Dabbieri Blog

Tile for Your Fireplace

Fireplaces are beautiful gathering spots for you to spend time with your loved ones on brisk and chilly days. Meant to be eye-catching centerpieces that act as a room’s focal point, fireplaces often bring coziness, light, and warmth to a room and your home's overall design. If you’re looking to update your traditional fireplace this season or are adding a new one to your home, installing tile around your fireplace is a great way to infuse a spark of striking texture with refined finishes and elevated style.

Why Fireplace Tile?

Porch Coffee Porcelain by Emser Tile

Known for its durability, tile is fairly easy to keep clean, which is why you can often find it as a backsplash in kitchens and baths. There are many different types of tile for your gas fireplace or electric fireplace surround, but not all are made to withstand high temperatures. Ceramic tile, porcelain tile, glass tile, metal tile, quartz tile, and stone tile are just a few examples of tiles that can withstand heat. Even limited to these materials, these fireplace tile ideas come in a variety of textures, shapes, sizes, and patterns. From white subway tile and hand-painted tile to black geometric tiles, marble, mosaic, and brick, you're bound to find a fireplace tile to fit your unique taste.

One thing to keep in mind when installing tile on an old fireplace is that it’s perfect for the space surrounding a fireplace, but you should not use it in the firebox. Materials in the firebox need to meet building codes and be able to endure extreme heat. When you are looking for modern fire-safe tiles to upgrade your fireplace, make sure you confer with a flooring expert to ensure that your product selection is safe for high-temperature applications. Another benefit to consider is if your room has carpet or hardwood flooring, as tile will protect the surrounding areas around your fireplace, which are exposed to embers and sparks.

Textural or Sculptural Fireplace Tile Ideas

Pacific Rim Silver Engineered Stone Concrete by Emser Tile

For a high-end, artistic look that adds a striking contrast to your fireplace surround, sculptural tile with subtle texture brings dimension to your room. This textured tile is a beautiful work of art all by itself, but when you place textured tile on your modern fireplace, it brings the whole hearth to life. Textural, decorative tiles can come in rough, coarse, smooth, or silky textures. As an eclectic fireplace tile of choice, tiles with texture offer fascinating and stunning designs, whether it's glass tiles, ceramic tile, or another material that matches your aesthetic and adds texture to your space. Both of these styles in fireplace built ins (or even a faux fireplace) makes for an impressive wall feature around your fireplace that is a perfect fit for those looking to add just the right amount of avant-garde.

Modern Large-Format Tiles

Metro Cream Vein Cut Honed Limestone Emser Tile

Oversized, large-format tiles on your fireplace can make a huge modernistic impact on your décor. This design typically focuses on straight lines and simplicity. Large-format tiles offer rooms a clean look and have the ability to make spaces appear larger. When placed on a fireplace, they create a dramatic statement that will automatically upgrade your fireplace to a statement piece and complement your marble hearth that you've been dying to elevate. When these stunning tiles are installed around a fireplace, they're usually used to create a floor-to-ceiling focal point that draws in the eye, especially for a room with vaulted ceiling or high ceilings.

Rustic-Chic Tile Fireplace

Volcanic Gray Limestone by Daltile

If you’re looking to create a more natural and organic fireplace surround, tiles that bring some of the earth tones indoors are ideal for you. A good rustic tile fireplace design has tone, texture, and style that mimics the aesthetics and natural feel of organic elements. Slate tiles give your fireplace a rugged, handcrafted look, while natural stone tiles offer elegance with earthy colors and unique patterns. Wood-look tiles combined with a reclaimed wood mantle, blend charming vintage-washed accents with durability to set the perfect rustic living room scene.

You can even add grout lines to the tile in your fireplace to lend a clean appearance. Use white grout or another neutral shade to create visual interest, setting your tile in contrast against your fireplace. These choices create a fireplace that connects your home to nature, making it a cozy and visually pleasing centerpiece of your living room.

Moroccan-Inspired Tiles

Memoir Glazed Ceramic in Crystal Grey by Daltile

Moroccan-styled décor is inspirational due to its beautiful colors, and bold patterns. To create an opulent Moroccan theme with your fireplace tile surround, be sure to incorporate tile that has abstract and geometric patterns. Hues and shades of blue, green, terracotta, red, and orange are the prominent colorways for this style. Splashes of gold and silver are heavily featured as well and can be used as accents on your modern fireplace for furnishings such as grates and baskets, wood holders, pieces of art for your walls, and tools for your fireplace.

