beach house or at the lake house sound to you? I wouldn’t need anything this fancy to get my fix, but it is beautiful.

Warm sea air and ocean breezes on this beautiful porch would be an amazing way to spend the evening.
2 images above via DecorPad

A beach house should be bright, open, and airy. To better integrate it into the beach setting, opt for natural materials like sisal and jute. White and blue is a fresh clean palette the makes a not to the ocean.

At this beach house a neutral palette with pops of orange make the space more energized.

Notice a trend? A lot of beach houses use a lot of white, and slipcovered furniture makes for easy sand removal!

Even in the bedroom we find natural elements in the form of a sisal rug. The decorative pillows remind me of the colors of shells.

4 images above via Chango & Co.

Daybeds are a great idea for beach house decorating. I love the freedom to nap or read whenever I want on vacation.

This beach house bedroom is light and airy. The linen curtains allow ocean breezes through the space.
2 images above via The Iron Gate

This kitchen is amazing. I like that the island is a different color than the cabinets, it really warms up the space. The pale blue subway tile backsplash is amazing too!
via Kelly Nutt Design<

July 7, 2017