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

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Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions

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The Guide to Tile Shopping from HGTV Dream Home 2016

New Neutrals

Basket Weave

Warm and Cool Balance

Neutralize with White

Finishes and Shapes

Take Photos in Different Light

Cohesive Color Story

Take Sample Sizes

Think About Transportation

Check All Pieces

Shop This Look

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