You know what I 100% should NOT do? Thinking of fun tile ideas. Electrical and plumbing plans are due, and without it completed, we can’t do any insulation, add wall paneling, flooring, do our installation quilt mini-splitOr all the other things that have to happen before tile. And to have a complete plan, I want to finalize the design, then go back to the exact execution plan. As a reminder, we’re in no rush, and this 1850s house is my personal design laboratory (not a house that needs to work for the family’s many needs). I’m generally not so risk-oriented with hard finishes (this is something I really want to flex and work out on my own).
The jumping-off point of the entire bathroom is dividing the space (the bathroom is 12×16) with these adorable water closets that are reminiscent of cute little painted outhouses, with custom vintage stained glass doors on the front (of course). See below:
Despite the opposition, we are still planning with one urinal and one toilet. This pleases the men in my life more than anything else (I love being popular, okay?). On the wall on the right, you will have a bathtub and a shower, like this:
So today, we need to talk about what tile will look like inside a shower. Since we have these beautiful little navy blue houses with these stained glass doors in a room made of wood, how far do we take the tile design??? At first, I was going to make them all by hand. i reached Pigeon Toe CeramicsAnd she was going to coach me through it in her studio. But after going through the extremely laborious process, I realized that if we were going to make our own tile, we needed to design something that didn’t exist. Making a rectangular or square tile in a color sold by fireclay felt like a missed opportunity to do something more fun.
So here we are now. The shower will be an enclosed space (42×48) with plumbing on the side as the rear ceiling will be sloped down and very low. I’m actively obsessed with this tub, so the question is about the tile inside the shower. Now, I could keep this simple (and who knows, I still might), but I wanted to put some ideas in front of you first.
The problem is I can’t see these antique Kensington tiles I bought Aurora Mills. They were bought just for inspiration ($40 each tile, hahaha), but I love them so much. so…
Option 1: Reproduction of ancient relief tiles
Okay, that’s what I’ll do: be done with it pratt + larson (They are in Portland) to make the mold and perfect glaze to reproduce them. I’m not sure if it will just be an accent line dividing two different field tiles or if we will create all the tiles. Study the board above (which we made really easily spoke program) and see what you think. Now remember, these are design instructions, not literal yet. I like the idea of 3D texture in the Victorian motif, which I actually think works really beautifully with the more linear stained glass doors.
Also, Gretchen reminded me that this relief motif already exists in the old fireplace upstairs in our house (which I love and would keep as a sculpture if nothing else). Most Craftsman tile relief patterns (which Pratt + Larson does so well) are hand-painted in different colors (think lilies and bears), but I wanted something more subtle in the same color, but glazing pools and being uneven (like in Inspiration).
Option 2: Painted Tile Mural
I am very surprised Mural Kitchen Backsplash Designed by Jessica Helgerson For years. The hours of work, care, talent, and execution that went into it are uncountable (well, I hope Jessica’s team counted it, hahaha). I think you’d have to take bisque tile and draw the whole thing over all the tiles, then paint base coat, fire, paint graffiti, fire, glaze (I don’t know the jargon or process). The point is, it’s not like you just lay tile and then paint over it. This is a very big process. But I’m ready to explore it for myself, but in my own version. Perhaps this is a motif of Scandinavian folk art? Maybe it’s something more Victorian and Deco? Maybe it’s something more organic and handmade? The point is, I like the idea, and I’m happy to work with it.
Option 3: A unique pattern with colorful ready-made tiles
A part of me has always loved taking a ready-made tile (or tiles) and doing something creative with it. Now this would really only work if I worked with a company that sells multiple colors in multiple shapes and sizes, i.e., you can’t really buy from random sources and try to match them together. Their thickness and edges may be gone (I’m sure it’s possible). But companies like Fireclay, Pratt + Larson, and Tempest Tile can do something similar. I would do less of a symmetrical pattern, instead doing something that feels random. Of course, the challenge is to ensure that it does not compete with the stained glass doors but rather complements them. So this idea is actually the hardest for me to execute, even though it only requires me to shop and curate, not actually customize anything.
Definitely a favorite of mine. But I would love to see if you want I love watching the chase.
I am thoroughly enjoying this process. we experimented Spoke Moodboarding Tool This time (we’re also using it for all our elevations and floor plans; the AI editing options are incredible). Which one is your favorite!!!????
*by photos Caitlin Green