Incorporating various types of tile into your living room and fireplace design is an excellent way to transform your space. Whether you opt for textural, large-format, rustic-chic, or Moroccan-inspired tiles, or any other fireplace tile idea, each choice brings its unique charm and pattern to your home. Your fireplace makes a powerful statement in your living room, and selecting the right tile can elevate your modern fireplace's aesthetics to create a beautiful space designed for both warmth and style. So, explore these diverse fireplace tile options and let your own tile fireplace surround become a captivating focal point in your space.

How Interior Design is Returning to Noir

Does your taste err on the side of moody sophistication? Are you someone who loves richly layered pieces, black matte details, and fascinating designs? Then the Return to Noir trend might be just the right fit for you!

Modern Precious Metal Blinds by Hunter Douglas

This fast-approaching design style has been taking over the interior design world and you'll continue to see it pop up across inspiration pages, designer homes, and blogs throughout this year. Leaning towards a Gothic design with dramatic details and moody black hues, Return to Noir emphasizes character-rich, personalized spaces.

What is the Return to Noir Trend?

Pietra Divinia Res Tile by Daltile

Let's start with the basics: What does the word noir even mean? Noir, deriving from the French word for the color black, is often used in the English language to reference old films like "film noir" or even your favorite red wine, "pinot noir".

In the interior design world, though, the meaning of this word translates to a gothic style with moody black hues. This trend blends a return to elevated black statement pieces blended with the relaxed, contemporary look of warm textures and muted hues.

If you're leaning more on the contemporary side of things, let the color black dominate your space through small details, like sweeping curtains, sculptures, and arched mirrors. To make a bigger statement, bring the Return to Noir trend into your architecture and flooring through dark herringbone hardwood, black accent walls, and lavish chandeliers.

How to Style Matte Black Details

Woven Wood Roman Shades by Hunter Douglas

The good news about this design trend is that styling with black is quite simple! Depending on the atmosphere you're trying to create, you can go as big and bold as you want or add just a few simple details to tie the Return to Noir trend into your space.

Bring a contemporary twist to your space with rounded black furniture, black abstract art, or black velvet upholstery.

Infusing Drama into Your Space

Imagica Floor in Vision by Daltile

While the Return to Noir trend may seem heavily influenced by gothic architecture, you can add as much or as little drama to your space as you want to curate a style that's unique to your taste.

For more drama, look for places to create contrast. Examples include black cabinetry finished with gold hardware in the kitchen, polished black marble shower tiles with stark white walls in the bathroom, or a black statement couch in the living room against a white fireplace. Choosing black as a paint color in certain rooms can have a dramatic effect to add ambiance and sophistication to the space.

Create Balance with Flooring

Sparkle Linear White Ceramic Emser Tile

One of the key elements to decorating with black is creating balance. You should have just as much white space as you do black space (if not more). Use natural light to your advantage by adding weight to the bottom of your room with dark colors and letting the top of your room reflect natural light through large windows and skylights.

If you choose to do black accent walls, then stick to lighter flooring. If you're looking to ground black in your flooring products, browse dark hardwoods (like a red maple or a walnut), plush black carpets, and black marble tile or stone-look luxury vinyl.

Which Rooms Does Black Decor Work Best In?

Vertical Blinds by Hunter Douglas

Black details are versatile and can be easily incorporated into any space, but the most common rooms to decorate with black include bedrooms and living rooms. These are easy spaces to incorporate dark accent walls, window treatments, and black furniture

To create a Return to Noir bedroom, ground your space with black nightstands, dark textured carpet, or a black bed frame. If you're looking to add warmth, consider pairing your black decor with lighter tones like grays and whites. Get cozy with soft bedding, plush area rugs, and warm wood accents.

How have you incorporated black details into your home this season?

How to Add Vibrant Colors to Your Home

Looking to make your space, sizzle pop? Show off your taste and style this season through vibrant colors. Color is often used to express ourselves whether through fashion, luxury cars, or interior décor. Color can be used as a powerful mood enhancer, influencing emotions and shaping the overall effect of a space, so it's important to choose your home's accent colors wisely.

Keep summer going into the fall, with bright, vibrant colors, both inside and outside of the home. This season we want to see you incorporate energetic colors such as terracotta shades, red magentas, Spanish greens, and traditional blues into your home décor.

