“There is no peace more delightful than one’s own fireplace.”– Marcus Tullius Cicero

“We no longer build fireplaces for physical warmth, we build them for the warmth of the soul; we build them to dream by, to hope by, to home by.” – Edna Ferber

“I said to myself that I shall try to make my life like an open fireplace, so that people may be warmed and cheered by it and so go out themselves to warm and  cheer.” – George Matthew Adams

Delightful.  Warmth of the Soul.  Cheer.

These are perfect words to describe fireplaces.  So if the fireplace evokes such positivity, why not create a fireplace in your home that is equal to these words??  We love it when clients step outside the box, #resisttheordinary and select tile that really fits their homes personality.

Set an appointment soon to choose tile perfect for your fireplace. Be sure to bring plenty of pictures, not just of the fireplace, but of the entire room it is in. Take closeups of the rug, the drapes, art, anything that will help us help you choose just the perfect tile!

Call soon for your appointment!  865.329.3290

Jennifer

#tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  

The post Fireplaces – Yes it has been over a year since I posted last! appeared first on Tile Sensations.

In good design there are certain colors that will never be totally out.  Grey is one of those colors.  Like beige, white and terracotta, grey is a beautiful neutral that can be used to balance out a color scheme.

However, like many things we love, we can over use a color or style when we really like something.  Remember Harvest Gold and Avocado in the 60’s and 70’s?? We went waaaay overboard with those colors, didn’t we??

Now, in the late 2010’s and early 2020’s we might be going overboard with grey and white.  White ship-lap, white subway tiles, marble look floors tile and countertops.  These have their place in some homes, but not every home from here to California.  Ship-lap is great in a coastal or modern farm style home.  Subway tile shines in a cottage and marble looks can work well in many style homes, depending on what you pair it with.

Keeping these thoughts in mind, lets talk grey.  The grey trend always fits perfectly in a modern home and when paired with the right products can be quite beautiful in other style homes too.  Grey can be used to anchor beautiful design, and it plays well with other colors, but every shade in the room doesn’t have to be grey or grey and white.  We really don’t want you to spend your budget on a room that will be outdated before the paint is dry.  

Final thought for the day,  if you would like your home to carry into the next decade and beyond, open your thoughts to a design style to reflect the home you own, rather than the trend. If your home is a Cape Cod or Craftsman style home, use the subway tile trend to your advantage.  But if your home is a Colonial,  Traditional or French Country, maybe today’s trend is not right for you.

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  

Drop me a line at jennifer@tilesensations.net to share your thoughts on grey or to set an appointment for a design consultation.

The post In design, is gray(grey) really on its way out? appeared first on Tile Sensations.

But it has. . .

• I like to cook.  I have been self employed, working crazy hours for so long I had forgotten that I really like to cook. But I do!! Especially when all the ingredients are in the house.  This week I have made Pork Enchiladas, Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls and Chicken Casserole! All delicious as left overs too!
• I still don’t like to clean. My house is no cleaner today than it was 3 weeks ago. Nuff said.
• My neighborhood is so pretty! I have taken time to walk and notice things. Pretty flowers, really great paint colors, a sweet screen porch addition and more.
• I could be a couch potato, at least for a while.  It has been fun catching up on backed up movie lists.  However, I still don’t like to watch the same movie or show twice. Never have, never will.
• Having time to talk with family and friends is priceless!!
• I now know how to hunt for Morel Mushrooms and how to identify a Slippery Elm Tree.
• Silence is golden, as long as I can hear the birds in the background.
• I really love what I do. The last few weeks have been weird for everyone and like most I am not working quite as hard as I had been for the last… say 20 years. We are open and people are trickling in, but our showroom has been so quiet!  I miss the hustle and bustle, I really do.  I love picking pretty things for nice people :). I am ready to get back to it!

I hope that you are well, that this pandemic stays far from you and your family. Know that prayers are a big part of my day and that all of us at Tile Sensations look forward to our new normal once this is over.

Jennifer – #TileandDesignAddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  

The post What I am Learning about Myself appeared first on Tile Sensations.

Who doesn’t love shopping at a local market, meeting an artist and selecting just the right art piece for your home? Selecting handmade art tile is much like that experience, and while you don’t actually get to meet the tile artist at Tile Sensations, you can definitely get a feel for each artist when picking up each piece. You can feel the love that is put into art tile and you can definitely see the artists personality. Some are solo studios, some have teams that help them. To a tile artist, work is play.

A handmade tile artist wants you to have exactly what you want, they get joy knowing that a client has commissioned them to be a part of their project. Whether you choose vibrant colors, modern styles or a hand pressed subway tile your handmade tile selection will bring a warmth and charm to your space. Art Tile is Art, with a bit of Science added in.

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  

The post Made in the USA appeared first on Tile Sensations.

Inspiration comes from many areas. How a client dresses can be a good indicator of how they would like their home styled.  Are they Boho?  Is their style classic?  Do they tend to wear one color predominantly? 

Another style indicator can come from a favorite piece of art or a favorite corner of their home.  I like to find out where they are most comfortable.  We don’t want to repeat the design of their favorite area, we just want the result in the new space to evoke the same feelings.

When designing for 2 people living in the same space it is important to take design clues from both people. The end result should be a space loved by both.

The best part of my job is that I get to design for all types of styles. One day I get to be classic, another modern and another ??  This allows me to pull ideas from travel and relationships creating a one of a kind space for each client.  How fun is that!?!

Additional note if you are getting ready to design or style a new space: Do spend a little time on Pinterest or Houzz, but don’t get lost online. Don’t stifle a designer by insisting on too many “found” ideas. A space unique to you will not be a copycat of someone else’s space, it will be layers of color and texture, with room for art and furniture pieces you love.

