What does “Good Old Faithful” mean? – noun. something that has been used or has existed for a long time, esp something that is very reliable.
Let’s face it: every designer has dabbled with subway tile at least once in their career. It’s the holy trinity of design—classic, effortless, and timeless—which is precisely why we’ve dubbed this article “The Good Old Faithful.” One thing the SJ team absolutely loves about this traditional tile is its incredible versatility. Don’t believe us? Check out our subway tile portfolio… but be sure to pick your jaw up off the floor first!
From the project “Modern Classic”
From our recent project “Victory Lap on Lowe”
From the project “Sweet Valley Orchard”
From our project “Sister Valley”
Bet you’re a believer now! And I can hear you thinking, “How on earth can a simple 2.5×8 rectangle look that good?!” Well, hold on to your hats because this article is about to take you deep into the world of the ultimate chameleon tile. From colors to patterns, we’ll spill our sneaky tips for turning this good old faithful into a design superstar!
The first question to ponder is: horizontal or vertical? If you’re dealing with a wide wall that craves a touch of height, a vertical layout could be your best friend. On the flip side, go horizontal if you’re looking to enhance the width of a snug space. A savvy tip: take note of the areas being covered and how many cuts your installer will need to make to achieve your desired look; sometimes, the best answer is right there in the logistics. Now, onto the second burning question: inline or offset? Sound like design jargon? Below are some examples to clarify things for you!
These are vertical inline – where all the tiles are IN line with one another.
Whereas this is a horizontal offset lay… just think off the tracks
Now that we’ve broken down the basics… let’s get on to the fun stuff, pattern lay! As we mentioned, the subway tile is such a classic and in our minds the herringbone tile lay is a great way to honour it.
Or for all my risk takers out there what about a double herringbone *wink, wink*
Of course, we did say it was extremely versatile! Here are some other pattern options which in the right space can be truly unique and interesting:
Colorful tiles are a fantastic way to turn this classic design staple on its head! We’ve got a couple of favorites sourced right from our local Centura that are sure to inspire. First up is the Artisan, a timeless ceramic tile available in ten vibrant hues, featuring the classic subway size of 2.5×8. Next up, the Gleeze, which brings a charming, organic vibe with its smaller dimensions (2×6) and delightful five color options—perfect for those snug spaces that need a style boost. We always advocate for making bold choices in your design; after all, taking the plunge with a striking blue tile is a risk worth taking—nine times out of ten, you’ll be obsessed with the results!
From our project “Welcome to California“
We talked a lot about the tile split in last month’s article. There are so many different variations from 50/50 to 30/70 and so on. Of course, the lovers of wallpaper are going to say you can do the same equation but with wallpaper!
And for those design enthusiasts (welcome to the club, you can absolutely sit with us!) there are so many playful alternatives for this tile. Stripes are always timeless and fun or an extraordinary combo of mixed colourways, tile-split and pattern-lay:
For those with a modernist spirit, we understand that the term ‘Traditional’ can be daunting, but don’t let it deter your creativity! Our key insight? It’s all about color and form! Centura’s Nolita tile is an exceptional choice for achieving a contemporary and innovative design. Crafted from durable porcelain, it is available in ten stunning hues and an elongated 2×18 size. The slender profile of this tile naturally enhances a modern aesthetic, making it a perfect fit for your space.
Centura’s Nolita in Mud
Or pair it with a unique stone for a modern twist. Below is an ensuite walk-in shower from our project the Modern Classic. This apricot subway tile was paired with an earthy brown marble and the brass finishes just tie a nice bow around this modern design.
Our final tip? Don’t underestimate the power of grout! Often overlooked, it presents a valuable opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. Choosing the right grout can be a bit of a balancing act; it’s trickier than it sounds! You can go for a shade that harmonizes beautifully with your tiles, but keep an eye on those sneaky undertones! Alternatively, consider your grout as a creative opportunity.
I’m sorry now it’s us whose picking their jaws off the ground!
If your brain feels like it’s about to pop but you’re also bursting with inspiration, we’re cheering you on! But if you’re feeling like we’re throwing so much at you that you might just capsize, well, guilty as charged. If you’re in that boat and feel like you’re sinking, don’t worry—we’re the life-saving crew ready to toss you a vest! Our mission is to keep you from feeling overwhelmed; we’ll take on the heavy lifting so you can sail smoothly. Now, when we say we’re taking on the stress, we don’t mean it’ll be all sunshine and rainbows, but rest assured, we’ll always aim to ease your load. We’re the ones who sweat the small stuff, consider tile options, patterns, colors, and grout, and then we wrap it all up in a neat little package for you. All you have to do is choose between A or B—easy peasy!
If this appeals to you, you know where to find us! Contact Us!
Xo The SJ Team
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