Floor Tile | Mozaik Tile

New Realms In Wood

2012-01-19T23:43:00.000-08:00

by Annette M. Callari, Allied ASID; CMG

“Love of beauty is taste. The creation of beauty is art. “
Ralph Waldo Emerson is the author of that beautiful quote. But it was the Jamie Beckwith Collection website that brought it to my attention. Jamie Beckwith is a renowned designer who had the vision to create elegant wood surface treatments for floors and walls. Her unique wood tile designs bring out the best of nature with attention to dimension, profile and embellishment.

The total collection is comprised of four specialized hardwood tile series: Enigma, Projection, Mosaic and Embellished. Each artistic gallery of styles has a memorable character of its own:

Enigma Floor and Surface
Enigma is another word for mystery. And this series adds an element of mystery to wood floors by offering intriguing wood tile shapes. Jigsaw, Pisces, sextant, lotus, and crescent to name a few, feed the imagination.

ProjectionSurface
Dimension and depth are combined in six block shapes to create high-character wood walls. Walls become works of art, using shadow and light to its best advantage.

Mosaic Floor and Surface
Mosaic is the art of creating images through the grouping of small pieces. In this case, the pieces are beautifully patterned wood blocks. The resulting image is varied and ever-changing, as wood grain patterns swirl and merge across the floor.

Embellished Surface
Lastly, Jamie Beckwith has brought to life “jewelry” for your walls. Crystals, geodes and gemstones are the crowning jewels adorning each individual wood tile. They can be used alone or combined to accent Projection block walls.

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, the Beckwith Companies are adept at creating exceptional hardwood tiles. Organic materials have been artfully redefined with a fresh, contemporary interpretation. I’m so pleased to be able to share this beautiful collection with you. A list of showrooms across the U.S. that carry this exceptional line can be found at www.jamiebeckwithcollection.com. Explore and enjoy!

For more information on flooring visit the World Floor Covering Association’s

2010-05-16T03:16:00.000-07:00

Ceramic Floor Tile Patterns

By David Patullo

Anyone who is given the chance to choose their own ceramic floor tile patterns is being given the chance to design a major aspect of their home. Although more complicated than changing the color of paint on the wall, choosing your ceramic floor tile patterns is just as significant and has a more profound impact on the way your house is viewed. Many people hire designers to choose the tile and layout of the ceramic floor tile pattern, but a great deal of do-it-yourselfers are now coming to see the value in designing their own.

With the fantastic new growth in stores that promote home projects, choosing a pattern is as simple as picking out wallpaper. With a trip to the store and some hours perusing the tile section, homeowners can find themselves creating works of art for their backsplashes, counter tops and even ceramic floor tile patterns. Bathrooms have become a display for the intricate designs and beautiful techniques that are being created by couples everywhere with their ceramic floor tile patterns. These couples are also using their unique ceramic floor tile patterns to enhance the entry ways and create flow in their homes.

Homeowners are finding themselves released into a world of self expression that is as therapeutic in the process as it is enjoyable afterwards, using their design as an outlet. With the many choices of patterns couples can create an oasis in their own homes. So much of the individual is put into the pattern that houses are no longer simply places of retirement, but conversation pieces themselves. Patterns are also replacing carpets and throw rugs and giving a rise to a minimalist furniture layout in order to enhance the viewing of the floors.

Patterns come in a variety of sizes, colors and textures to suit any design style. The sizes range from 20x20 inches being the largest and going as small as 3x3 inches. The shapes are largely square in nature with an occasional rectangle introduced and the diamond shape is an interesting addition in ceramic floor tile patterns. The color of the ceramic floor tile varies from earth tones to created colors, with a color match technology that can now allow customers to create a tile and grout color to match an object they bring in. The textures of the ceramic floor tile patterns can be rough or smooth with a flat or shiny finish depending on the purchaser's preference. With all of these options and more there is a myriad of ways to lay out and design ceramic tile floor patterns.

The most recent addition to the ceramic tile floor pattern family is a tile that contains actual fossils that have been formed in the stone. Although costly, this tile provides the homeowner with the ability of showcasing the unique qualities of each tile to their guests. Choosing these tiles to create a ceramic floor tile pattern is truly the most interesting way to expand on an already very extensive art form.

