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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Love it or Leave it: Subway Tile

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{House Beautiful}

We are about to remodel our kitchen- nothing too major, just new countertops, a new backsplash and a nice coat of paint on our maple cabinets. I’m thinking we’ll go with white or greige paint on the cabinets. I was really glad to see that you all still love white cabinetry. So, my next question is on subway tile. Is this another classic that just happens to have oversaturated the blog reader’s psyche or is it a trend that we need to move away from? What are your thoughts on subway tile- love it or leave it?

kitchens - Painted Cabinets Subway Tile backsplash Haskell Harris farmhouse sink  Haskell Harris kitchen  subway tiles, farmhouse sink, taupe

{Haskell Harris}

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{Tommy Smythe}

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{Meredith Heron}

49 comments:

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

Love it! Without a doubt! It's a classic! Investing in classic elements is always a smart choice. You save money because you don't have to renovated any time soon.

Have a wonderful day, Paloma.

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Jordana said...

Still love subway tiles! I think they're classic.

Is there a special kind of white paint that's best to use when painting wood cabinets?

Shawna said...

Love, Love, Love it!

Anonymous said...

I love it. I'm British and see it as being so archetypally American. I want it for my kitchen.

ashley said...

Love it. It's classic - keeps a modern kitchen grounded.

- Ashley
http://www.thiscitygirlslookonlife.blogspot.com/

Alex {Things That Sparkle} said...

Love it love it love. Its a classic for a reason!

Andrea said...

Still love it. I want my backsplash and firplace in marble subway tiles - in a herringbone pattern. A classic.

Unknown said...

A classic that can be re-interpreted and freshened up in so many ways from the color, the texture, how it is installed to how it is grouted. Lots of staying power here...good luck with your remodel, can't wait to follow along!

Cathy

Jami - XOimagine said...

LOVE it girl!! You can't go wrong. I especially love the 3rd image. Very cool.

XO - Jami
i m a g i n e

Design Junkie said...

I still like subway tiles. I used marble in a guest bath and I love that interpretation for a kitchen as well.

Anonymous said...

I love it, and am currently redoing our bathroom this summer with it. I think it's classic and great for a home with a "clean" palette.

H.G. The Countess said...

I still love, although my heart lies with chevron.

Anonymous said...

I love it and plan to use it in my house real soon hopefully! This was one job that didn't get done before we moved into our farmhouse and has been put on the back burner. I think it's a classic!

claudia b said...

I like it for the clean lines, but right now the blogosphere is so overly saturated with this that I'm not sure I would choose it.

Emily said...

ADORE it. My sister just redid her kitchen and it looks strikingly similar to that last picture. A lil marble, a lil subway tile, clean lines, white...what's not to love.
--Emily
mendlerleapsandbounds.blogspot.com

charlene said...

love the last kitchen!

i never thought that i would like grey on a kitchen!

xxoo

http://charleneileen.com/

Nikki said...

I still love it! I've tried not to use it at all in my current little house because I know once I make my Husband install it, he'll never want to do it again ;)

meenal @ maison marigold said...

i love subway tiles..a classic..and the nay-sayers will change their minds once they see these beautiful images! have a lovely day, paloma..do check out an awww-inspiring post on my blog today! xx meenal

travelkate said...

100% here to stay! It is a definite classic!

My Little Bungalow said...

LOVE IT for sure. There's a reason it's still around after all these years. It can be contemporary or vintage, subtle or bold. So versatile!

Dre said...

Agree- LOVE IT! So classic, timeless, and clean. Beautiful!

Jessie said...

Subway tiles are classic for a reason, it's beautiful, timeless and versatile, especially marble subway tiles.

The first kitchen is gorgeous by the way!

Jessie
www.mixandchic.com

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, but I disagree!

There's got to be something not quite so overused. I feel like most things out there are just repeats of what we've seen OVER AND OVER and yes, I'm tired of the subway tile! Sorry to be the only nay-sayer...

Fifi said...

I would like to swap my tiny galley kitchen in my tiny London flat for one of these kitchens. In fact I would happily live in any of these kitchens especially the first one. Divine!

Kristy @ I Design Love said...

Subway tiles are classic and timeless! I love them...

Unknown said...

Love it. Paired with white upper shelving and dark lower cabinets, I think it strikes the perfect balance between classic and fresh.

ellegray said...

