When it comes to selecting tiles for a home some people get completely overwhelmed and it's easy to understand why. What colour should the tiles be? What size should they be? Texture or tonal finishes?
One very common question I get asked is how I add the wow factor to my bathrooms or kitchens... Well, it's with the decorative element. Decorative tiles and mosaics tend to be smaller in format and they might come at the higher end of your budget, but these are like the cherry on the cake. These are a decorative element that you can use even in a small way and still achieve great results. When it comes to bathrooms and kitchens I love incorporating decorative tiles as a great way to add the wow factor and elevate my designs...
Large format tiles provide a great alternative for your bathroom design. They are great for a stone look because their size allows you to really enjoy the pattern but they're also perfect for those who don't like grout, making them a great selection for shower recesses or for the whole height of a bathroom. Another perfect location for these large format tiles is your kitchen splashback as porcelain is non-porous like natural stone and more affordable.
When it comes to picking tiles for your main floors there are many options and of course you should pick on that suits the architectural style of your home, but one of the looks that I personally love and one that I’m using quite often these days is terrazzo, an amalgam or small chips of natural stone mixed in a concrete base. Some people are wary of terrazzo flooring because these might be quite busy in pattern and contrasting colours, but there are of course softer looking options and easy to maintain porcelain version of terrazzo.
The reason that I visit a Di Lorenzo showroom is that I get to play with all of the samples there and look at all the options. It allows me to make sure that the choices that I put together are just right, eventuating in the perfect scheme for me and my clients. Of course you also get to work with their expert staff who have the knowledge and expertise to make sure you pick the product that is perfect for your project and create the home of your dreams.
Watch the video below, filmed in the newest of Di Lorenzo showrooms, where I explain my approach to choosing tiles and a few practical tips to get you started in your building or renovation journey.
So, are you feeling inspired and excited?
To find plenty of inspiring images for your own project, I encourage you to visit the Di Lorenzo website where you can also find the address of the showroom that is nearest to you. You'll love discovering tiles there - Tell them I've sent you :)
James Treble has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. James is also an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for Design information. More of James' knowledge is now accessible via Practical Design Online Course.