Thursday 20 June 2013

TO TILE OR NOT TO TILE!

TILES OR WOOD? 







I can't tell you how many hours I have spent on my computer in the past few days researching tiles - all tiles - but especially en caustic tiles! I know I've brought this subject up before, but I still haven't resolved this issue yet and after today's site meeting,  I now have a day left to do so!

I have now developed a 'thing' about these tiles but  Mr R-I is convinced that I 'will grow tired' of these tiles and that it will cost a fortune and be a 'helluva mess' to rectify this in future. He is certainly right about the mess side of things! 

I am usually hugging the safe-side of traditional and yet I think these gorgeous tiles are traditional in a way and are also fun!   I am all for colour and moving away from the eternal safe neutrals.

The most important part of this decision is whether to use timber or tiles in the kitchen.  The kitchen flows into a sitting area as well as into a pantry.  I had a timber floor in my kitchen on the farm and grew to love it.  Tiles are more hygienic I know and easier to keep clean too.  I dont necessarily want to use a neutral tile or slate but perhaps something colourful - ie en caustic.  Bathrooms probably lend themselves to tiles of colour..but mostly on the walls 

What do you all think and are there any tile or timber owners who have strong views on the subject?





I like this tile


Colourful Bathrooms below 












Various kitchens with various floors


Slate floor

Love this tile!

Warm timber

Black and white

Lovely wooden floor


48 comments:

  1. Hi Jenny This question was posed to Phoebe Howard in today's post. The link is here http://www.mrshowardpersonalshopper.com. The main reason Phoebe gives for using timber is that it is easier on your legs when working in the kitchen for any length of time. I've also always found that if you drop something in the kitchen on tiles it breaks whereas on timber it bounces. I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you though as you have impeccable taste. Bonita xx

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    1. Hi Bonita... I totally agree that timber is easier on the legs - and I do spend lots of time in the kitchen. Thanks so much for providing the link ... and anyway, I adore Phoebe Howard's style too! Have a lovely weekend! xx

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  2. Tough tough tough...Going through the post and analyzing your language and pictures you seem a little more swayed with the tiles. In Australia, you have the weather for tiles. It can make more of a visual impact. They are both wipe-able easily though breakages as Bonita says is less forgiving...I say go with your heart. Only one is more practical than the other and if you were to remodel then it's a mess anyway! Good luck xx

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    1. Tough it is!! Have managed to persuade the builder to give me a few more days... going out to a couple of tile places today! Problem with 'going with my heart' is that I love them both really... Oh wow.. just seen that the Queen's horse won Ascot!!.... she looks adorable in Lavender... thrilled for her! Thanks Naomi!! xx

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  3. Bonita has great points about choosing timber over tiles. But those tiles are beautiful. I'm for the tiles.

    Now, if the wooden floor will have the same effect as in the last photo--sort of varnished/lacquered, then I'll go for it instead. Dark wood rather than light if you decide to go for the wood.

    Goodluck! x

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    Replies
    1. I agree re the darker colour... I had wood everywhere on the farm.. so know how lovely it is too!! I't just that I've seen lots and lots of love tiled interiors lately and am drawn to them all of a sudden! I loved your recent tongue in cheek post on social media ... Hillarious! xx

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  4. much older sister Susan20 June 2013 at 09:16

    Hi Jenny. I followed you over from Joanie's blog (for the love of a house). For over 13 years we have had neutral colored 18 inch porcelain tile (set on the diagonal) in all of our house with the exception of bamboo floors in the bedrooms. We have the tiles set on the diagonal which makes the spaces look so much bigger. I absolutely love the tiles especially in the kitchen! The tiles are so easy to keep clean. We have two big dogs and they can leave little drops (slobber) on the bamboo that ends up showing when it drys. Only con is that tiles can be hard on your feet but I still wouldn't have anything else. Porcelain tiles are so much harder than ceramic too and none of ours have cracked. Our house sits on crazy soil here in Texas too. Hope this helps.

