1. Blue Tones

Photo courtesy of Artistic Tile

Mix and match your blues. “A variety of blue tones, from dark to light, glass to ceramic—even in porcelain—always catches our eye.”
Try: Fan Club Blue Ombre with Brass by Artistic Tile

2. Black & White Palette

Photo courtesy of New Ravenna

Keep it classic with this timeless combo. “We love watching black and white reappear in different textures, patterns, and materials.”
Try: Ziggurat in polished Cirrus and honed Orpheus Black by New Ravenna

5280 Home June/July 2018
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3. Wood-Grain Porcelains

Photo courtesy of Akdo

Get the look of wood and the durability of tile. “It’s a great alternative, especially with our Colorado lifestyle—people coming in with muddy boots or dogs. We find the Arcadia [pattern] to be especially unique. We love the cross cut (versus vein cut) tile combined with a hexagon shape.”
Try: Arcadia Heartwood Oak by AKDO

4. Hand-Carved Stone

Photo courtesy of Salvatori

“There is nothing more timeless than stone. It never fades and always exemplifies luxury, and Italian craftsmanship is by far the world’s best.”
Try: Romboo in Bianco Carrara by Salvatori

5. Dimensional Tile

Photo courtesy of Artistic Tile

“Tile is no longer just square and flat. Look for beautiful stone-brushed or carved textures. Some sculpted tiles even look like pieces of art.”
Try: Duomo Dimensional Calacatta Gold by Artistic Tile

Pro Tips: How to Hang Subway Tile

Its go-with-everything look makes subway tile an ever-popular choice—but you don’t have to stick to one pattern or color. “The clean, classic aesthetic can be used in traditional settings,” says DeeDee Gundberg, director of product development and design for Ann Sacks, “but it can easily be updated to feel more contemporary in modern spaces.” Here, Gundberg shares a few creative ways to install your subway tile.

Stacked. “White and glossy gets the job done, but matte-black subway tile in a stacked pattern adds drama and sophistication—and looks amazing with matte-gold plumbing fixtures.”
Offset. “Consider black or gray grout on white subway tiles (classic 3-by-6-inch) in an offset pattern for a French bistro feel. Add warm woods and a hint of brass elsewhere in the room for texture and color.”
Basket weave. “Use two subway tiles stacked in one direction, and two stacked in the other, to make an interesting and fresh pattern that is not overdone.”
Herringbone. “Balance it with a simple square tile (16-by-16-inch or larger) on the floor. Or go nuts and tile the floor and main wall in herringbone—but make sure everything else in the bathroom is quiet so the herringbone has space to breathe.”