Do a search of this forum using search terms like 'diagonal tile'. There have been many discussions about this including one very recently (only a few days ago) including pictures.

If you've taken the time to lay out a good portion of tile then you should go with what you liked best. That really helped make the decision for me.

I'll try to post some pictures of my diagonal floor (galley kitchen) with 20" tiles tonight. Hopefully you'll get a variety of pictures here from others too.

- Jim

Actually the recent one I was thinking of is on page 1 right now. I'll try posting a link to it.

- Jim

Here is a link that might be useful: Recent post on floor pattern (especially diagonal)

Thanks for the link, I have been following that thread. I've seen countless diagonal floors and for a grid pattern I'd absolutley choose diagonal over straight. but for the brick pattern I'm only finding pics of it straight so I'm having a hard time imagening how it'll look on a 45. Will the offset lines at a 45 degree angle confuse the eye? That's what seemed to happen when I did the dry lay but there were so many "untiled" spots I wasn't sure if that is what was throwing me off. Thanks again for taking time to respond.

My sister has that in her kitchen and dining area, straight and it's beautiful. She's into the French Country decor and it's a great combination.

Ever thought about going with a different pattern? I did this in my bathroom ecause someone gave me a bunch of tiles in 13" square size and 5 1/2" square. This pattern is really easy to do and it looks great.

We just relo'd into a house that has 18x18's in the foyer (newly installed) and since I'm going to redo the kitchen I am thankful they didn't carry it through to the kitchen and just left the old POS white, mutilated ceramic 8x8's or whatever they are.

I may not have chosen the exact tile they decided to install and now I have to carry through - but I do like (really like) that it was laid on the diagonal and staggered - also called a 'running bond' or 'brick'?

The pattern provides a bunch of visual interest (subtle, not busy) and with the tiles being so big I don't feel like I'm in a 'human chess match' everytime I'm in my foyer.

Is this one of the patterns you are contemplating?

Katrine822

I'm going to preface my comment by giving the same disclaimer that I do with ALL subjective questions, and that is that it's not my home, and so my comment should be taken with a grain of salt, but I have a feeling that a diagonal brick joint might have just a little too much going on. Brick joint would be nice, as would diagonal, but not both together. Again, that's personal opinion. Professionally speaking, it could be installed very easily.

Awe shucks, I thought you said Brick tile in your post. Sorry, I misposted. My sister actually has brick in her dining & kitchen areas.

Bill that's exactly the conclusion I came to I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. When I did the dry lay my eye didn't know what to look at or where to go. Brick pattern it is.

coombs, that was the pattern that I originally wanted to go with but it my sweet bride over-ruled me, the way our kitchen is set up it was too much for her; the brick pattern was a compromise. Thanks for the idea though.

Here's a picture of exactly what you were looking for. I specified brick pattern to my tile guy and this is how he installed it. I didn't know until it was already down and my contractor sent pictures. I live in NY and my house is being built in CO.
At first I was unsure but, it follows the contour of the design of the house. I think it looks fine. Hope this helps!

I think what makes it work in that picture is that the tile *is* straight with one of the doorways that seems to be at a 45-degree angle to the doorway the photo is taken from. It lets the eye have a reason for it being set that way.

I think the diagonal pattern works well with smaller sizes (12x12 or less) unless you have a lot of area.

I have 16x24 limestone set staggered (brick pattern).

Wow, I misunderstood your intent somewhat. You are considering a brick (staggered, running bond, etc.) pattern and just don't know whether to go straight or diagonal. Interesting I never thought about that and I would have said, wow too busy just like Bill said except that someone posted a picture of it and it does look good. I think part of what makes it look good in their case may be the large variation in colors. Wow. I don't know. I don't know how much tile you have laid, but I would say lay out a bunch (I know it's a pain) and mark where the cabinets would go with papers or boxes or tape and see how it looks. Well I said I'd post pictures of mine so I still will, but I'm not sure it helps you since you're looking at something different than I have.

I know we would love to see pictures of how it turns out (whatever you decide) so please post after it's finished.

- Jim

Here's looking from the garage into the kitchen.

Here's looking back into the garage

From the kitchen into the breakfast area

I think I like the diagonal. It works for me bc it is straight with the wood floor in your family room. However, it would probably look good either way. Good luck.

I like the diagonal. Looks good!

I wouldn't have expected to like a staggered diagonal since the unbroken lines would all run one way, but the photo above looks good.

If you go with a [non-diagonal] staggered pattern, try laying it out by thirds instead of half. Every 3rd row repeats, instead of every other. Adds more movement.

Brick style on a diagonal is a really nice look. I was going to do the same thing but then decided to do hardwood. I think you will be happy with that design.

perqqderqq- What is the name of your granite? I love it.

jeepnfl- What is the name of your granite?

I like them both very much and tomorrow I will be choosing my granite. Sorry for the hi-jack

It certainly does seem to look really good the way you have it in the pictures, jeepnfl. I don't suppose you have any pictures of it the other way you were considering? Also, in the picture it looks like the tiles are right next to each other. I don't know if that's true or not. The reason I bring it up is because the lines are de-emphasized. It might seem busier with the grout lines? I definitely like how the diagonal fills the 'L' shape. Is the line of the bay window on the left (when the garage is on the left) parallel to the line between the tile and the wood floor in the family room? And are those lines at 45 degrees to the other walls or is it an angle other than 45 degrees?

In the end though, I can't get over how good it looks as you have it. Is that your favorite pattern so far?

Organic Nettie: My granite is giallo ornamental. I've never seen a photo, including this one, that shows it's true colors. It tends to look more black and whitish in photos. How do you know your TKO? I'm almost done with my kitchen and I'm still dying to know what jeepnfl's granite is too!

- Jim

I appreciate the great comments.

alliern, thanks for that picture it really does help to *see* it on the floor!

My Granite is Brazilian Gold we really love the way it contrasts with the Cherry cabinets.

I do have pics with the tile laid straight and I'll post them tonight when I get home.

Jim, to answer your question about the bay windows, yes they are all 45 degrees as is the wood floor (as shown) and my sink sits at the same 45 degree angle, that's why I'm pretty sure it'll work.

I started pulling up the old vinyl last night and WOW what a can of worms that is. I'm stopping on my way home to grab 2 large floor scrapers, the putty knife wasn't cutting it.

Randy

Except for the last picture, the diagonal, to me, just looks like a straight pattern but coming at it from a different angle. E.g., in the second picture when walking in from the FR it's really a straight pattern but in the third picture it's a diagonal pattern. I think the decision should be based on how it looks from both the most commonly used entrance and the largest open area.

If you're always looking at it from the same angle, i.e., all your doorways/views are 90o to each other, then pick the view you like best (diagonal vs straight). If they come in at different angles, then focus on the main doorway & largest areas mentioned above.

I don't know if I'm explaining this very well...but I hope this helps!

Actually my granite is Venetian Gold not Bazilian Gold.

Randy

Randy...another vote for the diagonal...I like the way it looks in your space!