While it remains critical for interior designs to meet practical demands, the limitless options offered today in stone and tile collections also allow these spaces to express personality. From chic and sophisticated to cool and casual, today’s interior spaces are representing the characteristics and mood of their occupants — and a palette of stone and tile is a key component to obtaining each unique design.

Using stone and tile is no longer just about material selection. While choosing the appropriate stone for a countertop or deciding between porcelain or glass tile for a kitchen backsplash can affect the tone of a room, there are many other options to consider nowadays. Textures are playing a large role in product development today. In addition to polished and honed surfaces, there are so many other finishes offered. Tiles are now being manufactured with surfaces that replicate the feel of textiles as well as natural materials such as wood and stone. A smooth glossy porcelain tile or iridescent glass mosaic can bring a feeling of modern elegance, while rough-cut pieces of limestone or slate can conjure a warm rustic environment.

Enlarge this picture After reviewing numerous mock-ups, the homeowners — with the help of their builder — found the perfect blend of Kensington Stone and a locally quarried material called Telluride Gold to build the accent walls and fireplaces in both their new condominium and penthouse. Complementing the stone wall in the dining area of the condominium, a floor pattern incorporates Sebastian flagstone and Walnut wood planking. Stone Suppliers: Robinson Brick Co., Denver, CO (Kensington Stone); Telluride Stone Co., Telluride, CO (Telluride Gold); Aplin Masonry, Telluride, CO Photo © 2008 Thomas McConnell/courtesy of Through the Lens Mgt.

With the availability of all these options in stone and tile, architects and designers are really stretching their imaginations and thinking outside the box. They are presenting their clients with new ideas and unique applications that are visually stimulating and stir emotions. In particular, homeowners are taking more of an interest in the selection process — even expressing their own ideas on products and finishes to architects and designers.

Soft mountain contemporary

This was the case for a couple rooted in Austin, TX, who recently devoted much of their time and energy to building their dream vacation home in the scenic town of Telluride, CO. Originally a mining community at the turn of the century, the mountain town of Telluride, which sits among 14,000-foot peaks at the base of the Telluride ski area, has become known for its luxurious resorts and features a National Historic Landmark District with Victorian-era architecture. As a result, the homeowners had to be mindful of the building’s historic surroundings while at the same time developing their own signature look for their home’s interior with a rich palette of stone and tile.

Enlarge this picture In the kitchen of the condominium, a Jet Black granite countertop with a thickness of 3 cm is paired with a backsplash of 6- x 12-inch Lake Garda Driftwood Gloss glass tiles that are horizontally stacked. Stone Supplier: Cactus Stone & Tile, Phoenix, AZ; Tile Supplier: Ann Sacks, Dallas,TX Photo © 2008 Thomas McConnell/courtesy of Through the Lens Mgt.

“A lot of small towns like Aspen and Telluride have a very western main street,” explained homeowner Katrine Formby. “This building is in an historic district, but it happens to not be an historic building. There are a lot of rules when remodeling in an historic area. You can’t just put a glass box on the outside.”

While the first level of the building is a commercial space that is not owned by the Formbys, the couple does own the upper levels of the structure. Formby explained that the lower level of the residential space was converted into a one-bedroom condominium, and the two floors above that comprise a three-bedroom penthouse.

“We were originally going to do a ‘light’ remodel, but we ended up almost gutting the entire space,” said Formby. “The interior is ‘soft mountain contemporary.’ The mountains are very majestic in Telluride. We wanted the materials to take a backseat to the scenery.”

Enlarge this picture The stone used for the interior walls and fireplaces in both residential spaces is a thin veneer — ranging from 1 ¾ to 2 ¾ inches in thickness. The stone walls are grouted with a custom color mortar to create an aged appearance, while the mortar joints for the fireplaces are recessed — presenting a dry-stacked look. Photo © 2008 Thomas McConnell/courtesy of Through the Lens Mgt.

Throughout both the condominium and penthouse, stone accent walls were built in various spaces such as the living room, dining room and bedrooms. Additionally, the same material was utilized for rustic fireplaces. “We are really pleased that when people come in, they think that the stone was originally there,” said Formby. “That’s the look that we wanted.”