Love it! Classic, clean, and a fabulous background for other design elements. Both of my bathrooms are white subway tile walls with white honeycomb tile floor.

Krista Salmon said...

Love it. A forever classic. We just did a similar reno to our kitchen- http://kikis-list.blogspot.com/2011/04/turning-house-into-home.html

When choosing your paint-- go with the Benjamin Moore Satin Impervo. Perfect amount of sheen (not too glossy) and it holds up really well. Also, have your painter spray it on so that you can see the wood grain through the paint instead of brush strokes.)

Good Luck, can't wait to see the results!
K.

Between The Boxwood said...

I love them! We have them in our kitchen and I NEVER look at them and wish they were different. I can't even think of what else we would have used. I will try and send you a picture!

Chloe said...

I love subway tiles- though none of the photos you posted really represented how good they can look. I think one of the most important things with subway tile is picking the right counter tops and making sure you down light it. Subway tiles can look fabulous and timeless you just have to do it right- and they get used poorly all the time because people think oh it's timeless and classic how can I go wrong...well they can. White subway tiles with dark counter tops or white subway tiles with white counter tops(not gray marble but white) are a fabulous way to go...make sure to down light it- its all in the lighting.

Unknown said...

I didn't think I would like it much but these pictures are wonderful! So, I change my mind. I am all for it! Love the white on white.
xoxo
-linh
http://la-lalinh.blogspot.com

Courtney said...

I love it and since it's timeless, it's great when you try to sell your home. Please keep us posted on the color you choose for your cabinets...

SAM said...

Classic.

Jennifer @ Belclaire House said...

Love it! It will never go out of style.

paperjunk-lc said...

I keep thinking one day I'll tire of it but it's still my favorite. There are so many versions now. I think it's a classic that is here to stay.

Anonymous said...

Subway tile is like a strand of pearls or a LBD. Timeless.

Marcus Design said...

Phew! So glad everyone still loves it, cause I just put them up in my own kitchen. Not only are they classic and pretty, they can be kind on the wallet if you don't have a huge budget!!
Nancy xo

Stacy CUrran said...

Ok, other than the one anonymous comment, I guess I'm the only one who is truly is and tired of it! I guess I'm tired of clients saying "do you know what subway tile is?" although these kitchens are all beautiful, I would have chosen different tile

Lisa Mende Design said...

Love subway tiles but also like using a single slab of marble as the backsplash...just a thought...

Rock Paper Scissors said...

You'll never tire of it... Always a classic!

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

I am still a fan... yet can't decide if i will use them in my next kitchen since I have them now!

thoughts running through my head.... said...

I've got an Edwardiam flat in London and the bathroom runs off the kitchen, which is standard in the area I live so I had subway tiles put in my kitchen and bathroom to keep the continuity, I still love them several years later!

Debbie said...

It's safe. It's basic. It's a little boring.

I don't love it but I don't not love it. I think it's a lot better than doing some dinky little accent row, but not as great as a full expanse of handpainted tiles could be.

Claire Gibson King said...

Love it! will be installing it in my kitchen shortly. if you love it..then do it, you will regret it if you don't.

UCW said...

I love subway tiles! I am currently working on my all white kitchen and Am thinking of going with white glass subway tiles for a modern twist. I would love to know your thoughts....


http://thevoiceiignore.blogspot.com/

Thanks!!

el {what you fancy} said...

I don't think subway tiles will ever go out of style... they're so timeless and chic. They also provide a cottage-y feel too. Whatever home I end up buying, I will definitely be changing the tiles to subway :)
~el
http://www.whatyoufancy.co.uk

Anonymous said...

Love it! There are other, beautiful options, obviously, but it's a classic that will always be with us, with good reason!

Anonymous said...

Love it love it love it!

Subway tiles have been around since 1904 so I don't think they're going anywhere, but if you want to use them in a way that's a bit more unique than what we're seeing splashed all over the magazines and blog-o-sphere, feel free to look at my post on "10 different ways to use subway tile"...I sketched out some new patterns like a Herringbone or a Vertical Offset Joint that you might find interesting.

Cheers!

http://tiletramp.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/10-creative-ways-to-use-subway-tile/

Kitchen Benchtops said...

Those images are beautiful of the kitchens and I'm with you subtle veining is best.