Know what
you’re choosing.

Hand-cut, hand-glazed Moroccan clay tile with an uneven surface and glaze that varies from piece to piece.

Character

Catches light differently on every tile, so a wall reads as one shimmering color with depth. Handmade edges mean irregular grout lines, which is the point.

Wear

Glazed faces resist water well; the clay body needs proper sealing in showers. Expect chips at cut edges and tiny crazing over time, both part of the look.

Care

Mild soap and water. Avoid acidic cleaners on the glaze. Re-seal grout every few years in wet zones.

Best use

One accent wall, a tub surround, or a vanity backsplash where the light can play on it.

Seen in One wall of warmth, Mediterranean arches

Porcelain panels and tiles printed and textured to mimic stone, concrete, or plaster, in sizes up to full slabs.

Character

Nearly seamless walls with very few grout lines. Modern porcelain veining is convincing at a normal viewing distance.

Wear

Non-porous, stain-proof, and harder than natural stone. The most durable surface in the room.

Care

Any non-abrasive cleaner. No sealing.

Best use

Shower walls, floors, and anywhere real stone would be a maintenance worry.

Seen in Light & luxurious, One wall of warmth, Quiet Scandinavian, Japandi calm, The industrial loft, Desert modern, The family bath that lasts, The easier-access spa

The classic 3 by 6 inch glazed ceramic tile, laid in a running bond or stacked.

Character

Clean, bright, and timeless. Grout color changes it completely: white grout disappears, grey grout draws the grid.

Wear

Glazed ceramic resists water and stains; grout is the weak point.

Care

Ordinary cleaners; keep grout sealed.

Best use

Tub and shower surrounds, full-height walls in hall baths, anywhere a budget needs to stretch.

Seen in Fresh & timeless, Warm mid-century, Quiet Scandinavian, Modern farmhouse, Coastal light, The industrial loft, Vintage revival, The family bath that lasts

Small hexagonal tiles, in marble, porcelain, or ceramic, mounted on mesh sheets.

Character

Pattern and texture in one. Black-and-white hex is period-correct for early twentieth-century houses; grey marble hex reads softer.

Wear

Many grout lines mean a naturally slip-resistant floor. Marble versions need sealing; porcelain does not.

Care

Seal marble; scrub grout occasionally.

Best use

Floors in hall baths and powder rooms, shower pans.

Seen in Fresh & timeless, Modern farmhouse, Vintage revival, The powder room

Small round mosaic tiles on mesh sheets, in porcelain or glass.

Character

Soft polka-dot texture that reads as a field of color from a distance.

Wear

Slip-resistant thanks to the grout; porcelain is easy, glass scratches.

Care

Ordinary cleaners; keep grout sealed.

Best use

Shower floors, a powder-room floor, a niche back.

Seen in Coastal light, Vintage revival

Alternating square tiles, usually black and white, in marble, porcelain, or ceramic.

Character

Instant vintage; reads as classic in a period house and as bold in a modern one.

Wear

Depends on the tile: porcelain is carefree, marble needs sealing.

Care

Seal marble; ordinary cleaners otherwise.

Best use

Hall baths, powder rooms, and vintage revivals.

Seen in Art deco jewel box, English cottage, Vintage revival

Unglazed fired clay tile in warm oranges, pinks, and browns.

Character

Earthy and soft; each tile a slightly different shade. The Mediterranean floor.

Wear

Porous; must be sealed and can stain. Wears in beautifully when looked after.

Care

Seal on install and periodically; sweep grit that would scratch the surface.

Best use

Floors in Mediterranean and desert schemes; not for shower walls.

Seen in Mediterranean arches, Desert modern

A bright white Italian marble with bold grey and gold veining, often bookmatched so two slabs mirror each other.

Character

Dramatic and luminous. The wide veins turn a shower wall into a single composition.

Wear

Soft and porous. It etches from acids (toothpaste, citrus, some cleaners) and stains if left unsealed. Honed finishes hide wear better than polished.

Care

pH-neutral stone cleaner only, seal yearly, wipe standing water from horizontal surfaces.

Best use

A feature shower wall, a vanity top for a household that will look after it, or a single statement slab.

Seen in Light & luxurious, Art deco jewel box

The softer, greyer white marble with fine feathery veining, quarried in the same region as Calacatta.

