Subway tile is having a moment, and you’ll find every size, style and configuration at Guhde Flooring America

By Patricia Nugent

Having spent their careers in the flooring and home renovation industry, the dynamic husband-wife duo of Shawn Rosa and Monica Guhde-Rosa, who manage the front office and sales operations at Guhde Flooring America, have their fingers on the pulse of emerging trends in Northeast Ohio.

Looking back on the past year in home design, one of the hottest trends is actually a mainstay look that’s been around for over a century: subway tiles.

“This is one of those timeless and enduring looks that people are having fun with,” says Shawn. “I don’t think it’s possible for subway tiles to ever look dated. We’ve installed them on many kitchen and bath renovations this year.”

Stretching the Limits
The provenance of the subway tile is purely American. In 1904, designers created the classic white 3x6 inch rectangular tiles in New York City’s very first subways. They were laid in what’s known as a classic repeating bond pattern.

“Old-school subway tiles have come a long way since then,” says Monica. “Today’s tiles are getting bigger, with a multitude of sizes up to 3x12 inches and 8x16 inches, and are being laid in interesting patterns, such as herringbone or vertically for a more modern feeling.”

In addition to size and configuration, they explain that texture is another design frontier, and many styles now have undulation and waves or bevels for a three-dimensional effect.

Boldly Go
The classic white shade that worked so well at the turn of the century has morphed into hundreds of colors. “We’re doing lots of pale grays and barely-there minty greens,” says Shawn. “Interior designers love to create border treatments to throw attention to a certain space. And it’s also neat to make a bold statement and take chances on an accent wall or bar area with matte black tiles and black grout.”

Finishes are part of the evolution, too. A brilliant metallic finish or reflective glass swings modern, while aged patinas go with more rustic or farmhouse spaces.

Playing around with the grout colors can create a subtle geometric effect. It’s all about adding movement within a design.

“We’re seeing lots of homeowners turn the supporting role of subway tiles into a room’s most dramatic focal point by mixing up the colors or running them up a whole wall by a range hood,” says Shawn.

Bathroom Update
Monica says with the bigger new showers they are installing, it’s a smart idea to select a larger format subway tile, as big as 12-by-36-inches, so the space is visually expanded and is easier to clean with less grout.

“In the end, it’s all about scale, symmetry and balance—which size will work best with everything else you have going on in your dream kitchen or bath,” she continues. “Make an appointment to come into our showroom and explore the possibilities. We love to take clients through the what-ifs and mix and match our samples, sending them home with folks so they can view them in their potential new space.”

Guhde Flooring America is located at 7200 Center Street, Suite 100, in Mentor. Access to the showroom and parking are in the back of the building. Backed by the buying power of a 500-store nationwide retail flooring group, Guhde Flooring America offers its clients some of the lowest prices and best warranties in the industry. Call 440-639-1990 or visit GuhdeFlooringAmerica.com.