Tag Archives: renovation

The Best New Trends in Kitchen Tile & Back Splashes.

24 Thursday Apr 2025

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1. Single Slab Back Splashes

Traditional tile back splashes are being replaced by single slabs of materials like marble, granite, and quartz. These slabs create a sleek, polished look and are easier to clean and maintain. For a minimalist look, keep the material the same on both counter and back splash. To bring in that maximalist vibe, that is so popular now, explore patterns, bookended slabs and color blocking.

2. Bold Hues

While white kitchens remain timeless, vibrant colors are making a comeback. Bright greens, navy blues, and metallics are popular choices for back splashes, adding a dramatic and lively touch to the kitchen. Don’t be afraid of color – bold hues express your personality and say ” I am not afraid to make a statement”!

Photo from Martha Stewart Living

3. Unexpected Colors

Neutral tones are being challenged by surprising bursts of color. Designers are using colors like pink, neon green and other bright hues to create eye-catching and unique back splashes. A visit to your local tile store will open up a whole new world of colors and patterns you may not know even existed.

4. High Contrast Designs

Bold contrasts, such as black and white or dark green against blue shades, are becoming trendy. These high-contrast designs make the back splash a focal point and add dynamic energy to the kitchen. Contrast can be more than just color, mixing and matching materials like glass or metal with multi dimensional texture also highlights this high contrast trend.

5. Creative Grout Choices

Grout is no longer just white. Using contrasting grout colors like black, blue, tan, or green can significantly change the look of a back splash, making it more striking and unique. Here again, go for fresh colors and unexpected palettes. You can also experiment with grout width. Wider spacing is becoming more accepted and adds another level of interest.

.6. Textured and Patterned Tiles

Textured tiles and intricate patterns are gaining popularity. These designs add depth and interest to the kitchen, making the back splash a piece of art. One of the best new trends for the kitchen are ethnic and organic patterns that bring a worldly sophistication to your room.

Photo From Martha Stewart Living

7. Extended Back splashes

Back splashes are no longer limited to the space between the counter top and cabinets. Extending the back splash to cover entire walls or larger areas is a growing trend, creating a cohesive and expansive look. Be creative – tile a facing wall or around a doorway with your back splash material for that feeling of being in an inclusive space!

8. Eco-Friendly Materials

Sustainable and eco-friendly materials are becoming more common in kitchen designs. Recycled glass, reclaimed wood, and other environmentally friendly options are being used for back splashes. Talk to your interior designer or architect about what eco friendly materials are native to your region. Let your back splash tell a story of where you live.

For all of your design needs, contact Steven Edward Wallace Design at stevenedwardwallace@gmail.com, @stevenedwardwallacedesign or call 925.915.1005

How To Update A Small Bathroom!

25 Tuesday Apr 2023

Posted by in home, Home renovation, interior design, lifestyle, real estate

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Recently I was asked by a client to help with a bathroom remodel they badly needed. We were unable to enlarge the space due to adjoining rooms, but she wanted to know – “How can I make a small space look bigger than it is?”

Bathrooms can be tricky because there is rarely much continuous, uninterrupted space. Mirrors, shower doors, tub surrounds can all make the room seem cut up. If you don’t need a bathtub, remove the shower/tub combo and create a big walk in shower.

Square tiles are currently a trending look. Use large format tiles, 18″ or more, if possible. Keep the grout lines to a minimum and match your grout to your tile for a more cohesive look. Laying subway style horizontally elongates a room, while installing vertically gives you a visual of volume. . Be careful with mixing patterns. If you like a marble look quartz counter top, use a simpler floor tile.

I’ve never been a fan of the vessel sink, the ones that sit on top of the vanity. They add another dimension that is just not needed and waste counter space. For a classic, clean look use simple, wide porcelain under mount sinks.  Wall mounted cabinets expose more floor space – their minimal footprint modernizes any space!

Color is important… gaudy colors are not helpful when you first wake up in the morning! Paint your bath a soothing color like ochre, cream or anything organic in base. Strive for that spa, Zen like feeling. If you need color, bring it in with your towels and counter accessories.

Lighting is also key, not only in how it can affect the look of the space, but how it reflects YOU. Install a few ceiling can lights, but also add sconces to the left and right of the mirror. This lighting is very flattering and makes putting on makeup or shaving easier by lighting the whole face, and not leaving shadows on the lower half.

Store anything and everything you can away. Cut out niches in the walls make use of even the littlest available space. Stow toiletries away when not in use.  Open shelving lets light through. Remember, clutter is the enemy here. Towels rolled in a basket keep them fresh and tidy. Always use frameless shower doors – another easy and effective change, it will open up your room like nothing else.

For more tips and design ideas, contact Steven Edward Wallace Design!

Hello Room, Nice To Meet You!

31 Wednesday Aug 2022

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Sometimes we have to look at our rooms like we have never met before. We live in our homes every day and often need to step away to get a fresh perspective -the placement of furniture, color on the walls, carpet on the floor. Could being too familiar with your home be holding you back from creating the rooms you really want?

For many of us, it’s hard to make the effort to redecorate because the idea alone exhausts us. We give up before even beginning. This is sad, as our environment should stimulate us and provide us with enjoyment, not be a burden.

Look at 3 easy ways to get yourself out of a funk and get your design mojo on:

Take a break. When I go on vacation, I love the feeling of coming back home and walking into the house. I see the rooms and furnishings differently after a short absence. Sometimes I look around and am pleased, but often I see things that I didn’t notice before – like how a chair fabric takes on a different hue or how the sunlight is washing a wall. Not everyone can take a holiday, but even a small time away, even a work day, can give you the break you need. Play a game with your family. Ask them to  turn away and describe the room. Then have them turn back. What they see when really looking can be very revealing and it may tell you where to start!

For more info: stevenedwardwallace@gmail.com

Stow it away. There is an old rule that applies to fashion and travel. When you dress in the morning, look in the mirror and remove one accessory. When you pack, take one thing our of the suitcase before closing. In both cases, that extra item wasn’t needed at all. The same thing with interior design. Clutter is the enemy. Over time you may have collected one too many vases/pictures/plants. Just by removing that one thing, you have changed the dynamics of the room. One less pillow, one less gift from your Mother-in-Law and eventually you will see the space and shape of the room, not just what’s in it. This is a big move to understand the potential for creating a fresh new space.

Forget the rules. Nowhere is it carved in stone that the bed has to be on the “bed wall” or the cocktail table in front of the sofa. Play with your space, move things around, try seeing your rooms as more than you think they are. Recently a friend bought a small condo with a sleeping alcove but no place for a dining table. We removed the bed, got him a sleeper sofa and made the alcove into a real place for dining. Suddenly he was able to utilize the whole space. When he entertained, he  could accommodate more people. By letting the sofa do double duty, he made three usable areas out of two.. Consider your rooms and what they could be if there weren’t labels attached. Open your mind to what they could be. How fun is that?

By doing these few things, you will be on your way to exciting new rooms and be ready for your best life Any journey begins with the first step. But don’t just take a step – make the leap!