Tile backsplashes are a wonderful and functional accent piece in the kitchen. While there are a plethora of options to choose from at H.J. Martin and Son, here are a few tile styles that are on-trend (but we feel will stand the test of time) that our designers and customers love.

Zellige Tile

Zellige tile, pronounced (zil-EEHJ) is an ultra glossy, hand-cut tile leaving a unique, undulated edge. The term, “undulated,” meaning “moving with a smooth up-and-down motion,” describes the movement, style, and texture of this tile perfectly. Each piece has its own cut and style that when put together, creates a beautiful flow to any backsplash. Zellige tile has unique shades, with each piece different from the rest, and a glossy finish. The 6×6 size is the most popular for a kitchen tile backsplash and comes at a price point that can fit into a variety of budgets.

Small Scale Marble Mosaics

Marble is a classic look that never goes out of style. Today we are seeing small-scale marble used in herringbone or chevron patterns, adding a perfect visual to your kitchen, especially with granite countertops. Any natural stone paired with granite wins people over almost every time! One of the main reasons designers suggest stone or marble is because of the finish options that are available. You can choose from honed, tumbled, polished, brushed, split face, and more. All of these options can give the backsplash a slightly different feel, making yours one of a kind.

Metallic + Marble Mosaics

If you are looking for a style that is very unique and a little outside of the “norm,” this is the style for you! When you venture outside of your comfort zone, you may be surprised by what you find. The geometric shapes and metal accents give a punch of shine that can coordinate with an array of kitchen faucets or appliances while helping a functional space gently stand out.

These are just a few of the many great tile options that we offer at H.J. Martin and Son. For more information about how H.J. Martin and Son can help you plan your kitchen remodel or any home design projects, call our showrooms in Green Bay at 920-494-3461 or Neenah at 920-886-6668 to set up an appointment to meet with a designer. Or you can set up an appointment here! For more immediate inspiration, visit our gallery or Pinterest page.

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Large format Laminam tile was used throughout this bathroom.

Seamless + Functional Design

We are used to seeing the traditional 2×2 squares or 3×6 subway tile in many applications, and while these sized tiles are still popular and widely used, we are loving large tile for its many advantages.

Designing with large format tile offers a lot of opportunity for making a room look larger and creating a more seamless look. H.J. Martin and Son carries both Laminam and Continua by Crossville.

Large format tile usually starts around 24×24, 26×32 and upwards of 18×36! Even though they are large, they are thinner, lighter and stronger than traditional porcelain tile. Large format is also more resistant to fire, water damage and extreme temperatures.

This style of tile is also a great partner to in-floor heat as it is thinner and easier to warm than other materials, according to Porcel-Thin.

The beauty of large format tiles, is that we are not sacrificing style. Porcelain, glass, ceramic, stone, you name the material, we can find a large format tile for you.

A sample of large format Laminam tile is prepared for installation by an H.J. Martin and Son installer.

Large Format Tile Installation

These massive tiles typically take two people to set while installing because they are so large. The installation team at H.J. Martin and Son has been trained to install large format tile, and we have hosted a local builder training about the product along with a demonstration on installation techniques.

Large format tile had been typically used in large commercial applications, as it offers a very dramatic look and feel. However, our design team has been utilizing large format tile in many projects over the course of the last year in residential homes.

Another bonus to a more minimal tile design is how easily it fits in with traditional and modern design styles. When used on walls, this tile fully replaces the need to repaint or update wallpaper as it is incredibly durable.

We have found that large format tile looks its best in more open areas or very large rooms. However, when getting proportions right, large tile can help a smaller space feel larger. Our designers can assist you in choosing the grout color to get the best visual effect you are hoping for from the tile.

If you have any questions about utilizing large format tile in your home or on your next commercial project, contact us here.

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Whether you are changing the curtains, adding in subtle decor hints or you have decided to repaint your home, here are some fun colors to keep that autumn feeling close at hand.

While summer design tends to be light and airy, fall brings the desire to have a cozy space with deeper tones. A great way to make your home feel more like fall is to add darker colors to replace the bright summer ones you currently have. In all fairness, it can be difficult to redesign your home with every season, so try to not stress about it and make it simple by adding a pillow or throw to any existing space to change the look.

The first color to add to your home is brown. While black will always be a staple color, we are seeing a lot of people turn to adding shades of brown to their home. Whether you add an oversized chocolate brown blanket or a wood table, you are making your home fall ready. With brown being an earthy tone, it adds warmth and comfort to any space. Add a warm, dark or light brown element to any room to help bring your home into the fall season.

