Tag: subway tiles

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Bathrooms Design Expert Tips Kitchens RENO ADDICT Reno Trends

5 new ways to lay subway tiles

The subway tile, known for its classic and timeless nature, has experienced a dramatic renaissance this Spring, but not in the way DIY renovators would necessarily expect.  Designers are now sing the tiles in dynamic patterns, vibrant colours and plank tile concepts to push boundaries and challenge the status quo of the subway design.

Herringbone

“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,” said Beaumont Tiles’ product and communications specialist Rachel Gilding.   

Need some inspiration? Here are some different looks guaranteed to challenge the way you think about subway tiles in 2021.   

Herringbone – 45 degrees and horizontal  

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

“The herringbone 45 degrees and horizontal herringbone layering styles create the illusion of movement throughout the space,” said Rachel. 

“My favourite choice for a coastal, country chic or contemporary look is a marble or stone subway like Nostalgia Carrara Gloss paired with our Ardex White grout. ” 

Horizontal Herringbone

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,” said Rachel. “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.” 

Step ladder

Cross-Hatch 

This versatile pattern is a unique combination of horizontal and vertical stacking and is 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. Electing for monochrome-coloured tiles in a cross-hatch layout is perfect for contrasting with leathers and prints – the ultimate wanderlust vibe.” 

Cross-Hatch

Brick Bond – 45-degree stack, vertical and horizontal 

From the New York Subways of the 1920s to today’s modern houses, 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 Rachel. 

“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 firebox. I like to pair brick bond in our Agrestic Gloss White subway with Agrestic Gloss Grey laid horizontal in the firebox.”

Vertical Brick Bond

Stacked: Vertical, Vertical Alternating, Horizontal, Horizontal Alternating  

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

“The vertically stacked layout is perfect for making ceilings feel taller, and the horizontal stack has the same principle, but with widening capabilities. Mix things up a little with the vertical and horizontal stacked alternating layouts, which 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.”

Horizontal Stack

To find your perfect subway tile

Peel & stick tiles: An affordable kitchen & bathroom reno solution

When Yiwen Ling bought her home recently, she loathed the kitchen’s green tiles, but her budget didn’t stretch to a complete renovation. And after exploring many reno options including spraying…
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DIY Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

Subway tile layout: 12 different ways!

Horizontal brick bond (Excite Blush Matt tiles)

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.”

Horizontal brick bond (Excite Blush Matt tiles)

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

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Bathrooms Expert Tips RENO ADDICT

Three Birds Renovations on being creative with tiles

main bathroom

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.”

Laundry
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.”

powder room
Powder room

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.

main bathroom

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.”

ensuite
Ensuite

And boy are they beautiful!

mosaics
Close-up

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.

Main bathroom
Main bathroom

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

 

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House Tours Kitchens

A Sydney blogger’s light-filled and lovely IKEA kitchen

Photography by Lucas Boyd

We recently checked out blogger Rebecca Lowrey Boyd’s kitchen and loved it so much, we persuaded her to share all the details with us. You can check out more of Rebecca’s writing at Wee Birdy.

I never thought I would renovate our kitchen. When we bought our ‘70s modernist pole house on Sydney’s upper North Shore three years ago, I was a staunch defender of its wood-panelled walls and ceiling. While everyone peered around in the gloom, I felt like I was living in a little wooden cabin in the the bush.

Why renovate?

After three months of living with our kitchen, the charm of the timber-lined space wore thin. The darkness of the kitchen was at odds with the rest of the house, which we’d since painted white and was bathed in light. More than anything, the clunkiness of the cabinetry was annoying. The drawers were heavy and frequently got stuck, and everything felt disorganised and messy. The overhead cabinets dividing the kitchen and living room made the room feel dark and closed in.

Why IKEA?

We knew a stone benchtop was out of the question because we have two poles going through the benchtop. The only option was timber so we could cut around the poles like a jigsaw. For a flatpack option, IKEA appealed because of the budget-friendly cabinetry and oak benchtops. We’ve got a Scandi-style home and it’s easy to get the Scandi look with IKEA. Finally I was drawn to the soft-closing, deep drawers that are so much more expensive in a custom-made kitchen.

