Timeless or Trendy? The Great Subway Tile Debate

It wasn't too long ago that I had a conversation with some property investors about subway tile. I was directed to not use subway tile as I was told it was too trendy and they're sick of it.  Well if you have followed my blog you will know that I am a huge fan of subway tile!  There are huge in my book for 2 reasons:

  1. Subway tile is fairly inexpensive.
  2. In my personal opinion, they are timeless.

Subway Tile: History

Two designers, George C. Heins and Christopher Grant La Farge, were the two who created the 3" X 6" tile.  This tile was used for the very first station in New York's brand-new subway in the year 1904.subway tile

Image source: The Library of Congress, via Old Town Home

As you can imagine, the tile got its name due to it being used heavily in subway stations.

Today

Subway tile seems to be a huge hit with some of the popular TV shows and their designs they present to us.  Fixer Upper uses this tile a lot in their home makeovers.subway tile

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Layout Options

While both of these images showcase 3" X 6" subway tile in a brick pattern, there are lots of options for laying subway tile.

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Here are some great photos of different tile patterns:

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I love the way they mixed up the direction in the shower!

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All 3" X 6" subway tile yet still able to provide a feature for the stove.

Colour Options

Who says you have to just use white?subway tile

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Size Options

The traditional tiles are 3" x 6" however there are other sizes!  In this kitchen below, I chose a 4" X 16" subway tile.subway tile

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There is also oversized tile as well!

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This kitchen/main floor renovation below is almost done (and yes, you are getting a sneak-peak).  For this kitchen we used a subway tile that looks like each one was hand made.  They are not quite 3" X 6" because every one is a different size (to some extent).  I'll make sure my photographer gets some great close-up shots!  GORGEOUS!subway tile

Design by Sheri Bruneau (that's me)

Subway Tile: It is Not Boring

Oh my....I have had a blast searching up different images and I haven't even begun to touch just how many different variations there are of subway tile.  Not to mention the grout colour you can use!  Here is the main reason why I am so drawn to subway tile: trends come and go (and yes - trends will go), yet subway tile never is dated. You would never walk into a home, see subway tile and say, "Oh, this home was renovated in 1996."  You don't really know when the subway tile was installed because it's been around forever!  See - timeless!  You may walk into a home and see the following:  Dark (pink beige undertone) Travertine tile, yellow/gold granite countertops, dark oak stained cabinets throughout.  Are you getting a visual?  I walk into a home like this and I know it was decorated and built in the brown, Tuscan trend.  Guess what?  That trend is L-O-N-G gone!Can you guess how I feel about subway tile?  It is always an option that I look at when working in a kitchen or a bathroom due to availability, the creative way you can have it installed and of course, the price point.Sheri Bruneau Get It Together

Looking for help with your next renovation project?  Contact me today to discuss your upcoming project.

Related Posts 

TRENDY VS TIMELESS: YOUR HOME IS NOT LAS VEGAS

RENOVATE LIKE A DESIGNER: START WITH YOUR FOUNDATION PALETTE

MAIN FLOOR RENOVATION: VILLA WITH A VIEW

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