The change of seasons is a great time for updating décor, so we highly recommend that these colors be added through the use of textiles and patterns, whether it's with throw pillows, area rugs, wallpaper, or window treatments.

Here are a few ways to create a colorful home:

Infusing Bold Color into Your Dining Room

Pleated Shades by Graber

Transform your dining room into a captivating and lively space by skillfully infusing vibrant colors that stimulate the senses and create an inviting ambiance. Begin by selecting a bold, eye-catching color palette that resonates with your style and complements the room's existing décor. Consider incorporating vivid shades like radiant reds, electric blues, and vibrant greens, which can be artfully introduced through accent walls, upholstery, decorative accessories, and even tableware. To achieve a balanced and harmonious look, pair these vibrant tones with neutral elements like crisp whites or soft grays. Adding colorful artwork, vibrant rugs, and dynamic lighting fixtures can further enhance the room's vibrancy, creating an atmosphere that exudes energy and warmth. By thoughtfully integrating these rich and lively hues, you'll effortlessly craft a dining space that is both visually stunning and emotionally captivating, making every meal a delightful and memorable experience.

Add Drama to Your Bedroom

Alternative Wood Blinds by Hunter Douglas

In your bedroom, choosing bedding in a fun, energetic color is a simple yet bold statement since comforters and linens cover a large footprint. Or opt to keep your bedding neutral and go bold with your walls, using wallpaper, headboards, and accent walls to play with new colors.

Since your bedroom is a space of relaxation, choose soothing color palettes. For example, if you're looking to create a sense of calm, decorate in shades of blue. If you're looking to promote growth, opt for green, and for tranquility shades of lavender.

Accent Colors in Your Living Room

Aloha Multicolor Area Rug by Nourison

Start by selecting a dynamic and captivating color palette that resonates with your personality and complements your existing décor. Incorporate striking shades like vibrant reds, lively yellows, and electric blues, strategically introduced through accent walls, plush upholstery, chic throw pillows, and even standout art pieces. Achieve a well-balanced look by pairing these vibrant tones with neutral elements like sophisticated grays or crisp whites. To enhance the vibrancy, consider integrating colorful rugs, captivating artwork, and unique lighting fixtures that not only illuminate the room but also add a touch of visual intrigue.

Creating Personality In Your Kitchen

Confectionary Tile by Daltile

Transform your kitchen into a culinary haven by incorporating an accent color that adds a pop of personality and visual intrigue. Begin by selecting an accent color that complements your kitchen's overall design scheme and reflects your individual style. Whether it's a serene blush pink or a vibrant and lively green, infusing this hue strategically can create a stunning focal point. Consider using your chosen accent color for elements like kitchen cabinets, backsplashes, or even bar stools to make them stand out elegantly against neutral backgrounds. To maintain a harmonious balance, intersperse smaller décor items like utensils, dishware, or vibrant textiles that seamlessly tie in with your chosen accent color. The key is to wield this color sparingly, allowing it to shine without overwhelming the space. By expertly incorporating an accent color, you'll breathe new life into your kitchen, turning it into a space that effortlessly combines functionality with captivating aesthetics.

What are some creative ways you're looking to tie personality into your space through vibrant colors this season?

Luxury Carpet for Your Home: Elevate Your Interior with Timeless Elegance

Couristan Downtown Setting Broadloom

Creating a luxurious living space is all about paying attention to the smallest details. Homeowners strive to infuse opulence into their homes, adorning them with high-end furniture and captivating decor to elevate the overall ambiance. And where does it all begin? Right from the ground up—with flooring. This is where luxury carpets come into play, showcasing unmatched craftsmanship and unique features that have become a coveted choice for homeowners seeking to make a statement.

Defining Luxury Carpets

Nourison Broadloom Carpet

Luxury carpets are a true embodiment of refinement and style, going beyond the ordinary carpets you typically find on the market. The concept of luxury may vary from person to person, but here are some unique characteristics that set these carpets apart:

Premium Fiber Selection

Luxury carpets are crafted using the finest fibers available. Materials such as merino wool, New Zealand wool, viscose, Tencel, high-luster nylon, and polyester are carefully chosen for their exceptional qualities. These premium fibers not only ensure exceptional comfort and durability but also offer a wide range of colors and textures, allowing homeowners to find the perfect match for their interior design preferences.