Big changes

We removed the overhead cupboards that hung over the benchtop, which opened up the space and allowed the light from the living room to flood the kitchen. We also painted the dark timber panelling white in Dulux Natural White.

Benchtops

IKEA’s AKERBY worktop in oak (no longer available but there are similar).

Cabinetry

White IKEA FAKTUM cabinets (now called METOD).

Splashback

Hand-made ceramic subway tiles with black grout. We loved the organic look and the wavy surface imperfections. It gave our flatpack kitchen a more handcrafted, customised look.

Sink and tapware

The DOMSJÖ double bowl sink completed the relaxed Scandi-style look, which tied in with the rest of our house. We’d like a black kitchen tap but for now we’ve got an ELVERDAM tap (we love the pull-out spout for rinsing dishes).

Appliances

IKEA SVAVANDE ceiling-mounted extractor hood.

Lighting

We spray-painted IKEA’S white RANARP pendant lights black, and hung them over the working area of the benchtop. We also ran LED strip lighting under the bottom cupboards. It gives the space a soft glow at night, which is great when we have the TV on in the next room.

Mini vertical pole gardens

Our home is filled with plants and the kitchen wasn’t going to be the exception, so we painted the poles white and turned them into mini vertical gardens with Little Urban Farmers’ hanging gardens planters.

Worst thing we did

We orginally went with IKEA’s recommended tradesperson. We ended up having to rip out the benchtop and start again.

Best thing we did

Hire our builder, Matthew Blackmore. He carefully cut around our poles and joined the new IKEA oak benchtops seamlessly with a biscuit-joint, held together with benchtop clamps and wood glue. (The first tradie butt-jointed the benchtop together with Sikaflex and the finish was messy.

Our tradie dream team

Builder: Matthew Blackmore 0499 997 375

Painter: Joey Neukam 0435 162 240

Matt Blackmore’s top 3 IKEA timber benchtop tips

  1. If you’re joining together IKEA timber benchtops, ask your carpenter to make a biscuit joint and hold it together with benchtop clamps and wood glue.
  2. Use kitchen grade benchtop oil and give your benchtop three generous coats of oil with a second sand.
  3. It’s worth choosing the IKEA solid timber benchtops instead of the timber veneers, as the woodchip can disintegrate around the cut-outs to the sink and it can get black mould. If you do get a timber veneer, use the end strip to protect around the pieces which are exposed to the sink.

More kitchens and bathrooms

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RENO ADDICT

7 different ways to use subway tiles in your home

The love affair with subway tiles has not waned in the past 12 months. If anything, it’s continued full steam ahead as savvy interior gurus come up with new and different ways to use these immediately recognisable tiles. While the classic, ‘horizontal with white grout’ arrangement remains popular, there are plenty of other ways to use subway tiles in your home that utilise their clean and timeless appeal while adding a touch of the quirky and new.

Here are some of our favourite ways to use subway tiles in your home.

7 different ways to use subway tiles in your home

1. Place them vertically

7 different ways to use subway tiles in your homeImage source: Pinterest

Looking for a quick and easy way to switch things up? Try flipping your tiles so that they are placed vertically instead of horizontally. This works well for both bathrooms and laundry spaces.

2. Get creative with grout

7 different ways to use subway tiles in your homeImage source: Decor Pad

There is no rule that grout has to be white. One of the easiest ways to modernise your design (and spend less time cleaning) is with a different coloured grout. Popular choices include black, dark grey, light grey and even coloured varieties for small spaces.

3. Play with colour

7 different ways to use subway tiles in your homeImage source: OK Interior Design

There are plenty of gorgeous colour options for subway tiles now available. While white will always be clean and classic, experimenting with grey, pastels, teal and even black can make the look your own.

4. Texture

7 different ways to use subway tiles in your homeImage source: Tile Junket

Textured subway tiles are a great way to play around with the trend in a new way while still remaining true to its roots. You could also play around with matte versus gloss tiles or different materials.

5. Mix and match

7 different ways to use subway tiles in your homeImage source: Perini

Torn between colours? Why not go with both! In this example, teal has been paired with pale grey (and white grout) with fabulous impact.

6. Shake up the size

7 different ways to use subway tiles in your homeImage source: Tile Ideaz

Big doesn’t have to equal beautiful. Depending on the size of the room you’re tiling, smaller tiles may work better for the space like in this bathroom.

