Tile is all the rage in home decor

By Patricia Nugent

With its everlasting durability and newfound versatility, tile flooring is all the rage in home decor. We sat down with Monica Guhde Rosa, of Guhde Flooring America, to learn more.

Q: What are the latest trends in tile?
A: Tile is low maintenance and is the hardest, most durable surface you can put down on your floors, working best in kitchens and bathrooms. But tile is also making a stylish appearance in foyers, dining rooms, family rooms and bedrooms.

Over the past year or two, the standard 12-inch square size has been replaced by 16- and 18-inch sizes.

Sometimes people think that with a smaller room they need smaller tiles, but that’s not quite right. No matter what size your room is, the bigger the tile, the bigger it will appear.

The pattern in which tile is laid has also evolved. For an upscale look, people like to lay it on the diagonal. Choosing a chevron pattern adds a punch of flair, and laying smaller tiles with different sizes in a mosaic effect looks fabulous on backsplashes and shower walls.

Tiles that come in planks resembling weathered wood have come a long way, providing all the authentic, rustic appeal of hardwoods with the durability of tile. But there are lots of inventive applications beyond flooring.

We just designed a master bath in the Lake County YMCA Dream House with distressed grayish-brown wood-look tiles laid horizontally across a shower wall for a totally unexpected look that’s rugged and earthy.

Guhde Flooring America is at 1880 Mentor Avenue in Painesville Twp. Call 440-639-1990, or visit GuhdeFlooringAmerica.com to learn more.