Tile Trends

Color Your Way Tile installations last a long time, and for this reason many homeowners choose neutral hues when choosing tile. “Homeowners are very conscientious about the color of tile they choose because they want to make sure that the color they pick today will also be good to decorate around years from now,” Kirk-Rolley says. White, cream, taupe and chocolate brown tiles make great choices for floors and walls. This year, gray is the most fashion-forward neutral, combining well with many other colors. Monochromatic color themes, such as white on white or cream on cream tiles in different textures, are also chic combinations. Glass tile mosaics can dress up a fireplace, such as these Oceanside Glasstile's "Geologie" collection. Photo Courtesy of Oceanside Glasstile. Photographer: Bradley Girard, Five Three Design. For those who want to make a bolder statement, there are many color combinations to choose from. Greens in many shades are popular because of the eco-friendly movement. Thanks to the upcoming Olympic games in China, the Far East is influencing color choices. Think spicy hues such as pumpkin, sunny yellows and golds, clear red, lavender or coffee brown. For Hollywood elegance, consider inky blues, black and purple, combined with hints of metal for accent. Mixed Media One of the hottest trends in tile design today is mixing different types of tile to create a custom look. You can combine earthy slate with shimmering glass tile, stone with porcelain or ceramic with metal accents. Mesh-mounted mosaic tiles, such as those produced by Oceanside Glasstile in Carlsbad, Calif., are a simple way to get this look. Walker Zanger also combines elegant natural stone with metal or glass tile. Another way to get visual interest is by combining different textures. The current trend is tiles that mimic the look of leather or fabrics such as linen, damask or silk. Combining these decorative looks with more simple porcelain tiles will create a designer-inspired look. Green Scene In some cases, tile is also an eco-friendly option for your home’s surfaces. Several companies produce tile using recycled content. TerraGreen Ceramics, based in Richmond, Ind., has been producing recycled tiles since the 1970s. Each of the company’s tile series is produced using 55 percent recycled glass and come in a rainbow of colors and styles. Tennessee-based Crossville offers EcoCycle tile, which contains 40 percent recycled ceramic content and features stone looks in eight earthy colors. For a bit of glamour, Eco Friendly Flooring creates metal tiles made of 100 percent recycled aluminum or brass. Available in polished, matte and sandblasted finishes, their look works well in both contemporary and more rustic interiors.

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