I’ve been hearing from a number of you about the hexagonal tiles. Since the tile selection has not been finalized, the subject is officially open for discussion (not that any of you are holding back)!
Originally, I’d thought to go with simple subway tiles in an appropriate color. They are clean, can pass for modern or traditional/retro and are most likely very reasonably priced. No tumbled marble mosaics for me! However, when I went to the tile showroom, worlds of possibilities opened. For anyone planning a kitchen or bathroom, I’d highly recommend checking on tile first. You WILL be inspired.
There are still design opportunities in the kitchen—surface lights, breakfast room lighting fixture, cabinet hardware, tile and paint. And because I am a designer, I hope to have a slightly different take on things. The hexagonal tiles appealed on several levels. They are graphic and somewhat unexpected. We’d use a subtle grout color, not dark, so the lines would blend into the background. One concern is that the smooth, sharp hexagonal tiles might look like we’d used leftover bathroom tiles on the backsplash—not the desired effect! The Walker Zanger hex tile has a subtle, slightly crackled glaze and I will investigate color options.
We also saw a handsome dark charcoal slate cut to the proportion of small bricks and set with light grout. Very attractive, but the dark color was not working with the countertop so it was discarded.
Thoughts?
