If the idea of white subway tile seems a tad predictable, patchwork tiles take the material to a whole new level with mix-and-match patterns and colors. Europeans have long mixed tile patterns, and now the ability to use inkjet technology on porcelain tiles allows for more detailed patterns and designs. Read on for ideas and sourcing.
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Above: A backsplash made of handmade cement mosaic tile from Purpura.
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Above: A kitchen backsplash of Made a Mano tiles from Copenhagen; shown here, their Novecento line of lava stone tiles.
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Above: A backsplash created from Made a Mano tiles in a blue palette.
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Above: A colorful floor configuration in a kitchen; you can source similar tiles from Exquisite Surfaces. Photograph via Indulgy.
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Above: Colorful patchwork tiles in a Dutch kitchen. Photograph via Eenig Wonen.
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Above: Black-and-white mix-and-match tiles provides contrast in an otherwise all-white kitchen. Clé offer a collection of Moroccan Handmade Encaustic TIles in black, white, and gray patterns. Photograph via Mechant Design.
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Above: Mix-and-match kept simple: Horizontal tiles from Made a Mano form a striped backsplash.
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Above: A blue and white backsplash from Odyssey's Blue Tapestry Collection.
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Above: The blue-tiled floor of the restaurant Maritim Barcelona features a mix of patterns. Granada Tile, in Los Angeles, offers a selection of graphic blue-and-white cement designs in their Echo Tile collection.
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Above: A villa in Umbria designed by Paola Navone features a mix of her own Moroccan tiles for Carocim. Photograph by Wichmann & Bendtsen for Dwell.
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Above: Milan-based Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola mixes patterns, forms, and shapes in her Azulej Tiles collection for Mutina. Photograph via Azure Magazine.
Thinking of ways to introduce tile at home? Have a look at all of our Tile posts, including 10 Unexpected Uses for Tile. Love the look of patchwork? Check out DIY: 10 Patchwork Curtains Made from Vintage Linens.
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on May 22, 2013, as part of our Color Therapy week.
And don't forget: Voting ends Saturday, August 8, for the 2014 Considered Design Awards! You can vote once a day for the finalists on Gardenista and Remodelista. We're announcing the winners on August 9.
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