1. Celebrate the Classics

Founded in 1861 by William Morris, Morris & Co. continues the renowned British designer’s mission of bringing beauty to everyday life. The Morris & Co. St. James Farringdon Grey tile, shown here, features warm grey coloring and an ornate pattern derived from the wallpaper commissioned in 1881 for the grand staircase of London’s St. James Palace. Though originally designed for the aristocracy, this lovely tile–also available in Pure Cloud (light blue) and Wandle River (bright blue)–embodies the casual elegance and vintage appeal of a well-appointed English cottage. If your sensibilities lean toward the sophisticated, explore all the historic patterns available in our exclusive Morris & Co. collection.

2. Add a Touch of Whimsy

From King Arthur to Mary Poppins and Harry Potter, the British have a long tradition of creating classic characters and fanciful worlds. A spoonful of decorative whimsy brings the cheer and charm of imagined places into your very real spaces. This endearing kitchen backsplash features the Laura Ashley Wexbord Midnight tile (also available in Fresh Green). The petite floral motif is based on a 1981 pattern from England’s iconic Laura Ashley brand. Full of delicate geometric botanicals, classic colors and unique shapes, the Tile Shop-exclusive Laura Ashley collection brings the best of British design to American homes.

3. Embrace Elements of Cottagecore

The on-trend cottagecore style is akin to English country cottage in many ways, but while English cottage embraces an abundance of patterns, cottagecore takes a more serene and rustic approach to the rural aesthetic. Combining traditional tile styles with playful patterns helps to tone down some of the busyness associated with the English style (though feel free to be busy if that’s your cup of tea!). This bathroom, designed by I SPY DIY, pairs the Splendor Blanco wall tile with the Laura Ashley Mr Jones Charcoal floor tile. The white, handmade-look subway tile, arranged in a classic brick-lay layout, is common in cottages and farmhouse design, while the patterned floor tile adds a distinctly English country touch.

4. Tile Your Floor in Natural Stone

Marble, slate and travertine offer natural beauty that elevates any design. Tumbled stone adds rustic appeal to your floors, while polished or honed stone creates a more sophisticated aesthetic. This pleasant bathroom, designed by @sposadesignllc, features the Hampton Delray marble mosaic tile. The basketweave pattern, reminiscent of traditional handicrafts, is complemented by a border of Hampton Carrara polished marble, making this floor feel both homey and high-end. The marble tile, paired with the blue-painted wood wainscotting and floral wallpaper, creates a space that exudes the cozy elegance of a posh cottage.

5. Add Traditional Molding Details

Common in English cottages, molding is a decorative detail often found where the wall meets the floor, ceiling or door and window frames. Available in a range of durable and stylish natural stone and man-made materials, skirting, cornice, capital and Barnes tiles allow you to incorporate these traditional trims, even if they aren’t original to your home. The wall in this bathroom is divided by Hampton Carrara Barnes and Legno Luce Somerset trim tiles, creating a classic chair rail feature. Though traditionally used to protect walls from dining room chairs, it is employed here as a transition between the Annie Selke Tulip mosaic tile and the Hampton Carrara subway tile wainscoting.

6. Create Cozy Spaces with Warm Neutrals

Bright colors have a place in an English country cottage home, but that doesn’t mean you need to surround yourself with rainbow hues. Warm neutrals, especially when used in patterns, evoke a sense of comfort associated with this style. This mudroom, designed by West Bay Homes, features the Laura Ashley Wicker Dove Grey floor tile. The tile’s soft greige background and white geometric floral pattern complement the burnt orange accent wall and white cabinetry, creating a calm, inviting atmosphere.

7. Favor Florals

No English cottage is complete without a well-tended garden. Bring the botanicals indoors, and fill your home with year-round cheer with a floral-patterned tile. This vibrant backsplash, designed by Colleen Primm Design, features the Genius tile. The continuous design creates the look of wallpaper while offering the superior durability and easy maintenance of porcelain. If you find a floral motif as enchanting as Mr. Darcy, shop our wide assortment of patterned tile.

