Picking the tile

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqi3XM9bNiSRwOCDtUHrEGk4fpJcNJ98Jajqts1MdFNo2Df5drdLmKrhi7l64HIkdI8H7-2TnSs5535QuWRHlBeFVdu9NQUoc0IWb7UaVlkpqeV95-OJeSvMOyHpYn8aRTiYTrNOwlUk/s1600/tile_1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqi3XM9bNiSRwOCDtUHrEGk4fpJcNJ98Jajqts1MdFNo2Df5drdLmKrhi7l64HIkdI8H7-2TnSs5535QuWRHlBeFVdu9NQUoc0IWb7UaVlkpqeV95-OJeSvMOyHpYn8aRTiYTrNOwlUk/s1600/tile_1.gif" /></a></div><br />The next step in the washroom reno is to pick tile. Although I feel most comfortable going with small white subway tile for projects (like in my <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/09/kitchen-reveal_26.html" target="_blank">kitchen </a>and in the <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/07/before-after-basement-bathroom.html" target="_blank">basement washroom</a>) I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and going with larger tiles that will give us a more modern look in the shower. But I'm careful of the fact that we don't go SUPER modern.<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVjEU2RgGf4FATCrXmdpctdUZd2pm-X-Gh5-psm7LG9Cjpsq0Bfj84DKodOZdznlyf2_PpaDpdkgFJ4Rcmlpwyv1cJjDhXK618YBB7p8mg8mGSmK39B0a_mP6TF9Up4ADuAbTNsAgMvg/s1600/tiles22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVjEU2RgGf4FATCrXmdpctdUZd2pm-X-Gh5-psm7LG9Cjpsq0Bfj84DKodOZdznlyf2_PpaDpdkgFJ4Rcmlpwyv1cJjDhXK618YBB7p8mg8mGSmK39B0a_mP6TF9Up4ADuAbTNsAgMvg/s1600/tiles22.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a>I'm actually loving the large tile look. Less grout, it feels more fresh and spa like. I think that you can do these large stiles in two ways - Either stacking them one of one another which gives you an ultra modern look or alternatively you can place the large tiles in a subway pattern, which brings the style back to somewhat traditional.  So in order to keep the washroom from going <i>too </i>modern, we'll go with a subway pattern which will soften the look.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_FdqWTw-gb7XyONNLn7HB62rIvbzEgNaL2brMPdRECiUqKXNLkfvKaWdzYmwyHZFFQf9TbjDCbDM8VZ3hmHTSMDS6uqDWRYbVNWw_zxfNoePaNpHzPgqlC6PcopWloNPJBm3HVsKN5U/s1600/tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_FdqWTw-gb7XyONNLn7HB62rIvbzEgNaL2brMPdRECiUqKXNLkfvKaWdzYmwyHZFFQf9TbjDCbDM8VZ3hmHTSMDS6uqDWRYbVNWw_zxfNoePaNpHzPgqlC6PcopWloNPJBm3HVsKN5U/s1600/tile.jpg" /></a></div><br />Even though it is a small washroom, costs add up so we've decided to do the shower walls in a porcelain tile  vs. a more expensive tile like marble. From looking through tiles at the store, it's amazing that you can find in tiles that mimic the marble look. Like in our kitchen - <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/05/3-counter-alternatives-to-carerra.html" target="_blank">we want the look of marble without the upkeep</a>. Above you can see I brought the samples into the washroom to actually see how they looked in the room. I've learnt to borrow samples, bring them home and really see how things look in your home. Immediately I ruled out 2 out of the 4 tiles because they were way too gray however in the store they showed up as white. The tile I ended up picking is the one resting against the tub and is by the manufacturer <a href="http://www.cerim.it/en/prod-184-1866-pearl.asp" target="_blank">Cerim, and the style is Precious Pearl. </a>  I'm a *wee* bit concerned that the catalog shows a lot of variation in the veining so hopefully we get more subtle tones.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OA2FmaJVu62wP7_kigPFZz0V2qfmZq7QHTAU1_nyGJdPDl0k40CrORJgx5Vpcc8boJ8BNG6gLiG4acQWtrlTrhixvDfofzW9tHoWsz6U2pG8E0KymfyHZjxr0EQDPcbs3Ma9U1TX_mE/s1600/tile_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OA2FmaJVu62wP7_kigPFZz0V2qfmZq7QHTAU1_nyGJdPDl0k40CrORJgx5Vpcc8boJ8BNG6gLiG4acQWtrlTrhixvDfofzW9tHoWsz6U2pG8E0KymfyHZjxr0EQDPcbs3Ma9U1TX_mE/s1600/tile_3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Next up is <b>the floor tile</b>. For looks I initially wanted the larger tile to continue onto the floor. But less grout lines and the tile I picked would make the floor SUPER slippery and therefore, dangerous. So that was out. We had some o<a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/07/before-after-basement-bathroom.html" target="_blank">ctogon marble tiles leftover from our basement washroom</a>, enough for me to see if they worked - and I think they will. I went into The Tile store on Bermundsey and they have a huge amount of marble tiles and I'm debating between...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPnI1HuttQxOyTmsIjxa6BleEkpcrW_kCRB1RsCSqTPTJiOBpen1qTL5lBeMKb-9jIKvabRLC80y2D_3Y80I63lq6B_e34P8AkT12qGooNrFKM0CrYQwYaHs1Kfhv77sTlmk6RGsiMtQ/s1600/tile_2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPnI1HuttQxOyTmsIjxa6BleEkpcrW_kCRB1RsCSqTPTJiOBpen1qTL5lBeMKb-9jIKvabRLC80y2D_3Y80I63lq6B_e34P8AkT12qGooNrFKM0CrYQwYaHs1Kfhv77sTlmk6RGsiMtQ/s1600/tile_2.gif" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />... Octagon or, Herringbone marble tiles. I posted the picture above last night on twitter and asked for opinions. Most people said herringbone. Truthfully I'm torn. I have always been a fan of herringbone. If we did either, it would look beautiful I think to do a <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/164170348889001863/" target="_blank">border like this. </a><br /><br />Jumping back, one of the initial concerns I had was whether mixing two types of tiles would work - would the marble floor be alright up against the porcelain? Thankfully I had my Mom come over and give me the approval that it does, so that is now a decision I'm comfortable with.<br /><br />So that's where we are at. We've picked the wall tile, and are torn on the floor. :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLJfzvIQ4o1aBGxhwK4qNLCkMRASuHIUb4TQoEwYIvMkabScHk7vw299FVQZO3XQ8bPcCH8AJRIFvO6XSLeBtDC63bO4in3zYL6r2MMjY_ikIOFCx7ESLQkkFHtuG1RLQYjBGJW8RAgM/s1600/line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLJfzvIQ4o1aBGxhwK4qNLCkMRASuHIUb4TQoEwYIvMkabScHk7vw299FVQZO3XQ8bPcCH8AJRIFvO6XSLeBtDC63bO4in3zYL6r2MMjY_ikIOFCx7ESLQkkFHtuG1RLQYjBGJW8RAgM/s1600/line.jpg" /></a></div><br /><i><b>Toronto Resources</b>: Stores we visited for style consideration (tiles haven't been bought yet - we're price shopping)  are The <a href="http://www.beachtile.ca/" target="_blank">Beach Tile Store</a> and, <a href="http://www.thetilestore.ca/" target="_blank">The Tile Store.</a> </i><br /><br />

