Kitchen Trinkets Re-Imagined...

One of my kitchen design mentors would refer to backsplash tile as “kitchen jewelry,” explaining that the best time to select it was after all other finishes were installed.

Timing the selection this way gave the designer and client a chance to accessorize, just as we might pick cufflinks to accent a special suit, or a splashy necklace to add “sparkle” to an evening gown.

While I don’t necessarily agree with his timing, I do think this season’s new tile offerings can add whimsy, luxurious elegance, and beautiful variety to every kitchen style.
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Here are my favorite tiles for Fall 2022…

"...this season’s new tile offerings can add a touch of whimsy, luxurious elegance, and beautiful variety to every kitchen style."

Inspired by Popsicles…
These glass mosaic tiles from Daltile come in 1” x 1” or 1” x 6” sizes and in three “flavors:” Lime Glow, Orange Russet and Lemon Popsicle.  These are the perfect accessories for contemporary kitchen cabinetry that's finished in a deep black/brown. Or they are the appropriate foil for a retro, white kitchen.  

Nifty Fifties…
With its Panoramic Porcelain, Daltile delves further into nostalgia with the Urban Farago pattern. Inspired by terrazzo, a composite material that’s been around for ages, Urban Farago is a 6mm material whose application includes solid backsplashes (for that no-grout line backsplash approach, shown here) and as a countertop. This material’s black, white and gray chips beautifully ground the exuberant colors in this kitchen.

A Nod to Craftsmanship
William Morris inspires one of The Tile Shop’s latest offerings called, “Pure Net.”  It’s a subtle, 13” square, porcelain tile that softly accents traditional and transitional kitchens. It’s so beautiful that no other accent pieces are needed.  Its distinctive yet subtle design will inspire you to tile from ceiling line to countertop with no fear of overwhelming the rest of your kitchen design.

Looks like cement but doesn’t act like it…
There is a dizzying amount of information out there regarding the pros and cons of cement tiles.  However, I think Garden State Tile's Arista encaustic-like tile negates all the con arguments.  While it looks like a cement tile, it is made of porcelain.  For you, this means it’s sealed and won’t stain.  I love the thought of using these 8-3/4” square tiles in a transitional kitchen with strong colors (think navy or black with brass hardware).

​I hope you’ve been inspired to accessorize your new or existing kitchen with this blog.  If you would like my assistance, please know my services include kitchen design, cabinetry sales, window treatments, couture window draperies and more. 

Please reach out to me with your comments on the blog, or with ideas you’d like me to explore in future articles. I look forward to hearing from you!
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Lyons-Archer Kitchen and Interior Design has provided kitchen, interior and window treatment design for more than 10 years.  
I am proud to have created a design firm that offers an unique, curated kitchen design experience. I carry stock, semi-stock and custom cabinetry.  My product line includes Woodland and Prevo custom cabinetry, to provide a boutique, in-home individualized design, purchase and specification process for the discerning client.
 
Please contact me for other services, including bathroom and office design, space planning, couture draperies, window coverings and upholstery.  I can be reached at [email protected], or at 215-860-5059!