The Formbys worked closely with Todd Hopgood of Hopgood Building Co. in Telluride to choose just the right combination of stone for the walls and fireplaces. “A lot of mock stone samples were done — different stones, different patterns and different grouts — and then more samples were done,” said Formby. “We wanted it to look old, and we wanted it to look natural. Our builder, Todd Hopgood, came up with the magic formula.”

Hopgood explained that a combination of stone was used to achieve the look that his clients desired. “The majority of the stone was Kensington Stone from Robinson Brick Co. in Denver,” he said. “We blended that with a locally quarried stone called Telluride Gold to get the color contrast. It was quarried just outside of Telluride by the Telluride Stone Co. It is a pretty common material that is used to maintain continuity — especially in the Mountain Village, which is the small village above Telluride.”

Enlarge this picture The stone pieces used for the walls in the penthouse as well as the condominium were given a light mortar wash over the face of the stone to achieve the desired aesthetic. Photo © 2008 Thomas McConnell/courtesy of Through the Lens Mgt.

According to the builder, the stone used for the interior walls and fireplaces in both residential spaces is a thin veneer — ranging from 1 ¾ to 2 ¾ inches in thickness. “We chose thin veneer for structural reasons,” he said. “It was an existing foundation, so we wanted to keep assemblies as lightweight as possible. [Also], it saved on interior space.”

The stone walls are grouted with a custom color mortar. The Formbys wanted the stone pieces to have an aged appearance. “Originally, I was given some [pictures] of old European homes to get me in the ballpark,” said Hopgood. “Older techniques are just a little different than what we do now. We put a light mortar wash over the face of the stone [to get the desired effect.]”

For the fireplaces, the mortar joints are recessed — presenting a dry-stacked look. “The mortar joints are recessed so that architecturally it stands out,” said Hopgood.

Enlarge this picture The kitchen in the penthouse also features a Jet Black granite countertop and Lake Garda Driftwood Gloss glass tiles for the backsplash, although the glass tiles are in 12- x 12-inch format. Stone Supplier: Cactus Stone & Tile, Phoenix, AZ; Tile Supplier: Ann Sacks, Dallas, TX Photo © 2008 Thomas McConnell/courtesy of Through the Lens Mgt.

In addition to the stone wall, another point of interest in the condominium dining room is the floor, which consists of a pattern formed by Walnut planking and Sebastian flagstone from Aplin Masonry in Telluride. “My husband designed the dining room floor and our architect refined it,” said Formby. “He knew he wanted some Walnut wood in between the stone.”

Walnut flooring was carried into the kitchen of the condominium and subtly accented by a Jet Black granite countertop with a thickness of 3 cm — supplied by Cactus Stone & Tile of Phoenix, AZ. “I started out wanting this fantastic granite that was bright red and green,” said Formby. “I thought, ‘This is absolutely gorgeous.’ Then I thought more about it and decided that it was too dominant and we needed to tone it down. The more I worked on the spaces; I realized that people that go to Colorado want to rest. So, I wanted my eyes to rest, and the restfulness of the black [granite] convinced me.”

The 6- x 12-inch Lake Garda Driftwood Gloss glass tiles by Ann Sacks Tile & Stone, which were selected for the kitchen backsplash by Dawne Stewart of Signature Floors and More in Corsicana, TX, also create a soothing look. The tiles were horizontally stacked. “I have gotten so many compliments on them,” said Formby. “They have a beautiful natural clean color that is harmonious with the stone.” The same palette was reproduced in the penthouse kitchen, although 12- x 12-inch glass tiles were used for the backsplash.

Enlarge this picture The stone walls help to maintain a rustic elegance throughout the two-story penthouse. Photo © 2008 Thomas McConnell/courtesy of Through the Lens Mgt.

A mix of stone and tile was also employed for one of two master baths in the penthouse. The floor as well as the shower walls consists of 12- x 24-inch Cappadocia White Linen tile from Ann Sacks. To bring contrast to the light-colored floor tiles, Black River granite — supplied by Cactus Stone & Tile — was chosen for the vanity top.

