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Tile Installation Aptitude (part 2)
Layout
If you are planning on a subway (stacked or staggered), checkerboard (straight or on the diagonal), or mosaic installation – your layout will be fairly obvious. Sometimes all that is needed is a conversation with your installer, a floorplan, or elevation. However, other layout patterns are available – whether traditional or something born from your own creativity. In these situations, at Huntley & Co. we generate more detailed drawings, and in some cases, even put in a bit of IRL elbow grease.
above left: Simple white and green square tiles dressed up as stripes in a powder room by Chauncey Boothby; above right: Jessica Helgerson may be the queen of historic cum modern tile installations.
below: Here I am laying out tiles piece by piece to create a Carlo Scarpa-inspired floor pattern. This was just the staging area; the tiles were later moved to the master bath.
Spacing
Spacers are available in a variety of sizes. You may choose thicker spacers for more dramatic grout lines or smaller ones for a more cohesive look. It can also be important to have greater spacing for handmade tiles that vary from piece to piece; thicker grout lines will allow space for uneven edges. Note, Clé published a fabulous and informative post called “The Art of the Grout Joint” (referenced here throughout) that I recommend bookmarking for future installations.
above: Brick pavers in a herringbone pattern with varying grout widths of 1/8″, 3/8″, and 5/8″ from left to right.
below: A clever yet simple, modern installation with Clé tiles by Cathy Hong Interiors with narrow vertical grout joints and thick horizontal grout joints.
above left: Spacers in action; above right: A diagram showing 5 different spacer sizes.
Grout Color
The color of grout has a huge impact on a tile installation and can totally transform a room. Whether you choose to coordinate or contrast your grout with your tile, it comes down to what kind of vibe and aesthetic you are trying to create.
Low Contrast Tile to Grout Ratio
above: (L) Edward Martin Graham glossy 3×6 ceramic tiles in color Clay (C) a darky and moody bath installation, (R) garnet-colored Zellige installed in my guest shower
High Contrast Tile to Grout Ratio
above : (L) Yes please to pink tile with black grout; (C) Grout dyed hot pink was an adventourous choice by Good Bones in London; (R) Montauk 4×12 black slate tiles in a herringbone pattern.
Always view grout chips with your respective tiles before making a selection. Better yet, ask your installer to apply test samples to your tile!
left: 3 Artex beige grout options on a creamy subway tile; right: Cream, beige, and dark brown grout sampled on tumbled Japanese mosaics. FYI, I chose the dark brown for my foyer floor ; )
For more ideas and resources relating to tile installations, visit my Pinterest page. I have pinned additional layouts, diagrams, and eye candy for you to bookmark — and hopefully use for your own installs. See you next week ; )
{ PS: The answer to last week’s questions is 8! }
TRICIA HUNTLEY | HUNTLEY & CO.
“The glamorous space where tradition and modernity collide.”
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Tile Installation Aptitude (part1)
Choosing tile for a project is as fun as it sounds, and yet, it’s a finessed installation that can really knock my socks off sometimes. What may seem simple at first glance is actually the integration of very specific products, planning, and talented pros. Aptitude may be just as important as aesthetics when it comes to tile.
Fitting Tile in the Space
Tiling a wet space, like a full bath, can be surprisingly complex. There are pieces for inside corners, outside corners, cove bases, beaks, caps, stops, etc. The bathroom below required 10 separate tile orders! Can you count how many components of the cream tile are in these 3 photos?
above: The walls in my guest bath are a multitude of creamy, crackle-glazed tiles.
Bringing Together Varying Styles
Selecting all the bath tile from one collection wouldn’t be any fun, so you can’t forget to think about how different shapes and thicknesses (not to mention colors and finishes) will fit together in a space. Your installer will thank you.
above: Chocolate-hue’d Zellige tiles wrap the walls of the shower while a black-and-white floral mosaic covers the main bath and shower floors. A grey marble threshold bridges the gap.
Wait … How do I do all of that without mistakes?
The what/where/how of a tile installation is critical, so we generate elevations and supply them to the team. This allows us to determine tile quantity, prep the installer, and firm up contractor pricing.
Color-coding, highlights, bubbles, strikethroughs … If it isn’t obvious, work this detailed often requires a few revisions!
Screenshot of the Week
“What is eclectic?” was this week’s question on Asked and Answered. It’s funny because I use that term to describe my work, yet sometimes find it hard to define. Below is a Houston foyer (note the beautiful floor tile) that I think embodies the look.
⇓ Click the photo below to see how I break down its eclecticism ⇓
Architecture: Reagan & Andre | Construction: Erin Stetzer Homes | Interior design: Studio McGee | Photography: Lucy Call
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Next week I’ll post a Tile Installation- Part 2 and will share the answer to the quantity question at top. If you are the first to share the correct answer in comments (before I post next week), you’ll receive a complimentary give-away from me!
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TRICIA HUNTLEY | HUNTLEY & CO.
“The glamorous space where tradition and modernity collide.”
THE MUSINGS OF DESIGNER TRICIA HUNTLEY