7. Focus on a feature (wall)

7 different ways to use subway tiles in your homeImage source: Tile Junket

If you don’t want to go the whole hog, a subway tiled feature wall could be a great option. It allows you plenty of freedom to play around with colour, shape and texture in a ‘safe’ yet still stylish way.

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Bathrooms Design RENO ADDICT Shopping

5 tips to save money but create an expensive look with bathroom tiles

You’re in the midst of a bathroom renovation and after spending considerable time, effort and money on bathware products, you find your leftover budget for floor and wall tiles is looking a bit bruised and battered. No need to panic, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover you can still achieve a luxurious look without the high price tag normally associated with glamorous tiles. The trick is knowing which tiles to choose and how to place them in your bathroom.

Subway tiles

The classic white subway tile has been around since the 1900s yet is still well loved today, mostly due to its inherently simple design style and timeless allure. Subway tiles remain as one of the most economical tiles on the market and are so versatile as they can be dressed up in several ways to achieve various effects. Traditionally, subway tiles have been applied in a brick bond pattern, but if you’re going for a more modern look, consider laying tiles vertically, stacking (one on top of the other), diagonally or in a chevron pattern. Applying different colour grout is another popular technique to accentuate and highlight each individual tile whilst creating a grid like effect on the walls.

Image: Urbis Magazine
Image: Urbis Magazine

The resurgence of subway tiles means there are now a myriad of colours, sizes and finishes available. Prices will vary once you drift away from plain white and will be determined by a number of factors including colour, size, finish, and where the tiles are manufactured.

Image: Perini Tiles
Image: Perini Tiles

All eyes on the floor

Bathroom floors are generally smaller spaces to tile than walls, so spend a little more here and keep wall tiles simple and low budget. This is your opportunity to introduce personality to your bathroom and create a design statement with strong visual interest that makes the floor the hero of the space. Select tiles that are patterned, colourful or textured.

Darren and Dea's bathroom floor tiles in their first Block
Darren and Dea’s bathroom floor tiles in their first Block

Create a feature wall with pattern

Select a wall in your bathroom that would make the perfect feature wall and use patterned tiles to highlight the space. This wall may be behind your vanity, inside the shower or the first wall you see as you walk into the bathroom. You could even get creative and tile part of the wall (instead of the entire wall) to play up specific bathroom features. Ensure the remaining walls and floors are tiled in a simple colour to not only keep costs down but to also ensure there’s not too much competing with your feature.

Image: Perini
Image: Perini (featuring their Arcade tiles)

Classic monochrome

Use the same neutral or classic monochrome tile on floors and walls and allow fixtures and accessories to stand out. Select a tile with minimal movement and variation in a soothing tone to act as a simple backdrop while towels, flowers, candles and even vanity units take centre stage. No need to go fancy or high end with your tiles, just be sure to select the correct colour tone that will complement other colours in your space.

Image: Shareen Joel Design. Click for further info
Image: Shareen Joel Design. Click for further info

Black beauty

A beautifully bold bathroom with black tiles on floors and walls will create a striking effect, not to mention a little wow factor. White bathware will pop against the black backdrop adding drama and sophistication. Use the same black tile on floors and walls, but vary the size to create a balanced space. Select a mid range tile with little or no surface movement that will amp up the opulence yet won’t break the budget.

— Kate Fuller works in product development for Perini Tiles in Melbourne.

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Interiors Addict

Trend for pastels extends to subway tiles

Anyone else noticed the emerging trend for pastels in interiors? What do you think? I really like these new pastel subways from Academy Tiles.

pastel tiles 1

They’re 75mm x 100mm and available in four colours. I think they’d be a nice way to add subtle colour to all kinds of kitchens. I’m already a big fan of the humble subway tile (give me a bevelled edge any day) and these are a nice take on the popular choice.

pastel tiles 2

More info.

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Interiors Addict

Ikea 2014 catalogue preview: coastal

Do you want to know what’s more exciting than the new IKEA catalogue coming out? Getting a preview of what’s going to be in it ahead of time!

Coastal bathroom

Every day this week I’ll be sharing with you some images from next year’s catalogue, starting today, with the products in a coastal theme. What do you think?

Continue reading “Ikea 2014 catalogue preview: coastal”