A point of interest in the space is a two-sided fireplace that also is seen from the master bedroom. The base of the fireplace as well as a portion of the surround layer is formed with 9/16-inch Linen mosaic straight marble tile from Ann Sacks. The top of the surround is comprised of 5/8- x 8-inch Linen marble pencil liners and the top of the base is the same Black River granite employed for the vanity top.

For a second master bath in the penthouse, the homeowners opted to have the vanity top and the face of the tub surround fabricated from Juparano Persa granite, which was also supplied by Cactus Stone & Tile. Lake Garda Hemp gloss 12- x 12-inch glass tiles were employed for the shower walls. The neutral shade of the tile is a nice balance to the wild veining found in the granite. Additionally, 12- x 24-inch tiles in the color “Bark” from Ann Sacks’ Summit Line was chosen for the floor. “We used larger pieces because they are more contemporary,” said Formby.

Design and construction of the Telluride condominium and penthouse took approximately two and a half years to complete. Installation of the stone walls and fireplaces was finished in about seven weeks, according to the builder.

Enlarge this picture One of two master baths in the penthouse includes a floor of 12- x 24-inch Cappadocia White Linen tiles and a vanity top made of Black River granite. Additionally, a point of interest in the space is a two-sided fireplace that also is seen from the master bedroom. The base of the fireplace as well as a portion of the surround layer is formed with 9/16-inch Linen mosaic straight marble tile. The top of the surround is comprised of 5/8- x 8-inch Linen marble pencil liners and the top of the base is the same Black River granite employed for the vanity top. Stone Supplier: Cactus Stone & Tile, Phoenix, AZ; Tile Supplier: Ann Sacks, Dallas, TX Photo © 2008 Thomas McConnell/courtesy of Through the Lens Mgt.

“Everything had to be just right,” said Hopgood. “In the penthouse, there were a lot of little details that did take some time. The mock-up process was the most challenging. Once we got it, we got it.”

Hopgood said there were five stonemasons on the jobsite. “This was simply because we had to go up several flights of stairs,” he said. “We had some guys mixing and remixing mortar, some hauling stone up the stairs and some putting the stone on the walls.”

According to Formby, she and her husband are very pleased with the final result of the renovation. “Once we decided on the stone, there was no problem,” she said. “It all went beautifully. One thing I was surprised at is that the sunlight from the mountains gives a little green cast [on the stone]. When we put the stone against our wall in our Austin home it looked beige, and then when we put it on the wall in Colorado it looked a different color. We really had to look at it in the light to make sure that it looked right.”

While the Formbys spend a couple of weeks at their new vacation home — dubbed “The Heart of Telluride” — in the winter to ski and also a couple of weeks there in the summer, they rent the spaces out the other time during the year. “We have been fantastically thrilled with the response,” she said.    

Urban sophistication

In contrast to the warm rustic feel of the mountains, stone and tile were used to bring a cool clean look to a residential high-rise in Miami, FL. Not far from the luxury oceanfront homes that line the beaches of Miami is Brickell Avenue — an up and coming hotspot for young professionals. And among the new residential high-rises to open on the street is 500 Brickell, which utilizes a palette of stone and tile to bring a trendy hip vibe to the building’s public spaces.

“Brickell Avenue is one of the main streets of downtown Miami,” explained designer Michael Wolk of Wolk Design Associates of Miami, FL. “It’s an area where they are hoping young professionals will live in these buildings. It’s a little lower profile than the condos on the beaches that are people’s second and third homes. It has a young urban look and feel.”

The 40-story high-rise is comprised of two towers, and its lobby features a contemporary design, with Gold quartzite used for both the walls and floor. “We wanted it to have a fresh cool urban feel,” said Wolk. “The quartzite worked in with our palette. It’s such a varied stone. It goes from pink to orange to brown. A lot of times we choose stone for its monotone characteristics. In this case, it was just the opposite.”