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  #notjusttile

The post Inspiration appeared first on Tile Sensations.

In this case the handmade tile ordered had a 5 week lead time.  For a client hoping to finish the project in a few weeks, this was the first project delay.  The selected installer had a scheduled vacation to Europe.  This was the second delay for the clients schedule.  Lastly, when the tile arrived it didn’t have as much texture as we hoped, so we ordered more tile, another 5 weeks, Yikes!  It was well worth the wait.  The fireplace is beautiful.

Tile Sensations Concrete Tile Fireplace Installation

In addition to the tile installation, we recessed the area for the TV and Glennie had a custom mantle made.  Glennie now has a fireplace that balances well with the beautiful furniture pieces in her home.  It is a focal point, yet does not over power the room.  And… It was worth the wait.

Good design cannot always be accomplished in the time we hope. Great design takes thoughtful planning and patience when things aren’t quite on schedule.  So take your time, make thoughtful choices and try not to be frustrated when things are a bit behind schedule.

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  #notjusttile

photos courtesy of the homeowner

The post Is it worth the wait? appeared first on Tile Sensations.

In Interior Design, compromise is part of our every day decisions.  Our client might compromise with his or her spouse to come to an agreement on the tile selected or the paint color.  A contractor might compromise with a subcontractor because they find something unexpected after demolition.  Or. . .  a designer might compromise with their client to stay in the desired budget.  I assure you there are compromises on every job-site from here to California.

I challenge you to find the compromise in each of the following pictures.  I am pretty sure you won’t find them, because well thought out compromises won’t make your project less appealing in the end.  In most cases you will forget you made them.

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  #notjusttile

The post Compromise appeared first on Tile Sensations.

Wallpaper can:

• create a huge impact in the smallest of spaces.
• enhance the architectural features of your space.
• add a pop of color, in a subtle way, when used in the back of a bookshelf.
• show off your personality. Sophisticated, Playful, Subtle, you choose the paper that reflects you.
• change the mood in a room. Use a cheery wallpaper in a dark space to brighten the feel of the room.
• cover flaws in your walls that paint cannot hide.
• protect your walls from marks and damage. If you have little ones, look for scrub-able papers.

Would you like to learn more?  Join us for a Quick One Hour Question and Answer Session.

Ask the Expert: Robert Galko Wallpaper Hanging

• Saturday, October 10th at 10am
• Tile Sensations 3413 Sutherland Avenue, Knoxville 37919
• Presented by The Design Team at Tile Sensations
• Enter to win a $100 Wallpaper Gift Certificate, must be present to win

Please let us know you are coming: Click Here     Questions?? Just ask!

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  #notjusttile

The post Why Wallpaper? Find out and Win! appeared first on Tile Sensations.

In fact, more and more of our clients are foregoing the large master bath and spoiling themselves with separate his and her bathrooms.  Sometimes they share the shower, but more often than not they are two separate rooms, allowing two distinct design styles.  This allows everyone’s needs to be met.  Often in “His Bathroom” there will be a steam shower, lots of body jets and an elongated commode.  In “Her Bathroom” you may  find a soaking tub, make up table and great jewelry storage.  Close attention to the details in each room allow our clients to utilize their space to meet their specific needs.

           →  Note, if you look closely at the picture on the right, there is a shaving mirror on the left wall of Alan’s shower.  It looks like a cubby in the picture, but the mosaic you are seeing is a reflection of the feature wall in his mirror.

Guys also make their opinion clear regarding the areas in their homes they use  for fun and relaxation.  We are redesigning “Rec Rooms” into “Play Rooms for Big Kids”.  They often include steam rooms, second kitchens, theater rooms and pool tables, with the big screen nearby . Our clients want to spend more time at home and they want their friends to be comfortable when watching the their favorite team!

← The steam shower pictured on the left has room for all the guys after 18 holes.

No Man’s home is complete without a wet bar ready for spontaneous entertaining. Many wet bars include ice makers, wine fridge’s, microwaves and so much more!  The possibilities are endless! The questions to ask yourself when planning a wet bar is to include: How many types of beverages do I plan to serve here? Is there room for a keg? How important is a chilled glass for your beer? Is there plenty of storage for each type of glassware needed?  We don’t recommend adding a wet bar unless you have thought through the answers to these questions and more.  If you have to run back and forth to the kitchen for the things you need, your money might be better spent elsewhere.

Check out this wet bar we have designed and are excited to see come to life in Greg’s playroom!

 If you are thinking about designing a “Man-Space”,  I would love to help!  Obviously I am not a man, but I do think logically about these things 🙂

Happy Fathers Day!

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict

The post A Man’s Home is His Castle appeared first on Tile Sensations.

We are free to worship as we please.  Free to be who we are.  Free to strive to be our best.  Free to choose our own path.  Free to speak up when we disagree.  We are Blessed to live in the United States.  Despite our growing pains we are a great nation with a proud history.

Our blessings have been and continue to be protected by our military, the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.   These men and women are our neighbors, our families, our friends.  We are grateful for their service and their sacrifices.

“No one has greater love than this,^j to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13

On this Memorial Day I ask you to stop for at least a few moments and say a prayer for our service men and women.  A prayer of thanks for their willingess to protect our freedoms.  A prayer for all those who gave their lives to protect us.  A prayer for their families and friends who miss them and whose lives have ever been changed because of their willingness to serve.  A prayer of thankfulness and remembrance.

Tile Sensations will be closed Saturday, May 26th thru Monday, May 29th to observe Memorial Day.  We know we could be open, offer a sale and capitilize on the hype.  However we choose, out of respect, to honor the men and women who have fallen.  Some things are more important than selling tile.

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict

The post Some things are more important than selling tile….. or wallpaper :) appeared first on Tile Sensations.