When you think about finishing a wall, you probably think about paint colors…you might think about a wallcovering – wallpaper, or even a mirror – I’ve previously noted how mirroring an entire wall can exponentially expand a room – a dimensional effect/illusion that suggests the room extends well beyond its actual size. But another wall treatment, with which I LOVE to play, is tile!
All over the world, the art of designing and creating decorative finishes with tile has been evolving for centuries. All cultures have utilized mud and clay, glazes and fire to bake beautiful patterns and colors onto geometric slabs. Shapes of rectangular, square, octagonal, dots or diamonds – the geometric shapes are many and the designs are limitless.
As is true with other wall treatments, I prefer not to stop on an outside corner. I believe that the color or material should suggest a built mass – part of the architecture. To stop on an outside corner suggests a veneer. It proves that the finish on the element is not a structural/integral part of a built mass. When you paint into an inside corner and stop, it allows the mass the read as though solid and not merely superficially treated. The same is true with tile. Don’t stop it until you get to an inside corner – if possible. There are situations that force a finished edge on the flat plain of a wall – but avoid outside corners at all cost!!
This entire shower is tiled floor to ceiling, around the pony wall, bench…no door…it reads like a built environment of stone tile.
Think of the surface as an architectural element. Tile from floor to ceiling, inside corner to inside corner – wrapping corners, if needed, along the way.
Take a backsplash…customarily used to do just that – catch splashes at the back wall of a wet area (sink) countertop…bathrooms and kitchens, behind sinks and between upper and lower cabinets – but why stop there?
The entire back wall of this kitchen is mosaic marble tiles in a herringbone pattern.
Think of it as a true wallcovering – wallpaper. Commit to the entire surface. Here are more effective examples…
The backsplash and entire adjacent wall were covered in glass mosaic tiles. It “reads” like wallpaper.
here again, the classic blue and white Talavera tile backsplash is continued along the entire wall from floor to ceiling.
We are currently working on a couple of kitchen projects that will soon be completed. They both use tile liberally. Each quite different from the other. Stay tuned for the finished products!
In bathrooms, the area around a mirror can be more than merely the backsplash. Embed the mirror into the tile surround or tile the entire wall and hang a mirror on top of the tile surface.
This mirror is flush with the surrounding tile, suggesting that it is embedded into a tile wall.
Planning this transformation, the mosaic vase was the inspiration. Then loose tiles were scattered on the countertop and the concept began. Note, the existing mirror was attached to wall with light fixture mounted above it and a medicine cabinet off to the side.
The transformation involved removing the medicine cabinet, taking the floor tile up the wall and wrapping it floor to ceiling. It was also cut into smaller squares to use behind the sink as a “full-wall backsplash.” Then punctuated with glass and glazed tiles to create an updated design. Relocating electrical to flanking the mirror for a pair of new sconces and a new countertop, faucet and sink with existing cabinets painted resulted in a cost-effective design.
Here a mirror is mounted on top of the fully tiled wall. Inside and outside of the shower enclosure the tile is a true wall treatment.
I recently received this advertisement in my email. It was such a spectacular collection that it caught my eye and I share here one of the patterns and context shots as the backdrop to a range.
Mosaic assemblages can be fun! Here is a fireplace surround.
The addition of three-dimensional pieces adds interest.
This exterior fireplace surround tolerates the elements – an all-season installation.
Here is a mosaic mural of a dynamic geometric abstraction discovered in New Zealand. We are using this inspiration to establish a theme in a current restaurant project. An interpretation of this in the form of geometric tiles of various sizes, colors and patterns will be used to create a cohesive repeated design element through various areas of the restaurant – both inside and out. Watch for this completed project in coming months.
Commercial restrooms can benefit from full-wall tile treatments too. Not only does it look complete, but it is an ease of maintenance consideration.
Three dimensional tiles add interest to this cactus motif!
Fun with color and texture, tile are also easy too keep clean – terrific for public restrooms.
Murals are also terrific ways to use tile as art in your interior/exterior designs!
This is embedded into the stucco for an integral installation.
When using outside though, remember to consider the range of temperature and moisture to which it will be exposed. Porcelain is the most durable in areas where the temperatures get to and below freezing. Freezing and thawing can destroy tile. Many murals are made from clay that is not suitable in cold climates!
Inset into the tile wall treatment is this stunning glass mosaic abstract mural.
Tile – it’s a nearly limitless medium. So consider the possibilities for your next project! As a piece of art, an accent wall or an entire installation – full-wall treatments make a statement! Have fun with tile!