David has been writing articles for nearly 2 years. Come visit his latest website that discusses some great ideas on home renovating products such as the best ceramic tile flooring and some great garage tile flooring ideas that can be used for the garage just to add that extra something to a room that is usually forgotten

Cleaning Porcelain Tile Flooring

2010-03-10T05:36:00.000-08:00

Cleaning Porcelain Tile Flooring

Porcelain tile is among the easiest of flooring materials to clean. Porcelain tile can be easily swept or vacuumed twice a week. You can also clean your porcelain tile with a damp sponge mop. Use a solution of 1/4 cup of white vinegar to 2 gallons of water, allowing time for drying.

Although porcelain tile is by definition impervious, it is still possible for its surface to stain. You may choose a cleaner specifically formulated for porcelain tile. However,unglazed surfaces sometimes assume the color of the cleaning solution. For these and other important issues, here is an account of how to clean multiple types ofporcelain tile surfaces.

Unpolished porcelain tile

Following is a simple procedure to clean unpolished/unglazed porcelain tile flooring with a moderate soil load.

Sweep or vacuum the dirt from the floor.
Saturate the floor with cleaning solutions and hot water, stir and allow it to stand on the floor for 5 � 10 minutes. Do not allow cleaning solutions to dry. Also, for this procedure, do it on small areas at a time.
For more difficult stains, scrub the cleaning solution with a floor machine equipped with an abrasive pad or stiff nylon-bristle brush. For residential applications and small areas, use a scrub brush.
Wipe away the dirty cleaning solution and rinse the surface of the porcelain tile with clean, clear water with a mop or a wet vacuum.
You might have to use a more aggressive cleaning method if the unpolished porcelain tile is heavily stained.

Polished tile

For polished or glazed porcelain tiles, these instructions must be followed for general cleaning:

Sweep or vacuum loose dirt and dust from the floor. Use an untreated, dry dust mop instead of a broom.
Mop the floor with a mild cleaning solution. The concentration of the detergent should be 50% less than the amount used on an unpolished porcelain tile floor.
Rinse the porcelain tile floor with clean and clear water thoroughly.
Dry carefully to increase the shine and to prevent water spots.

Part 2

Textured tile

A textured porcelain tile surface demands for some additional cleaning procedures. Just a standard wet-mopping will not effectively clean such surface. It requires you to clean it more requently and do it in a specified manner. For cleaning textured surfaces, follow these instructions:

Sweep or vacuum dust and debris from the floor. For sweeping use a soft-bristle broom and sweep in two directions. First follow the direction of the tile, and then sweep diagonally to ensure complete cleaning of all foreign material that might be residing in the texture.
Saturate the surface with a neutral cleaning solution in hot water and stir. Allow the cleaning solution to remain on the floor for five to ten minutes. Scrub the floor with a brush, again using a two-direction method.
Rinse the porcelain tile floor with clean, clear water to remove the cleaning solution.
For high traffic locations, it is recommended to scrub the floor once a day and wet mop at regular intervals.

Preventions and Safety Measures:

Do not clean porcelain tile flooring with ammonia or with cleaners that contain any bleach and/or acid for cleaning. Acid and ammonia based cleaners may alter grout color.
Do not use any oil-based detergents, wax cleaners, or sealants.
Do not use agents that contain any dyes or colors on unglazed porcelain tile.
Use rugs at outdoor entrances to prevent grit from being tracked onto the tile flooring.
Do not use steel wool pads, because the loose steel particles may cause rust stains in the grout.

Ceramic Floor Tile

2010-01-28T17:25:00.000-08:00

Truthfully, there's almost too many reasons to choose ceramic floor tile for your home than there is room in this article to mention. They come in an almost endless variety of styles, they are easy to maintain, they are cost effective compared to other tiles on the market, and they're just plain good looking. If you're looking for an excellent flooring solution for your home improvement project, ceramic floor tile is one of the best investments you can make as a homeowner.

Sky's the Limit
Perhaps the most attractive thing about ceramic tile for homeowners is the almost unlimited variety of styles that is available to choose from. Whether you're looking for a refined, classic style, a rustic stone imitation, terra cotta type tiles, or decorated Mexican tile, ceramic floor tile is the answer you've been looking for. Even intricate mosaics are a possibility if that's what floats your boat. You'll be hard pressed not to find what you're looking for, and if you can't find it, don't stress. You can have ceramic tiles custom made to fit just about any design you can imagine.

Ceramic Won't Break Your Budget
One of the other advantages of ceramic tile is its cost. Compared to popular stone alternatives, ceramic is hands down the most cost-effective material out there when it comes to floor tiles. And when you take into consideration the fact that ceramic floor tile can be made to mimic just about any stone surface, you've got a beautiful tile floor that looks just as stunning as stone at a fraction of the cost.

