Page 23 – Claire Jefford

Subway Tile – Patterns and Grout Options

When designing with subway tile for your next home renovation project, not only do you need to look at the sizes and finishes as I did in my posting last week, but it’s also important to consider the pattern in which you want to layout your tile and grout colour options to choose from.

There’s no doubt that it can get pretty overwhelming to be making so many decisions…

With so many choices, you can easily want to pull out your hair!

But don’t worry, I’m here to help! So, let’s do this.

Pattern Options

There are 4 common ways in which you can layout your subway tile in your kitchen or bathroom design. The first and most commonly seen pattern is the Brick style – shown below.

Brick pattern style layout

If you are looking to create a more modern and streamlined look, this Stacked pattern shown in my clients bar design below may be the better choice for you.

Stacked Subway tile pattern with white grout

One pattern style that is not as common as the others is the ‘One Third‘ layout option. This means that every third tile is laid out the same. Here you can see it displayed vertically with 4″x16″ tiles.

Vertically shown in a 1/ 3 pattern layout – similar to how hardwood is laid on your floor

If you wish to introduce a focal point in your design, the Herringbone pattern – shown below – is a great way to highlight a certain area of a space.

Subtle and Interesting

This is my clients kitchen where you can see that the majority of the white subway tile is laid in a brick pattern with the exception of this focal point area by the lovely Wolf Range.

See more of this kitchen I designed with my clients here

Grout Colours

When it comes to choosing grout colour for your flooring or tile, you can either match it for a seamless look or contrast the grout so the tile design stands out more. Think about what look you are you trying to achieve. White on white is seamless and stunning.

White on White is the most refined look, beautifully shown here by Jil Sonia Interiors from BC

Dark grout with light tiles is indicative of a more relaxed and rustic look. The bathroom below shows 3″ x 12″ tiles with contrasting grout on the main walls as well as the back wall that is a focal point with the beautiful blue subway tiles with white grout.

Incredible design by Hannah Dee Interiors in Philadelphia

So, over to you – Which layout style do you prefer and why? Let me know by commenting below.
For my FREE tip sheet on Patterns and Grout colours for Subway Tile, click here.

To see more on subway tiles, watch my latest youtube video below!

In case you missed part one of my Subway Tile series, click here for the blog post and click here for the video where I look at sizes, finishes and why the subway tile is such a popular choice for home designs. See you next week!

All photos of Creating Contrast Designs work is photographed by Stephani Buchman Photography.

How To Choose Subway Tile

Subway tile is by far one of the most popular tiles I see in residential design today for kitchen back splashes and bathrooms. I recommend them often to clients and always with satisfying results. However, there are so many things to consider when choosing the right subway tile for you and the application in which you are using it.

Not only do Subway tiles now come in various sizes, they also come in different colours and finishes, all of which can dictate the style of your overall design. Below you can see just a few photos showing how subway tiles have been used in both kitchens and bathrooms.

Sheri Bruneau of Get It Together uses a 3″x6″ White Beveled Subway Tile in this Fabulous Kitchen Design

In this bathroom Hannah Dee of Hannah Dee Interiors uses colourful 1″x2″ subway tile on the floor

In my clients kitchen we used a 4″ x 16″ glass subway tile in a stacked pattern

There are so many things to consider when using subway tiles! In my latest video I talk about the following three elements of this widely used tile:

Why is it so popular?
Different Sizes
Various Textures and Finishes

Click below to watch my video and learn more about this classic tile and how to use it in your next home renovation project.

I also created a FREE tip sheet too ‘FIVE THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUBWAY TILE FOR YOU. Download that by clicking here.

Have you used Subway tile in your home and if so, which style and colour did you choose? Are you happy with how it looks in your design? Comment below and share your experience, I’d love to hear from you.

Basement Design Living Space & Pool Table

We have come to the last post in my Contemporary Basement Design series, thanks for hanging out with me! In this post I show you the unbelievable stair construction by the Baeumler team. As well, I reveal the other half of the living space that includes a custom media unit with a 6 foot fireplace, concrete hearth, lots of pops of colour and a pool table area. So, let’s do this! Continue reading “Basement Design Living Space & Pool Table”

Basement Bar & Poker Room Design

We are nearing the end of the series in my clients contemporary basement design, I hope you have enjoyed it so far! In the final two posts, I take you on a tour of the main living space in this spectacular basement. Today, I am focusing on the modern custom white bar cabinetry with it’s colourful & bold backsplash as well as the moody, yet oh so sexy poker area Continue reading “Basement Bar & Poker Room Design”

Hidden Bookcase Door Reveals a Secret Room!

We are more than half-way through my client’s basement reveal series and I hope you are enjoying all of my posts on this truly spectacular renovation project. Today’s post is dedicated to a room that you could easily miss altogether if you were not aware that it existed within this basement.

I was so excited when my clients asked me to incorporate a bookcase with a built-in door that leads to a ‘secret’ room.

Interior Design Show Toronto- Best & Worst

Last Friday was Trade day at the Interior Design Show in Toronto & as always, there was so much to see! This year I thought it would be fun to compile my Best & Worst Finds from the show, I can’t love everything right? Continue reading “Interior Design Show Toronto- Best & Worst”

Home Theatre Concession & Games Room

What theatre would be complete without a concession stand? When designing this area in the contemporary basement design, the idea was to Continue reading “Home Theatre Concession & Games Room”

This Home Cinema VS Going to the Movies

When you think about a Home Movie Cinema, it’s likely that grand visions of custom finishes, beautiful acoustic panels, soft carpeting and cosy seating come to mind. Not to mention, a large screen with an amazing audio and visual set up so one can fully appreciate the experience, right? Well, in this Home Theatre Interior Design, I promise you all that AND MORE!

But first, I want to show you Continue reading “This Home Cinema VS Going to the Movies”

Home Gym Design

Happy New Year! I hope you had a fantastic Christmas. We spent most of the holidays at my parents cottage home on the lake, just north of Toronto. This year was different to what we are typically use to because of the unusually warm weather, but you won’t hear me complaining! Continue reading “Home Gym Design”