New wood-look tile gives you all the warmth and texture of wood but in a durable ceramic tile.

We love mixing and matching materials at Tracy Lynn Studio. From interior design flooring to fabrics, making the best use of diverse supplies gives our clients a space that is custom and distinctive.

One of our favorite “toys” for design is tile. Not too many years ago, tile was very boring and plain — square pieces set in a linear pattern across your kitchen or bathroom floor. Today, tile has become a major accent component, offering function and durability while looking really pretty too.

For example, in a bathroom we like to use three types of tile — perhaps one for the shower floor, another for the walls and then a third as an accent. More than three and the room becomes a circus; fewer than that and you’re back to the “yawn” quality.

We are also using different sizes rather than just the traditional 12×12 pieces. And pattern is a plus — maybe it’s set on a diagonal, but it’s even more striking to box tile with a completely different material. The colors, shapes and sizes of tiles now available make our designers’ creativity truly endless.

Tiles in a neutral palette become especially interesting when size, shape and pattern are varied creatively in the space.

A few more tile tips? OK!

• The bathroom is probably the one room in your house where you can go crazy with color. You might not want an orange sofa in your living room, but a wall of bright orange tiles could be fun (and eye opening!) in your shower.

• Mix other materials with tile, such as strips of shells encased on cement between tile rows.

• In the same way, run a single, prominent color of smaller tiles through a section of larger tiles that are a complementary, neutral shade.

• Combine larger and smaller tiles. Using only one size, color and pattern can create an unpleasant cave effect. Idea: install mixed-size rectangular blue tiles vertically in your bathroom to give off a spa-like rainfall effect.

• Don’t forget to think about how mirrors will reflect and play with the tile patterns and colors.

• Sometimes a little is a lot — consider tiling a smaller framed area to add interest without overwhelming the room (and save money too!). Or choose a focal wall for tile and leave the other walls without tile.

Is tile the cheapest way to decorate? Absolutely not. But it is a beautiful way to add color, dimension and movement to your room. And we know how to accomplish it in ways that meet your budget and your expectations. Please contact us for a complimentary consultation.