Character

Quieter than Calacatta; reads as a soft grey-white field from across the room and as delicate veins up close.

Wear

Same porous, acid-sensitive stone. In hex and basketweave mosaics the small pieces and grout make wear less visible.

Care

pH-neutral cleaner, seal yearly, coasters on the vanity.

Best use

Mosaic floors, shower thresholds, a vanity top in a classic scheme.

Seen in Fresh & timeless, Light & luxurious, The powder room

A warm, banded limestone with natural pits and holes, either filled and honed or left open.

Character

Layered cream and beige tones with a matte, mineral surface. Feels ancient and calm underfoot.

Wear

Porous and softer than granite; filled travertine holds up well in floors and walls with sealing. Unfilled surfaces trap soap in the pits.

Care

Seal on install and every one to two years; neutral cleaners; no vinegar.

Best use

Floors, tub surrounds, and large-format walls in warm, quiet schemes.

Seen in Mediterranean arches

A dense sedimentary stone in greys, charcoals, and creams with a soft, even grain.

Character

Understated and monolithic. Charcoal limestone gives the moody, spa-like depth that marble cannot.

Wear

Softer than granite, and dark limestone shows water spots and etching. Honed or brushed finishes wear gracefully.

Care

Seal, neutral cleaner, squeegee wet walls.

Best use

Wet-room walls and floors, a carved tub, a bench.

Seen in The evening retreat, Wabi-sabi plaster

A dense, dark, talc-rich stone with a soapy feel and a matte charcoal surface.

Character

Velvety and dark; oils to a near black. Ages into a soft, worn look.

Wear

Non-porous and acid-proof, but soft enough to scratch and dent. Scratches sand out.

Care

Mineral oil occasionally, or leave it to lighten naturally.

Best use

A vanity top in cottage and traditional rooms, a sink apron.

Seen in Art deco jewel box, English cottage

Chips of marble, quartz, or glass set in cement or resin and ground smooth.

Character

Playful speckle at a distance, jewel-like up close. The mid-century floor, revived.

Wear

Extremely durable once sealed; cement-based terrazzo needs sealing, resin versions less so.

Care

Neutral cleaner, periodic re-sealing.

Best use

Floors that run into the shower, a vanity top, a shower curb.

Seen in Warm mid-century

A thin, seamless cement-based coating troweled over walls and floors and sealed.

Character

One continuous, softly mottled surface with no grout at all. The quiet backbone of Scandinavian and wabi-sabi rooms.

Wear

Sealed micro-cement handles water well; hairline cracks can appear if the substrate moves. Installer skill matters more than with tile.

Care

Neutral cleaner; re-seal when water stops beading.

Best use

Wet-room floors and walls, a built-in bench, a vanity front.

Seen in The evening retreat, Quiet Scandinavian, Japandi calm, The industrial loft, Wabi-sabi plaster

Mineral-based paint or a troweled plaster finish that leaves a soft, cloudy, matte wall.

Character

Depth without pattern. Walls look lit from within and absorb glare.

Wear

Fine on dry walls and ceilings; in showers only specialty waterproof plasters (tadelakt-style) belong.

Care

Dust; touch up with the same wash.

Best use

Dry walls and ceilings, above wainscot tile, a powder room.

Seen in The evening retreat, Japandi calm, Mediterranean arches, Desert modern, Wabi-sabi plaster, The powder room, The easier-access spa

Ground quartz bound in resin, made in solid colors and marble-look patterns.

Character

Consistent and controlled; the veining repeats, which is the giveaway and also the reassurance.

Wear

Non-porous, stain resistant, tougher than marble; heat and strong UV can mark the resin.

Care

Soap and water.

Best use

Vanity tops in busy family bathrooms.

Seen in Fresh & timeless, Warm mid-century, One wall of warmth, Modern farmhouse, Coastal light, The industrial loft, The family bath that lasts, The easier-access spa

A pale, straight-grained hardwood, usually rift or quarter sawn for vanities.

Character

Warm without being orange. Fluted or slatted oak adds shadow lines; flat oak keeps things calm.

Wear

Sealed oak handles bathroom humidity well; standing water on a countertop edge is the enemy.

Care

Wipe spills, no harsh cleaners; re-oil or re-seal every few years.

Best use

Vanities, a bench, a slatted ceiling, a mirror frame.