Beautiful and Low Maintenance to Boot
Besides style and price, the other reason many homeowners choose ceramic floor tiles for their flooring needs is purely aesthetic. Ceramic floors look great. Whether you're looking for a rustic southwestern feel, a more upscale polished look, or something in between, ceramic tiles come in such a wide range of looks that you're sure to be able to suit your fancy. And because most ceramic tiles are fired with a water resistant glaze, they are a low maintenance flooring product compared many of the alternatives. In fact, when it comes to areas where water and dirt is unavoidable, such as entryways, kitchens and baths, you won't find a more durable and longer lasting flooring material than ceramic tile.

Protecting Floor Tiles

2010-01-22T18:55:00.000-08:00

Of all the tiles that we use in our house of floor tiles are probably the most vulnerable tiles. They are different from many of the other flooring surfaces. When your floor tiles leave the factory, they have been through a barrage of treatments. In their initial stage as molten clay, aluminum powder may have been added to strengthen the tiles. Next, they may have been treated with a glaze to add a layer of protection and enhance their appearance. From there, your tiles were fired to immensely high temperatures, essentially cooking the tile, and further sealing the glaze. Finally, your tile is treated to a sealer which will protect it, both in transit to your home and then again once it's set in place in your home.

After all these steps it's your responsibility to look maintenance of these tiles and prolong their life. The companies have done their part and took every step to ensure that your floor tiles keep looking the best for times to come. A solution of mild soap and water applied the surface of the tile on a regular basis is generally enough to keep your floor clean and looking its best. But from time to time, depending on the level of household traffic, it may be necessary to spruce your floor up with a few readily available treatments. There are ways to ensure that your floor tiles lasts for long in good condition, although it is impossible to avoid wear and tear that comes with time. This article is about some of the tips that can help you protect your floor tiles :

1) Stains – These are the biggest problem with floor tiles. Stains from kitchen mishaps or dirt from shoes can imbed themselves in pores of your tiles and can make them look ugly. There are many household cleaners that make the claim about removing stains from your tiles, but most of them not even come near to time honored method of diluted muriatic acid.

Dilute the acid to a 60/40 acid/water solution and carefully remove the stains. Eye protection masks and heavy gloves are imperative.

2) Be very careful when moving anything heavy over floor tiles. This can break your tiles and make them look ugly. Avoid dropping something heavy on tiles too.

3) Be very careful with ceramic floor tiles and avoid using acidic or alkaline cleaner. These kinds of cleaners can lessen the gloss of your tiles. Avoid using soap and vinegar too for similar reasons.

4) Although a bit costly lamination or protective coating can be used to protect the floor tiles. They help floor tiles against weathering, cracking, oil, chemicals and other moisture.

5) If tiling yourself make sure that you handle tiles properly. Improper handling may cause it to break and you might get hurt.

6) Sub floors usually help floor tiles lasting longer by preventing them from loosing and breaking.

7) Remember to clean stains immediately to prevent them from setting into the tile flooring.

I hope this article is clear some basic doubts about floor tile maintenance.

Best Caribbean Honeymoon Locations For Patio Set Lounging

2010-01-12T20:02:00.000-08:00

Lounge on the beach or the beautiful resort patio set at the locations in these three great Caribbean honeymoon countries.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Like most poor nations, when traveling to the Domincan Republic for a 4 or 5 star resort vacation, you will be treated like a king. The locals that live and work in the resorts of the Domincan Republic know that the Europeans and Americans are keeping them in business and giving them a job (and sometimes good tips) so they will all but bow down to your feet. The major locations for tourism are in the coastal provinces of Punta Cana and Puerto Plata mostly. If you want a quiet vacation away from much of the hustle and bustle and touristy Spring Break type of resorts in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta than you should check out the Dominican Republic.

Nassau, Bahamas

The capital and largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau is an eclectic and energetic city with a lot to offer. You can find a lively night life scene and a relaxing beach atmosphere just minutes away from each other. The city is known for its beauty and important locations for many films, featuring in numerous James bond films as well as various other often water or beach themed movies that are looking for a picturesque setting and location. The Beatles also filmed scenes for their film “Help!” in Nassau. Tourism is one of the large attractions in the city and there are also many well known parades and holidays with the Junkanoo parade brining in tourists from all over the world.