8. Add Texture With Victorian-Inspired Tiles

Popular in Victorian homes, tin tiles featured ornate patterns punched into the metal to create a raised surface design. You can achieve this antique look in a more durable ceramic format with the Victoria tiles, available in Blanc (shown here) and Gris Fonce (oxidized copper). With their raised pattern and weathered appearance, these tiles add texture and vintage appeal to your space. We love how this chic kitchen pairs the tile backsplash with white and light green cabinets, but these tiles would also look stunning with cottage-style open shelving or rustic wood cabinets.

9. Use Wood-Look Tile for a Cottage Feel

A wood floor is a quintessential cottage element. Achieve this aesthetic in every area of your home (even mess- and water-prone areas) with durable, water-resistant and easy-to-clean porcelain or ceramic wood-look tile. This charming dining room, designed by At Home with Ashley, demonstrates the versatility of this tile. The blonde wood tones of the Baltimore Beige tile are in harmony with the botanical wallpaper and fireplace yet would complement a range of styles. Find more durable, affordable and easy-to-install wood alternatives in our wide assortment of wood-look luxury vinyl flooring. Or, for naturally beautiful floors in less moisture-prone areas, explore our newly expanded selection of engineered hardwood.

Whatever your style, The Tile Shop is here with tile, tools and expert advice to help bring your dream space to life. Explore stunning tile ideas for every room, or schedule a free design consultation to get started.

The post Tile for Every Style: English Country Cottage appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Create a Checkerboard

As classy as it is cheery, a checkerboard pattern will add some fun and whimsy to your space. And this versatile pattern needn’t be relegated to black-and-white floors. Any square-shaped tile can make a checkerboard, so you can mix colors and patterns to create a winning design. You can even stay neutral like Racheal Jackson of Banyan Bridges did for this grey and white checkerboard backsplash. We love how the handmade look tile adds texture to this kitchen wall, and how she used color to create a dopamine-inducing tableau.

Pick Two to Three Bold Colors

A lot of colors can easily become overwhelming. To keep your room from becoming too busy, try sticking to two to three analogous colors (colors that are close to each other on the color wheel). That’s what Zig and Co. did in this bright and fun entryway. A lot is happening in this room, but there are only three colors–blue, green and yellow–which helps keep the room looking cohesive.

Use a Colorful Trim

You don’t need to saturate an entire room to showcase your favorite color. A somerset or pencil trim will add a pop of color that can tie into other elements in the room or just provide a point of interest in an otherwise neutral space. This laundry room, designed by At Home With Ashley, uses a single line of pink pencil trim to add color to the marble subway tile design. While Ashley also uses a pink floral wallpaper in this space, a white or neutral colored wall would match the tile just as well.

Pair Black and White With a Bold Color

A black-and-white tile complements virtually any color palette–a great choice if you’re considering dipping your toe into dopamine decor. This vibrant room, designed by Timber Trails, pairs the Firenze Carrara Polished Wheaton with Black marble tile with a hot pink walls. The color saturation is excellent but can be easily altered with a new coat of paint.

Have Fun With Shapes

Shape is another way to bring joy to a space. This Art Deco-inspired bathroom, designed by Bari J. Ackerman, uses tile to create a glamorous backsplash. The tiled arches mimic the rounded shapes of the mirrors and light fixtures, while the individual hexagon tiles add to the vintage allure of this charming room. You can use tile to create shapes, or choose from a uniquely shaped tile for an unexpected look that will brighten your mood.

Embrace a Bold Pattern

A bold pattern is a great way to infuse your space with fun and cheer. If you’re worried about overwhelming the room, use a neutral or solid color on the other surfaces. The Laura Ashley Sunflower Charcoal with Cloud Blue patterned floor tile shown here, pairs well with the Laura Ashley White Beveled wall tile for a space that is bright and fanciful, while still being tasteful. Explore our wide assortment of patterned tile to discover a design that fills you with happiness.

Start With a Neutral Base

Even the most charming, joy-filled room can use a place to rest your eye. A neutral tile, whether on the floor or the wall can provide some respite in a busy room. The Baltimore Beige Wood Look tile floor in this room designed by At Home With Ashley, adds to the charm of the pretty nature-inspired wallpaper, without distracting. Wood-look tile and luxury vinyl tile are perfect for adding realistic charm to your space while allowing for more creativity throughout the room.

