how to lay tiles – The Interiors Addict

Subway tile layout: 12 different ways!

While known for their classic and timeless nature, the subway tile has experienced a dramatic renaissance this autumn, but not in the way DIY renovators would necessarily expect.

Subways have evolved dramatically of late, says Beaumont Tiles’ strategic designer Vanessa Thompson, and are now incorporating dynamic patterns, vibrant colours and plank tile concepts.

Horizontal quarter-offset (Reunion White Gloss tiles)

“New season interior design trends are challenging the white, clinical brick bond looks of the subway tile, catapulting it into a world of colour, exploring new depths in patterns and layouts,” she said. “What we are seeing is the peak of the subway trend, and with that comes a certain confidence to push boundaries and challenge the status quo of subway design. From Herringbone, Step Ladder, Cross Hatch and Stacked, the styling possibilities of the subway tile are endless as are the style narratives they help illustrate.”

Need some inspiration? Here are 12 different looks guaranteed to challenge the way you think about subway tiles in 2019.

Herringbone – 45 degrees, 90 degrees and horizontal

Whether it’s for the floor, a kitchen splashback or a bathroom wall, a herringbone patterned subway tile can turn your next DIY project into a prominent feature that creates depth and theatre to the overall project.

“The ‘Herringbone 45 degrees, 90 degrees and Horizontal herringbone’ layering styles create the illusion of movement throughout the space,” said Vanessa.

Horizontal herringbone (Roman Pietra Black and Roman Carrara tiles)

If you want to make an even bigger statement, says Vanessa, choose a contrasting grout, like an alluring space blue or delicate jade green. “Using a contrasting grout to your tile will frame each tile and emphasize the intricacies of the way they’ve been laid – creating a beautiful feature on your floor or wall,” she added.

“For more subtle styling, opt for a complimenting grout which is perfect for projects that are coastal, country chic or contemporary influenced projects. My favourite for this is a marble or stone subway like Nostalgia Carrara Gloss 300×75 paired with our Ardex Misty Grey grout.“

Step ladder

The step ladder pattern is like the herringbone, resembling dynamic movement and direction. “This unique layering option can make any space feel bigger and is a great statement piece. The step ladder is the perfect choice for a niche space in the bathroom – particularly the shower – but would also create a dynamic and vibrant kitchen splashback.”

Cross Hatch

This versatile pattern is a unique combination of horizontal and vertical stacking and perfect for the geometrically brave!

“Though the subway tiles are simply layered at 90-degree angles, grout plays a huge role in transforming the ‘cross hatch’ layout into a beautiful feature or focal point,” said Vanessa.

“Electing for monochrome coloured tiles in a cross-hatch layout is perfect for contrasting with leathers and prints – the ultimate eclectic bohemian vibe.”

Brick Bond – 45 degree stack, vertical and horizontal

From the New York Subways of the 1920s to modern houses of today, brick bonding is everywhere – it’s simple and symmetrical.

“This unique way of layering captures dimension and flow, and any space can be revamped with a brick bonded subway tile,” said Vanessa. “Choosing a variety of different colours or mixing your finishes like satin and gloss with a bold coloured grout is daring and fun, and a perfect way to change or accentuate your style.”

Why not pair your vibrant and colourful layout with black or neutral homewares, for a playful and retro style with a modern twist?

“For those with a retired fireplace, turn it into a statement by using contrasting laying styles on the facing and fire box. I like to pair brick bond in our agrestic gloss white subway with agrestic gloss grey aid horizontal in the firebox.”

Stacked: Vertical, Vertical Alternating, Horizontal, Horizontal Alternating

For a safe and more traditional layout variation, DIYers can’t go past stacked tiles.

“Stacked tiles are a popular option, particularly for first-time DIYers. While simple in nature, they still have considerable styling properties,” Vanessa said.

Horizontal stacked (Agrestic Ivory Gloss tiles)

“The vertically stacked layout is perfect for making ceilings feel taller, and the horizontal stack has the same principle, however with widening capabilities.

