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Zellige Tile: The Quiet Luxury Upgrade for Your Home Remodel

Ivory kitchen with mantle style hoodShifting your home design from lovely to luxurious is all about the little details. From the wood species of your cabinets to the material of your countertops, there are many opportunities to infuse the feeling of luxury into a new space. Zellige tiles can create this feeling in subtle but meaningful ways, from your bathroom to your kitchen.

“Zellige tile features a wave-like, shimmery design where no two of the glazed tiles are quite the same,” Normandy Designer Abby Osborn says. “The unique designs offer texture and interest to any room and fit in any style.”

The original zellige tiles have their roots in Morocco, where each delicate terra cotta tile is made by hand to develop its unique undulations that catch the light. “Most zellige tiles you find today are commercially made ceramic tiles, which are much less fragile than the original terra cotta versions,” notes Abby. “But whether they are handmade or commercially produced, they all share that same undulating surface that catch the light so beautifully.”

A big part of what makes zellige tiles so charming are their variations. “Zellige tiles have a handmade look to them, with each individual piece having variations in color and differently styled edges,” notes Abby. “One piece doesn’t tell the whole story. Whether you’re looking to use them for a backsplash or shower application, we recommend laying out a wide variety of tiles when making your selection. That way, you can see the look of the full spectrum.”

Many zellige tiles are best used in vertical applications like shower walls or kitchen backsplashes, less so for floors where it can sometimes be slippery.

“Zellige tile is one of those wonderful options that adds a little bit of interest without being too busy or demanding,” Abby says. “It can add a little bit of glimmer and texture to any room, no matter your design aesthetic.”

There’s a lot more to a successful remodel than finding the right tile. Set up a time to talk with Abby about your ideas and concerns for your home, and together you can come up with a solution that checks all the boxes. If you’re still in the pre-planning phase, you can find inspiration any time on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok, or sign up for our newsletter to get updates on projects, tips, and trends, delivered right to your inbox.

Walnut open shelves  Zellige tile in shower

The Staying Power of White Bathrooms

White bathroom with white double vanity, toilet, additional freestanding white cabinetWhite is always classic whether it’s a kitchen, bedroom or living room design — and the same goes for bathrooms, whether it’s your primary or hall bathroom. Don’t think of a white bathroom as boring, think of it as a good investment and a versatile design choice.

“White is clean and crisp, it goes with everything, and if you want to bring in a pop of color or change it down the road — or get the house ready to sell — you don’t have to worry about polarizing buyers who don’t love lime green tile,” Normandy Designer Ashley Noethe says.

While white bathrooms are always on trend, and the look suits any size bathroom, Ashley observes that many white bathrooms tend to be on the smaller end of the spectrum. That’s likely because — besides the flexibility and resale benefits — a white bathroom can make a smaller bathroom feel bigger.White bathroom with shower tub combo and large bathtub with handheld shower attachment and rain shower head

“Painting a smaller bathroom white makes it feel less cramped, especially since not a lot of bathrooms have windows,” Ashley says. “It gives the space a little room to breathe. Adding mirrors can also give a smaller bathroom more depth and help reflect light to brighten the area.”

White can also be a good choice for a bathroom since it symbolizes an emphasis on cleanliness, which is one of the main purposes of a bathroom — in part because it’s easy to know when a white bathroom needs to be cleaned. This is certainly something to consider in terms of your household and preferences.

With a white bathroom, you can accessorize however you want and change the look on a whim. “A white bathroom will never go out of style, even as trends come and go, white is constant,” Ashley says. “You can easily change the paint color or fixtures and suddenly it’s a whole new bathroom, so it’s a safe investment choice.”

If you’re looking to revamp your bathroom layout and look, set up a time to talk to Ashley about transforming your space into a space that inspires you. Looking for ideas? Click through our photo galleries. Prefer a daily dose of design? We share ideas, photography, and projects on FacebookInstagram, and Pinterest. Follow along.

Large Shower with Bench  gray bathroom with separate shower and double vanities

white bathroom with separate shower and tub  All white bathroom with framed arched mirrors, freestanding tub, and skylight

First floor bathroom in vintage home  Freestanding tub in a primary bathroom  Master bathroom vanity with makeup table, chandeliers and divided mirrors

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