Did you use individual accent tiles?
There are accent tiles that I love as individual tiles, but I am struggling with whether or how to incorporate them. I don't really like accent tiles evenly spaced along a backsplash or used as a mural or scene over a range, so... how else can they be used? If I need to let them go, I can. But given how beautiful they can be, I wonder if there is an alternative to using accent tiles within a kitchen or bath that I'm just not seeing? Any inspiration or examples of what you've seen work well is much appreciated.
We are building on a lake on a forested, wooded lot in the mountains and the home is Craftsman style. Examples of beautiful tiles I love....
Comments (21)
Related Discussions
Replacing individual tiles with accent?
Comments (7)We are actually in the process of doing exactly the same thing ... replacing the old (as in, 1959) 3-handle faucet with an all-new Grohe system. I don't know how old your bath is -- ours is an old style mud job, but the plumber has so far had no trouble replacing the fixtures (we did have to cut out the wall behind the old fixtures and he had to go in from the back -- hopefully yours is accessible?) and we plan to "patch" the old, can't-be-matched aqua tile with a beautiful small glass mosaic. Here's a link to the thread where I first asked about removing a few select tiles. If your tile job is of a later vintage, it might be easier to "pop them off" :) We also considered, worst case scenario, using faucet hole covers (polished chrome to match the new faucets). We figured that would be an obvious patch, but so will the mosaic glass... we're not fooling anyone but we're not trying to, just wanted something fun and pretty, a little "bling" -- I think it will work! Here's a photo of what we want to do (we'd just be cutting the square-foot sheet of mosaic into the pieces we need to fill whatever area needs filling by the time we're done): Here is a link that might be useful: Earlier thread on removing a few tiles...See MoreHow did you decide where to put random accent tiles in your BS?
Comments (3)You wouldn't like random, but you can achieve it by using a random number generator. They have them on the web. Or you could roll a die. You might also try using the Fibonacci series as a way of spacing the tiles. That describes a great many structures in nature. To the human eye it looks random but pleasing, even though it's not random at all. Your Post-It method should work. Just make sure when you put them up that they're spaced correctly, not so much for the grout lines, as to have the right number of them up and down. Make sure you measure your tiles because nominal 4"x4" are often not that exact size. Instead of the papers, you could use a chalk line (string filled with chalk) to quickly draw where the grout lines will be (remember to include coves, bull noses, etc.), and then just use your 1x1's. If you have a better imagination for positioning than color, you could arrange the actual tiles on the floor as they'd be on the wall. If there's some color variation in the tiles, that's worthwhile anyway. What I do, is start with the view of the whole and put in the first 3-4 to break it up into sections, then start filling in. Sometimes move one this way or that to keep the harmony going. It's much more wholistic than using a numerical rule, but more fun. :)...See MoreWhat accent backsplash tiles did you use for Typhoon Bordeaux?
Comments (1)I used accent rows of Sonoma tile, in the tantrum line. They have some really nice colors that pick up the granite colors. My basic tiles are off white crackle subway. I'll post pictures when I figure out how to....See MoreSubway Tile- Sheets Or Individual Tiles?
Comments (7)In a shower, with tile on sheets, you need to be sure to have good contact between the tile and the cement board - this is the thinset. Be sure the backing doesn't interfere with this. Also, sometimes, if you're not real careful, one can see where the sheets meet. Not to be critical, but I don't understand why some people are really concerned about the tile spacing. It all gets dirty, and all has the same problems....See More
THOR, Son of ODIN
4 years agoUse accent tiles as trivets. On the counter or hanging on the wall or leaning against the backsplash.
gra8fulgal thanked THOR, Son of ODINgra8fulgal
4 years agoThanks everyone for your suggestions and feedback!
I like the idea of a row of unique tiles behind a sink, kariyava. Great idea. It would have to be something that wasn't too overwhelming and could work side by side by side, but there's a lot of options for something like that.
aprilneverends, I have the same problem, smile. I have a knack for liking unique, beautiful and expensive things. But then I enjoy the challenge of trying to find ways to achieve that look but for less money. It helps that my dad builds furniture as a hobby and my husband can (or can figure out how to) build or install anything (the world is a better place for having engineers!) so we save a lot on labor. :)
Thor, what a great idea. If I find tiles that are flat I'll definitely keep that in mind.
For the master bath shower, we already know what we will do there for accent tiles. We will replicate what we installed in the house we are moving from. We have a fossil timeline along a horizontal band in a walk in shower. So a 1-inch mosaic tile band interspersed with fossils, some we dug in quarries ourselves. This is one that is going into the new shower that was an anniversary present. it's really cool to shower amongst fossils and rocks that range from 550 million to 2 billion years old!
I think I have found how I want to do accent tiles throughout the rest of the house. I came across these just a few minutes ago... and they made my heart sing. I absolutely love quotes (some of the ones they offer happen to be favorites) and I could use them in various places around the house, like powder room and guest bath, as single tile "murals" in the right spot. For instance, on either side of a window over the dining room beverage/serving bar, I think I'll use these (they are the same size and would be the same color):
JohnMuirMountainsAreCallingMottoTile4x8szSpringMissionGuildStudio.JPG 648×413 pi · More Info
SitLongEatMuchMottoTileVerdeGlz.jpg 720×409 pixels · More Info
gra8fulgal thanked cpartistgra8fulgal
4 years agoooooooh, cpartist, I love how you did that. Craftsman field tile surrounds on fireplaces are really special and I thought long and hard about that. Our fireplace will be between two windows on the great room exterior wall, similar to this but our windows are bigger and taller:
McCall Design & Planning review · More Info
We have peek-a-boo glimpses of the lake, but primarily will see pine trees through the windows. We plan to use natural stone on the fireplace, but I may need to reconsider how we do that given your picture. Thank you for sharing.
stillpitpat
4 years agogra8fulgal
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agocpartist
4 years ago
D N
4 years agoartemis_ma
4 years agochocolatebunny123
4 years agostillpitpat
4 years agogra8fulgal
12 days agolast modified: 12 days agoJust thought I would circle back on this post, now that our kitchen is (FINALLY) finshed! I ended up going with McIntyre tiles in Calif for the field tiles and the quote accent tiles from Mission Guild Studio in their Wheatfield glaze. I am so happy with how it turned out and I highly recommend both of those artisans and tile makers!
pippiep