Tile is a versatile material that has been used in design for thousands of years. In this section, we will explore tile as an iconic and integral element in various styles of homes, all while maintaining a timeless feel for years to come.

Timeless Tile 

Timeless design is the art of striking a balance between classic and contemporary, which is perfectly exemplified by the staple white subway tile. Krista Zobel, ASID Interior Designer, says unique white subway tiles allowed her to incorporate “a touch of modernity” in the historic Two Story Takeover remodel.

“Incorporating subtle modern design elements, like this twist on the classic subway tile, has the power to transform a traditional space without causing a jolting departure from the rest of the home,” says Krista. She explains the intentionality behind installing these tiles vertically; “we wanted to draw the eye upward, creating a sense of height and making the room feel taller.”

Bright & Inviting 

When designing a new kitchen and bathroom for the 1923 St. Paul English Cottage, Krista used tile and natural lighting to transform this traditional home into a bright and timelessly elegant space. “The clients envisioned a home that was bathed in natural light,” says Krista, “and while their beautifully traditional English-style home showcased stunning, dark-colored millwork, we wanted to balance these darker elements with lighter, more inviting spaces.” 

Krista and her team used soft marble tile and beautiful mosaics to “introduce a fresh, contemporary flair to a timeless medium,” blending innovative design with traditionally styled molding and subway tiles.

Expressive Tile Design

Some clients, however, dream of a space full of both natural light and dark, dramatic details, such as the Dark & Moody Bath. For Morgan Froemming, ASID Designer, tile was the natural solution to bring this client’s “moody spa suite” to life. To achieve this dramatic feel, Morgan “used lighting in the shower’s niche to emphasize the texture of the natural river rock, creating a spa-like ambiance” without losing the depth and texture of these inky details.

Morgan’s team also installed a textured black hexagonal tile wall behind the bathroom vanity and a large format ceramic bamboo print tile to further lean into the “dark spa” aesthetic.