Will Taylor believes in make-you-smile adventures in design, travel, and style. The renovation of his New York cottage will not only make you grin, but it might also just have you drooling over his bold color combinations, mix and match patterns, and stunning tile installations. Keep reading for our full interview with Will Taylor of Bright Bazaar!
Loving Will’s beach house look? Try our Bright Bazaar Sample Pack for that classic cottage-on-the-coast feel. Featuring 2x4 Ceramic color samples in White Wash, Aegean Sea, Lake Tahoe, Adriatic Sea, Naples Blue, Mist, Frost, and Navy Blue.
Featuring 2x4 Ceramic color samples in White Wash, Aegean Sea, Lake Tahoe, Adriatic Sea, Naples Blue, Mist, Frost, and Navy Blue.
First, meet Will!
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and what you do? Where are you based?
I’m an interior design author and content creator, and I split my time between NYC and Bellport, NY.
How did you hear about Fireclay Tile?
Instagram. I saw your beautiful feed and was hooked from the first tap!
Why do you love tile?
I’ve always loved how color and graphic patterns can come together to tell powerful design
stories. Both of those things are at the heart of stunning tile installations, which is probably
why I’ve always loved working with tile.
Tile Shown: Ogee Drops in Naples Blue with Mini Star and Cross in White Wash
Can you tell me about the house? Is there any story behind it and the project that you
want to share What did you change?
We bought the house, a small cape cod style cottage, as a fixer-upper almost four years
ago and have been renovating it bit by bit ever since.
First, we did a complete gut. renovation of the interior, with all new bathrooms and kitchen.
Tile Shown:3x6 tiles in Adriatic Sea with 2" Hexagons in Navy Blue and White Wash
Once that was completed, we moved onto the garden where we added a pool in the backyard, as well a new path, hydrangea beds, and privacy hedge in the front yard. Finally, we’re nearing completion of a home addition (the ‘Scandi barn’) which has been built over the last year or so. This little home of ours has been a wild ride for sure!
What type of look or aesthetic were you going for?
The original part of the house has a cozy, homely, layered English heritage vibe with a
subtle coastal feel to it. Then, our new addition has a modern, Scandinavian vibe. I like
how each part of the house has a distinct feel to it while still feeling unified.
Tile shown: 2x8 tiles in Adriatic Sea
How did you come up with your color scheme and design?
I think bathrooms are a great place to have fun with bold colors and patterns, especially a guest bath. My motto with a guest bath or powder room is that it should always be the first thing your dinner guests want to talk about when they come back to the dining table!
Tile Shown: Ogee Drops in Naples Blue with 1x6 Round Liner Trim
Let’s talk about your master bath first! What was the inspiration here? What made
you go bold with Adriatic Sea and your mosaic floor tile?
My inspiration for the master bathroom was the old bathrooms I remember from
Georgian townhouses back in England, which was where I grew up. I love all the
unlacquered brass facets that take on such a beautiful patina as the years pass.
Tile Tip: Don't forget about trim! 1x6 Round Liners finish exposed edges, windows and the wainscot height in this bathroom!
I love how the Adriatic Sea color nods to the beach locale of the property and when used
in the traditional subway tile and 1/2 rounds format, they took on a heritage vibe that I
just love. The mosaic floor tile was a fun way to introduce pattern to the room as I knew
I wanted to keep the walls clean of paint and wallpaper to really let the tile shine.
Tile Shown:3x6 tiles in Adriatic Sea with 2" Hexagons in Navy Blue and White Wash
How about the guest bath? What made you choose the Ogee Drop in Naples Blue?
I wanted this bathroom to feel like summer all year round. The ogee drop in Naples Blue paired with the bold lemon wallpaper makes it feel like you are in a bathroom on the Amalfi coast!
Here's the guest bath before:
And after!!
Tile Shown: Ogee Drops in Naples Blue with 3x6 tiles in White Wash
Especially now that the window looks out over the yard across to the pool, which shimmers invitingly under the summer sun. Even on the darkest winter days, this bathroom makes me smile, I just love it. It’s always a talking point when friends come to our house for the first time.
In the guest bath, you mix a few patterns and shapes of the tile plus the fun lemon
wallpaper, any tips on mixing patterns for the best effect?
The pattern mixing works in this space because we only used contrasting grout for the
ogee drops.
Tile Shown: Ogee Drops in Naples Blue
I wanted those tiles, along with the lemon wallpaper, to be the stars of the space. The other tile, while a mix of subway tile and star and cross, was installed with white grout so it seamlessly blends together without competing with the other two design elements of the room. I do like how when you look closely at the room you notice how different tile shapes were used. To me, it adds extra layers and dimension to a small space.
Tile Shown: Ogee Drops in Naples Blue with 3x6 tiles in White Wash and Mini Star and Cross in White Wash
How about the. fireplace, what was the inspiration here?
We added the fireplace during the gut renovation of the original house. Our hope had
been to add an open wood stove but when we were quoted $40K+ partway through the
renovation we had to rethink as that was wayyyy out of our budget! So, we opted for a
small alcove and placed a wood effect gas stove into it. My aim was to make it look like
the wood stoves I used to see in old cottages growing up in England, so we found a
reclaimed railway sleeper to install as a mantel. I knew I wanted to install the blue
Adriatic Sea 2 x 8 subway in a herringbone pattern because it invites both color and graphic
pattern into the room.
Tile shown: 2x8 tiles in Adriatic Sea
How did the installation process go? Did you work with a tile installer or contractor?
We worked with a local tile installer and thankfully there were no issues!
How was designing for your own home? Lessons learned?
I know everyone always says this but there’s a reason why they do: because it’s true!
Almost any renovation project will always, always take longer than you expect, and than
you’re told. My advice is to add at least three months to the projected timescale.
What are your 3 best design tips?
1. No-one ever wants to feel nervous or precious about being in their own home, so
always make spaces livable and comfortable.
Tile Shown:3x6 tiles in Adriatic Sea with 2" Hexagons in Navy Blue and White Wash
2. Good lighting is absolutely key. It doesn’t matter how beautifully decorated a room is, if
the lighting is bad (hello, stark, cold white light, I’m looking at you!) then the space just
won’t feel relaxing or inviting. Bringing lighting down low is a great way to make a room
feel warmer and cozier.
Tile Shown: Ogee Drops in Naples Blue with 3x6 tiles in White Wash and Mini Star and Cross in White Wash
Tile Shown:3x6 tiles in Adriatic Sea with 2" Hexagons in Navy Blue and White Wash
3. If you’re feeling stuck with what direction to take a room, pick something you love (a
rug, a piece of art, a vase, etc.) and make it a focal and reference point for the rest of the
space. Let that item be a jumping-off point for the colors, patterns, textures, materials, etc. you decide to layer in across the room.
Lastly, which Fireclay products would you love to use in future projects?
I’ve always appreciated the effortless simplicity and style of Scandinavian design, so I’d love to work Fireclay Tile into a Nordic-inspired space.
Tile Shown: 4x8 Tiles in Mist // Design: EJ Interior Design // Image: Brad Knipstein
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