Going Vertical with Subway Tile

Before rats and graffiti became a hallmark of the New York subway experience, there was subway tile. First used in the early 1900s, this brick-shaped ceramic has remained due to its resilience, classic look and ease of maintenance. Normally we see these rectangular tiles installed in a horizontal pattern, but arranging the tile vertically instead definitely puts a new twist on an old classic.

1. In the first bathoom, Frank Roop used a molded aluminum "subway tile" from Anne Sachs to create a luxurious space that looks much taller than it actually is.
(Found via Metropolitan Home)

2 & 3. Australian designer Greg Natale used both a horizontal and vertical pattern to create a distinction between the shower and sink in his bathrooms while adding interest with a coordinated wallpaper above the subway tile and black and white tile on the floor.
(Found via Design to Inspire)

4 & 5. Design*Sponge readers, Lois Mackenzie and Pamela Hill, transformed a dark and dank bathroom into a clean and modern space appropriate for their beach inspired design story. Here, the verticality of the subway tile mirrors the wainscoting to create a cohesive look.

OTHER SUBWAY TILE POSTS:
• Best Subway Tile Sources
• Five Bathrooms with Subway Tile
• Subway Tile Fireplaces
• A Gallery of Subway Tiles in the Kitchen

Comments (8)

interesting. i like it in the first picture. the color works really well. for some reason it almost seems like it's weaved or something to me... very nice.

(here's my recently remodeled bathroom with subway tile: http://tearinguphouses.blogspot.com/2009/09/before-and-after-little-blue-house.html)

kelly

posted by k51279 on October 16th 2009 at 8:59pm
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Don't do it a trend-fad that will be out before you know it. Then you will be stuck with something dated.

posted by latinwaterpolo on October 16th 2009 at 9:08pm
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I love this pattern, and have done it in our home. As you note, it makes a huge difference in a home with 8 foot ceilings, this pattern really draws the eye up.

I worked for a tile setter for several years. We tore out countless 'trend/fad/dated' bathrooms. The homeowners all cited tile color or structural damage as the reason. No one said they couldn't stand the pattern, it was the mauve and blue faux marble or bubblegum pink that drove them nuts.

My 2 cents. If you're setting tile for the long haul, color is where you should show restraint. Look to the architecture of your home, and the size of the room to guide your pattern choice.

posted by southof290 on October 17th 2009 at 6:24am
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Does not work!

posted by chicity1126 on October 17th 2009 at 12:09pm
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I think it works very well and I wouldn't really consider this a 'trend.' First subway tile has been around forever, and while the popularity ebbs and flows, it will be used for years to come. Second, if you are using the white tile or another neutral color, you'll still have a lot of flexibility in the future.

I don't like mixing the vertical and horizontal, but first and last images work very well for me.

posted by percent on October 17th 2009 at 2:10pm
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I love subway tile and would do the vertical placement before I'd do horizontal - particularly in a small space to help emphasize the height.

The other great thing about subway tile: using 3x6 tile instead of 3" square tile gives you 1/4 fewer grout lines!

posted by bepsf on October 17th 2009 at 5:21pm
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I think the vertical placement of tile gives it a more contemporary look...while the horizontal is more traditional.

posted by junklover on October 18th 2009 at 8:39am
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hhmmm not loving it at all.

posted by mvastudios on October 19th 2009 at 10:28am
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