Think about the space you are working with when considering your options

So you’re thinking about upgrading your bathroom? Let us help you with some ideas as you start your remodeling project.

• Make sure you “look around” the space. Are you thinking about adding a tub, or expanding a shower? Selecting your color scheme and appropriate accessories is always a good starting point.
• Bathroom tile goes a long way to influencing the look of the room. Make sure that you choose something that you love and that fits in with the other elements of the space.
• When in doubt, it’s always safe to go with earth tones in the bathroom. Many people enjoy having plants in the room, and selecting an earth tone palette will create an inviting environment.

Take a look at these photos for some ideas, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your remodeling job.

Tiles in earth tones make an aesthetically pleasing shower

Strong colors and patterns provide bold accents for your room

World class Spa’s are about the most wonderful  place to relax and rejuvenate imaginable. Unfortunately for many of us going to a Spa happens about once every 1-3 years. Although that time is refreshing, I wish I could experience it much more often. A Spa has great design and just the aesthetics and design are enough to let the stress relief begin.

The Spa at Cesar's Palace in Las Vegas-- A World Class Spa!!

A beautiful Turkish Steam Room-- Notice the lighting and tile everywhere

Common design components that you will find in a Spa are lots and lots of stone and tile, great lighting that is soft and subtle and light natural earth tones. Also, tile can be used everywhere. I encourage tiling the walls and even ceiling.

Notice the tile from floor to ceiling, good earth tones too.

Very clean and relaxing-- contemporary sty-lings with a more masculine feel

Marble and travertine, great selection of tile sizes too. 3x6 tiles can offer a very good feel

Hit the nail on the head-- total relaxation, a true place to refresh and rejuvenate-- notice all of the components at work here, the softness of the fabrics, lighting and colors.

I love this shower-- perfect example of simplicity

Consider Mosaics, and go big. By that I mean to use it everywhere, try not to break things up by alternating to larger tiles, keep it clean

Best Shower Head-- Notice the Rainfall head in the dome, with corresponding tiles. Great look and very natural feel. They diffused the whole look by using curves. I love this!!

Great remodel-- travertine to the ceiling and very peaceful-- this is a smaller space and it works perfect!! Can you imagine this in your home?

Ultra Modern, but so soothing-- blue is a great color to unwind to

A very cool tile-- Circles are perfect for a bath, be careful though this is not for the faint of heart

If the budget allows, I recommend a "human car wash" -- these get pricey and require to expensive plumbing, but oh so worth it

Well, I hope you were able to find some ideas and inspiration. Let me know what you think and if you would like to share a picture of your bath we would love to see it.

Tile manufacturers are always looking for ways to make designers’ lives easier, and along with that, YOUR life easier as well. Aesthetically, the choices out there in ceramic and porcelain tile flooring are expansive and quite amazing.  All of the ‘big guys’ dedicate a lot of resources to product development, so what else could they possibly offer in tile design that might capture more attention?

How about a program that offers you in-factory cutting services?  One that allow for your tile of choice to be ordered in custom linear and rectangular sizes?  AND provide that tile within a three week turnaround time?  Well that is exactly what Daltile is about to launch.  Dal identified a huge, unmet need out there.  For the most part, anyone looking for linear shapes and rectangular sizes were either limited to a handful of collections that offered those options, OR they had to have their tile installer cut down the tiles right on-site–a slow and messy process at best.  Now, according to Lori Kirk-Rolley, Senior Marketing Director for Daltile, “Any Daltile or American Olean rectified porcelain tile or glazed floor tile can be ordered in popular linear and rectangular sizes, making design options endless.”  There are two added benefits to this program that deserve mentioning:

-      Since the custom cuts are done at the factory, the quality of the cuts is more consistent

-      Custom cutting at the factory reduces labor costs at the jobsite, and that can be a big benefit!

The core assortment of products for this program was selected from the most popular porcelain tile collections Daltile and American Olean offer.  But, according to my sources, any ceramic floor tile in the line can be custom cut to any size (within a minimum width of 2” and a maximum length of 24”).  Lead time might be a bit longer, but check with your local flooring store for pricing and production time.

One last thing for you to know:  these “cutting edge” programs will be announced shortly as Linear Options under the Daltile brand, and Linear Express for American Olean.  Just another design option for you to use as you create your one-of-a-kind floor.

This is a syndicated post, which originally appeared at FloorTalk – for all the latest flooring fashions. View original post.

Submitted By:  Annette M. Callari, Allied ASID, CMG

Hats off to the Italians once again this year.  Their reputation for fashion-forward thinking is demonstrated annually, as they host Cersaie – one of the world’s largest exhibitions of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings in the world.  They drew a crowd of over 83,000 people this year, as they celebrated 27 years of holding this event in Bologna, Italy.

