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How to: Create an impressive backdrop with tiles

By Lauren Ellis โ€ข Leave a Comment

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Thereโ€™s a sure fire way to make a huge statement in a home without taking too many design risks and making costly mistakes – and thatโ€™s to create an impressive backdrop.ย Whether itโ€™s a kitchen splash back, an entrance portico or a stunning bathroom back wall, a backdrop as the design focus frees you up to play with your dรฉcor as the seasons change or every few years.

BOWL Stone Designs PDF (17)

According to Christie Wood from Beaumont Tiles,ย a fundamental rule of design is to create a dominating feature: a colour, a massive chandelier or pendant light, a painting, a piece of furniture or rug, or a display area.

โ€œWith a first impression you want to make an instant impact. A backdrop that carries visual weight is not only a scene stealer, it sets the scene for building your design story,โ€ Christie said.

โ€œGreat design brings personality, flair and character to a space. An impressive backdrop using pattern, texture or a shaped tile is a fabulous accent option for those who canโ€™t decide on a dominating focal point.โ€

1002466 Vietri Hexagon Bianco Gloss GL-Porc 345x400 prices from 99.00 per m2 1002467 Vietri Hexagon Blu Gloss GL-Porc 345x400 prices from 99

Tips and tricks to create a tiled backdrop that sings

  • Repeat a pattern. Itโ€™s a design trick that can encapsulate a colour, texture or a shape. For example, create a backdrop using hexagonal tiles. Repeat the pattern throughout the room in printed cushions, a rug, a lamp base or a vase.
  • Think 3D. The earth is not flat and neither is one of the fastest growing trends in tiles: 3D shapes. Christie explains: โ€œ3D is a visual feast unmatched by any other material. A 3D backdrop is gorgeous but dominant so pair back colour and styling through the rest of the room.โ€
  • Mix up your materials. Texture profoundly changes a roomโ€™s ambience and a brilliant plan B for people who donโ€™t want to invest in strong colours.ย  Mix bricks, tiles and stone and continue different mixed surfaces across the room. Laid back luxury!
  • Think big. Scale and proportion in itself creates impact. A massive floral arrangement or oversized pendant light draws the eye. A large scale, floor to ceiling backdrop, will leave visitors gasping. Contrast with a bright coloured chair.
  • Light it up. Just like art galleries light up precious portraits, do the same with your impressive backdrop to create shadow play, depth and drama.
  • For novices. Start with a splash back, or a wall thatโ€™s not always in full view. โ€œBy allocating one small space for your play area means you can update it every few years without the expense of a total redo,โ€ Christie said.

Understated beauty for beginners

An impressive backdrop can support other design elements. Evenย low key backdrops provide a beautiful design effect. Low contrast neutral colours are unleashed by using a repeating geometric pattern.

1000277 Mos Evolution Hex White Taupe Mix (var) 218x228 prices from 199.00 per m2 (1)

Tremendously tactile

With the new 3D genre you can use a lot or just a few to add a powerful dimension to a room. Patterns that literally project towards the viewer make a strong impact. Shapes curves or shapes can then be repeated.

1001686 Bowl Curve White 120x120 prices from 169.00 per m2

Packs a punch

Creating pattern with contrasting hues can be the most impacting backdrop. You will need to make sure it is not overwhelming by supporting it with subdued elements.

1000219 Argila Hexagon Black 175x200 prices from 104.01 per m2 1000224 Argila Hexagon White 175x200 prices from 104.01 per m2

Oh! To be so brave

Go all out with tiles and tiles combinations that are completely unexpected like digital print graffiti styles.

1001165 Picasso Black Gl-Porc Rect 148x148 prices from 169.00 per m2

Find out more here.

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September 7, 2016

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Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) ๐Ÿ˜œ

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo ๐Ÿ˜ Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: whatโ€™s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป This is just one room fr Play room goals!๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that๐Ÿ˜

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜ Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup ๐Ÿ˜

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ› Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! ๐Ÿ“– ๐Ÿ›

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing ๐Ÿ˜‚ 

I left the legs off to keep it below the windowsill. I'm super happy with the quality. It looks a lot more expensive than its $699 pricetag ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป

Books, natural light and a cosy couch = happy boys! And let's not pretend they won't be watching the odd movie on there too ๐Ÿฟ because #keepingitreal

#FantasticFurniture #FantasticFamily #booknook #booknookstagram #booknook #bookwormsofinstagram #littlereader #littlebookworm #cosycorner #cosycorner #playroomideas #toyroom #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #aussiemade #aussiemadefurniture #twoseater #kidssofa #kidscouch #bluesofa #loveofreading
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