Tile Scouting on the Fly

I spent yesterday running around looking for tile and I snapped a few pictures of some options that make me feel all warm and fuzzy. I thought I'd share them, as some are on the top of my dream list, and others are very do-able -- so much so, that I fall back to their timeless good looks and classic feel all the time.

I'm in love with these. I cannot wait for the right project to use them -- they just make me happy looking at them. Perfect for even just a small backsplash above the stove if you can't commit to the whole sh-bang.

Another one that just makes me weak in the knees. Herringbone in any width makes the biggest, easiest statement because it's all about how it's assembled, more than the material. Marble can't be beat though. Love it.

Traditional long and narrow subway in a Calcutta. What's great about this one is it's actually pretty affordable and the size is stunning.

1x1 Hex. My personal favorites are the larger sizes, 1.5x1.5 or 2x2, but the marble version of an old classic is a great upscale option and with marble outlets online, it can be affordable. Promise.

I saw this yesterday too, and I think it's stunning. I've been waiting for a project with a small kitchen reno in it to use something like this in. Can you imagine how amazing it would be? Small kitchens are such a good opportunity to use something this statement-y because you don't have to worry about it being overwhelming. AND more importantly, it's way easier to justify the cost of detail work like this. Small spaces give you so much more license to play and this is totally my game.

And this feels like a total aside, but I wanted to show you a really great border I found for a client and it's easy to pull off. I have a project with a guest bath that needs some "pop" and I think this might just be it: Mixed in with my classic marble hex: a Greek Key border. I think it's a great choice for a powder room and not too pricey either.

Forgive the weird formatting, Blogger is getting the better of me today, and I cannot handle it. Blogger won this battle, off to open a bottle of wine.

Happy tiling!

Good Finds

Carpet for homes that are lived in (meaning you have kids or pets) is a hard proposition. It seems that no matter what you do you can't win. If you get the look you want you might not get the durability or comfort that you are looking for. I love the look of Seagrass and Sisal and don't mind the texture. However, some people want the softness of regular broadloom carpet under their feet.

I'm a big believer in neutral colored carpet that gives the same impression as sisal/seagrass if you want a wool or synthetic carpet. However, I've learned a lot about neutral carpet from my own house. I put in a high end stain master Berber carpet because I wanted sisal but needed something that was soft underfoot for the boys. I was told it would be easy to maintain. Not so. My camel colored Berber carpet has stain marks everywhere. It drives me crazy. No matter what I do new stains seem to appear everyday.

I want to be able to live in my house without worrying about whether or not my carpet is going to get another stain. I want to free myself from getting on my hands and knees and spot cleaning so as to not take the stain resistant chemicals out of the carpet. What is a girl (yes I still think I'm a girl) to do?

When I think of component or tile carpeting, I immediately think of hotels, corporate offices and crazy patterns with circles and bright stripes. But not anymore. Flor tiles is doing some incredible, sophisticated and neutral carpets. The are environmentally friendly (made with recycled materials) and the best part is if you get a stain or water damage, you can just replace the affected tiles. They might just be the perfect answer to a "lived in" house. And there are so many choices now. From plain neutrals that look like broadloom to great subtle patterns and classic traditional stripes. Martha Stewart even has a line of Flor tiles.

They are a great solution for high traffic areas. Runners, laundry room, kitchen rugs, and even the kids rooms. You can create fun patterns with texture or fun patterns with color. You can see the grids/squares or have a pattern that looks seamless, which is what I prefer. The possibilities are endless now that they offer so many options. Check it out for yourself at http://www.flor.com/

I for one would love to replace a square if my sisters dog had an accident or my kids (including my husband) spilled their drink.

Next in Line
Flats & Cords (shown in Vanilla - also in Buttercream)

All Bark and No Bite

In the Loop

Coir - (Made with the husks of coconuts) This is a great alternative to sisal since you can easily repair a stain.

Faux Bois
Botanicals

Mod Zebra

Regatta Stripe

Sea Grass Stripe

Is it a "Good Find" for residential or is it still too corporate looking for your house? Maybe it will free me from spot cleaning forever! A girl can dream, can't she.