Subway Tile Design - Stack Lay or Brick Lay?
Hi All,
Would love thoughts & pics to help finish our Kitchen Splashback in our mid-century modern house reno. Countertop is Caesarstone Osprey, cabinets cotton white satin finish.
The tile is this - ignore the shorter length, we're going all 300mm.
My question is do we brick lay them, like this next pic (but thinking a light grey grout).
OR do we stack them for a more modern look like these similar(ish) tiles (....but completely different kitchen, bear with me!).
Hubby's thoughts are that stacking will just serve to make the already tall splashback (690mm) look even higher.....the pic below is the space to give you an idea. The same tile will wrap around to over the sink.
We're putting these dark blue tiles below (same design as the white but 150mm length) in a pantry behind bi-fold doors on the wall opposite the stove. We want to stack them like this pic, with the same light grey grout as the splashback.
Any design tips I should consider? Experiences I can learn from?
Thanks!
Comments (12)
LesleyH
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Are subway tiles overrated?
Comments (9)Depending on your overall design, using different colours/grout and limiting them (just kitchen or 1 bathroom) they will be en-vogue for years to come. But like all popular designs/products they have their time too. We're using the pattern just not black/white in our kitchen. I'm sure I'll be sick of them at some point years from now and have to update the kitchen - nothing new there!...See MoreHow to lay rectangular floor tiles?
Comments (14)Hi jtoot222 Assuming you enter at the short side I would lay the tiles along the 7340 wall at both end tiles 420mm and all others 500 mm. The other direction you start at both sides with 557 mm tiles and then 4 rows of 1m. That way the cut tiles have a good size and the room will appear more square. BUT, there are 2 aspects I would take into consideration when designing the layout: 1. where is your furniture (an area where you can fudge (hide small cut tiles) IF you have several entries and are particular about starting at the entry with a full tile. This is only advisable if you are sure the cut edge is permanently hidden from view! AND 2. the main entry / vista into the room. If it's NOT along the short wall, i.e. you don't mainly look into the longer depth of your room, then you might prefer laying the tiles in the other direction. (670 , 6 x 1000, 670 along long wall & 257, 9 x 500, 257 along short wall). I personally prefer to look at tiles perpendicular/ cross-ways, which by the way, might be the reason why the next 'houzzer' doesn't like his tiles in the long hallway. They enhance the length. If you are unsure send me a floor plan with furniture lay out, glad to advise....See Morevaried wall tiles, lay brick pattern or straight lines?
Comments (10)Just a suggestion but have you thought about a deeper grout to showcase each tile a slightly deeper grey to the tile will showcase the patterns so they don’t get lost into one another.. Plus so much easier to clean! If you’re afraid to go too dark then go two shades darker than the tile.. Either way will work.. but as a professional having used similar tiles I always like to showcase with a deeper grout.. Just a thought!!...See MoreUpdating facade - window and brick sill dilemmas
Comments (9)Hi Emma, in response to your two questions 1) You can paint aluminium window frames with the right preparation, however, it gets tricky where the windows open and are in contact with another part of the frame. Your windows look like they are sliding windows, so they will be hard to paint, where they slide in the track. Even if you can paint all of the window frames the new paint is likely to chip where it slides. Being old aluminium frame windows they will be very poor at controlling heat loss and gain (as the window frame conducts the heat) so I would suggest that you save your dollars and replace them with something more energy-efficient. Many windows are made to standard sizes based on brick opening dimensions so keep an eye out for new/old stock, and wrongly ordered window sizes that are for sale on eBay and Gumtree to match your window opening sizes. 2) Your sill bricks are probably cored (with holes running through them) or have recessed "frogs" on the top face. These holes or recesses are concealed in the way that they are laid. If you slice your sill brick diagonally to flatten out the front in line with the wall then they will be exposed and look really bad. There are lots of other more cost-effective ways to work with what you have and improve the look of your home. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls/Dr Retro Virtual Visits...See More
PROStyle Precinct Interior Design & Decoration
6 years agoEl Miller thanked Style Precinct Interior Design & Decoration
Gallifrey
6 years ago
Creativelychallenged
6 years agoEl Miller
6 years agoHi! Yes, these were laid long ago & I forgot to report back. We laid them stacked with a slightly off white (earthy rather than cream) grout. Very happy with the choices! Love the blue in the pantry. To be honest it’s largely covered with appliances & I’d like to see more of it!
I completely know what you mean about favouring neutral as safe Creativelychallenged - but after going very neutral in an ensuite, I wish I’d injected coloured tiles in there. I don’t think you can go wrong with subtle colour.......Good luck!
El Miller
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agome me
6 years agoCreativelychallenged
6 years ago
Dr Retro House Calls