Create a dog room for your furry friend Pitch the floor. Design a special area to bathe your pooch by placing an expanse of floor tile on a pitch so that the water flows easily into a drain—just like a shower. Porcelain tile is a good option. It’s maintenance-free and makes cleaning up pesky pet […]

Innovative ideas for first-time home buyers Personalize your new abode. You might have been bound by a landlord’s rules and regulations before, but now is your opportunity to inject individual style into your home. From sleek to subdued, today’s array of tile, stone and fixtures offers options tailored to almost any taste. Get more molding for […]

The ins and outs of commissioning custom tile, stone and glass Give it time. Turnaround is affected by many factors: the size of the project, the intricateness of any hand painting, the amount of time it takes to finalize plans and the artist’s workload. Once the design is approved, production generally lasts six to eight […]

Store wine in style with cellar-chic tile and stone Try terra-cotta. Long a staple in Tuscan wine cellars, terracotta is good for more than just potting plants. Tiles made of this earthy material help regulate temperature and humidity. Because of its thermal mass, terra-cotta reduces environmental fluctuations, making it ideal for preserving abernets and Chardonnays […]

The right tile touches can tempt home buyers Embellish the entrance. First impressions are everything, and a stone foyer, perhaps with a water-jet floor medallion, makes a home stand out from the pack. If a more budgetconscious option is in the cards, choose polished porcelain and save pricey natural stone for the details. Invest in […]

From upscale workshops to sports car showrooms, today’s garages are more than just drab drywall and concrete. Coordinate colors For a customized look, match flooring to the hue of your car. Try RaceDeck, a modular tile system, available in an array of patterns and colors, which can be selfinstalled. No surface prep is required; just […]

Go “green” and explore fresh ideas to think globally. Take a cue from the Emerald Isle Emulate the metalwork of the ancient Celts with cold-cast bronze, copper, nickel and brass field tiles, liners, decos and moldings. The sustainable cold-cast method uses 100 percent recycled “chop” metal that is first processed into powder and then molded […]

5 ways to make a child’s bathroom playful Go “green” Cement tiles are not only environmentfriendly,they’re also available in a rainbow of colors. Hues like sky blue, canary yellow and wintergreen are suited to a children’s bathroom while also having longlasting appeal. Try a Middle Eastern flavor The exotic culture of Morocco offers rich, colorful […]

Bring European flair outside with these stone styles that stand the test of time Opt for travertine pavers. Opt for travertine pavers. Ideal for driveways, patios, pool decking and walkways, they won’t degrade like many concrete products and require no sealing or maintenance. And the lack of metal content in bluestone, granite, slate and other […]

5 techniques to make the most of cozy quarters. Design to define Create small carpet panels on the floor by using differentsize stones, such as 1-inch by 2-inch mosaics, a herringbone pattern or an octagon. Frame it with an exciting border to make a rug. Build in texture Try putting a basketweave pattern on the […]

As autumn winds blow, it’s time to cozy up to the fire. Introduce a nature motif Running vines, floral designs and woodland berries create a peaceful setting and set the tone for the rest of the room. Continue the nature theme around the hearth with a carved marble grapevine mantle. Add texture Custom dragon skin […]

Marry mosaics with field tiles A neutral field can be spiced up with mosaic borders. Now that most mosaics are meshmounted, they’re easy to work with and—depending on the color or material—can be traditional or modern. Design with decos Simple like a button on a tufted pillow or intricate like fine millwork, decorative tiles, or […]

NOT JUST FOR JEWELRY ANYMORE, onyx has made the transition from finger to floor. A stunning variety that adds jewel-like drama is honey onyx. Applied in a small space like a powder room, such an exotic material brings extravagance to the space without blowing the budget. For this installation in a traditional Tenafly, New Jersey, home […]

Why settle for simply lying out by the pool when you can retreat to a tranquil backyard oasis? Relaxing poolside can be filled with color and excitement when tile is creatively introduced. Chill out with an outdoor fountain What could be a better place to incorporate an eye-catching fountain than around your own man-made body […]

With warm nights and sunny days ahead, the summer is all about alfresco living. To create an inviting open-air space that’s an extension of your home try these outdoor tile techniques. Think pebbles Pebbles are a perfect selection for a variety of projects. Whether it’s a pathway, the bottom of a swimming pool or the […]

When it comes to bling, focus on your master bathroom. Wouldn’t it be invigorating to begin your day in an airy, spacious bathroom of marble? With the trend toward nesting and home improvement, go for the gold by turning a functional room into a sanctuary where you long to linger. Consider high-end glass, elaborate mosaics […]

Every visitor to Tuscany comes away with a desire for a capacious kitchen full of warm tones, tomato-based aromas and handsome tiles. Let me show you some insider’s trade secrets to create an Italian cucina in your home. Replace stone with porcelain Go for large, rustic porcelain tiles with distressed edges in sizes ranging from […]