Palmas Del Mar, Puerto Rico

The area of Puerto Rico is mostly mountainous with beautiful white sand beaches in the coastal areas to the north and south. Originally an agricultural country exporting much sugar, tourism is now one of its main economic components, brining in an approximate $1.8 billion dollars in revenue with 5 million tourists visiting the island in the year 1999, today it is assuredly much higher. Most of Puerto Rico is still very poor, with a median household income of around $17,000 which is still much less than the poorest state in the United States. Nevertheless, it is a great tourist location with many lovely resorts that are both relaxing and exciting. Puerto Ricans are very friendly to fellow Americans.

Match the floor to room's purpose

2010-01-03T15:52:00.000-08:00

BY NEIL WERTHEIMER

FRESH HOME

Most of us take what's underfoot for granted, be it tile, carpeting or wood. But homes are made up of spaces with specific functions, so why shouldn't those spaces have specific flooring, too? Here's what to put down, where and why:

Coddle your teenager in the den. Teens spend tons of time roughhousing, sitting and spilling drinks on the floor, so it's best to put down something that's easily washable, doesn't show footprints and can be replaced, square by square. A great and often overlooked option is glue-down 2-by-2-foot commercial carpet squares, which are economical and can be replaced easily if disaster strikes (and it will).

Hardworking home office spaces. If you have a home office, odds are that you've also got a desk, office chair, casters and bookcases, and all of them are rough on flooring and can cause denting and scratching. This is a room that would do best with laminate flooring, which is sturdy, good-looking, highly durable, easy to install and often inexpensive.

Soft and cushy in the man cave. Workshop flooring may be an afterthought, but it shouldn't be, given how long you're often standing on it. Choose a flooring that is easy on your feet and back, such as interlocking tiles of recycled PVC or rubber. Most systems come with a snap-on border that can be instantly installed to define a space.

Be playful in the playroom. Play areas for toddlers and young children need cushioned flooring that's simple to maintain. Choose something that's fun, colorful, attractive and that can grow with them, like brightly hued, resilient playroom or playground tiles. They're inexpensive, safe and as the little ones grow up, you can change the look of the space by simply changing the color of the tiles, either a few at a time or all at once.

PO Box 96, W. Swanzey, NH 03469 DECEMBER ESTATE AUCTIONS THURS, DEC 3rd, 17th @ 6 PM MAIN EPHEMERA, ADVERTISING, TOYS & COLLECTIBLES AUCTION THURS. D

2009-12-19T20:14:00.000-08:00

By Home and Garden Television

For example, the National Wood Flooring Association looks to the Forest Stewardship Council to certify wood-flooring products as green when the material comes from forests operated under sustainable forest-management practices. Other organizations, such as BuildingGreen Inc., publisher of the GreenSpec Directory and Environmental Building News, qualify and list other green-flooring alternatives, such as natural linoleum, cork and concrete.

Carpeting: The carpet and rug industry uses a labeling system to identify materials with fewer volatile organic compounds in the carpet fiber or in the adhesives used in installation. Such carpeting improves indoor air quality, a major consideration of green building. The Green Label Plus program, directed by the Carpet and Rug Institute, certifies environmentally friendly carpeting products, and received a 2004 certificate of recognition from the California Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award program.

Linoleum: Natural linoleum is widely promoted and rigidly specified in the green building community. Natural linoleum is made primarily from linseed oil, pine resin, sawdust, cork dust, limestone and jute. It is an all-natural alternative to resilient flooring, including sheet vinyl and vinyl composition tile, which are made from polyvinyl chloride. It can get confusing, however, since the word "linoleum" is still used by some people to refer to vinyl flooring.

Wood: Sustainable forest management makes it possible to harvest wood without any serious impact on the environment, because trees are a renewable resource that can be replaced time and time again, according to Ed Korczak, executive director of the National Wood Flooring Association.

Cork: Cork flooring has become popular with environmentalists and designers alike. Cork can be harvested every nine years from the same tree — a much faster rate of renewal than waiting for a seedling to grow large enough to replace another.

Concrete: Yet another option for green flooring is to make the concrete slab the finished floor by using various types of decorative concrete techniques. Besides a concrete floor's obvious attributes of stability and durability, it can contribute to a home's energy efficiency: it absorbs heat during the day and releases it as temperatures drop at night.

Remodelers can even offer several green-flooring surfaces in the same home. A smooth surface, such as wood or concrete, could be used in active living areas and possibly partially covered with area rugs. Natural linoleum could be used in the kitchen, while carpeting is ideal for bedrooms, where it deadens sound and provides a soft, warm surface for bare feet.

