In our world the place all the things appears to be controversial regardless of the subject, enable me to enter one other speaking level into the “I HATE that/I LOVE that!” dialog: Kitchen islands with tile surrounds. Tile is a type of issues that all of us settle for and even adore when it’s someplace we’ve grown accustomed to, resembling flooring or on our lavatory and kitchen partitions. However put it someplace apart from that and unexpectedly, it’s a wild idea.

And whereas I’m probably not a proponent of tile as a counter floor materials for sensible causes (I had some in my earlier kitchen and UGH all of the crumbs that get caught within the grout traces is such a trouble), it does have its deserves elsewhere. Keep in mind this put up with a killer kitchen reveal from earlier this yr the place Jess explored tile in an surprising spot—the vertical rise of the bottom of a kitchen banquette?

If you happen to have been a fan of that look, it’s not that far a leap to wrap an island in tile, is it? That stated, it’s price exploring the professionals right here:

Reasonably priced: You might make the bottom of the island in a reasonably inexpensive wooden or materials since it will principally be lined in tile.
Low-maintenance: Tile is sturdy, simple to wash, and non-porous. It resists water, warmth and stains.
Colourful: Tile is a straightforward and dramatic means so as to add shade and texture to a kitchen.
Cool-looking: It makes you do a double take (and your pals and neighbors seemingly gained’t have the identical design remedy…don’t you need to be distinctive?!?).

After all, no thought is with out its cons. Between grout upkeep and the potential for cracking or chipping of one of many tiles (complete bummer), there’s additionally your private home resale worth to contemplate. A tiled kitchen island {surround} is a really area of interest look, and sure one which gained’t be understood or appreciated by the plenty. Anytime you set one thing in your house that’s distinct, you run the danger of it turning off future patrons in case your aim is to promote down the road. Don’t let that cease you from placing your full self into a house design, however it’s one thing it is best to consider.

Throughout my analysis of this tiled kitchen island pattern and idea, I found that you just’re more likely to see certainly one of three tile classes used to perform the design: Normal ceramic or porcelain 4″x4″ tiles, Zellige tiles of various sizes and styles, or a extra customized trying ornamental tile, all of which I feel can look good in the fitting software. Basically, although, the look leans modern with some exemptions for retro/mid-century vibes and even heat transitional designs. Let’s have a look.

Easy 4″x4″ Tiles

Common readers could know that I’m fairly the fan of the flexibility (and affordability) of a traditional 4″x4″ tile, although they’ve a reasonably particular look which may not be proper for each house. On an island, this kind of tile undoubtedly reads trendy, however that doesn’t imply you may’t make it work with one thing heat or perhaps a contact rustic.

