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2023 img hi res full usage design Atypical design Studio photo jordan Layton wainscott offset cardamom 3x9 floor tile iron ore 2 hexagon FC596427 1

Original Ceramic tiles showcase handmade qualities with unique variations in color, crazing, and finish.

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2024 residential full usage 4x4 terre verte satin red jasper satin indigo satin 2x2 red jasper satin bathroom checkerboard straight set 6x12 cove base indigo satin Pluck Architecture Leonid Furmansky FC796720 2

Our budget-friendly ceramics line, Natural Press is made with your largest indoor and outdoor projects in mind.

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Your first 5 color samples are FREE through a rep

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Modern blue subway wall glass tile 2

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Glazed Thin Brick Destination Eichler Blue Brick Fireplace

Brick’s hand-mixed glazes enrich its surface, delicately exposing its unique textures and variations with the colors of the environment around us.

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2022 img hi res full rights residential photo design plural design studio bathroom floor tile mini star and cross antique white grout FC 407104 2

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As a member you’ll receive exclusive access to new products, a professional discount, plus personalized service from our trade team who can help bring your vision to life.

Learn More →
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Enscape 2025 04 08 12 57 54

Visualize our tile in your space with our comprehensive design packages.

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Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

See Featured Blog →
New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

See Featured Gallery →
Blog
  • All Blog Posts
  • Design + Inspiration
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  • Tile School
Gallery
  • All Gallery Entries
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Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

See Featured Blog →
New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

See Featured Gallery →
Blog
  • All Blog Posts
  • Design + Inspiration
  • Project Spotlight
  • Tile School
Gallery
  • All Gallery Entries
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Commercial
Where Color Meets Craft Original Ceramic Tile

Where Color Meets Craft: Reintroducing Original Ceramic Tile

See Featured Blog →
New traditional bathroom floor subway green tile 3

Nicholas Potts: Historic Primary Bathroom

See Featured Gallery →
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  3. Modern Design Explained, Plus Inspiration

Design Trends

Modern Design Explained, Plus Inspiration

By Ted Ryan

2020 Hi Res Rights Influencer Carmeon Hamilton Nubi Interiors Photo Camille Leigh Kitchen Backsplash Tile Chaine Homme Halite Full 5 Fc378906

Modern design might not be modern by today’s standards, but that doesn’t mean this legendary design style is going anywhere anytime soon. Learn all you need to know about modern design as we unpack its origins and key characteristics.

Sample the Style

Our Modern Style favorites feature Ceramic color samples in Raven Matte, Frost Matte, French Linen, Tempest, Peabody, Dolomite, Calcite, and Feldspar:

Modern Tile Colors

What is Modern Design

Modern design is defined by clean lines, natural materials, neutral colors, and uncluttered spaces. Practicality rules Modern design, placing value on a space or piece's function and usefulness above all else.

Modern Kitchen with a Touch of Drama

Tile Shown: Tempest in 3 x 6 // Designer: Studio Claro

Natural colors and big windows letting in lots of natural light give Modern spaces a fresh and spacious feeling. A great Modern designer is a skilled editor, understanding less is more and how to make the most impact with the least amount of objects or flourish.

When it comes to tile in Modern design, large format tiles with rectified edges create long, clean lines that are quintessentially Modern and make a space appear larger. Sparsely saturated shades of grey, beige, green, and charcoal hit all the right notes of Modern.

Camille Kurtz: Tri-Color Kitchen Transformation

Tile Shown: Raven Matte in 2 x 8, Lake Tahoe Matte 2 x 8, Dust Storm in 2 x 8 and 3 x 6 / / Design + Image: Camille Kurtz

A bold pop of color is welcomed in Modern design but remember to use shrewd judgment. Color should make a pointed statement, not encompass an entire motif.
 

Modern vs Contemporary Design

When we typically refer to something as modern, we mean relating to the present times, so it’s unsurprising that many often interchange Modern and contemporary styles. But while contemporary style indeed describes the design style relating to contemporary times, Modern refers to a period of the earth 20th century.

Today’s contemporary design owes much of its DNA to Modern design, making the distinction between the two even more confusing, but at the end of the day, Modern is something we can define while contemporary is something that is still (and always) evolving. 
 

History of Modern Design

Modern design evolved with Modernism, a social movement reacting to the emerging shifts of the industrialized world. Similar to the ways in which the internet age has dramatically changed the way we live, think and interact with one another, industrialization during the turn of the 20th century sent shockwaves through culture and society, leading artists, educators, philosophers, and designers to embrace a turn away from traditional norms and set forth a new way of thinking and creating.

