After designing thousands of tile and stone projects in her nearly three decade long career, Alissandre Haas opened Tile Fever in her hometown of Sausalito in 2020, a boutique studio showcasing artisan tile and natural stone. “The larger tile companies continue to import mass-produced, machine-style tile in overly predictable colors and sizes,” Haas says. “But I see a new movement in demand for handmade artisan tile and natural stone with texture and body — this is where Tile Fever thrives.”
Here, Haas shares four top tile design trends and tips.
Embrace the Unexpected
Get creative with patterns, shapes and natural stone texture. “Materials with natural variation, texture and body are replacing the typical expected, “safe” porcelain tile,” Haas says.
Take Inspiration from Nature
“We’re noticing clients are wanting to choose a color palette that matches our beautiful Marin landscape,” Haas says. “Green is trending this year. It makes us feel close to nature.”
Make a Statement on a Budget
When cost seems like an obstacle, find a creative design solution that still makes an impact. “If you find a tile you love that is out of your budget, find a way to use it in a smaller, more visible place in the room,” Haas says.
Use Tile in New Ways
We usually think of using tile in bathrooms and kitchens, but there are so many other areas of the home where it provides an eye-catching accent. “The entry or mudroom area is a great place to add a pop of interest with a tile pattern like a checkerboard or with natural stone cut into a shape,” Haas explains.
Lotus Abrams has covered everything from beauty to business to tech in her editorial career, but it might be writing about her native Bay Area that inspires her most. She lives with her husband and two daughters in the San Francisco Peninsula, where they enjoy spending time outdoors at the area’s many open spaces protected and preserved by her favorite local nonprofit, the Peninsula Open Space Trust.