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    1. Hello Susan.. Thanks so much for stopping by! I also love tiles set on the diagonal - We have two little Shih Tzus - and it is a struggle keeping the floors clean with them around! The down-side of wooden floors -( to some this might be the upside) is that it is difficult to see when the floors are really dirty!!!.... I can't tell you how many times I've actually got down on my knees with alarming results!! xx

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    2. much older sister Susan20 June 2013 at 16:22

      I did see that you have two precious little dogs. We have two big granddogs, boxers. They live with us and we adore them even though they do bring in the dirt. I vacuum and dust once a day!

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    3. and not to mention how often we needed to bath these two lovlies when we lived on the farm!!... I couldn't imagine a life without dogs. I love Boxers ... why are they granddogs though?.. do they belong to one of your children? ... One of mine belongs to one of my daughters!!!

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    4. much older sister Susan21 June 2013 at 17:07

      They belonged to our son and daughter-in-law. Their life style changed and since we have a big back yard (they are house dogs though) and a lot of love we got them!! I actually BEGGED to get them. That was seven years ago. My house is really a big dog house now, but we love it!

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    5. Well then ... everyone got lucky!! I wouldn't ever consider a life without dogs!! When we lived on our farm which we recently sold, we would open the door and they would scamper outside and stay there for hours. I think they miss the farm so much. They love each other so much and are never more than a few inches apart!

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  5. I'd only be concerned about the join between the tiles vs wood floors in the living area - is the kitchen reasonably separated or very open plan? If it's really open plan then I'd go with wood, if it's slightly separated, then I'd go with the tile. I think tile, while unforgiving on plates that are dropped, is a great and practical surface. If you end up worried about the aching leg factor you could always get those gel core floor mats for the work areas (the ones chefs use on the floors). I do love the look of the encaustic tile though, and as it's a traditional tile, I don't think it would date badly. I really think you need to go with what you love - if you've got a strong feeling for them, then go with it! Tiles by Kate in Sydney has a good range of the encaustic tiles too if you're looking.... xx

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    1. Hello Heidi... there are two nib-walls on either side of the kitchen, as well as ceiling height change between the kitchen and living. and I think the divide could be well managed - ie two planks of wood running across the divide and then laid length wise in the living room. I'm feeling re-inspired now and have just googled Tiles by Kate and am going over there today. Thanks SO much xx

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  6. Go the Tiles.

    You know you want to.

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    1. I want to FF and I am going to!!... Just spent the morning at a tile shop and am now starting to get very excited!! Will post once I've decided! Thanks!!

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  7. Tiles! Tiles! Tiles!

    We will be entering the great Flooring Debate soon, if we ever get our DA in!

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    1. Thanks Ruth! Found some lovely tiles and the end of last week. I am quite excited about them. Now just trying to work out about the divide in the kitchen/living! Good luck getting your DA in! xx

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  8. Ji Jenny, This is the exact dilemma I recently had. I eventually went with the timber to keep the 'flow' and continuity of the open floor plan. I had perviously had tiles throughout and they had chipped when things dropped on them. It took 3 days to jackhammer 80 square metres of them off! I also thought of polishing the concrete slab as well. It took me about 3 months to decide!! I am really happy with the timber and they are so easy to clean. Do love the look of some of these tiles you showed though. I wonder what you decided? Tonkath

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    1. Hi Tonkath... Thanks for leaving a comment!... I have now decided to use timber in the whole kitchen living area!!... Am very happy with my choice!.. I've chosen a lovely patterned tile for the gallery( hall)... Whew!!... And now on to the next decision!... Tiles get icy very easily.. Even in temperate weather and standing on cold tiles while cooking would be very uncomfortable! Having to lift those tiles must have been horrendous!! X

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    2. You won't be sorry - I think the 'flow' is important and yes, tiles can be very cold. The bathroom was the only area where we laid tiles again as our area was kitchen, dining, family, formal entry, laundry and bathroom all tiled previously. I ended up with a polished concrete look tile for bathroom as I liked that look. They look great in the 'wet room' bathroom. The timber in the laundry looks great, too My son who is an architect was very keen for me to have some coloured tiles very similar to some that you showed, for the bathroom floor .The sort of Morrocan ones - but I wasn't brave enough, even though I love them. I hate making those big decisions!! Lifting tiles was horrendous and so was cleaning up all the cement dust from the screed they were laid on. Took three men three days solid.. Now agonising over dining table and chair choices! Anyway, enjoy the journey - it's exciting! Tonkath

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