Envision Your Space With a Moodboard

Wondering where to start on your new dopamine decor space? Try making a moodboard! Think of the objects, colors and accessories that give you the most happiness and energy. Explore tile in your favorite color, or browse our selection of patterned tile for a design that sparks joy. This style is about using everything in your space to create good vibes. If you’ve gathered your inspiration, or even if you need a little help getting started, you can schedule a free design consultation, our friendly Tile Experts are always here to help!

Found a tile that sparks joy? Order a sample to see it in your space, or use our Tile Visualizer to help envision your project. Need some more inspiration? Explore whimsical patterns in real spaces on our Customer Room Gallery and Instagram. And don’t forget to tag us when you’ve created your own dopamine-inducing room–we love to see your designs!

The post Tile for Every Style: Dopamine Decor appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

I Spy DIY’s Loft Bathroom

Jenni Yolo of I Spy DIY took this loft bathroom from drab to dazzling! By dividing the room and installing a stand-alone shower, she created a spa experience in this loft bathroom. We love how the neutral tones of the Riad Grey tile and the Royal White Polished Hex create a calming, peaceful mood and make the bright red accessories pop. For more stunning bathroom ideas, check out 16 Luxurious Bathroom Designs.

Craven Haven’s Boys’ Bathroom

For this Jack and Jill style bathroom accessible to both her boys’ rooms, Mackenzie from Craven Haven wanted a look that was at once classic and fun, and we think she nailed it! This bathroom redo captures the charm of boyhood with its simple color scheme and geometric lines, but remove the red step stools and you have a room perfect for teenagers. The Cali Black and White floor tile has a fun, but orderly design, while the Verano Anthracite and White handmade-look subway tile feature a slightly wavy texture and a glossy finish to reflect the light, making the room appear brighter. The black and white tiles mean this room can be easily updated as her kids evolve their style.

Entryway by Revival 4106

As evident by the before photos, this 1915 house required a complete remodel when it was purchased by the couple behind Revival 4106. They used the Cloth Black and White tile for the entryway and back staircase and we love how it complements the black metal light fixture and the muted green of the entryway. This patterned tile, a fun twist on a classic black and white checkerboard, breathes new life into this house!

I Spy DIY’s Loft House Blue Tiled Bathroom

For her Loft House downstairs bathroom, Jenni Yolo took a risk with bold, dark colors, and we definitely think it’s paid off! The Marrakesh Blue and Off White handmade-look tiles add an artisanal charm to this room. The checkerboard pattern in the shower and the Cross Black and Snow White custom patterned tile on the floor work well together, each providing some respite in what could otherwise be a heavy, dark-colored room. Contrasted with the harsh whites of the before picture, this renovation does an amazing job of creating a room that is at once peaceful and bold.

Craven Haven’s Utility Room

This utility room designed by Mackenzie of Craven Haven is more than just utilitarian. The Trecento Calacatta Marbello luxury vinyl tile provides good movement with its bold grey veining that mimics natural stone. We love how the off-white base of the tile matches the color on the upper wall, allowing for the deep plumb cabinetry and wainscoting to stand out. Luxury vinyl flooring is easy to install and maintain, making it the perfect choice for a DIY project in a high-traffic area.

Haneen’s Haven Bathroom

Haneen from Haneen’s Haven turned this bathroom from blah to brilliant! Using her artistic sensibilities, she created a room that perfectly blends classic and modern details. The Truewood Beige Wood Look tile adds a warm, organic element to this room. For the shower, she went with a simple black and white color scheme. The Saltus patterned tile creates an unexpected artistic moment in these beautiful shower niches.

Fireplace by Kendall Design Build

The Noir Honed Chevron mosaic tile creates a boldly-stylish moment in this chic family room. The black tile paired with the dark cabinetry is a sophisticated redo in this family space and allows for color to come through elsewhere in the room, like the bright gold couch and wooden coffee table. For more ideas on how to use mosaics in your home, check out 12 Mosaic Tile Designs That Will Make a Masterpiece.

Feeling inspired to reimagine your space? Schedule a free design consultation to get started on your next project – whether it’s a weekend DIY refresh or a major renovation, our tile experts are happy to answer any questions you may have!

We love to see all of your creative spaces! Don’t forget to share your projects with us by tagging us @thetileshop on Instagram or uploading it directly to our Customer Room Gallery.

The post 7 Jaw-Dropping Before & Afters appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.