6 Tiles That Denver Designer Laura Medicus Can’t Live Without

The article presents insights from Denver interior designer Laura Medicus, focusing on her top six tile recommendations for kitchen and bath renovations. It addresses the common challenge of decision paralysis faced by homeowners due to the vast array of finish options available, particularly in tile selection. Medicus emphasizes the importance of selecting timeless and functional designs over fleeting trends, drawing from her extensive experience in real-life home projects. Medicus advocates for classic styles, suggesting that natural stone floors paired with simple ceramic wall tiles consistently deliver appealing results. She also encourages bold tile applications, advising against limiting accent tiles to small niches. Instead, she recommends using accent tiles across entire walls in showers and extending kitchen backsplashes all the way up to the ceiling to create significant design impact and 'breathing room.' Before making any tile selections, Medicus guides her clients to consider the tile's intended function within the space, such as whether it needs to provide color, pattern, or texture, which helps narrow down the choices. The first tile highlighted is Surface Art’s Victoria II Tile, described as an affordable, handmade-looking subway-style option with an uneven, glossy surface that adds subtle interest without a distinct pattern. Medicus recommends using this versatile tile on entire walls, especially opposite or next to windows, to capitalize on its light-reflecting qualities. For styling, she suggests pairing the classic white tile with softer grout colors like Custom Building Products' Bleached Wood #545 for a warm look or Platinum #115 for a cool tone, enhancing its handmade aesthetic. Next, Cosa Marble Company’s Handmade Porcelain Tile is featured for its crackle finish, available in various colors, standard subway sizes, mosaics, and trim pieces. This tile is praised for offering a traditional or luxurious look at a reasonable price, adding texture and subtle dimension to baths or kitchens. Medicus finds it suitable for both vintage spaces aiming to amplify their character and contemporary settings needing a touch of handmade charm, particularly recommending its use for large shower walls without obstructions. Sabine Hill Cement Tile is presented as Medicus's preferred cement tile, known for its extensive range of patterns, colors, and configurations, including solid cement tiles. While acknowledging the need for multiple sealing applications to prevent staining, she suggests its use around fireplaces or as an accent wall in showers. A notable styling tip includes utilizing Sabine Hill's online customization tool to experiment with patterns and rotations, allowing clients to personalize their designs. Jeffrey Court’s Mod Herringbone Mosaic Tile, specifically from their Cubist line, is introduced as an excellent accent tile made of natural stone, available in Thassos, Bardiglio, and Nero Marquina. This tile is ideal for special backsplashes and fireplace surrounds, with Medicus noting its reflective quality that creates a 'fancy' appearance, especially when positioned opposite large windows. She advises arranging the tile sheets so that the herringbone lines are vertical for optimal visual effect. Black Slate Floor Tile, such as MSI’s Montauk Black Slate and PetraSlate’s 6” Ebony Hexagon tile, is recommended for its classic, non-trendy, and affordable natural stone appeal. Despite its uneven surface, Medicus uses it extensively for floors in entries, kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms. She suggests various styling options, including simple rectangular formats or a 4-by-12-inch herringbone pattern with light grout for a stunning finish. The article features an example of the Ebony Hexagon tile used effectively in a bathroom. Finally, Large-Scale Picket Tile, like Bedrosians’ Reine, is highlighted for its distinct shape, good price point, and availability in several colors. Medicus favors this tile for kitchen backsplashes and shower surrounds, considering it a classic yet currently trendy shape that offers a slight deviation from standard rectangular tiles. She suggests horizontal placement for kitchen applications and vertical for showers, noting its compatibility with hexagonal floor tiles due to its angled ends. The article concludes by providing contact information for Laura Medicus Interiors and the various tile suppliers mentioned. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #TileSelection #KitchenRenovation #BathroomRenovation #DesignTips #LauraMedicus #TimelessDesign #TileStyling #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #TileSelection #KitchenRenovation #BathroomRenovation #DesignTips #LauraMedicus #TimelessDesign #TileStyling