How to Use Subway Tile to Spruce Up a Kitchen

Ranging from classic to bold, subway tiles are a sure bet when it comes to outfitting your kitchen.

Shane Michael Pavonetti, an Austin-based architect and contractor, and his wife, Holly, built their eco-friendly home on a lean budget of $175,000. The cedar siding used on the exterior reappears throughout the house. Keen on recycling the wood, the couple added shelving to their kitchen as well.

With so many options—colorful, classic white, matte, peel-and-stick—installing subway tile in a kitchen renovation has possibilities for every sensibility and skill level. Here are some of the many ways to use subway tile.

Keep It Classic

White subway tile is a classic for a reason. It was originally designed by George C. Heins and Christopher Grant La Farge for the opening of New York’s first subway station in 1904. The shiny, easy-to-clean tiles reflected light and were a hit among civilians, who began to install the 3-by-6-inch rectangles in their bathrooms and kitchens.

French-born chef, TV personality, and pop-up wizard Ludo Lefebvre says of his kitchen, "My life is based around cooking 24/7‚ so making the kitchen the star of our house was really the only choice. Our previous kitchen was tiny‚ and with two small children it became almost dangerous at times: too many people‚ not enough space. I wanted an open area where family and friends could be part of the experience but also have breathing room." — Read another article:Sandy Chilewich
French-born chef, TV personality, and pop-up wizard Ludo Lefebvre says of his kitchen, “My life is based around cooking 24/7‚ so making the kitchen the star of our house was really the only choice. Our previous kitchen was tiny‚ and with two small children it became almost dangerous at times: too many people‚ not enough space. I wanted an open area where family and friends could be part of the experience but also have breathing room.”

Photo by Joe Schmelzer

Shop the Look

Read another article:Recipe: Eric Ripert’s Cod Basquaise
Add some playful elegance to your kitchen with the Bend Goods Lucy Counter Stool. Featuring the same pattern as the best-selling Lucy Side Chair, this counter stool’s base is several inches taller. It is made using galvanized iron wire that is bent and welded into place before being coated in one of several bright and shiny powder coat or metal plate finishes.

A defining feature of the Geamenti ceramic floor and wall tile is the union of polygons in a satin finish. The varying beige and gray tones of this geometric tile make a pleasing feature for any modern interior living space.

A modern take on Le Creuset’s classic enameled cast-iron cookware, this round Dutch oven combines the ergonomic and functional advances of the Signature collection with a sophisticated matte finish. The oven’s design yields moist, tender results for slow-simmered stews, soups and braises. Photo Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma

In this exquisite, classically styled black and white kitchen, gleaming white marble countertops and cabinets are juxtaposed by a dramatic, gold-trimmed black oven and range hood. Two Bestlite Pendants from Gobi enhance the gold details throughout this kitchen, a favorite among black and white kitchens.

Photo by White Arrow

See the full story on Dwell.com: How to Use Subway Tile to Spruce Up a Kitchen
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