The Guide to Tile Shopping from HGTV Dream Home 2016
From marble to mosaic, learn how to choose tile like a pro from HGTV Dream Home 2016 interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn.
By:
Brian Patrick Flynn
and
Dana Dalrymple
New Neutrals
To keep in check with the cool, light and bright color scheme of HGTV Dream Home 2016 in Merritt Island, Florida, tiles were chosen to keep the overall look consistent. In addition to black, white and gray, mosaic tiles in new neutrals such as blue-gray and navy were picked to introduce color but in a manner that is not intense or trendy.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Basket Weave
Mosaic marble basket weave will stand the test of time anywhere and works well as a kitchen backsplash. In addition to adding graphic pattern and contrast, the colors of the mosaic can help tie hues from your color scheme together.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Warm and Cool Balance
Mix warm and cool colors in adjoining rooms to strike balance.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Neutralize with White
Pair bold colored walls with white tile and vice versa to help tone down vivid hues.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Finishes and Shapes
Beveled white subway tiles will add a crisp, reflective touch to the vanity walls while a matte white and gray marble hexagonal tile will add a coarse touch to the shower floor.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Take Photos in Different Light
One of the trickiest colors to get right is blue green. In artificial light, a blue green tile may seem green but when brought into natural light it may appear blue. Take a photo of the tile in natural and artificial light and take a sample home to see it in its potential spot.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Cohesive Color Story
Lay your tile out and make sure the color story throughout the house is somewhat cohesive. It doesn't need to match, but rather flow from one space to the other.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Take Sample Sizes
Take a sample size of any paint color being used in the same room to see how the paint color reads up against the tile, aiming for the colors to be almost exact but just slightly off.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Think About Transportation
Boxes of tile can be heavy, making transportation back from the showroom or store very taxing. Instead, consider renting a pickup truck by the hour from a local home improvement store to save yourself multiple trips.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
Check All Pieces
Once you're situated, take the time to go through the boxes to ensure your installer has enough useable tiles before installing. In fact, it may be smart to buy five percent more tiles than you need to account for any pieces broken during transportation.
From:
Brian Patrick Flynn
