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The Design Power of Textured Tile

Textured backsplash tileTexture is one of most underrated elements that can influence your kitchen design, according to Normandy Designer Ashley Noethe. โ€œYour layout choices are the broad strokes, but these little details are important too,โ€ Ashley says. โ€œA thoughtful selection for something as simple as your backsplash can dramatically change the feel of your space.โ€

When it comes to textured tile, there are three types of texture at play:

Surface Texture
This refers to tiles that have a polished, matte or honed finish, or one that has some grit to the touch. โ€œIf you have a countertop with strong veining or another ornate element, you want to balance that out with something less busy, but that doesnโ€™t mean it canโ€™t be impactful,โ€ Ashley says. โ€œLike a book or movie, not everybody is the star, you need supporting characters.โ€

Visual Texture
This type of textured tile can be seen in speckles or even a beveled subway tile or Zellige tile that catches your eye. โ€œTextural differences like this are important especially when youโ€™re doing monochromatic design, so your kitchen doesnโ€™t feel sterile,โ€ Ashley says. โ€œHow a tile shimmers when it picks up light is still engaging.โ€ Then there are tile backsplashes that have both visual and surface texture, like mosaics. โ€œA mosaic can be colorful or have neutral tones โ€” a pattern can help break up a monochrome backsplash,โ€ notes Ashley.

Three-Dimensional Texture
These types of 3-D tile designs project out from the wall, with a wavy or undulating effect. โ€œIn more modern designs, you donโ€™t want a lot of busyness but that doesnโ€™t mean it has to be plain,โ€ Ashley says. โ€œPlay with texture in an unconventional way. Repeating patterns with three-dimensional tile is a way to create interest in monochromatic or neutral designs that wonโ€™t be outdated in five years.โ€

Incorporating the right kind of texture is just one way to create a memorable and unique kitchen design. If youโ€™d like to discuss your home remodeling vision,ย set up a time to talk with Ashley. Find more examples of home remodels in ourย photo gallery. For regular updates on design trends and tips on home remodeling, follow us onย Facebook,ย Instagram,ย LinkedIn,ย andย Pinterest.

Black coffee bar in an arch top alcove near the kitchen accented with a black subway tile backsplashย  ย Walnut kitchen cabinets in a slab front with textured backsplash tile . Silver subway textured tile

mid century modern kitchen with stained cabinets and blue backsplash tileย  ย navy blue textured backsplash tile ย  Walnut open shelves

The Lure of Marble Kitchen Countertops

Marble countertop on kitchen island

Thereโ€™s no denying that marble is one of the most luxurious natural stones cut from the earth. โ€œThereโ€™s nothing that looks quite like marble, the layers, tones, and veining are very organic, with a unique flowing movement,โ€ says Normandy Designer Abby Osborn. โ€œBut since itโ€™s very porous, itโ€™s extremely susceptible to damage, making a marble kitchen countertop something worthy of serious consideration before taking the plunge.โ€ If your heart is set on marble countertops, we spoke with Abby about what to know before taking the leap.

Reasons Why You Might Not Want Marble Countertops

Not only does marble stain easily, but stains are not easy to get out. Coffee and wine rings can become permanent, especially on lighter varieties. Best practices for cleaning marble are to use a gentle soap and water, getting at stains quickly so that they donโ€™t set. For marble waterfall islands, avoid harsh cleaners on the floor that could splash onto the marble and cause damage.

Marble is also vulnerable not only to scratching, but etching, which is when something acidic eats away chemically at the surface. โ€œAnything acidic, from lemon juice and tomatoes to wine and vinegar, can cause shallow cavities in your surface,โ€ Abby says. โ€œIf youโ€™re going to commit to marble in heavy use areas, you must be okay with a โ€˜living finishโ€™ โ€” one that changes over time. It wonโ€™t take long for it to show wear.โ€

Temperature fluctuations are also something to watch with a marble countertop, and you should avoid placing hot pots and pans directly on the surface. Marble, like most natural stone, is ideal for tasks like prepping pastry dough because it keeps the dough cool. But itโ€™s cool temp and delicacy, paired with a hot heavy pot can cause thermal shock that will lead to cracking. Use trivets often. And be sure to hire a fabricator who is used to working with specialty stone like this, as marble is a very soft stone,” Abby advises.

If You Must Have a Marble Kitchen Countertop or Marble Backsplash

If youโ€™re set on having marble in your kitchen, it would be wise to keep it out of heavy work zones. โ€œMore decorative areas, like the backsplash behind floating shelves is ideal,โ€ Abby says. โ€œAvoid placing it near the sink as minerals in the water can degrade the finish. Avoid proximity to the range too, it wonโ€™t mesh well with pasta sauce splatter.”

For the busier areas of the kitchen, pair your marble elements with a manmade countertop material like quartz or porcelain โ€” for instance placing this on the perimeter, if youโ€™ve chosen a marble kitchen island. โ€œYou donโ€™t want your complementary countertop to compete with marbleโ€™s natural beauty though, so choose one that has little to no design pattern,โ€ Abby notes.

If all this has you reconsidering a marble countertop for your kitchen, but you truly love the look of natural stone, consider marbleโ€™s more durable cousins, like granite or quartzite. โ€œQuartzite has many of the same visual properties as marble, but is more dense and less vulnerable to damage,โ€ Abby says.

Your new kitchen should be a source of joy, no matter the countertop you select. โ€œItโ€™s important to understand the pros and cons of your options, so you can make the choice that suits you best,โ€ notes Abby. โ€œMarble does require some special consideration and upkeep โ€” but most nice things do.โ€

Is it time to revamp your kitchen and adjoining spaces? You canย schedule a free consultationย with Abby.ย Sign up for our newsletterย for more inspiration.

 

Glass front cabinets and marble countertops in a butler's pantry Kitchen island with butcher block and marble countertops

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