Perhaps it’s the colour of the tile, or that the white wall tile seamlessly transitions into the countertop which then is echoed on all surfaces of the island, however I really like the look of this kitchen by Whitewood in New South Wales. It’s a type of stuff you’d by no means suppose to do, however when you see it elsewhere, it simply would possibly change into a contender.
One factor tile-surround kitchen islands do nicely is lean into a glance. That cohesiveness of fabric between the partitions and island (similar to within the earlier picture) is unbeatable for making an announcement and bringing in a lot intentionality. Granted, the grand structure of this house designed by Years Studio (featured in Architectural Digest), helps help the very daring look.
I’m pretty obsessive about the design and structure work popping out of Mexico Metropolis. It’s on the similar time grounded in historical past and tradition and extremely revolutionary and stylish, like this kitchen undertaking within the house of Kar Brulhart. From the house owner within the put up: “We needed this place to really feel like a Nineteen Seventies Mexico Metropolis residence. Layered, a bit of moody, with numerous wooden and heat and nods to my Mexican grandparents.” Tile has a wealthy, deep roots in Mexico, so it is sensible {that a} punchy, earthy pink tile can be featured on the middle island. Courageous, daring and great.
There’s one thing about this kitchen—by Nimtim Architects, featured in Intelligent—that’s immediately nostalgic. It makes me really feel like I’m within the cleaned-up, grown-up, extra impartial model of the set of Double Dare (#IYKYK). Shiny 4″x4″ tile normally makes me really feel that means, I assume. It’s ingrained in my ’80s and ’90s-bred youngster soul. The built-in plywood shelving is tremendous sensible, and admittedly, one thing I’d a lot choose to inferior bar seating (I choose to sit down at a correct desk…). If you happen to look carefully, you’ll see the built-in sink continues the tile materials which in all probability isn’t a selection I’d make, however it certain does look fairly cool.
Right here’s a mullet island by Jessica Hansen of Tandem Interiors by way of Domino: tile social gathering within the entrance, cupboard enterprise within the again (or, you realize, on all sides). It’s a enjoyable method to break up the same-sameness of decrease cabinetry, in addition to proceed the backsplash materials elsewhere for cohesion. It’s a toe-dip into the pattern that frankly, I feel is absolutely enjoyable and an fascinating method to strive it with out going all in.
I’ve shared this picture of a kitchen by AD100 designer Alex March (by way of Intelligent, once more) previously and whereas it’s not technically a tiled island, it accomplishes an analogous vibe. There’s simply one thing concerning the repetitive use of a single materials throughout totally different surfaces that feels so cool, edgy and all-encompassing.
Zellige Tiles
Onto one thing a bit extra “now”: the Zellige tile. Admittedly, I do actually love the look of this however I’ve to surprise: are all these uneven edges alongside the corners…comfy? Secure? Susceptible to wreck? I don’t have the reply to this, but when we droop our disbelief and questioning for a number of moments, we are able to all take pleasure in these beauties under.
First up is a kitchen I’ve had bookmarked for a very long time and are available throughout all through the online fairly often: a Berlin penthouse undertaking by Studio Bosko. The usage of the Zellige-style tile creates a lot motion, character, and lightweight (not one thing missing on this kitchen, that’s for certain). That texture that Zellige is beloved for has a means of grounding the opposite modern components of this area.
Right here, we see the identical kitchen, by Cristina Alvarez of Curio Inside Design, that’s on the lead of this put up. I’m fairly smitten with the colour selection of the island {surround}, which I feel works fantastically to convey out the heat of the wooden cabinetry, seating and flooring. Additionally of observe is how nicely all three tiles work collectively with out feeling overdone. Petite Zellige in a impartial on the backsplash echos the Zellige on the island (in a louder hue, in fact), whereas a heat checkerboard in a big sq. dimension finishes off the kitchen flooring.
Up to now, we’ve seen numerous shade, however right here’s a quiet impartial model for anybody who finds it laborious residing with a lot depth. This kitchen by WHLF Studio proves how a lot (quiet) affect an island like this will make in such a easy, reserved area.
Right here’s a little bit of a flip from what we’ve seen earlier than. As a substitute of a tile transition from wall to countertop to island sides, we have now countertop to island sides to ground, and uh… ::gradual claps::. Wow what a glance, huh? The entire kitchen is a head-to-toe visible feast delivered to life by Nick Gavin with design-build agency Made.
To spherical out the Zellige class is that this lengthy and lean quantity on this rounded island. The rounded nature of the island is a pleasant juxtaposition to the rigidity of the tile it’s enveloped by. The peninsula all of the sudden turns into it’s personal assertion furnishings piece and attracts the attention into the kitchen area. This may be certainly one of my favorites. Due to Charlotte Pourbaix for the attention sweet.
Ornamental Tiles
Lastly, we have now the drives of the risk-taker bus. The ornamental tile customers, which break the mould on an already mold-breaking design transfer. (Is that like a double unfavourable?). Something goes right here, the place tile is measured with the center.
I totally perceive that this kitchen by Y S G Studio (constructed by LocBuild) will not be for everybody, however there’s a nugget I need you to remove from it: that stripe of checkerboard tile alongside the toe kick of the island. This concept of tile on an island doesn’t should be all of nothing. You possibly can combine it in with a extra accepted materials resembling wooden and get one thing that’s nonetheless very distinctive and fascinating.
One other by Whitewood, that is truly a restaurant area, however I preferred how the sting was a strip of wooden, so I needed to current it to anybody who likes this tile-surround idea however is nervous about corners. This tile is probably going solely on the bottom of this counter seating, however it could possibly be utilized throughout, too, with the added help of wooden to the edges.
I’ve to confess: My eye struggles to make sense of this kitchen. Are these marble-fronted cupboards? There’s a lot occurring right here, however it’s definitely eclectic. Anyhow, I’m bringing it to the desk right here so we are able to all see totally different tiles used. This pinstripe could or will not be to your liking, however a patterned tile normally could possibly be very fascinating in the fitting area. Ideas?
And eventually, this cool, pint-sized matte tile on a rounded island (the kitchen was designed by Andrea Rodman Interiors out of Vancouver). Maintaining the tile and the countertop in a cool-toned white takes the eye away from the fabric use whereas nonetheless benefiting from all the professionals of tile.
—
So…the place are our heads right here? On a scale of 1 to “Altering my kitchen reno plans STAT”, the place do you fall on this tile pattern? Anybody began this put up pondering there’s no means they’d get on board however discovered themselves warming as much as the concept the extra they learn or noticed it used? As all the time, I’d love to talk about it within the feedback. Oh, and if there’s one other off-the-wall design idea or pattern you’re seeing and wish us to dive deep into, add it to the dialog, too.
Till subsequent time, pals…
Opening picture credit score: Design by Cristina Alvarez of Curio Inside Design | Picture by Kelly Ann Rose