Seen in Light & luxurious, One wall of warmth, Quiet Scandinavian, Japandi calm, Modern farmhouse, Coastal light, Wabi-sabi plaster, The family bath that lasts, The easier-access spa

A rich chocolate-brown hardwood with a flowing grain.

Character

The warmest thing in the room. Against white or black it reads unmistakably mid-century.

Wear

Like oak, fine when sealed and kept off standing water. Sunlight lightens it slowly.

Care

Wipe, oil occasionally.

Best use

A floating vanity, a slatted ceiling, drawer fronts.

Seen in The evening retreat, Warm mid-century, The industrial loft, Desert modern, The powder room

Tongue-and-groove or grooved panel wainscot painted in a durable enamel.

Character

Cottage and farmhouse warmth; protects the lower wall and gives a natural line for a shelf.

Wear

Painted MDF swells if soaked; PVC and painted wood versions hold up in dry zones.

Care

Wipe; repaint every several years.

Best use

Dry walls in hall baths and powder rooms, never inside the shower.

Seen in Modern farmhouse, English cottage

Brass with a fine satin finish and a clear protective coating that holds its color.

Character

Warm gold without shine. Pairs with cream, oak, green, and stone.

Wear

Coated brass does not tarnish; the coating can wear at grip points over many years.

Care

Soft cloth and water; no abrasives.

Best use

Faucets, shower fixtures, cabinet pulls, mirror frames.

Seen in The evening retreat, Mediterranean arches, Desert modern, Wabi-sabi plaster, The powder room, The easier-access spa

Raw brass with no coating, left to darken and mottle with use.

Character

A living finish that records the household. Bright at first, then a deep old-gold patina.

Wear

Changes on purpose; high-touch spots stay brighter. Not for anyone who wants it to look new.

Care

Leave it alone, or polish back to bright if you change your mind.

Best use

Faucets and hardware in traditional, cottage, and Mediterranean rooms.

Seen in English cottage

A powder-coated or PVD black finish on brass or stainless fixtures.

Character

Graphic and modern; outlines every fixture like a pen line.

Wear

PVD finishes are tough; cheaper powder coats can chip. Shows water spots and soap film more than nickel.

Care

Wipe dry after use, no abrasives.

Best use

Shower frames, faucets, and hardware in modern and mid-century schemes.

Seen in Warm mid-century, Quiet Scandinavian, Modern farmhouse, The industrial loft

Nickel plating buffed to a mirror shine, warmer in tone than chrome.

Character

Jewelry for a classic bathroom. Reflects the room in a softer, warmer way than chrome.

Wear

Durable; shows fingerprints and water spots, which is the trade for the shine.

Care

Soft cloth; dry after use.

Best use

Traditional and transitional rooms, marble schemes.

Seen in Light & luxurious

Satin-finish nickel plating, the most forgiving everyday finish.

Character

Neutral and quiet; disappears into most palettes.

Wear

Hides water spots and fingerprints better than any other finish.

Care

Any mild cleaner.

Best use

Family bathrooms, rentals, anywhere low-maintenance matters.

Seen in Fresh & timeless, One wall of warmth, Japandi calm, Coastal light, The family bath that lasts

Bright, cool, mirror-finish chrome plating.

Character

Crisp and cool. The finish of art deco and of most vintage revivals.

Wear

Very hard-wearing; shows spots.

Care

Wipe dry.

Best use

Vintage and deco rooms, black-and-white schemes.

Seen in Art deco jewel box, Vintage revival

Glass with vertical ridges that blurs what is behind it.

Character

Privacy with light. Adds a fine vertical texture that suits deco and modern rooms alike.

Wear

Tempered like any shower glass; the ridges collect soap film.

Care

Squeegee along the flutes.

Best use

A shower screen, a cabinet door, a window in a powder room.

Seen in Art deco jewel box

Linen roman shades, waffle towels, and a jute or wool rug.

Character

The soft layer that keeps stone and tile from feeling cold.

Wear

Linen handles humidity if it can dry; rugs need a washable backing.

Care

Machine wash towels; vacuum rugs; dust shades.

Best use

Window treatments, towels, and the rug in front of the vanity.

Seen in The evening retreat, Light & luxurious, One wall of warmth, Quiet Scandinavian, Japandi calm, Coastal light, English cottage, Mediterranean arches, Desert modern, Wabi-sabi plaster, The family bath that lasts, The easier-access spa