Travertine Tile: The Tile Of The New Generation

2009-11-20T00:22:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, November 18 2009 @ 10:38 AM Central Standard Time
There are many flooring material that are available in the market, and travertine tile is getting popular everyday. It may be a residential or commercial area; this kind of time has been one of the flooring materials that a lot of homeowners number one choice.

It is made durable and cheaper than other known tough flooring material. Travertine tiles are derived from the pieces that are found in the deep part of the earth. It is usually made from the extracted pieces of quarrying, and with that kind of process travertine tile is made unique and no two designs are made alike.

You can choose from smooth and rugged tiles, there are designs that can match any kind of home decoration you have in your home. From the choices available you can transform your home into trendy, simple, elegant home. This kind of material is made to satisfy every people taste and preferences. There are varieties of colors available and the styles are also different and can surely give your home a design and style that you wanted for your home.

Travertine tiles can be made available in different designs, formats and texture. Its versatility is getting popular, there are technologies that are use to improve the overall look of the tile and provide an end product that will surely suit everyone’s taste.

It can be installed in different part of your kitchen; it can be in your kitchen, living room or even in your garden. When it is exposing on lights it will give a great light effect to the entire place. If you have a simple design on your living room, travertine tile can transform it to an elegant and beautiful place.

If you are thinking of a floor material that is easy to maintain, travertine tiles is too easy to maintain. From the installation to cleaning this kind of tile, you just need ordinary cleaning detergent to maintain its cleanliness and shine. Using mild soap and a soft sponge is enough in wiping the surface and remove the scratches on the tile. And by using bleach you can easily remove stains and other dirt that can not be removed with ordinary detergent soap.

Maintaining its cleanliness will surely give your home a beautiful look, making it shine all the time is one of the key factors that makes travertine stand out on your home. And in time, travertine tiles can be the tile of the new generation.

Allison Ayson
Travertine Tiles

Tile Talk

2009-11-15T22:54:00.000-08:00

An overview of the tile trends on show at Coverings 2009
May 19, 2009

Coverings 2009 proved, as it has for the past 20 years, that it is a vital compass in pointing the way to the latest trends in tile and stone. And there was no shortage of impressive and notable new products on exhibit at this year's show, held from April 21 to 24 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.

New technologies have yielded many of the most exciting introductions. There were plenty of oohs and ahhs along the aisles of the show floor, also in reaction to numerous new decorative styles and design concepts. With hundreds of exhibitors from more than 50 countries, Coverings is a place where retailers, distributors, installers, architects, designers and builders can see the latest products, applications and innovations.

American-based StonePeak came to Coverings with breaking news appropriate for a week that coincided with Earth Day: It has invented a photocatalytic tile that features a micrometric layer of titanium dioxide, a treatment resulting in a tile that helps reduce pollutants, is self-cleaning and also anti-microbial. The Tile Council of North America, through its laboratory testing, confirmed this patented technology and the photocatalytic properties. StonePeak executives said the product, which is suitable for both indoors and outdoors, will be available this fall.

Several companies have mastered the technology to create ultra-thin tile slabs—most either just 3 mm or 4 mm thick (1/8 and 1/6 in., respectively). What is astonishing about these porcelain additions are their laminate-like characteristics. They can simply be adhered over most existing surfaces (a cost savings) and offer a low-maintenance and high-performance cladding for exteriors, as well as a rejuvenating topping for counters, cabinetry facades and other interior furnishings. Among those pioneering this breakthrough is Inalco, a Tile of Spain manufacturer, who introduced SlimmKer. Showing similarly progressive products were Ceramic Tiles of Italy companies, including Florim, which came to Coverings with Slim/4, and from Cotto D’Este, there was the Kerlite series [1], which includes a new style called Buxy that is being offered by Boffi as a finish option for its kitchen components. At Gardenia Orchidea, the 1/8-in. profile was shown in decorative tiles available in 13-in. x 13-in. and 6 1/2-in. x 13-in. sizes. This Crystal Ker collection included styles with a faux leather finish plus ornate motifs, some with glittering details.

Another significant outcome of technology is digital inkjet printing of porcelain tiles to create less costly, more practical flooring rather than actual slate or exotic woods. Florida Tile, for instance, was showing Legend [2], which mimics slate, can go outdoors as well as in, and is available in large formats up to 24 in. x 24 in. Grespania also had a slate look-alike, Zumaia, while Tau took the faux wood look to a new level with Deco [3], imitative of zebrano. And, back at Gardenia Orchidea, a stunner was Onice [4], a series of both ceramic and porcelain tiles made to look like highly polished marble and marble mosaics.