Exquisite Finishes

The hallmark of luxury carpets lies in their exquisite finishes. Soft finishes like worsted and semi-worsted wool add a touch of sophistication, while the luxurious silk-like appearances achieved through viscose, Tencel, or shiny synthetics further enhance their allure. Delicately blending different fibers, such as wool with Tencel or nylon, results in brighter and more vibrant designs, bestowing these carpets with a unique charm that captivates the senses.

Elevated Textures and Styling

Luxury carpets transcend traditional designs, embracing avant-garde and trendsetting styles and colors. They explore a rich variety of textures and patterns that ignite the imagination, setting them apart from standard carpet options. Through expert techniques like braided yarns, hand-knotting, flatweaves, embroidery, and relief patterns with high/low motifs, these carpets emerge as true works of art, transforming any space into a mesmerizing showcase of creativity.

The Benefits of Luxury Carpets for Homeowners

The allure of luxury carpets lies not merely in their superior craftsmanship but also in the statement they make within a home. Homeowners can freely express their style and sophistication through these lavish floor coverings. As luxury carpets grace feature staircases, master suites, and closets, they become a defining element, elevating the home's aesthetic to a whole new level.

Luxurious Materials and Their Unique Attributes

Nourison Hagaman Broadloom Carpet

The grandeur of luxury carpets is further enhanced by their use of high-quality materials, each boasting distinctive attributes:

• Wool: A classic and sustainable choice, wool offers an array of dyed and natural colors, warmth, sound absorption, and natural fire resistance.

• Viscose: Known for its silk-like appearance, viscose presents an elegant finish akin to real silk, though it does require special care.

• High-Sheen Nylons and Polyester: Offering practicality, these fibers boast a similar sheen and softness to viscose, yet with enhanced cleaning and durability characteristics.

• Tencel: Exhibiting a silk-like appearance and improved moisture tolerance, Tencel is an excellent option for luxury carpets.

• Sisal and Jute: When combined with wool, these natural plant-based fibers create earthy textures and accents, lending a unique touch to luxury carpet designs.

Embracing the Latest Trends in Luxury Carpets

Nourison Broadloom Carpet

For homeowners seeking the latest in luxury carpet design, several trends are currently in the spotlight: 

Large-Scale Designs

Bold patterns like larger plaids, geometrics, stripes, and animal prints make striking statements in residential spaces, especially on stairs and in large living areas.

High-Sheen Finishes

The touch of opulence brought by high-sheen luxury carpets remains popular for spaces like master suites, sitting rooms, changing rooms, and others that call for a sense of luxury.

Vibrant Colorations

In contrast to the past, where neutrals dominated flooring choices, vibrant colors now take center stage as primary focal points in design schemes.

Hand-Loomed Casual Textures

Hand-loomed, heavy, casual textures add depth and coziness to rooms, creating a relaxed yet elegant ambiance.

Patterned Flat Woven Offerings

These luxury carpets, with their high level of craftsmanship, present striking and intricate designs, becoming statement pieces within any interior.

Area Rugs: A Luxurious Addition to Your Interior

Nourison Hagaman Broadloom Carpet

You can extend the charm of luxury carpets into your home without the large scale commitment through the elegant addition of area rugs. Area rugs bring a delightful blend of style and softness to any living space. When seeking the perfect luxury area rug, we encourage you to consider the following essential factors:

Personal Preference

Select a rug that harmonizes with your personal style and complements the existing interior decor. Just like an exquisite piece of art adorning the wall, an area rug has the power to make a profound design statement that reflects your unique taste.

Appropriate Size

Opt for a rug that fits the interior space seamlessly. An ill-fitting rug can disrupt the carefully curated design scheme and detract from the overall aesthetics of the room.

Harmonizing Patterns

If the area rug boasts intricate patterns, balance the visual composition by choosing accessories and furniture coverings with fewer patterns. This mindful approach prevents the space from becoming overwhelmed and ensures a harmonious atmosphere.

Use of Underlayment or Pad

To maximize the performance and longevity of the area rug, it's essential to place an appropriate underlayment or pad beneath it. This thoughtful addition not only enhances the rug's functionality but also preserves its beauty for years to come.

Maintaining the Beauty and Performance of Luxury Carpets

To ensure luxury carpets retain their allure and durability over time, homeowners should adhere to these specific maintenance tips:

Frequent Vacuuming

Luxury carpets typically require more frequent vacuuming, at least twice a week, with an appropriate vacuum model to enhance their performance.