The theme of this year’s mega-show focused on responsible product composition (recycled ingredients being a focus), as well as improved manufacturing and shipping processes that serve the environment well.  Innovation is the signature of Cersaie, and I wanted to share with you just a few of the creative international products that came out of this show, along with some great new products coming out of the good old USA.  The Italians excel in tile design, but our own domestic manufacturers are pretty impressive too.

One of the big design trends I’ve been talking about for two years has come to life with the introduction of Mosaico Italiano’s Vetrina Collection.  Iridescence in finishes gives sparkle and life to any surface. Vetrina does just that, with mosaics available in 72 solid colors and 56 combinations and blends.  Mosaics are always expressive because you can customize the layout any way you like.  Insets in harmonizing colors can define space and create a focal point.  These beautiful 4 mm thick glass tiles lend themselves to geometric compositions, limited only by imagination.  www.mosaicopiu.it.

Browsing through the next manufacturer’s website was an adventure you will truly enjoy.  What intrigued me about this collection of glass tile was its versatility.  Trend has introduced an inspired collection of 2 x 2cm glass (tesserae) mosaics that can be applied to ceilings, walls, or floors!!!  Once you visit www.wallpaperintrend.com, these words will vividly come to life.  I love the themes that Trends is presenting:  Academic, Euphoric, Natural, and Classic.  Within each style theme there are 16 designs in three color ways (one of which is black and white).   They’ve done their research, and colors and patterns are historically accurate to reproduce a shimmering interior that lends tactile dimension to any design.  I encourage you to explore their website and have fun!

I first discovered Everstone Tile last year at the Surfaces Trade Show in Las Vegas.  Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, this manufacturer has a fun, contemporary charm to its line of products.  Geometric shapes define Everstone as unique.  “Bubbliscious” Circles, hexagons, and squares create stand-out glass tile designs in fearless colors.  Now they are rocking traditional ceramic tile design with the introduction of Metaluxe—REAL metal on porcelain tile.  Four lustrous patterns in subtle geometrics are offered:  Vortex, Sanded, Flashing, and Stream.  The pattern names give you intriguing clues as to what each pattern is all about.  Now for the colors offered in each pattern:  Alloy, Platinum, Bronze, Copper, and Nickel.  They are impressive to say the least, and the possible applications of these metallic tiles open new doors in the world of design.

As tile manufacturers constantly reach beyond the norm to discover innovative material marriages and finishes, we, the consumer, are the benefactors.  Our choices are multiplying exponentially, and the advantages play out, life-sized, in the unique design of our own homes.

This article originally ran on The World Floor Covering Association blog—FloorTalk.

It is one of the oldest forms of tile in the world,and yet it has recently become the most popular. Mosaic tile is incorporated in design everywhere we look-schools, shops, homes and hospitals. Its not only beautiful but Mosaic Tile serves an additional purpose, as it really works well on curved or angled surfaces. Mosaic Tile is made from natural stone, porcelain and glass. Glass mosaic tile is has become really popular and looks striking. It works with any type of decor and creates a high design feel.

Look how great these designs look

Look what a clean look this delivers! This really adds the custom look that you are trying to achieve.

I am so impressed with the colors that are available. Vibrant and gorgeous, it is a truly a timeless look. Also, remember that colors, shapes and sizes truly make an area worthy of remembering.

I love that this is so bold. Really custom look.

Earth tones are very soothing and go with anything. Try combining these types of colors to create that “spa retreat” feel. Can you say Oasis?

Marble tile and Glass Mosaic creates a detail that stands out

Remeber that this tile can be used anywhere. It makes such an impression when you see it. I cannot stress enough that the detail you get from Mosaic tile far outways the cost. It is even something a DYI weekend warrior can install.

Can you say cool? Not the most traditional look, but a statement for sure.

Remeber, Mosaic tile can be used anywhere. Most commonly you will use see it in kitchens and baths, but it is so versatile it can be used anywhere. Would you like this look in your home? Where would you add it?

Who would have thought that the most fun and colorful flooring available is for office and business use? Now, of course, you may want subtle elegance for your living room- but what about the kids playroom, or bonus room areas? Have you thought of using commercial flooring in those spaces? It is less expensive and looks awewsome!! It cleans great and junior is not going to be able to wear it out.

Talk about color choices??

The best thing about using commercial products is the color choices. One can truly create great looks on limited budgets and know they are getting a product that can last. I would love to see parents think about these options when thinking about the kids areas.

1) Are the kids going to like this?

2) Is this a good value?

3) Does it clean easy?

The answer is yes to all of these questions.

I love this floor, can you inagine this for a group of kids?

I think this would win "coolest playroom in the 'hood award"

I think color really stimulates the senses and for a fun area consider doing a collage on the floor. Look how fun this is.

