1. Add Visual Texture with Terrazzo

Terrazzo didn’t originate in the 1900s, but it was a popular midcentury flooring choice. Loved for its durability, sustainability and organic look, authentic terrazzo is made by pressing pieces of marble, glass or granite in a cement base to create a strong, decorative material that traditionally graced Rennaisance plazas. Here, Yellow Brick Home uses the Terrazzo Nero Macro tile to add visual texture to this dreamy midcentury-inspired bathroom. With a mix of warm and cool neutrals, this tile (also available in Nero Micro) adds timeless appeal in a retro format.

2. Mix Materials

Another hallmark of midcentury design is the intentional pairing of materials, particularly wood, stone and metal. Layering natural and man-made materials adds depth and dimension. Metal accents represent the progress of modernism, while the inclusion of organic materials keeps the space from appearing too sterile. This midcentury kitchen features the Palermo Noir Stone Hex tile backsplash. The black marble hexagons are accented with bronze, creating dynamic movement across the backsplash that feels both modern and timeless.

3. Choose a Retro Red

Retro interiors embraced warm earth tones, and a burnt orange or deep sienna still evokes nostalgia for our grandma’s midcentury ranch house. This bathroom, designed by @johnmartinestudio, features the Imperial Sienna square and hex mosaics. We love how the rich tone is tempered with the neutral Imperial Sand hex tile and off-white walls, but don’t be afraid to really lean into an earthy palette with red, orange or yellow tile.

4. Feature a Retro Pattern

Nothing exemplifies the midcentury quite like a bold pattern. Whether floral or abstract, the pattern should feature clean lines and geometric shapes to be considered midcentury modern. This funky ’60s-inspired kitchen, designed by Total 360 Interiors, features the Star Olive/Grey Encaustic tile. With its retro coloring and starburst pattern, it gives this retro design flower power.

5. Use Wood-Look Tile

Teak furniture and wood paneling are necessities in midcentury homes, but you can include this warm, organic look in spaces you wouldn’t normally find the natural material with durable porcelain or ceramic wood-look tile. Bathrooms, kitchen backsplashes and even showers can feature the beauty of wood. Here, the Tavola Decor tile, with its raised fluted cross pattern, adds both the look of hardwood and the geometric shapes you find in midcentury modern design.

6. Use Retro-Inspired Ceramics

Artistically speckled midcentury ceramics come to life in the form of sleek subway tiles with the Stoneware collection by Fired Earth. The soft earthy coloring and clean lines of these tiles—available in Rainwashed, Blue Mist, Indigo Spruce, Linen Brick and Powder White (shown)—transform any space with elevated retro charm. This chic living room demonstrates how you can blend midcentury decor with contemporary design elements. The Stoneware Powder White fireplace surround blends seamlessly with the white woodwork, for an elegantly timeless space.

7. Create Pattern

Midcentury modern design offers a lot of flexibility in color and form. If you can’t decide on a single earthy hue to showcase, use several to create an original pattern. Featuring all five colorways of the midcentury-inspired Fired Earth Stoneware collection, this shower strikes the right balance between sleek style and expressive design.

8. Choose Squares

A vintage tile that’s making a comeback in interior design, the 4-in. square was favored in midcentury interiors up to the 1980s. Here, Fox Homes reimagines the retro design using Zellige White Gloss tile. The handmade tile features purposeful variations in the edges—going against the grain of the famously straight, clean lines of midcentury, but they compensate for this design detail with wide grout joints. The result is a slightly uneven grid, reminiscent of midcentury modern design, but with a timeless twist suited to contemporary styles.

Whatever your style, The Tile Shop has the tile, tools and expert advice to help you take your project from design to completion. Start by exploring stunning tile ideas for every room, or schedule a free design consultation to get your project started.

The post Tile for Every Style: Midcentury Modern appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.

Unique among design styles, mid-century modern design can be traced back to a specific person. The history begins with Joseph Eichler, a real estate developer in California during the 1940s through the 1960s, who advocated and built more modern-style housing. Whole suburban neighborhoods of homes (called “Eichlers”) from this movement still exist in California and beyond today. Influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, Eichlers often feature flat or A-framed roofs, vertical wood siding, clean and geometric lines, few street-facing windows, and large windows or skylights that let in light and nature. Their interiors introduced the country to exposed beams, concrete floors, sliding doors and en suite bathrooms. While we may take many of these design features for granted today, in postwar America, when people were used to mass-produced homes, architecturally pleasing Eichlers were a breath of fresh air. See some examples of this style, and read more about it here.

Why did this new style make such an impact that we’re still talking about it decades later? Many of the hallmarks of mid-century modern design still feel as fresh, clean and current today as they did in the 1950s:

• Open floor plans
• Simple, clean lines
• Neutrals (especially grey) combined with bright colors (especially orange and green)
• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Simple furniture (similar to today’s Scandinavian style)
• Artistic items

There are also some specific things you can look for to determine mid-century tiles:

• Color, especially rich colors like green and orange
• Geometrics
• Fan shapes
• Organic shapes
• Metal edging
• Handcrafted, artisan look
• Straight stacked subway tile
• Beveled and framed subway tile
• Large-format tiles

Let’s look at how some real spaces use these mid-century modern elements. You’ll notice that a lot of the trends overlap from picture to picture which goes to show that these elements are true hallmarks of mid-century modern design!

Color

Who doesn’t love a pop of color?! Whether featured in tile, cabinetry, fabrics or accessories, have fun with your design and include something bold and bright (bonus points for rich colors like orange and green).

Geometrics

Geometrics are another style that often appears in mid-century modern design. There are as many different ways to use geometric tiles as there are geometric tiles available. Use one color, mix and match or stick with neutrals for a more subtle approach to geometry.

Straight Stack

The most common and classic layout for subway tile is the brick-lay pattern. (Learn all about subway tile patterns on our blog post about the topic.) A more contemporary and mid-century modern way to install rectangular tiles is the straight stack. It features a clean layout and straight, even grout lines.

Organic Shapes

Handmade-look tiles, an artisan feel and organic shapes all work well in mid-century modern style. A subway tile with a soft twist and a hexagon with a handmade-feel beveled edge fit the bill.

Explore more design styles on the blog or our website. Loving mid-century modern for your next project? Book a design appointment to get started today!

The post Mid-Century Modern Style appeared first on The Tile Shop Blog.