Careful Cleaning

It is crucial to follow manufacturer recommendations for cleaning and avoid using beater brushes on delicate fibers and finishes. Suction-only cleaning is often recommended for most loop pile products.

Professional Cleaning for Wool Carpets

Wool carpets may require special chemistry during professional cleaning, and homeowners should inform the cleaning professionals about the wool component.

Choosing the Perfect Luxury Carpet: Aligning Lifestyle and Interior Design

Couristan Oceanside Broadloom

Selecting a luxury carpet involves considering lifestyle and living habits. Homeowners need not compromise luxury for practicality; the abundance of styles and finishes offers exciting alternatives to match individual preferences. Though luxury carpets may incur a higher upfront cost, their long-lasting appearance makes them a cost-effective investment in the long run.

Incorporating luxury carpets into your home provides a chance to infuse an air of grace, sophistication, and extraordinary craftsmanship. By familiarizing yourself with the diverse materials, design trends, and maintenance advice, you can handpick the ideal luxury carpet that perfectly aligns with your lifestyle and interior design preferences. The plush softness and opulent allure these carpets exude are bound to enchant and elevate any living space, giving it a touch of class and charm.

How to Get the Old Money Aesthetic

If you're looking for a touch of timeless appeal and love the cozy vibe of vintage charm, then Old Money is the perfect look for you. Despite its name, there's no need to drain your bank account to achieve success in this trend as Old Money takes a nod from the past with an emphasis on traditional interior design layouts and vintage touches.

Kalta Fiore Polished Marble Emser Tile

With recent trends like grandmillenial and cottagecore, it's no surprise that nostalgia is sweeping the design world. The opposite of minimalism, this trend erases all that white space and layers nooks and crannies with tasteful furniture and meaningful decor.

What Is the Old Money Style?

Roller Shades by Graber

When it comes to the old money aesthetic, most people might initially think of the unattainable designer fashion of a stiff upper class, like wearing expensive clothes —but don't worry! You don't have to be a part of high society to incorporate this trend into your home design. The old money aesthetic is actually much more attainable than you think.

Picture this: Gossip Girl meets Gilded Age —a home chock full of gorgeous, high-quality pieces. While new money leans toward the flashy, fast-fashion, trend-chasing crowd, old money is fastened to a culture of craftsmanship, quality, and originality. This is the place where your family heirlooms, vintage collections and personally acquired custom pieces take center stage. Also referred to as stealth wealth or quiet luxury, the old money trend focuses on a lifestyle of classic design rooted in staying power.

So, how do you begin to adapt this style to your home? Let's take a look at the top three ways you can do this.

1. Incorporate Understated Elegance

Imagica in Vision Unpolished by Daltile

One of the easiest ways to incorporate this trend into your home design is by emphasizing understated elegance through muted color palettes, natural materials, and simple designs. Muted color palettes infuse your space with a sense of calm tranquility while natural materials add a timeless, organic look to your design. Wood, stone, and leather furnishings, for example, provide that understated elegance through their subtly natural texture and simple sophistication.

2. Capitalize on Quiet Luxury

Cultura Winter Honed Mosaic Pebbles Emser Tile

Quiet luxury, which is often associated with the old money aesthetic, embraces a sense of timeless style, understated sophistication, and a preference for high-end goods and experiences. It's "quiet" because it doesn't focus on flashy name brands and consumption, but rather cultivates tasteful objects and subtle pleasures through intentional design. Capitalize on quiet luxury by curating a thoughtful art collection, cozy retreat-style spaces/materials, and layered statement lighting.

The best part of quiet luxury is that you can customize it to your taste! Maybe for you, this means adding a piece of art with nods to British aristocracy to your living room gallery, or perhaps it's installing a statement chandelier in your foyer.

3. Pay Attention to the Details

This might seem like a given, but attention to detail is key when it comes to the old money aesthetic! Use a rich color palette with traditional blue, burgundy, blush, deep green, and creamy white tones to create a cozy appeal. These colorways are perfect for layering with warm neutrals and can be beautifully accented with crisp white, matte black, and gold finishes.

Fill your house with layers of you: objects of interest, travel souvenirs, curious patterns, and designs that catch the eye. Examples of these include:

• porcelain plates
• vintage art
• statement wallpaper
• antique books
• marble countertops
• dark woods
• crystal chandeliers

What's your favorite aspect of the Old Money aesthetic? How are you planning to incorporate this trend into your home decor?