Images by: Rustic White Photography
Using our Color-It Tool to create a fresh take on our Starburst pattern, Anna Liesemeyer's bathroom leaves us positively starry-eyed. Mixing patterns like a pro, Anna chose our Mini Star and Cross as the perfect counterpart to Starburst and we couldn't love the result more.
Here's a bit about Anna:
My style can be described as...Global with a modern edge;)
My design philosophy is...Good design doesn't mean you have to forgo functionality. The two can work hand in hand.
I got my start...As a graphic designer.
I find inspiration in...Cities, cultures, and the people who live there.
I can't live without...Sushi. Or coffee.
My best design advice would be...Don't scroll through Pinterest or Instagram too long! The best ideas for me always come through exploring and experiencing life outside of screens.
I love tile because...It allows you to incorporate color, pattern, and texture in unique ways. It gives you a chance to add a story to a space.
First, can you tell me a bit about yourself and what you do?
I am a graphic designer by trade, and Gabe was a teacher! I fell into blogging as a creative outlet, that somehow became my full time job a few years ago! Gabe joined me in the business this past summer, which is a surreal reality for us! We both have different creative strengths. Gabe is a natural at woodworking, teaching himself how to do just about anything home improvement related, and finding a way to make his wife's sometimes lofty ideas a reality. For me, taking a blank space and making it come to life is one of my favorite things to tackle. It hasn't been without it's challenges, but so far we really enjoy working together.
Was this bathroom project a part of a remodel or renovation of your home? What were you wanting to change about your space?
Yes, this bathroom was part of a large scale project to finish out our daylight basement. When we first bought our home, we loved the idea of designing the basement area to fit the needs of our family. We knew we wanted to have an office area, guest room, a large kids bedroom, and workshop all in the basement! So this bathroom was designed for guests in mind as well as for functional use for our boys as they grow up.
How did you come up with your overall color scheme and design?
I have such a deep rooted love for color as well as a love of global influence in design. I chose the floor tile simultaneously with the faucets first to establish the overall style and direction I wanted the bathroom to have, and went from there. The clean and modern Kohler cabinetry, sinks, and faucets were a good compliment to the the organic star and cross tile pattern on the wall as well as the bold starburst pattern on the floor.
Did you know we offer complimentary design services, including 3D renderings? We did renderings for Anna to help determine what the best pattern pairing would be:
In terms of tile, what sort of look were you going for?
I get nerdy excited about textiles and patterns, so it took me a loooong time to narrow down what I wanted in tile. When it came down to it, I knew I wanted a fun pattern mixed with one bold color.
Tile Shown: Mini Star and Cross in Tusk and handpainted Starburst
What made you choose our Starburst pattern for the floor tile?
When I saw the Starburst pattern it had hints of that European influence which drew me in. I also knew it would be a good contender with the other pieces we were pulling for the space. I would have loved this pattern in just about any color. It brings some life to the space!
And how did you land on the color Peacock? How was your experience using our Color-It Tool?
I was searching in the blue families since it is a color I never tire of, and works well with brass finishes. Peacock was such a rich tone, and I loved the matte finish. It really stood out to me, so I went with my gut! The Color-It Tool was really helpful in making the decision. It is a great way to narrow down what you want by being able to see how a color mixes with a pattern you like.
What made you go for our Mini Star and Cross in Tusk for the walls?
I originally considered it for the floor, but realized it would be an excellent partner in crime to the Starburst pattern. The Tusk color paired really well with the Kohler Purist collection! It's such a diverse pattern and could be used in many types of rooms!
We love the way you've mixed patterns in this bathroom, any advice for how to best accomplish this look?
It's very easy for things to get really busy, so it helped having samples to play around with to visualize in the space. Since the floor tiles were a larger pattern that drew in the eyes attention, I knew I could get away with a smaller pattern in a light color on the wall. Had I chosen an equally large pattern with multiple colors they most likely would compete with each other and make you dizzy! Something else I usually consider is line direction. Mixing directions can sometimes prevent the tile from being too overwhelming for the eye!
How did the installation process go? Did you face any challenges?
Overall it went pretty well. Tile installation is not for the faint of heart. We had to hunt around for someone with a good deal of experience laying tile because it is easy to mess up and regret permanent mistakes. We found someone who took the time in the first few days to do the tile placement and grout with care. However, they were rushed on the last day so when it came to drilling holes where the faucets would meet the tile, they completely butchered the job and tried to cover it up with grout. Gabe and I didn't realize this till after they left for the day. Not really trusting them to do the job a second time, we didn't ask them to come back. Gabe being someone who naturally tries to problem solve, looked up approximately 23 youtube videos that night, called some contractor friends for tool suggestions, and taught himself how to fix it. He removed several of the tile pieces and started over. It turned out really well, and now he can add that to his list of cool things he's learned from being a homeowner ;)
Lastly, which of our colors/shapes/patterns would you love to use in future projects?
Too hard to narrow down! I really love the Jardin Fretwork from the Moroccan collection because it would be really stunning in a Jade or Morning Thaw color. Cyprus and Snow Flower are calling my name, but I think the Hexite or Picket shapes could be really fun to design with.
Tile Shown: Jardin Fretwork in Cool Motif
Starry eyed for this bathroom? Order color samples online or try out our Color-It Tool! Need some help? Simply call, chat or fill out our Design Assistance Form and one of our talented Design Consultants will get back to you shortly.