Picking the tile

The next step in the washroom reno is to pick tile. Although I feel most comfortable going with small white subway tile for projects (like i...

Read more »

kitchen progress

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Aubrey was doing a lot of this today..... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zpPHYwPL5odhsV1wT-rtKgB1Eam6qu4hsx-EWjJXk2KkmSvYpEgDWDes6fhGmZVdNeMhHcTwRUJ2pc8ho-xZ2c4EQBLQnO9VWivroV79sPr4IJNB9CeZnXIP8xQQytvPpRusWBLAv0i6/s1600/grout_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zpPHYwPL5odhsV1wT-rtKgB1Eam6qu4hsx-EWjJXk2KkmSvYpEgDWDes6fhGmZVdNeMhHcTwRUJ2pc8ho-xZ2c4EQBLQnO9VWivroV79sPr4IJNB9CeZnXIP8xQQytvPpRusWBLAv0i6/s1600/grout_1.jpg" /></a> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXT_t3ULV8mHNAzL7D342CgDpSenZMEUBirBWRDLbTbaJld-GVRWJaVAzA5CO9sQ2DgesWHqPrWXJMO4e5uaz0F4wfh5lWH95H840uZRQsexELAKEi8usxs7fhqt53gvm3OXQKvpXI32PY/s1600/grout_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXT_t3ULV8mHNAzL7D342CgDpSenZMEUBirBWRDLbTbaJld-GVRWJaVAzA5CO9sQ2DgesWHqPrWXJMO4e5uaz0F4wfh5lWH95H840uZRQsexELAKEi8usxs7fhqt53gvm3OXQKvpXI32PY/s1600/grout_2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifq7g_oG0PrzApP3GdmHZQrFLg7-AooXwmFxi-rI2n0_aWY0Lrawcb5X9sb_ewhJkqGSDV43c-iHQj_lb0ZEqpIqaK0-iL-AeKUpCbBXlKY7ZPGWxNbqji-Lae8G9TP2foEQhCCrWO6AL/s1600/grout_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifq7g_oG0PrzApP3GdmHZQrFLg7-AooXwmFxi-rI2n0_aWY0Lrawcb5X9sb_ewhJkqGSDV43c-iHQj_lb0ZEqpIqaK0-iL-AeKUpCbBXlKY7ZPGWxNbqji-Lae8G9TP2foEQhCCrWO6AL/s1600/grout_3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Grouting!! We're almost at the finish line. We went with a pre-mixed white grout. Although the container says "ultra white" it it kind of is still greyish. It may be that we're using a lot of different tones of white in our kitchen which shows the difference in whites a lot more. Regardless of the darker colour than I expected, I <em>love it</em>.  Almost there!</div>

