Tiled In

November 7, 2019 HDR Remodeling

Dialing in Your Kitchen Remodel with Distinctive Tile

Along with the Great Pyramids, the splendors of Tutankhamen, and exquisite cotton, we can thank the Egyptians for introducing the world to ceramic tile. Today, the sheer variety of materials, textures, and of course colors, are staggering.

With so many tile options (and applications) making your selection can be intimidating. Here, we’ll detail our approach to working with tile, its function and aesthetics, along with the caveats and other considerations to keep in mind when remodeling your kitchen, with costly tile.

A recently completed project—an Italian-inspired kitchen, presented us with the usual tile challenges. Here’s how we addressed this distinct project - and achieved our client’s goals with beautiful results.

Bella Italia Berkeley Kitchen Remodel – Bring the Sunshine Home

Our client returned from working abroad in Italy completely smitten by the brightly colored tiled kitchens she saw during her stay. The expanses of rich and bright hues covering entire walls to dramatic effect was the kernel of inspiration for her Berkeley kitchen remodel project.

We were captivated by her vision and committed to fulfilling her dream of bringing the sun-shiny Mediterranean into her Berkeley East Bay kitchen.

Our Design team worked closely with the homeowner to find tiles of similar old world-inspired characteristics that complemented the overall vision, while providing a cheerful and colorful focal point—and fond memories of Italy.

Our collaboration on this kitchen remodel included balancing the dominance of this impactful backsplash with traditional and transitional fixtures and finishes in a modern, functional context. We looked to DalTile, one of our trusted tile vendors as a source for the bright yellow glass tiles.

Renowned for its durability, tile is used in countless applications. In this instance, a glass tile backsplash provided an easy-to-maintain surface ideally suited for kitchen use. However, large expanses of wall-mounted tiles can also prove challenging due to their weight, with optimal results obtained when the tile substrate is absolutely flat (with variations no greater than ¼” every 10’). Given we were remodeling the entire kitchen, with 300 square feet of tile, we replaced the substrate with a tile-ready option, following the rule of thumb of no more than 15 lbs of tile per square foot.

HDR Remodeling created a unique and singular backsplash using bright yellow subway-esque tiles—whilst bucking the trend of the all-white kitchen.

With such a distinctive and expansive focal point, our design approach complemented and balanced the abundance of color with neutral gray quartzite countertops atop classic white Shaker cabinets.

The once small, dark, and uninviting kitchen is now bathed in sunlight from newly installed skylights—accentuating the luminescence of the yellow tiles. Natural oak hardwood flooring harmonizes the palette, while imparting a subtle golden glow throughout.

Today, this sun-drenched kitchen greets you like a cheery “Buon Giorno,” and an overwhelming urge to put on a pot of pasta—and open a nice Brunello.

When considering the type and style of tile to incorporate into your kitchen renovation, talk to our Designers for best practices. HDR Remodeling’s home renovation experts will be able to incorporate the best aspects of your current kitchen with some beautifully placed tiles for a reimagined space that will surely get you the lasting value you deserve.

Salut!