Design / Installation ideas pls :)

[shad0w]

Hey Guys,

I really need some help / ideas.

Below is a scan of a project Ill be doing in my home.
Will be replacing all the tile with very nice 20" porceline tiles.

The tile itself is from Unicom Starker, Rocce Lunari Kies

Below is a pic of it, very nice terra cotta look, subtle but adds color.

Attached of course is also a pic of the layout...
There is about 450 sq feet of tile to do.

Im struggling with how I should lay the tile.
Initally I was thinking about laying it in a brick type staggered pattern starting in front foyer... but then I thought it might look silly from the family room since Ill see the pattern from the side, lots of straight lines.

Then I thought maybe install it on a diagonal staggered pattern?
Or I believe the tile also comes in other sizes so maybe a straight or diagonal hopscotch pattern?

Or straight staggered pattern in the hall and transition to a diagonal staggered pattern in the kitchen?

Anyhow, Ill leave it to you guys, will really appreciate some suggestions!

FYI... the other areas of flooring that are not tiled have a nice dark oak hardwood.

[silvercitytile]

hey shadow, a straitset as in your pic looks good. or a diagnol patern. but not the offset. just imo

[ceramictec]

is this your house (Below is a scan of a project Ill be doing...) or are you a Tile Contractor ?

if it's your house then your picking out the pattern and we can help.
if it's a homeowners home it's probably best to have them pick & decide a pattern.

[shad0w]

Sorry I shouldve been clear.. its my house

Id rather not do a straight set... too boring.. dont like

[Lynn1969]

We're working on an area similar in size - w/utility, half bath and eat in kitchen all flowing together similar to yours. Because I'm such a novice, I have opted to keep the 'boring' grid pattern, but add some design in two places to break up the monotony. I didn't like the border tile that matched the tile I picked out (Daltile, Village Blend, Olive color) so I am going to cut the tiles down to either 4x12 or 6x12 and run a bordered diagonal pattern in a couple places (middle of kitchen area and entrance to kitchen from carpeted dining room).

Just my two cents worth - have fun, we're tackling our 400 sq ft in sections to try and keep as much of the kitchen together as possible!

[shad0w]

Good luck with your project Lynn

Anyone else have ideas?

[bbcamp]

Bob, remember that it's your house, for now. Non-boring layouts may be the bomb for you, but you may be scaring off potential home buyers down the road. A little goes a long way, so perhaps some accent tiles here and there, or perhaps a "rug" in some of the rooms would spice things up enough for you. Here's an idea where to put the rugs:

[shad0w]

Im really not interested in a straight install.. AT ALL

At the very least Ill install on a 45...
Would appreciate other ideas tho Besides straight

[tilerite]

I like to drop in diamonds on large installs, such as 4x4 tumbled stone. Adds so much to the look without going through the headache of difficult layout changes. Borders look nice also.

[Old World Tile and Marble]

a diagonal thats also staggered can be insane if the grout color isnt a real close match to the field with strong colors like yours imo ....you may also find that the diagonal makes it harder to control your layout as well try to lay out some boxes in different patterns and live with em for awhile

[shad0w]

Grout color is very close to what the tile is colored, a very pale terra cotta look... grout lines will be 1/8"

[shad0w]

So Im still leaning towards a brick / staggered pattern...

However.. if I start the staggered pattern say in the front hall.. shifting left to right so no straight grout lines are parallel to line of sight if in the hall.... and continue that into the kitchen... then line of sight is of course parallel to grout lines from family room looking into kitchen.

Does anyone see this as a problem asthetically? Sorry.. I know its up to me but looking for opinions

Would it look odd if say I did brick pattern in hallway going left to right, and then transitioned @ the doorway into the kitchen to a 45 degree pattern?

Maybe I should consider a hopscotch or venetian pattern?

[tilerite]

I don't care for staggered personally other than on patios and sun rooms. Here is a multi-color/staggered job I did a few years back. Not what I would put in my kitchen.

[shad0w]

Wow ya I would never consider doing a multicolor stagger... with all due respect but thats sore on the eyes to me...

[tilerite]

For what its worth, that was not the main kitchen. The homeowners had a kitchen installed in the basement. Still, I thought it was weird. They love it though which is really all that matters.