The second color to add to your home is green. While green is

often used in homes all year long with plants, it is time to take it to the next level. Switch out your summer flowers for a beautiful deep green plant. Add forest green pillows or a muted green lamp to any space. Green is a color that can be easy to add to any room because it can almost be neutral. A simple solution is to place green apples and plants together on a table or mantel to make a fun centerpiece for friends and family to gather around.

Another color to add to your space for a fall-feel is blue. Think more cobalt and navy rather than light, sky blues. Fun blue pillows can add color as well as warmth this fall. Mixing different shades of blue can add dimension and texture. Finish off any space with blue artwork on the walls, or complete any sitting area or bedroom with a blue throw and your space will feel inviting and cozy.

Now, we’re heading into pumpkin territory, with orange. Adding pops of burnt or golden orange in the form of flowers, rugs or even paint colors if you’re looking for a true autunmal feel. A fun orange lamp on any side table will help invite your guests into a warm, relaxing space.

The last color to add to your home this fall is red. Red is a classic fall color that can be very easy to incorporate into any space. With many shades to choose from you really cannot go wrong. Whether you decide to add red flowers to bring your space to life or an assortment of red accessories, you will be holding up a cup of hot apple cider in no time. Deep red shades add warmth while brighter reds can help keep the feel of the space more inviting.

Whether you want to add a couple fall colors or just one to your home this year, you really will find subtle changes make a big difference from season to season. Plus, there is no need for construction workers. This upcoming fall swap out your light colors with some deep, rich tones in any of these colors to give your home the cozy fall feel you want.

For more information about how H.J. Martin and Son can help you bring Fall into your home, visit us online at www.hjmartin.com!

(Blog ideas repurposed from ElleDecor.com.)

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Our designer, Andria Orth, has frequently been asked a lot of the same questions about building and remodeling homes over the years, so she took these FAQs and developed a few essential tips and tricks to help you through the process.

1. Make it personal: Go online to find inspiration. Some of the best websites for home design include Houzz and Pinterest. Houzz is a place to find design ideas or even specific vendors and builders, which can help simplify and narrow down your choices. Pinterest is a great place to get general ideas for what you want. This simple search website allows you to save different ideas in virtual folders, allowing you ease of organization and the ability to explain likes and dislikes easier. Your home should reflect who you are and tell your story. Trends can be helpful as guidelines and tools, but sometimes the latest styles may not be who you are. 

2. Work with your space: Understanding the size and scale of your room can help narrow down your choices in design elements. If you know the size of the room, interior designers can best educate you about the different products that will make your room look its best. Room size can lead to information about different design ideas and clear up myths. For example, it is believed that because you’re in a small room, you need to use small tile to decorate it, but that is not the case. Scale drawings or measurements can help a designer understand space and make your flooring, tile, paint and decor selections balance and function to the best of their ability.

3. How to make your space feel inviting and comfortable: The feeling you get when you walk into a room is everything. If you’re looking for warm and cozy, light and airy or bright and colorful, you can achieve the look with design components of flooring and tiled walls, along with paint color, furniture and decor pieces. Working with your designer to match your paint with flooring and even down to details of your pillows can pave the way for finding the feel a lot easier. While designing, think about the decor. Fill the space with accessories you love and maybe to a theme that represents you, your hobbies and your life. For example, if you love the water, find things with a nautical, boating feel. Be sure to present these things to your designer and builder, so they can help you make good decisions and provide you the products you want. Plus, sharing what you want with them will give you the ability to better visualize the space.Talk to your designer, know what you are looking for and create the home of your dreams.

4. Stick to the classics: Classic elements such as subway tile, chevron patterns, basket weaves, marble, black and white, medium and neutral tones will keep your home looking lovely for years to come. There are “trendy” design elements that can quickly date your home, so it is important to have an open conversation about incorporating the right styles into your home with your designer.

5. Less is more in a finished home: Once you have your newly remodeled or built home (yay!), to keep the feel and design of your home present, develop a system to maintain clutter. The more things you put into a space, the more it seems to take away from permanent things you want to see in your home. Accessories and paint can be changed, but the organization is key to seeing your home as beautiful as it is today.

For more information about design in new and remodeled homes, be sure to visit our other blog posts by clicking here!

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