Is it me or............

[jjwq8]

Well it probably is me but...............

Why in the pictures of completed work, exemplary as they are, does there seem to be such a preponderance of brown tile or stone?

Is brown the new black?:D

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[oma]

Well, I'm no tilesetter, but I am a persistent observer of human beings and their habits. We live in a world where few want to make a real statement and everyone wants to appear neutral. Brown is a very neutral color. Doesn't offend anyone, isn't too bold in either direction, goes with most anything. That kind of describes most of the people I know :)

[DIYOHMY]

I think there may be a correlation to the real estate market, or more specifically, the trend of upgrading a home for resale purposes. Seems in my area the trend is growing, and the "neutral" colors, styles, etc. sell better because they look nice, but don't offend anyone. Creative and unique designs tend to occur more in owner occupied or permanent residences.

my $.02

[LadyGodiva]

Jeremy you're right. I was wondering the same thing. Went to the tile store and immediately the woman rushes me over to the browns, tans and sand coloured tiles. To me it looks so safe and blah :rolleyes:

[dian57]

I'm here to defend the 'safe and blah' crowd. I love bright colors, I love pastels and I love sparkly, glittery finishes. Somedays I love the monochromatic look, others, . . .you get the idea.

In the bones of my home, the permanent and expensive things like tile, countertops and furniture, I prefer to go with a neutral, classic look. I can always experiment with color in paint and accessories. These things are easily changed without breaking the bank.

Although I'm delighted when I see pictures of bright, creative mosaic backsplashes and tub surrounds, I think to myself, "What happens when they get tired of that?"

I've learned from experience that my taste changes too often to commit to anything but a neutral background for my creative side.

[jjwq8]

But why the colour of mud??

[John Bridge]

It ties in with the "stone look" that has been around for at least a decade.

[Hamilton]

Brown Tile and Brown grout hide dirt is what some believe. Mottled glazes
and discolored grout mix well for hiding where the real dirt is! :D

[tilesnake]

Check out some tile work from the 80's colorful?Yes! tastful? :uhh: :laugh2:

[LadyGodiva]

Tile, we had mauve in our bathroom (not by choice). It's long since been demolished and not a minute too soon.

I don't care for brown, but I don't mind some of the classy 'neutral' colours I've seen on this site.

[Davestone]

It seems the beige has been (in) for years like JB said..i think it's a fear of committing...or Jeremy is insane,,,either one. :yeah:

[flatfloor]

Hi Dian, how ya been? :)

[jjwq8]

I demand an apology. I am nowhere near Spain!

[Eric Philson]

Well, I'm installing 450 sq ft. right now. An entry, laundry, 2 baths and kitchen. New const. All the same tile. Guess what color. Brown. :bang:

[Shaughnn]

Mud brown is the almond-colored appliances and the Mayan White wall paint of the tile world. In ceramic and porcelain, it's the safe neutral that is appealing to folks. In natural stone, I think it has more to do with the limited palette of most of the stone available. I am very fond of reminding people, when they ask me about choosing tile, that "color is your friend!"
Incidently, does anyone know a manufacturer of "Tangerine orange" sanded grout?
Shaughnn

[dian57]

Hi, Jim. I've been freezing and yearning for spring, just like everyone else in NY. Soon, soon, I hope.

I'm still here to defend neutrals. My newly-rich (great second marriage) friend is doing one of her bathrooms in cobalt, neon yellow and white tile. Looks great and will continue to look great for years. I know her well and give her about 2, maybe less, years before she's sighing, "I just don't know about those colors, maybe I'll tear it out and go with lime green (or canteloupe or turquiose).

I've learned the hard way that trendy decorating (remember the Hunter green period) can be an expensive way to go.

Personally, I'm sticking with bisque, white and taupe.

[tileguytodd]

canteloupe
Thats a fruit, not a color,at least that aint no Mans color :)

I think Niki and i started a trend 10 years back (Locally at least).
Earth colors downstairs(browns ,tans,Greens etc)
Sky colors upstairs.(blues,whites,silvers,yellers etc)
Basements Get White on the walls and cielings.Tans on the floors and lots of lighting.(keeps things brite and cheery in the ol dungeon ) ;)
You oughta see the Pantry niki built.I tell ya,she's a goddess on a mission and will outwork most everyone I know.

The song shoulda gone like this ;)

If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life
you gotta make a farm girl your wife
If you wanna be happy and you know its true
Get a Farm Girl to marry you!! :D :D :D

[John Bridge]

I'm with Diane on professing neutrality, I mean neutral colors. ;)

I've told people for years to keep their floor areas neutral, to add color and pattern with accessories -- rugs, drapes, towels, furnishing, wallpaper -- things that are easily changed. Gotta tell you about my tile entryway that went through three tile switches in the space of about four years. :)

Bathroom walls are the same. I tell people to be careful with color when it comes to tile. A single band of color at about eye-level is about as far as I would go in a shower, for example. Tile is permanent. Don't want to be trying to change it every time you want to redecorate. :)

[tileguytodd]

Oh i agree John even though sometimes working with colors is alot more fun ;)
I wonder how much of that Mauve tile (remember cerim ;) )we put in years ago got yanked out 10 years later :D

[John Bridge]

I can remember all the Dal speckled four-and-a-quarter that they haven't made for about 20 years. Plastered that stuff all over Phoenix and Southern Cal. Blue specks, pink (rose) specks and, yes, avacado specks.

:D

[LadyGodiva]

Shaughn, colour might be our friend but I still had to get rid of the mauve carpeting and mauve tiles :bang:

My mother had to get rid of the hot pink in her bathroom, and my sister is only now removing the bright canary coloured toilet, sink and bath tub! Which brings me back to choosing some sort of beige and something ....

NOT BROWN!

[Davestone]

Yeah, i put in more (gold dust) than i care to remember! :bow: :)

[John Bridge]

Gold dust and salt and pepper. Somebody's still making that stuff, I heard. If I find it I'll ship you a few sample for old time's sake, Dave. ;)

[Raymond S]

AO still makes salt and pepper. Horrible looking stuff.

[oma]

LG, tell your sister she can probably get a small fortune for her canary toilet etc. Especially if it has a three gallon tank and flushes with one push of the lever, lol. I was at the Old House Supply a few weeks ago and saw a lilac colored toilet going for a little under six hundred dollars. There are a few of us who like the odd and eccentric

[tileguytodd]

Dal still makes both and believe it or not our local Stocks the stuff :eek:
I just did a Goldmist(same thing smaller specks)shower and wainscot with a solid beige inserted randomly just last summer.New construction/older buyers.
It actually turned out pretty 70ish LOL