Splash and dazzle

2009-11-09T19:08:00.000-08:00

Backsplashes can be both fabulous and functional

BY MARY G. PEPITONE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2009 AT 2 A.M.

Make a big splash with the backsplash design in your home’s kitchen or bathroom. Backsplashes have evolved from standard-issue ceramic squares to stellar glass, metal and stone tiles.

A wipable surface above the countertop and sink that protects the wall from splashed liquids, a well-designed backsplash form follows its function, says Clay Lyon, board member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and owner of Lyon Construction and Design in the Kansas City area.

“The backsplash can be haute design or a simple surface that is easy to clean and contains the mess,” he says. “It all depends on the materials you use and the look you’re going for.”

Before creating a rear-splash revolution, Lyon says to first consider the overall style of the house and design of the room in which the backsplash will be installed.

“Especially in the kitchen, the 18-inch space between the cabinet and countertop is prime real estate for the eye,” he says. “Homeowners have to decide if they want the backsplash to become a visual accent or simply fade into the background.”

Many homeowners get back to basics when considering which materials to use for their backsplash, Lyon says. Ceramic tile still remains one of the most popular materials for backsplashes, with uninstalled prices starting around $2 per square-foot. With glazes that create a nearly unlimited array of colors and designs, fired ceramic tiles have smooth surfaces that are stain-resistant and easily cleaned with a nonabrasive cleanser and soft cloth.

“A sleek, clean-lined backsplash has a contemporary feel,” Lyon says. “But, brick-shaped tiles also can have a traditional look.”

Subway or brick-shaped tiles are a popular design trend. The typically 3-by-6-inch, solid-colored tiles are named for the old ceramic found on the walls in subway stations.

Today’s subway tiles aren’t just ceramic; some are made of glass. Like gems in a kitchen or bathroom backsplash, glass tiles can be iridescent, frosted, tumbled, polished, textured or handblown.

Glass tiles also come in a variety of colors and sizes, starting around $10 per square-foot, uninstalled. Ranging in size from 1-inch squares and larger, to handblown pencil-shaped tiles, cleaning glass requires a soft-touch, as abrasives may etch its surface.

“A metal backsplash complements a more modern-style home,” Lyon says. “While a stone backsplash can fit a more rustic space.”

Popular choices for metal backsplashes include stainless steel and copper, which range from accent tiles to professionally fabricated 18- inch, full-height pieces. A matte, satin or verdigris finish on metal can help hide fingerprints and water spots.

Slate, marble, travertine and granite are popular stones for backsplashes. Part of these natural products’ appeal is the variation from one stone to the next. Stones that are honed don’t reveal scratches or create a glare. While a full-height 18-inch backsplash needs to be professionally fabricated, individual tiles can start around $5 per square foot uninstalled.

For some homeowners, there’s no holding back in their backsplash design. Mixing materials to create a backsplash’s unique look can make it a focal point in the kitchen or bathroom. A stone backsplash can have metal accents, while differently colored glass can complement a predominantly ceramic-tiled area.

“In a kitchen, the backsplash behind a cooktop is usually a larger area, which can be an opportunity to make a style statement,” Lyon says.

By contrast, Lyon says most bathrooms are one-quarter the size of a kitchen, so the backsplash is often simple — “light, bright and white.” To create a washroom wow-effect, consider installing small, contrasting colored tiles from floor-to-ceiling on one wall by the tub, sink or toilet.

Creating a personalized mosaic backsplash can match any color scheme, show off any style or be made from recycled materials, such as broken dishes (also called picassiette, which is French for “broken plate”). A mosaic is a pattern that is made by inlaying small colored, textured pieces (also called tesserae), and gluing them into place.

A mosaic first needs to be bonded to a sturdy substrate, such as backer board, so pieces will not pop off when it is affixed to the wall. When the design is finished, the mosaic is then mounted and grouted in the same way one would finish a conventionally tiled installation.

Whether you’re trying to create an ubercool or understated backsplash, Lyon says it should be an integrally planned part of any kitchen or bathroom design, not an afterthought.

“A backsplash can unify and bridge the gap between the upper and lower parts of a kitchen or bathroom,” he says. “It can be the element that unites the countertop, cabinets, paint, flooring and plumbing fixtures.”

Union-Tribune