Enlarge this picture For a second master bath in the penthouse, the vanity top and the face of the tub surround are made from Juparano Persa granite. Lake Garda Hemp gloss 12- x 12-inch glass tiles were employed for the shower walls. Additionally, 12- x 24-inch tiles in the color “Bark” from Ann Sacks’ Summit Line was chosen for the floor. Stone Supplier: Cactus Stone & Tile, Phoenix, AZ; Tile Supplier: Ann Sacks, Dallas, TX Photo © 2008 Thomas McConnell/courtesy of Through the Lens Mgt.

For the lobby walls, small slabs of quartzite form a random pattern. While some pieces protrude others are recessed. “The idea of [the wall design] is that it shows some strength like a building block,” said the designer. “The stone itself had something to do with that [idea]. The pieces were random sizes and had different thicknesses. We just took our cue from that by exaggerating it.”

According to Wolk, quartzite is a challenging material to work with because it is so varied. “Fabrication requires a lot of hand selecting and sorting,” he said, adding that at the start of installation, he was on site often to supervise. “Once we set up what was acceptable, we didn’t have to be there as much.”

Enlarge this picture Among the new residential high-rises to open on Brickell Avenue in Miami, FL, is 500 Brickell, featuring a trendy hip lobby that is a showcase of Gold quartzite Designer: Wolk Design Associates, Miami, FL

An open airy modern environment was also created in a lounge area of the residential high-rise with a combination of materials. Hardwood floors are paired with colorful tile mosaics that reflect a cheery and “fun” atmosphere.

Bands of bright shiny colorful Ribbon Mosaics form accent walls around the bar. Additionally, glass mosaics from Vidrepur were used to create a focal point on the ceiling. The iridescent tiles form the background of a cut-out where a ceiling fan was placed. “We wanted something with a lot of sparkle and color to it,” said Wolk, when explaining why the mosaics were selected for the design. 

Enlarge this picture An open airy modern environment was also created in a lounge area of the residential high-rise with a combination of materials. Hardwood floors are paired with colorful tile mosaics that reflect a cheery and “fun” atmosphere.

In total, it took approximately three years to complete the design and construction of 500 Brickell.

Custom contemporary

Positioned between the North and South forks of Long Island, NY, is Shelter Island — a secluded piece of land that spans about 8,000 acres, with a good portion being protected wetlands nature preserve marshland. Nearly a third of the island is owned by The Nature Conservancy, and the rest of the land makes for peaceful surroundings for private residents. Recently, a home was constructed on the shore overlooking Greenport Harbor, and Spanish tile was utilized to create a unique focal point in the kitchen that captures the homeowner’s love for the sea.

Enlarge this picture The public restrooms of 500 Brickell feature a sleek modern design with dark-colored stone and tile mosaics.

“Shelter Island is a very charming place with a New England feel,” said David Patrick of Chelsea Arts Tile + Stone in New York, NY, who served as the designer and project coordinator. Patrick explained that he was approached by architect Russell Piccione with a 19th-century map that was sourced from the local historical society. “He had a client in Shelter Island, and they wanted to use something from local history [in the design of their home],” said Patrick.

According to Piccione, incorporating a tile map into the design of one of his projects is something that he had longed to do. “The idea came from a trip that I took many years ago to Portugal,” explained the architect. “I went to this amazing monastery. These were very rich monasteries. They are magnificent moments in the history of Portugal.”

Enlarge this picture The focal point of a kitchen in a home on Shelter Island, NY, is a nautical map made from custom-made Spanish tile, which is a tribute to the homeowner’s love for the sea. Architect: Russell Piccione, New York, NY; Tile Supplier/Map Designer: Chelsea Arts Tile + Stone, New York, NY; Tile Manufacturer: Ceramica Decorativa, Spain; Tile Painter/Printer: Tile Guild, Los Angeles, CA; Tile Installer: Brian Italiano, Brooklyn, NY Photo courtesy of Chelsea Arts Tile + Stone

Piccione went on to explain that the monastery that he visited had every surface tiled with depictions and plans of the gardens of all its properties. “It seemed like a map room, but it was all done in tile,” he said. “It was so visually lasting. It’s one of those things that you file away in your memory.”

The homeowner is a world-class sailor, so the tile wall map was quite appropriate for the kitchen design, said Piccione. “We found a 19th-century map of Shelter Island,” explained the architect. “We used that for our land map, but because my client is a very serious sailor, we took contemporary navigation charts and used those for all the markings of the water. You can actually sail by consulting the map.” .com.

