AT Home with Sarah Beeny - May 2011 - (Page 229)

| surface detail | Get tiling When it comes to decorating your walls, floors and domestic surfaces, there are plenty of creative tile options for all budgets From glistening glass mosaics to bold slate and rustic terracotta, today’s tiles are less boring backdrop, more dazzling style statement. Used to accentuate any space, tiles fuse style and function to create an on-trend look. Embed them in your bathroom, kitchen and living area for a designer touch or use them creatively to spice up fireplaces, mirrors and surrounds. Sarah says... ‘tiles can be regrouted many times before you retile a room. they should be replaced when they start to look manky and affect the hygiene of a room.’ Six top tile styles 1 2 3 4 5 Glass Boasting sparkle and depth, glass gives a sleek sophisticated finish in the kitchen or an aqua-fresh vibe in your bathroom. Opt for cut glass bricks or mosaic sheets. Glass tiles are water resistant so are ideal for backsplashes, shower walls, accents on floors or room dividers. From approximately £6.60 per mesh sheet. Best for: A burst of sparkle and shine a vast range of colour combinations, so choose from a high-polish finish or go for tiles with veins and speckles. From approximately £54 per square metre. Best for: shiny futuristic appeal 6 Marble For an upscale design classic that oozes luxury, the allure of natural marble is unbeatable. For the ultimate in refinement, use them on kitchen and bathroom walls – or counter tops. Avoid floors because they are mostly limestone and easily damaged to citric acid, vinegar and household cleaners. From approximately £80 per square metre. Best for: Classical style Mosaic Functional yet fabulous, the lure of magical mosaics stays strong on bathrooms, kitchens, fireplaces and floors. Add a dreamy dimension to your interiors by using them to make a dramatic statement on borders, skirting or scattered randomly around the bathtub. From as little as £22 per square metre. Best for: Inexpensive glamour sandstone Great for flooring because it’s a hard and durable material, sandstone lends a natural vibe to your home. Sandstone tiles are available in a range of different colours and textures. Just be careful when cleaning sandstone; it’s very porous so only use clean water or a professional neutral cleaner. From approximately £37 per square metre. Best for: A subtle and simplistic look Granite Glamorous granite is a designer must-have – especially in kitchens. Durable on both floors and worktops, stains such as grease, fat and oil have minimal impact. They are available in slate A natural material found in the earth, slate is a bold design choice that is undeniably on-trend. As a durable, long-lasting and generally water-resistant material it has a rough surface, making it a great choice for flooring in bathrooms, kitchens and hallways, as well as exterior spaces. From approximately £31 per square metre. ✱ Best for: fashion and function words: michelle dunn | photographs: getty images, istocKphoto MAY 2011 | 229

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AT Home with Sarah Beeny - May 2011

Editor’s letter
A word from Sarah
Notebook
Spring sensation
Big-name bedrooms
Brilliant buys for your home
House talk
Home horrors
Areas on the up
Property perfectionist
Mortgage mania
Solicitor’s service
a penny for your thouGhts
Housing hotshot
Wise up
Flying the nest
Making the ideal become real
Boost your build
Feeling lofty
Garden plotting
When cracks appear
Window shopping
Stay toasty
Warm up
Success story
Top transformation
Greenovate your home
Eco boost
Organic ignition
Green queens
Solve those dilemmas
Splash of colour
Bed down in style
Lounge around
Kitchens and bathrooms
Bubble up
Shower power
Instant illumination
Floor wars
The carpet market
Tip-top tiles
Tools of the trade
Fresh air furnishings
Grill thrills
Picnic perfect
Green supreme
Diary date
Kerb appeal
Up top
Brick cladding
Groovy garages
Lodge life
Go your own way
Car booty
Clock ticker
Stockists
Coming soon
On the list
Listed lovelies

AT Home with Sarah Beeny - May 2011