Finding
your Style: Selecting Tile
Selecting what works for your home
and traffic pattern requires an overview of the range of available
materials. The key advantage of tile and stone is their unmatched durability.
After one look at this patterned stone floor with border details, you
understand that these materials offer timeless design.
The first challenge in the selection process is whittling down the enormous (and
still growing) number of materials on the market to determine your style needs.
When you choose tile, you make a decision that represents a long-term commitment.
The process can be daunting. You know what appeals to you now, but will your
passion endure?
Once you’ve identified the material, your next decision is design layouts.
“Green” design
Recently many eco-friendly alternatives have emerged. The buzz is all about “sustainable
design.” For those homeowners who prefer recycled and recyclable materials,
stylish choices are available that won’t compromise the earth’s
resources.
Green designers have come up with elegant imitations that marry high fashion
with recycling to serve this health-conscious, conservationminded clientele.
Nothing matches concrete for the soft, warm colors that have become so popular
with architects and designers. Most of all natural materials, concrete tile
and pavers blend with and complement a variety of home products such as stucco,
wood, stone, and landscape materials. Concrete can be used inside and out,
in climates from Alaska to Arizona.
Concrete surfaces are “living surfaces.” Over the years, concrete
tiles and pavers will take on an attractive patina. If you love them today,
you’ll find that they only improve with time.
In keeping with retro design, cork is making a comeback. Water-resistant,
low-maintenance and eco-friendly, this natural product is a winner in the family
home (e.g., kitchen floors, exercise rooms and children’s rooms). The
fact that the New York Public Library uses it as flooring is testament to its
durability. Available in a variety of sizes, cork (left) is an excellent floor
or wall material, and because of its cellular structure it absorbs sound waves.
Cork material is a lifetime investment.
The latest tile styles
The following tile collections illustrate how hot the market has become and
give you license to let your imagination run wild. Keep in mind that designing
a room is not unlike creating a dress. So don’t be too surprised if
you use more than 10 different selections for a single space in order to
create your own personal style.
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