Is subway tile a trend that is on the way out?

When you are doing a remodel, whether a kitchen or a bathroom, you are spending a quite a bit of money. You want to make sure that after a few years the choices that you make are not the equivalent of avocado green appliances.

I have been trying to walk the line between choosing things that I love without choosing things that will quickly be dated. But it is difficult at times. A lot of the things that I really like are popular right now, but so it the historic type of house that I live in popular. Pedestal sinks, hexagonal floor tiles, subway tile walls, claw foot tubs… I have all of these things. But the tubs are original to the house. And I am certain that before a previous owner thought it was a great idea to put in a dark faux wood vanity with pink sink and matching pink toilet, that there would have been a pedestal or wall hung sink.

Our third floor bathroom is original and has an adorable wall hung sink, wainscotting on the walls, and a clawfoot tub.

But back to chosing the tile. Will subway tile look dated in a few years. I honestly don’t think that it will in older homes. Maybe in new construction, but even then I think that done well it will be a classic look which is timeless.

A more modern application of the subway tile is to install it with all the grout lines. Running bond pattern, meaning the grout lines are staggered, is a classic look. And I love Cardiff also makes a subway tile that is smaller in size, 2″ x 4″ instead of the 3″ x 6″ that is standard, and comes mounted on a 12″ x 12″ mesh sheet.

Subway tiles are not just available in white either. While I prefer the more subdued colors, subway tile can be purchased in virtually every color under the sun.

For the past 20 years granite has enjoyed a relatively uncontested reign as the high end counter top surface of choice. Recently, however, new innovative products are popping up and causing people to rethink their choices.

When a material is found in apartment complexes and tract homes, “it’s been done to death,” said Ellen Hanson, an interior designer in New York.

The trend now, designers and suppliers said, is toward warmer and softer materials used centuries ago, like wood, copper and soapstone. For a more modern look, glass, composites and recycled materials are being used.

I wrote a few months back about recycled paper countertops, which I love.

(photo courtesy of NY Times)

Ice Stone is a newer product that is made from 100% recycled glass in a cement matrix, diverting hundreds of tons of glass from landfills each year. They operate out of a renovated, day-lit factory in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, creating U.S. jobs for workers in an eco-friendly, safe and respectful environment.

Sales of quartz composite surfaces, also known as engineered stone, by manufacturers like CaesarStone and Silestone, have steadily increased over the past five years. I am not overly fond of either of these products. To me it just doesn’t have the same cache as granite, soapstone, or wood.

I love soapstone. Particularly they way the it feels when you touch it. It also reminds me of middle school science lab which had soapstone counters. So perhaps part of the appeal for me is a wistful nostalgia for the good old days of the asymmetrical hairstyle and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. My husband does not share this love. So the soapstone is off the table, or cabinet as the case might be, for us.

I absolutely love this tile collection. The bold patterns. The subtle colors. The Spanish influence.

These tiles would look equally at home in a modern loft or an eclectic log cabin. I think that is one of the hallmarks of good design, the ability to stand on its own no matter what the surroundings. Elements Ceramic tile collection would make a stunning focal point in any home or decor application.

I could picture this one as my kitchen backsplash. Though I am not sure how much cooking I would get done since I would just have to stare at it lovingly all day long. Matching solid field tiles are also available, so if a wall of pattern is too much, use the decorative ones sparingly.

These unique tile are all hand painted by tile artists and are the newest line of decorative tiles from the Elements Collection. The collection can be purchased only through the AnchorBayTile online tile showroom.

Use them on stair risers, fireplace surrounds, outdoor barbeques, kitchen backsplashes and bath surrounds.

Popular counter top material are being used in new and exciting ways. Corian and Quartz have long been favorites of homeowners and designers for kitchen countertops due to the durability and endless color range. But recently designers have been looking at these surfaces in a whole new way.

According to Remodeling Magazine:

Departing from their usual horizontal kitchen and bath applications, solid-surfacing materials are creeping up adjacent walls to serve as backsplashes, shower walls, fireplace surrounds, and more.

These materials are infinitely flexible. Corian can be thermo-formed into custom shapes, bent around difficult angles, and can be requested in special sizes and thicknesses that make it weigh less than traditional countertop surfaces while still maintaining its durability.

Cambria, a Quartz product, comes in thicknesses down to 1cm, meaning it can be used for things like outlet covers. And it is the only quartz product to be manufactured solely in the United States. Cambria is also a certifiedGreen product. The company is committed to environmental responsibility in its product manufacturing and business practices.

If you are thinking of a remodel in the kitchen, bathroom, pool side, or a wet bar, or even perhaps a new fireplace surround, you might one to consider Corian or Quartz for your project. The applications to which it can be applied are endless, and the flexibility means your project can stand out as unique. Who doesn’t want to inject some personality into their home in this era of mass produced houses?

We have all heard of using granite, formica, quartz, stainless steel and tile for countertops. But what about paper?

The new eco-luxury item in kitchen design is PaperStone.

PaperStone is made from sustainable sources, making it the “greenest” architectural surface on the market today. It is the only architectural solid surface certified by the Forest Stewardship Council for using 100% post-consumer recycled paper. ( There are three different PaperStone lines, one is made with 100% recycled paper, the second is 50%, and the third with virgin paper.)

The paper fibers are held together with non-petroleum, formaldehyde-free resins, some made from cashew nut shell liquid.

It can be cut and shaped with standard woodworking tools, yet is extremely hard and is practically impervious to water. It is scratch resistant and can be used for cutting boards. It is also highly resistant to staining and can withstand temperatures up to 350 degrees, making it an excellent choice for kitchens. It is also resistant to bacteria growth, making it popular for commercial applications.

At $90 to $120 a square foot, PaperStone is comparable in price to granite or engineered stone.