Poll: Floor tile pattern?

[315]

We are using a gray 12 x 24 6 x 24 travertine for the floor tile. We discussed possibly
laying it in the diagonal for our galley kitchen. We definitely want it to be staggered. I guess that's called brick bond or something like that.

We have about 4 feet width. Do you think that it's too narrow for the diagonal pattern or should we lay it horizontal to the cabinets, running length-wise?

[mrs.jacinthe]

I originally voted for horizontal, but I've changed my mind. I think a pattern like this might be nice, especially if you're doing a contrast-ish grout:



I think doing a 12x24 tile on the diagonal would be odd, especially in a 4' wide space, but I can't find any pictures of it done like that. Do you have an inspiration picture?

[TBM]

I kind of like the idea of the diagonal. I've seen it done with wood floors in a kitchen and it was stunning, and not just because it was wood, but because of the impact that the direction had on the space.

Running the tile lengthwise may make your kitchen seem longer and narrower....like a bowling lane.

[FoxInFiji]

Jan 23, 2013 20:14:36 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

I originally voted for horizontal, but I've changed my mind. I think a pattern like this might be nice, especially if you're doing a contrast-ish grout:


I think doing a 12x24 tile on the diagonal would be odd, especially in a 4' wide space, but I can't find any pictures of it done like that. Do you have an inspiration picture?

This.  Draw it out to scale including the grout lines and you'll quickly see how it will look as a whole.  I love diagonal (did it in both bathrooms) but in such a skinny space and with a 2:1 ratio rectangular tile I think it will look odd.  A pattern like this would look nice.  In such a skinny space running the tiles perpendicular to the cabinets across the 4' width will help make the space feel wider.  Parallel to the cabinets will make it feel even more long and skinny.  I hate to say it but a slightly smaller tile would have helped the space feel bigger.  If you run the tile perpendicular to the cabinets you'll only see 1-3 grout lines which isn't desirable.

Side Note: 12x24 is a large format tile.  Large format tile should never be laid in a 50% offset only a 33% offset or less.  That means each tile is 1/3 offset from the previous row.  You can't do a classic running bond pattern of 1/2 tile because large format tiles are cupped and putting the lowest spot of the tile next to the highest spot only accentuated the unevenness.  You'll still have uneven tiles because it is the nature of large format tiles (especially when they are in natural stone which is even more uneven) but choosing the right pattern can help camouflage it. 

ETA:  That offset can be hard to visualize so here's a photo... 

We used the same size tile in our master bathroom shower with a 33% offset running vertically.  It was a nightmare to try to get flat and even with being very picky about it there is still a lot of uneven tile you can see up close. 

[TBM]

The more I think about it, the more I think that it will look in whatever direction you decide. I was looking at photos of similar tile and even in narrow spaces it didn't look bowling alley like or anything.

I am kind of curious how big the grout line will be and what color the grout will be. That seems to make the most difference in the overall effect of the layout.

[Deleted]

I think I like the herringbone too, but it's just a gut reaction. I have no idea how it would actually look.

[adlove]

I'm inclined to say herringbone as well. Gives a little more visual interest. What color grout are you using?

[315]

Update: we spoke to the tile store about doing a smaller tile. We are now going with a 6 x 24 tile.

[315]

Jan 24, 2013 11:14:04 GMT -5 @charky said:

What about herringbone? Not the best pic:

H's direct response to herringbone: "I don't want that fruity sh!t in my kitchen." He's so eloquent. I also love how he has such strong design opinions.

[kitty]

Why did you want to change to a smaller tile? I think grout is the debil!

[315]

Jan 24, 2013 2:15:20 GMT -5 FoxInFiji said:

Jan 23, 2013 20:14:36 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

I originally voted for horizontal, but I've changed my mind. I think a pattern like this might be nice, especially if you're doing a contrast-ish grout:


I think doing a 12x24 tile on the diagonal would be odd, especially in a 4' wide space, but I can't find any pictures of it done like that. Do you have an inspiration picture?

