bathroom design Archives - A.Clore Interiors

Tile is a very popular finish material that has been around for as long as we can remember. According to experts, the earliest examples of tile were found to be Egyptian, dating all the way back to 4,000 BC. At the time clay, a natural material produced within the Earth was quite easy to find and process. As a result, the first ceramic tiles were created. From there they were hand-painted and often used as a form of decorative art compiled piece by piece to create a beautiful mosaic or mural. Below you can see how the origin of using tile as decoration translates into today’s applications.

Here we used geometric tiles to turn this fireplace into its own work of art, making a simple yet grand statement.

This walk-in shower combines a simple yet sophisticated large tile with a strip of a smaller geometric tile pattern adding a decorative touch while still harmonizing with the neutral tones.

Over the last few years, we have seen an ongoing trend in intricate two-tone tiles which together create a form of art and in this case on a rather unusual surface, the bathroom floor.

We continue to see tile as one of the most common coverings for both interiors and exteriors. This is because of its great versatility and extensive benefits. It is a material that can be applied to floors, walls, furniture, and many other surfaces. When applied and installed correctly tile can last a lifetime. It is very durable, resisting most impacts and scratches. One of its greatest traits is its cleanability and low maintenance. When properly taken care of it does not require harsh chemicals to clean and once sealed does not need to be refinished. Unlike carpeting which harbors things like mold, dirt, and bacteria, tile is the ideal hypoallergenic choice avoiding the collection of common irritants or the requirement of chemical cleaning.

If we haven’t already convinced you to choose tile for your space then let’s talk about its green benefits! Manufacturers of tile are constantly recycling material and water to make new product, sending a minimal amount of leftover material to landfills or wastewater facilities. In addition, tile’s long life span means it does not need to be replaced very often resulting in less waste overall. What’s even greater is that even after installation tile continues to be environmentally friendly and user friendly. Both ceramic and porcelain tile are created from natural resources and do not emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds), ultimately preventing pollution and unhealthy air quality.

With that being said we love using tile in our client’s spaces whether it be to add a fun accent or to provide better functionality and ease of living. We always recommend applying it in high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and entertainment zones where cleanability is highly necessary.

In this master bathroom, we took full advantage of cleanability and applied a tile-on tile look. A mix and match of different sized linear tiles in an all-neutral scheme create the interesting layered effect you see here. You almost don’t realize that this entire bathing space is tile because of the design’s subtle variety and placement.

The backsplash in this kitchen also uses a combination of different tiles applied in a linear fashion. The clean-cut line created through the division of classic white subway tiles and neutral tone hexagon tiles turns the stove and hood into a focal point within the kitchen.

So why tile? Aside from the endless maintenance and well-being benefits it has proved to provide, tile has this simplistic yet grand ability to add character into a space. This is easy to accomplish thanks to continuing advancements in manufacturing and design that make tile available in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors, patterns, and textures.

We at A. Clore Interiors had the privilege of seeing all the newest and exciting tiles by attending this year’s Coverings Tile & Stone Show. Below are some of the top trends we loved!

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A neutral design palette seems like a trend that’s here to stay. While using all neutrals can create a serene and sophisticated space, it can leave you wanting something that you just can’t put your finger on. (Hint Hint: it’s color!) We advise our clients not to envy those picture-perfect living spaces you see on Pinterest. This isn’t sustainable for families with messy kids and small budgets. That being said, having a clean background to design can be fun. Here are some of our favorite ways to keep a space neutral with added hints of personality.

In the Kitchen

The kitchen craze today is all white, very sleek, very clean. While this may be easy to admire, it is not easy to maintain and start to bore homeowners. We always work with clients who want a modern, white look, but also need to feel at home. An easy way to add color to a kitchen space is on the island. Below eye level, two-tone cabinets are enough out of the way to be bothersome, but effective when adding interest to a modern kitchen. Additionally, most kitchens have an island area for casual seating and this can be a great opportunity to add color. Whether the stools are upholstered or colored metal ones like below, incorporating a common color similar to the rest of the house can really tie a home design together without leaving the kitchen out.

In the Living Room

Similar to the kitchen stools, accent chairs are a great way to incorporate a bold color into the living room to liven it up. These rich navy armchairs with acrylic feet are modern enough while also inviting to sit down in. If the entire chair seems to be too much for you, we often customize upholstered seating to have two coordinating patterns on the inside section then another on the backside. This is especially helpful if you would want a detailed look from a specific viewpoint. Even less of a risk, add colorful pillows and a rug that incorporates a color to avoid designing a bland space.

In the Dining Room

Incorporating color into a dining room can be tricky; there are not a lot of ways to do it without breaking a modern, sleek feel. In this home, we did it in the wall art. This is the safest route to go for people, for it is easily changeable. To create a unique space, the paired wall hangings add variety while still matching the color scheme. It is important to add variety to space and in this case, it was done in a unified way. The colored corals in geometric frames easily enhance the mood of the area while sticking to the modern coastal design.

In the Bathroom

A bathroom is a place for serenity and calm, so, people tend to steer clear of bold colors when designing it. Naturally, neutrals thrive in this. A quick pop of color can really freshen the room up. Here we see this on the turquoise wall decor and some greenery on the countertop. Avoid the easy mistake of going to bland and add color to your bathroom by painting the vanity, having a bright accent tile, or placing a thin, colorful woven rug on the ground. You will appreciate this accent one groggy morning.