Sick of Subway Tile

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Q.
Anyone sick of subway tile yet? I like the pattern but the white is a little boring to me. Anyway to liven it up?
- Jessica

A.
I personally LOVE the early twentieth century look of rectangular white ceramic tile! White can act as a blank canvas to allow other elements in the room to stand out but white can also be the focal point with a little attention paid to detail. Before you dismiss it as a thing of the past, I'll show you that there is some variety to make white ceramic tile look more modern.

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White ceramic tile is available in a matte or glossy finish (or even a combination of the two). Usually a flat tile, drama can be added with a bevel, a rounded-face, or an oval relief. Grout color can make a big difference too. Instead of white grout, try a bold grey or black. You also don't need to stick to standard 3"x 6" tiles. Smaller scale 1"x 2" or an elongated 2"x 12" are popular departures from the typical size.

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I know you don't mind the pattern, but who says you need to stick to running bond? Run the tile vertically instead or, for even more of a modern flair, horizontally stack the tile in parallel columns. The herringbone pattern offers visual variety on a backsplash. It is anything but boring, even using a plain old white ceramic tile.

Hope that I gave you a different perspective on a kitchen classic! - Danielle

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