Piece de Resistance: Colorful Subway Tile

There are so many things I could have picked as my favorite design element in the Room of the Week.  But, I settled on that glassy green-gray subway tile…here’s a few reasons why:

1. The contrast of the shimmery tile against the matte paint color and the wood elements really helps make the subway tile stand out in this room, without detracting from the beauty of the cabinetry.
2. The color of the tile, just slightly lighter than the color of the cabinetry was most likely not a happy accident, but a deliberate decision.  If the tile was extremely different in color it would stand out too much, and would distract rather than support all the design elements in the room.
3. The shiny quality of the tile connects the shiny steel appliances and shelf with the matte paint colors.
4. White subway tile is definitely a designer blogger and pinterest favorite…for lots of good reasons.  But, I love the personality colored tile can bring to a kitchen.  It’s a big statement of course, but a really effective one at adding just the right amount of color and texture to a room, and right at eye level.

I pulled together several kitchens that feature colorful subway tile.  When you look at them notice the strength of the color depending on the color of the cabinets.  The whiter the cabinets the stronger the contrast.  But, the tiles paired with darker/wood cabinetry blend in a bit more into the kitchen.SOURCES: 1: Kitchen, Tile | 2: Kitchen, Tile | 3: Kitchen, Tile | 4: Kitchen, Tile | 5: Kitchen, Tile | 6: Kitchen, Tile | 7: Kitchen, Tile | 8: Kitchen, Tile | 9: Kitchen, Tile

Do you have subway tile in your kitchen?  Dreaming of adding some….what color is your favorite?