“Mix things up a little with the vertical and horizontal stacked alternating layouts, which simply means you offset the rows. Creating a modern look, this layout is great for full tile walls or as a statement wall in the kitchen.”

All tiles shown are from Beaumont Tiles (details in picture captions). For more information.

Three Birds Renovations on being creative with tiles

Three Birds Renovations on being creative with tiles

Lauded for their fabulous renovation projects, Three Birds Renovations recently undertook their biggest project yet – the home of the company’s creative director Bonnie Hindmarsh. Located on five acres in Sydney’s Hills District, the sprawling self-described ‘modern coastal barn’ is home to her family of six and brings the designer’s love of coastal style to the country.

And while the home boasts multiple swoon-worthy features, its tiles are at the top of the list. Sourced entirely from National Tiles in Melbourne, the lineup includes penny round, subway, ceramic and terracotta tiles laid in random, herringbone, grid and brick fashion. Proving that stunning results can arise just as much from the type of tiles selected as from the way in which they are laid, Bonnie shares her creative tile tips below…

“Many of our previous renovations have been flip houses so when we were tiling we kept the patterns fairly simple so that they appeal to a wide range of buyers. But when you’re designing a forever home, you’ve got license to be more creative in tile choices and how you lay them. At the end of the day you’ve got to love them because you’ve got to live with them,” says Bonnie.

“You can turn a room from drab to fab depending on the way you lay the tiles and in my forever home, there was no way I was going to be conservative in my choices,” she adds.

Herringbone
“The herringbone pattern is a gorgeous way to accentuate a plain rectangular tile,” says Bonnie, who chose a subtle apricot gloss tile, laid in a herringbone pattern, for the laundry. “The decision to lay them like that, rather than the stretcher bond pattern we often see for subway tiles, adds so much detail and interest to my over-sized laundry.”

The tiles on the laundry room floor are also herringbone, but smaller-scale mosaics. “The Carrara marble white tiles are laid in sheets so there’s no fuss for your tiler to create a perfect herringbone pattern with tiny tiles.” Genius!

laundry herringbone — A closer look at the floor tile

When it came to the gorgeous pale blue powder room, Bonnie chose to lay the tiles in a herringbone pattern again. “The stunning Cotto Glamour Rombo feature wall tiles in the powder room are diamond shaped and could have been laid in a number of ways. I chose to create a herringbone pattern with these tiles too, for maximum detail and impact on the wall.”

Straight
If pattern isn’t your thing, you can always play it straight and Bonnie’s laundry tub is a great example of this. Purpose built to wash her beloved dogs, the tub features square tiles in two colours – apricot and greige. “The tub is laid in a straight lay, an almost basic pattern, but the two complementary colours make this feature look anything but ordinary,” says Bonnie.

The laundry tub features straight lay tiling to great effect

The main bathroom features some straight lay too. “The shower is also tiled in a straight (sometimes called stack bond) pattern, but you’d never guess,” says Bonnie of the randomly placed Crayon Bianco Matt and Crayon Azzurro Gloss tiles that combine to create a feature that is truly stunning.

Ceiling mosaics
It’s an unusual choice but Bonnie’s home features a number of ceilings covered in mosaic tiles, and it works.“I immediately fell in love with the pillar of Carrara marble white diamond tiles in National Tiles’ Melbourne showroom and knew they’d be perfect to wrap right around the shower in the ensuite, ceiling included.”

And boy are they beautiful!

The main bathroom features another mosaic-covered ceiling but this time the adornment is a marble penny round tile. “The vision for the main bathroom was inspired by an underground train station and the Carrara white penny rounds were perfect for covering the huge curved ceiling, walls and floor,” says Bonnie.

Basket weave
Bonnie chose to use the basket weave tile lay pattern for the first time ever in her boys’ ensuite bathroom and it’s a gamble that has paid off. It’s also a great example of how you can make a simple tile look interesting if you lay it in a creative way. “Get creative! Even if you’re on a tight budget, the simplest of tiles can create a standout feature, if laid well.”

boys' bathroom — Boys’ bathroom – the navy gloss tiles make a standout feature wall and ceiling in the shower

More on National Tiles | More on Three Birds Renovations