Zigzag Studio Design: Quick Ship French Linen Kitchen

Tile Shown: French Linen in 2 x 8 // Design + Image: Zigzag Studio Design

Modern design not only dismissed earlier aesthetics, but they also dismissed traditional manufacturing methods as well, taking advantage of new ways of producing goods. New industrial techniques were used as well as modern materials like steel, molded plywood, and plastics.

Hommeboys Sonoma Sauna Floor

Tile Shown: Eucalyptus in 4 x 4 // Design + Image: Hommeboys
 

Historically, Modern style sits roughly between Art Deco and Mid Century Modern. While both bookends owe credit to Modernism for their own styles, Modern was a departure from Art Deco’s extravagance, inspired by minimalism and Scandinavian design, and Mid Century was a bolder and brighter evolution of Modern interiors.
 

Frost Subway Tile Contemporary Kitchen Backsplash

Tile Shown: Frost in 3 x 6 // Design: reBuilt Workshop // Image: Pepe Molina

Modern Kitchen Design

BIG open space, airy neutral colors, a functional double island, and plenty of hardwood throughout, this kitchen makes use of use of plenty of natural light plus modern pendant fixtures to tie it all together.

Susan Hall Modern Kitchen backsplash blended ogee drop

Tile Shown: Ogee Drop in Calcite Gloss and Frost Matte, Jardin Fretwork in White Motif // Design: Susan Hall Studio // Image: Emily Minton Redfield

Clean, bright, and tastefully appointed, this hotel kitchenette is Modern not just in aesthetic, but as a practical space to get the job done when you’re on vacation and nothing more.

Joie Inn Sage Room Kitchen by Arrows and Bow

Tile Shown: Salton Sea in 3 x 3 and Star & Cross // Design + Image: Ashley Petrone

Pale neutrals, stainless steel appliances, hardwood countertops, and thoughtful decor make this Hollywood home distinctly Modern.

Lauren Lapkus star and Cross Kitchen

Tile Shown: Magnolia Mini Star & Cross, Antique in 8" Hexagon // Design: Lauren Lapkus // Image: Phil Chester + Sara Byrne
 

Modern Bathroom Design

With long straight lines, muted neutral colors, and a restrained design, this shower is a masterful example of minimalist Modern design.

Tile Shown: Overcast in 2 x 2, Calcite in 3 x 12 // Design: EM + KATE DESIGN // Image: Sen Creative

Light neutral color, a spacious uncluttered floor plan, notes of natural wood, and lots of natural light, this bathroom gets Modern exactly right.

Susan Hall Designs: Mist Bathroom

Tile Shown: Mist in 3 x 9 and Mist 2" in Hexagon // Design: Susan Hall Studio // Image: Emily Minton Redfield

Leaning on the less-is-more mantra, this bathroom shows how impactful an edited aesthetic can be. Moonrise tile with just a mild glow of color-matched with natural stone floors like the surface of the moon and frameless glass to show it all off makes a stunning impression without ever going bold.

Lyons Studio Moonshine Bathroom and shower

Tile Shown: Moonshine in 3 x 9, Moonshine in 2 x 2 // Design: Lyons Studio // Image: Kylie Fitts

With bold polka dot Fallow floor tiles and a pop of color on the shower pan, this Modern bathroom demonstrates Mid Century’s move toward maximalism while still retaining much of its original Modern characteristics.

Hygge House by Duett Interiors: Fallow Bathroom with Salton Sea

Tile Shown: Salton Sea 2 x 8, Fallow in Cool Motif // Design: Tiffany Thompson, Duett Interiors // Image: Tiffany Thompson, Duett Interiors Marni Mervis
 

 

More Modern Interior Design

The rise of the California bungalow coincided with the Modern movement and this Berkley restoration is an incredible example. The bold brick fireplace makes for a fantastic--and functional--centerpiece in this dining room.

Absaroka Dining Room Fireplace

Brick Shown: Absaroka // Design: Decorotation // Image: Sen Creative

Modern might be a century old but its aesthetic has never been more of the moment. Get in touch with one of our expert Design Consultants who can help you nail the Modern look in your home.

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Raven Matte

Raven Matte

Frost Matte

Frost Matte

Tempest Gloss

Tempest Gloss

Egret Matte

Egret Matte

Condor Gloss

Condor Gloss

Peabody Gloss

Peabody Gloss

Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree

Black Hills

Black Hills

Feldspar Matte

Feldspar Matte

Dolomite Matte

Dolomite Matte

Flycatcher Matte

Flycatcher Matte

Calcite Matte

Calcite Matte

Sample all tile colors

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