Specialty Tile

Mosaics

Any grid of smallish tiles that work together to create a whole is a mosaic. In some mosaics, the tiles function like the pixels of a digital image, creating a mural effect. Other mosaics are composed of an eye-catching pattern of colors. Even a field of like-colored squares is considered a mosaic if the tiles are 3 inches or smaller.

You’ll find mosaics made of virtually any tile material, from glazed ceramic to natural stone, colored glass to metal, or combinations thereof. And the tiles or a mosaic aren’t always square. They can be hexagons, rectangles, circles, random shards, or even the shapes of little fish or vegetables. The more irregular the shapes, the thicker the grout lines likely have to be. Tiny, opaque glass mosaics are particularly popular now, as are mixed textures – smooth glass with rough stone, for example. Another intriguing look is that of a river rock mosaic of whole round stones, an inch or two in diameter, packed tightly and grouted.

Almost all mosaics are sold already assembled on a mesh, paper, or rubber backing, typically as 12-by-12-inch squares, making installation not much more difficult for standard tiles. Some prefab mosaics are specially designed as borders or inlays for floors. Of course, you can also use individual tiles to create a custom mosaic in any artistic pattern you can dream up.

Decorative

Retailers use this term for highly ornamental tiles – anything beyond the basics. A decorative tile might be brightly colored, painted with an image or pattern, filigreed, embossed, or otherwise textured. It might even be encaustic tile, with an embossed decorative pattern filled with clays of different colors (a process invented by 12th-century Cistercian monks).

Use decorative tiles en masse to create striking focal points, or sparingly as accents to dress up a field of simpler tiles. Either method is an effective way to create something special when you’re tiling on a budget.
Trim Pieces

Trim tiles are the solutions to three-dimensional problems: the edges and corners of tile jobs. Bullnose tiles provide a finished edge where a tile field ends, chair rails offer a cap for the top edge of a tile wainscot, and V-caps finish all the edges of countertops. Baseboards are the finishing touch where walls meet floors, while corner pieces are used for outer and inner corners of walls, fireplaces, and outer complex surfaces. You may also find crown moldings, picture frames, and any number of other useful shapes.

Some tile lines include matching trim. Others come in limited configurations, while still others are available only in  field tiles. If you’re using tiles that have no matching trim pieces, look for complementary trim from another line.

Home Painting Sources with a Home Painter

Wherever you live, there’s sure to be an abundance of decorating books and style magazines available, which are always chock full of ideas and advice on how to create the room of your dreams.  You’ll probably find that you are repeatedly drawn to certain colors, patterns and themes. Keep track of your favorites by starting a file or scrapbook of rooms and ideas that delight you; it’s easy to tear out or photocopy of rooms and ideas that delight you; it’s easy to tear out or photocopy a page of rooms and the painting style you love.

Also, look for the scrapbook of rooms and ideas delight you; it’s easy to tear out or photocopy a page of rooms you love. Also, look for the do-it-yourself projects and workshops in these publications. Their step-by-step instructions are another great resource; even if you don’t want to recreate one of the featured looks exactly, the information will no doubt prove invaluable for future projects.

Home Shows

With more and more people now participating in their own home’s renovation, many towns and cities now hold annual home shows which showcase new products and decorating ideas. These shows often offer free do-it-yourself workshops, and there are always plenty of demonstrations. If you go, you’re likely to meet people who have the same questions as you, and it’s always fun to hear about what someone else did with his tiny bathroom, odd-shaped kitchens, or cathedral ceiling.

Public Spaces and Private Homes

Always keep you mind and eyes open when visiting friend’s homes and public places such as theaters, shops, restaurants, and even museums – there’s an idea to be found in every corner. For example, because restaurants like to keep up with the times, they change their décor frequently, and offer a wealth of contemporary design inspirations.

Or course, many themes may be too dramatic for your home, but you can learn a lot by noticing the fundamental ways the designer sets the mood; pay attention to the lighting or the color scheme in addition to the food. There’s no harm in copying decorating ideas when it comes to paint, because paint finishes will always look unique to your home.
Even if your friend has ragged her living room walls in yellow, your raspberry-ragged bedroom will have a character all its own.

Television

Many decorating and lifestyle shows on television walk you through the process of pulling a room together. These shows are packed with ideas and projects for every home decorator, and the projects are usually accompanied by step-by-step instructions. So, set your VCR to tape your favorite shows and add these to your idea library.