Split The Difference: Our Favourite Looks Using Split-Face Tiles

Split-Face tiles are hugely popular and can add a pop of texture and/or colour to small tiled areas such as upstands or splashbacks or bring the ‘wow’ factor to an entire wall. The term split-face is bandied around and not always used correctly, but it generally refers to narrow strips of  what is usually slate or marble either designed as a single rigid tile or mesh-backed mosaic so as to emphasise the different depths and angled appearance of each strip. Think multi-faceted surfaces with texture and colour differentiation. Here, we take a closer look at this textured trend that shows no signs of slowing down…

Sparkle & Glow

This great example of our Sparkle Ice Grey split-face mosaic tiles is perfectly suited to this ‘modern retro’ living room, and we must add that it reminds us very much of those 1960s fireplaces that had a much smaller hearth surrounds in very similar tiles (we’ve recently been re-watching Mad Men). These tiles are a good choice if you want to frame a contemporary fireplace and need to steer clear of anything that harks back to ‘traditional’ style. They are natural stone with an inherent natural sparkle, and come in 150mm x 300mm format. And before you ask, the floor tiles are from us too, they are Muse Dark Grey Matt porcelain tiles, designed to perfectly replicate natural stone.

Natural Textures

This is such a classic look – it combines a contemporary kitchen design with three retro-industrial influences – quirky bar stools, timber-look floor tiles, —, and of course, our Sparkle Rustic split-face mosaics. This colourway would genuinely look at home in so many settings … a rustic cottage, a barn conversion, or a new kitchen in a Victorian conversion! As before, our Sparkle split-face tiles are fashioned from natural stone and will need to be sealed, our team recommends Fila Stone Plus which enhances the natural tones and variations of the stone. Sparkle tiles are also available in Black, Grey and Ice White…

Getting Into Autumn

Well…one day, all of a sudden, summer disappeared! It seemed to happen instantly, and now we have all got our Autumn enthusiasm going, so here are three seasonal suggestions for you. From left; the luxurious Coral Odyssey Orange Velvet Cushion ticks all the boxes for a burst of autumnal colour; Our very own Copper Split-Face Mosaics which are made from natural slate tiles, echoing the inherent layers and colours seen in natural, colourful slates; and this painterly cushion in faux suede is the Jellyfish Square, designed by artist Louise Mead. Just the thing to brighten up the cold-weather living rooms!

Calm & Creative

This bathroom/wet room/shower room is an excellent example of a contemporary, pared-down look that features some of the latest ‘must-have’ looks, whilst still being totally practical and eminently useable. The walk-in shower has very simple frameless glass panels, which stop the entire room getting drenched and protecting the cabinet and mirror – practical panels mean you can also add pictures, plants, mirror lights etc without worrying about excess water spray. The tiles are our  Yosemite Ivory Split-Face in porcelain, which have the appearance of natural stone tiles, but which can be used in wet-room situations without the need for sealing. These are large format too – measuring in at 660mm x 440mm – making the tiling job quicker and easier!

Real Slate Style

Black and white always looks right – and if you opt for a simple, monochrome interior scheme you can rest easy in the knowledge that as well as enjoying a sleek and streamlined look it can also be jazzed up a little if required, perhaps with the addition of bright and colourful artworks, a rug or towels. But…back to black, these are our Black Split-Face Mosaic  tiles, each measuring 150mm x 300mm with a riven texture. As these are real slate, they will need to be sealed, and once again our experts recommend Fila StonePlus which protects and enhances the colour, ensuring it keeps it’s dark tones.

Pure Inspiration

These Sparkle White Split-Face Mosaics add a clean, contemporary look to this kitchen corner – teamed with white walls and natural timbers, these tiles are interesting and add a unique look – natural stone with a hint of sparkle and shimmer. Interior Design Pro Tip: Tiles with a hint of shimmer or sparkle always look fabulous under the spotlights, and are a clever choice in smaller kitchens and help lift the look of low-ceilinged rooms. As previously mentioned, as they are natural stone, these tiles would also need sealing after installation.

And Finally…

We must acknowledge and celebrate the announcement by Dulux regarding its Colour Of The Year 2020, it’s the soft and understated Tranquil Dawn, which is a soft green tone, destined to become extremely noticeable in the coming months, no doubt. Take a look at the Chaplins Furniture range of ceiling pendants, the Ambit, comes in a huge range of colours, from black to softer shades, such as this pale green, and it’s available in three pendant sizes plus a rail version (a single rail with three shades) and interestingly, a wall version. And lastly, if you’re looking for a Tranquil Dawn kind of shade for your next tiling project, look no further than our Craquele Glazed tiles for walls, available in 12 colours, measuring 150mm x 75mm and an absolute spot-on match for Tranquil Dawn.

Happy planning and designing, and as always, we would love to see pics of your latest tile projects – share on Twitter @TileMountainUK or tag us on Instagram!

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