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The Guide to Tile Shopping from HGTV Dream Home 2016

By: Brian Patrick Flynn and Dana Dalrymple

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From marble to mosaic, learn how to choose tile like a pro from HGTV Dream Home 2016 interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn.

To keep in check with the cool, light and bright color scheme of the 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 too intense or trend-based.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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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.

Mosaic marble basket weave tile will stand the test of time anywhere it's used and works especially well as a kitchen backsplash. In addition to adding graphic pattern and contrast, the different colors of the mosaic can help tie different hues from your color scheme together.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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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.

Mix warm and cool colors in adjoining rooms to strike balance.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Warm and Cool Balance

Mix warm and cool colors in adjoining rooms to strike balance.

Pair bold colored walls with white tile and vice versa to help tone down vivid hues.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Neutralize with White

Pair bold colored walls with white tile and vice versa to help tone down vivid hues.

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.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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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.

One of the trickiest colors to get right is blue green. In artificial light, a blue green tile may seem nearly 100 percent green but when brought into natural light it may appear blue. Take a photo of the tile in both natural and artificial light and also take a sample home to see it in its potential placement spot.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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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.

Lay all of your tile out together and make sure the color story throughout the entire house is somewhat cohesive. It doesn't need to match, but rather flow nicely from one space to the other.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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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.

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 to avoid a catalog feeling.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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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.

Boxes of tile can weigh hundreds of pounds, 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 or having to incur the hefty expense of a moving truck service.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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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.

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 actually need to account for any pieces broken during transportation.

Photo: Flynnside Out Productions. From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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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.