“Going Green” can mean many different things. There are now lawyers, architects and consultants that have made green buildings their entire business. The “Three Rs” can help anyone get started to understanding the environmental impact of their flooring selections:

Recyclability – The floor made with post-consumer or post-industrial recycled material. Ideally the materials can even be recycled again into additional products, such as certain carpet fibers.

Rapidly Renewable – Floors are considered “green” if they can be quickly replenished. Bamboo is cut and then grows back from the same stump; sometimes at four feet per day. Wool carpets obviously come from sheep. There are durable, attractively priced carpets made of corn fibers.

Regional – Is the material made or distributed close to home, defined as a 500 mile radius of your location? In the Tennessee area, that might be oak floors, certain tile products or carpet products out of Georgia.

That’s the “Three Rs”; basics to being green. Textures Flooring is a good source for more specific green product ideas.

We just completed a great project in Nashville. We were so pleased to work with this client. Take a loom at some of the great looks they decided upon.

 What a beautiful and grand entry to a home.

The Master Bath was truly special. Our installer Warren did all of the work and he is a true craftsman!!

Nashville flooring choices are diverse and unique. We will post different projects here so you can get some ideas for your project.

Today’s Nashville homeowners are more stylish than ever. With hit TV shows providing inspiration and ideas, consumers are looking for not only functionality but style too. Flooring, the foundation of a space’s design theme, has never had a more critical role. Fashionable options include carpet, hardwood and stone.

In Nashville carpet is still the most popular floor covering sold. Not only does it provide warmth, softness and durability, carpet provides options. Today’s styles are fantastic, combining elements of natural earthy looks with designer lines and striations. Carpet mimicking sisals or sea grass offers a low profile look that can either be the highlight of a room or a subtle backdrop.

Hardwood flooring is an elegant and time-tested floor covering that is always popular. Wider planks and exotic wood species are today’s calling cards. Brown tones are also very popular; think walnut or saddle colors. Distressed floors mimic a classic-aged look providing a unique ambiance and additional warmth to any room.

Stone and tile are durable and timeless. It is hard to imagine a more beautiful floor than natural stone. People love the feeling of bringing nature into their homes and a stone floor accomplishes that. Earth tones are the obvious colors for this material, and size does matter. Stone is available in all sizes from a mosaic to large slabs. The space should dictate the size and pattern.

I’ve always loved the term “floating floors”.  It conjures up magical images of products that have hidden powers.  Well, there are no magic carpets except in the cartoons, but there is some magic in a new flooring system from Avaire Floors that offers consumers an interlocking, floating, porcelain floor. For those of us in the flooring industry, that raises a few eyebrows for sure.

It means that now there is a way for you to have real porcelain tile floors with an installation system that floats (not fixed to the subfloor).  It can be installed over radiant heating systems, or directly over vinyl, linoleum or hardwood with no underlayment!  Here’s how it works:  Place, click, grout.  It’s that easy.  The tiles have a non-skid base which is self-leveling, sound deadening, and interlocking for precise spacing.  You already know that porcelain is harder and denser than most other types of ceramic tile, so that makes it ideal for high traffic areas as well.

Avaire has three collections they are offering, Standard, Choice and Select.  Very much like natural stone, there are inherent color shade variations in the different styles.  V1 ratings indicate a uniform appearance, V2 shows slight variations, V3 moderate, and V4 styles have substantial variations, which adds to the realism of the look.  The collections include authentic slate looks, travertine, and beautiful natural stone looks.  The colors are nature-based, earthy and yet very sophisticated. (Feel free to visit Avair floors for visuals and more information.)  Avaire also provides the appropriate flexible grout products specifically designed for these floors in both flexible grout/Urethane, and flexible grout/Acrylic options.

Obviously, the fast and convenient installation is a huge benefit, but let’s analyze some of the other benefits you could expect:

-      Realistic stone looks, without the cost of real stone

-      Built-in acoustical properties to create sound absorption

-      Real porcelain tile manufactured with the latest screening technologies to produce natural shading

-      Fast and convenient installation

-      Excellent resistance to stains, water, bacteria, and scratches

-      AND (this one is pretty important) replacement of any damaged tiles in the future can be done much easier than traditional porcelain tile floors, even if it’s in the middle of the room

It is very gratifying to see something this innovative introduced for residential use.  And to bring it to your attention–since it is one of the very first flooring systems like this on the market.  I strongly believe that manufacturers today need to think outside the box and bring “smart” products to market.  Products that solve a problem for the consumer (installs over existing floors!), and serves a multi-function purpose (a beautiful floor that has built-in sound reduction properties!)  Who can ask for more than that?

Submitted By: Annette M. Callari, Allied ASID, CMG

This article originally ran on The World Floor Covering Association blog—FloorTalk.