Decorating Materials & Supplies

It's the little details in a kitchen that set it apart. A tile backsplash adds a decorative punch above the kitchen counter. The wide range of tiles available lets you customize the kitchen...

You can make a kitchen backsplash out of all kinds of materials, but glazed ceramic tile remains the standard. It's tough, waterproof and easy to clean, and is available in just about any size,...

Travertine, a mineral-rich stone with naturally occurring holes all over the face, may seem like the last stuff you'd ever want to use as a backsplash, what with all the moisture and grime likely...

Your kitchen backsplash has an important job--to protect the wall behind your sink--but it also can be a visual showcase for the kitchen. Whether you're creating a unique tile pattern or just...

Tiled backsplashes are a popular way to add style and color to your kitchen. If you like the look of tile, but not the look of the grout used to bond it, the best way to hide it is to tint it....

Choosing the correct shade of grout depends mostly on the tile color. Holding a tile sample next to different shades of grout is one way to decide which grout color to choose. Grout shades that...

Genuine marble tiles are flat and square-cut--as opposed to ceramic and many other styles that tend to be curved--because the marble tile isn't formed in molds but cut right out of the natural...

Generally, the wall behind your sink is either plaster or (in newer homes) sheetrock. Sheetrock is especially vulnerable to moisture damage caused by spray from the sink. Installing a tile...

Many types of hard tiles, such as slate, ceramic, and marble, aren't good for outdoor use, because they can absorb moisture, which can freeze and crack the surface. Porcelain tiles, however, are...

River rock is a creative method of decorating a floor or (more often) a wall, using mounded, natural rocks set in mortar and grout. Today, you can get ceramic representations of river rock, which...

Like most natural stone tiles, slate is somewhat porous, which can mean trouble in terms of absorbing stains and moisture. This may not be much of an issue for a slate wall in your study or den,...

Tumbled marble is the most natural-looking of tiles. Its surface is pockmarked with random holes and indentations, giving it the look of a natural stone wall. When using tumbled marble tiles in...

Popularized by tiles used in the New York subway at the turn of the 20th Century, subway tiles were a stylish home decorating choice up until the 1930s. What's old is new again as subway tiles are...

Granite countertops are such a sought-after standard today that they've almost become a cliche. Their popularity is warranted, though. Generally custom-made and installed as one unbroken surface...

Say you've got an old ceramic tile wall or floor that's still in good shape structurally, but is so dated and ugly that you want it gone. Ripping up and replacing ceramic is a major chore--but...

Glass tile is one of the best-looking surfaces you can put in your bathroom, and it's surprisingly durable once it's installed. Because it's waterproof, it can be used for any surface in your...

Granite is an all-natural stone material that is often used to construct countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. Traditional granite countertops are made from a continuous slab and are fairly...

Using hard tiles to cover kitchen floors, walls and countertops has a practical purpose (they're durable and easy to clean of grease and grime), but also opens up a huge range of decorating...

Laying ceramic tiles is part art, part construction process. The art is up to you, with options such as using colored mosaic tiles to create designs. But there are standards for property...

Floor tiles are not just for walking on. There are endless ways to use your floor tiles to decorate your home, both inside and out. Whether you decide to use your floor tiles whole or in pieces,...

Want new countertops but can't afford the cost? Did you know that you can get the look of terrazzo countertops by tiling right over top of your existing counter? Yes it's true! And it's easier...

Glass tile backsplashes have become increasingly popular in interior design due to their durability, shine and the variety of glass tile available. In both bathroom and kitchen design, glass tile...

Granite is a rock containing minerals called feldspar, quartz and mica. All granites do not contain the same amounts of these minerals and can contain small amounts of other minerals, which is why...

If you’re a pottery collector who just lost a beloved piece to an accident or you’re simply trying to decide what to do with mismatched old dishes or ceramics, then consider...

Here's how to replace or re-glue in a missing ceramic tile.

Crafted items can be great conversation pieces when done right. Ceramic tile, once limited to bathrooms and kitchen floors, has become a popular decorating medium. Glass tiles, retro subway brick...

Adding stone veneer to your home's interior walls can greatly increase your home's value and can give you a great deal of pleasure at the same time.Fortunately modern stone veneer is relatively...

The texture and color of a hand-designed mosaic tabletop will add intrigue to any room or patio.

Interesting pots make great gifts, and they can make the tiniest patio garden look like a Tuscan refuge.