kitchen progress

Aubrey was doing a lot of this today..... Grouting!! We're almost at the finish line. We went with a pre-mixed white grout. Although th...

Read more »

what we picked for the kitchen backsplash...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHd_f5m8OBJBLrggG_SVbir5lfm1ZaCW0y3c2a5olfyJYK-Vt8zPnxxPy4HIWVqE5nVG0Tk9WzleUSbkuXZdEvYnCpXPvgMrgRpLDNetNo9POFnJkDix3zayFrV6XaM4te4RjJSiQjKUq/s1600/tile_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img /></a></div><br />Aubrey started tiling the backsplash. :-) He's a pro after having <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/07/before-after-basement-bathroom.html" target="_blank">tiled the basement bathroom</a>, so a project like this was easy for him to do. In terms of the tile I ended up going with my gut instinct and went with a classic white subway tile. Although the white subway tile is one of the more economical tiles to go with, it definitely doesn't look "economical" when you pair it with everything else we've picked. It looks really gorgeous, so I'm really happy. <br /><br />We purchased the tiles from Home Depot <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/04/white-subway-tiles-story-of-two-shades.html" target="_blank">after I compared different subway tiles in this post</a>. The Home Depot tiles definitely complimented the off white <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30080364/" target="_blank">Ikea Adel doors</a> the best. In terms of the grout colour, we'll be going with white grout. For for me, a gray grout would have added just that pinch of too much fuss. We're getting close! Eeeek!<br /><br /><em>Ps., Some of you have asked for a full rundown in the end of what we picked and tips from the full kitchen reno. I'll definitely do this at the end so there can be a comprehensive post.</em>

what we picked for the kitchen backsplash...

Aubrey started tiling the backsplash. :-) He's a pro after having tiled the basement bathroom , so a project like this was easy for him ...

Read more »

front hall tile

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3e9tnIoIInwXr4Z2s7Ll2BIK8Q-5Ybj2_W-a7lj8mzBcCg_miqfo56pAox_ZhzFogRO8K9h7ws4cBKYozIgsSDWwN87OB4i_wlVdhVXJ9NZLBwh-vTYZbMB-i_vxNrmIGoORuVbTJaku/s1600/a1b9a314b6f311e181bd12313817987b_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3e9tnIoIInwXr4Z2s7Ll2BIK8Q-5Ybj2_W-a7lj8mzBcCg_miqfo56pAox_ZhzFogRO8K9h7ws4cBKYozIgsSDWwN87OB4i_wlVdhVXJ9NZLBwh-vTYZbMB-i_vxNrmIGoORuVbTJaku/s640/a1b9a314b6f311e181bd12313817987b_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />As I wrote about <a href="http://www.aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/05/design-regret-front-hall.html" target="_blank">here</a>, we made 1 major design mistake when we first renovated our house: We had hardwood installed all the way to the front door. What we really should have done was have installed tile by the front door - considering we live in Canada and we knew we were going to have kids. (Messy boots, dirt, mud, snow) <br /><br />Because we were having a hardwood guy come to install new hardwood in the kitchen - we asked him to remove a section of the wood floor in the front hall. The photo shows the hardwood torn out and a new piece of wood installed to divide where the hardwood is, and where the new tile will eventually go. <br /><br />My task is to find tile. I went to <a href="http://www.saltillo-tiles.com/" target="_blank">Saltillio Tile</a> and was in heaven. Now only was their selection gorgeous, but their service was <em>amazing</em>. It walked out with samples, and a lot of helpful advice as to what tiles to pick. For us we're leaning towards the porcelain tiles because of easy maintenance and lower cost. With that out of the way, we have to narrow it down to a tile - light vs. dark.  Although the light is beautiful it really chops up the flooring. In a small house I think having continuous tones (especially on floors) makes it seem larger. So I think we're leaning towards the darker porcelain tile.<br /><br />Just the daily design decisions going on!

front hall tile

As I wrote about here , we made 1 major design mistake when we first renovated our house: We had hardwood installed all the way to the front...

Read more »