This.  Draw it out to scale including the grout lines and you'll quickly see how it will look as a whole.  I love diagonal (did it in both bathrooms) but in such a skinny space and with a 2:1 ratio rectangular tile I think it will look odd.  A pattern like this would look nice.  In such a skinny space running the tiles perpendicular to the cabinets across the 4' width will help make the space feel wider.  Parallel to the cabinets will make it feel even more long and skinny.  I hate to say it but a slightly smaller tile would have helped the space feel bigger.  If you run the tile perpendicular to the cabinets you'll only see 1-3 grout lines which isn't desirable.

Side Note: 12x24 is a large format tile.  Large format tile should never be laid in a 50% offset only a 33% offset or less.  That means each tile is 1/3 offset from the previous row.  You can't do a classic running bond pattern of 1/2 tile because large format tiles are cupped and putting the lowest spot of the tile next to the highest spot only accentuated the unevenness.  You'll still have uneven tiles because it is the nature of large format tiles (especially when they are in natural stone which is even more uneven) but choosing the right pattern can help camouflage it. 

ETA:  That offset can be hard to visualize so here's a photo... 

We used the same size tile in our master bathroom shower with a 33% offset running vertically.  It was a nightmare to try to get flat and even with being very picky about it there is still a lot of uneven tile you can see up close. 

I like this 1/3 stagger. A lot. I am going to ask H tonight what he thinks.

[315]

Jan 24, 2013 16:50:30 GMT -5 kitty said:

Why did you want to change to a smaller tile? I think grout is the debil!

They weren't readily available in the larger size + we were concerned about the large size in the 4 foot of floor space that's showing.

[kitty]

Forgive me in advance if these PIPs are huge.

We have 20x20 tile in our galley kitchen. We did 50% overlap even though you are not supposed to and it turned out fine. We have three tiles across in the kitchen:



And then it goes to two tiles across for the hallway leading to the laundry and the half bath:


We did 12x20s in the half bath, which is just under 5 feet wide:


We probably don't have enough grout lines according to some rules but I am anti grout and very happy with the result.

[315]

Kitty, those tiles look great. Thanks for all the great pics.

[pitterwoo]

huh, thanks for sharing those pictures kitty because I would not have thought tiles that large would have looked good. but they do!

[FoxInFiji]

Hey 315 if you get the the rough dimensions of the space and the grout joints you're planning to use I can alter the CAD file I made of the shower tile to show you what that looks like with 6x24 tile in different patterns.

ETA: So some notes on the large format tile cupping I was talking about.  Large format square is much easier to lay than large format rectangle because large format square cups in the center and is relatively even around the edges.  The center is the same distance from the center all around.  Large format rectangle will be relatively even on the long ends from the center but because the sides are a shorter distance from the center those areas will be higher or lower (depending on if the cup is up or down).  We used 18x18 tiles in both bathroom floors and they were hard to lay but not nearly as hard as the 12x24 tiles in the shower.  The 3x21 and 3x18 pieces used around the 18x18 tiles on the master bathroom floor where freakin' impossible to lay flat!  Much, much harder than the 12x24 or the 18x18 tiles.  The bigger the aspect ratio on the rectangular tile the more the cupping is on the edges. 

So kitty the square tile are not nearly as bad as the rectangular tiles are.  And 315 the 6x24 will be more uneven than the 12x24.  Just so you're aware of what you're getting.  Does that make sense? 

[FoxInFiji]

OK here are some of the layouts discussed. The tiles are 6x24 with a 1/8" grout line (I like tight grout lines and this is about as tight as you can get a 24" tile).  There is a grout joint in there I swear it's just looking blurred together because of the format. The room outline I used was 4' wide and 15' long.


bigger image

Hmm I'm stuck on what I would pick with this tile.  What does everyone think?  If you do do the diagonal make sure you angle it toward where you want your eye to draw.  I put it up and to the left because that angle toward the exterior wall with the windows and draws your eye down the space not toward you. 

HTH

[kitty]

IMO it depends on whether you want the floor to stand out and be the star of the room or if you want it to just be a floor.

Also, what are the backsplash plans?

[315]

Fox, you are so so sweet. Thanks for the sketches. I have pics of the floor tile. Will start a new post.

kitty, we are doing a mosaic backsplash tile.