Enlarge this picture In addition to the tile map, the clean contemporary look of the kitchen is achieved with countertops fabricated from white marble that was quarried in Greece along with limestone flooring.

Piccione worked closely with Patrick to develop a custom-made ceramic tile map that would cover one entire wall in the kitchen. “It started off as a grand but straightforward request, and then we realized there was much more to it,” said Patrick. “The client enjoys sailing, so he wanted certain points on it that weren’t on the [historic] map. We had to enlarge the scope of the map.”

According to Patrick, contemporary maps and satellite imagery were implemented to expand upon the map. “They wanted it to be accurate,” he said. “Not that they would literally sail from it, but they wanted to be able to look at it and roughly plan a sail. We needed to include the lower coastline of Connecticut and other areas that weren’t on the original map.

Enlarge this picture

“I used a consultant with a background in design as well as earth science,” Patrick went on to explain. “It’s amazing that once you get into it, you can see how much maps can be distorted and outdated. I like maps and 19th-century history, so this whole challenge really appealed to me and became much more than an order.”

Patrick explained that he drew the map digitally over the course of months and then separated the 10- x 14-foot image into smaller panels that were more manageable.

“We used a silk screen process,” said Patrick. “The original map was copper plate engraving, and this is very close to that historical process. It was roughly plotted out using silk screen and then certain things were enhanced and others were wiped away to soften it and give an antique look. Altogether, this map was the product of 15th- and 21st-century technology.”

Enlarge this picture “We used [a 19th-century map] for our land map, but because my client is a very serious sailor, we took contemporary navigation charts and used those for all the markings of the water,” said architect Russell Piccione. “You can actually sail by consulting the map.” Photo courtesy of Chelsea Arts Tile + Stone

Piccione was very pleased to see his vision come to fruition. “What David did was extraordinary,” he said. “The [historical] map was incomplete. He was able to fill in some missing parts. Shelter Island fits between the North Fork and South Fork, and the map didn’t show all of that.”

Hand-molded red-body 6- x 6-inch tiles from Tile of Spain-branded manufacturer Ceramica Decorativa were selected as the “canvas” for the map. “From the beginning, I had no question what tile we were going to use,” said Patrick. “I have used Decorativa tile for years. It has a modulated surface that has a hand-molded look without being too rustic.”

According to Patrick, the architect desired the blue and white Portuguese-style look of the tiles. “If we tried it in polychrome, it would have been a very different map,” he said. “Blue and white made it more modern, in a way.” And to further enhance the contemporary design of the kitchen, white marble from Greece was chosen for the countertops and limestone was employed for the floor.

For the printing, painting and firing, Patrick relied on the expertise of artist Dennis Cafferty of Tile Guild in Los Angeles, who he has worked with in the past. “He has worked with Decorativa tile for years,” said Patrick. “One quality that he is able to achieve with that tile is an antique ‘fogginess.’”

Enlarge this picture Once the tiles were fired, each one was marked for layout by the installer, Brian Italiano of Brooklyn, NY. Prior to installation, the tiles were laid out on the floor. Photo courtesy of Chelsea Arts Tile + Stone

In total, the project took about a year to complete. “A lot of it was stop and go,” said Patrick. “Most of this was pre-production — drawing the map and getting the position right. If we made the wrong move early on, everything would have been off. This is remarkably accurate given all the variables.”

Once the tiles were fired, each one was marked for layout by the installer, Brian Italiano of Brooklyn, NY. “The installer I have known for years,” explained Patrick. “There were certain nuances to putting it up. You want it in the right hands.”

Prior to installation, the tiles were laid out on the floor, according to Patrick, who was on site during the installation. “I was very grateful to the architect on every level,” he said. “You don’t always have this much input over a special project like this.”

The nautical tile map was installed in the Shelter Island home in September of 2008. “I met the homeowners when I was on site for the installation,” said Patrick. “They couldn’t have been nicer. It was very satisfying — this was a unique opportunity and I was proud to be involved.”