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

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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

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We stayed busy working on bathrooms, kitchens and fireplaces.  Wet bars, laundry rooms and dog showers.  We worked on residential and commercial projects.  If you drove past our showroom on Sutherland Avenue after hours, you likely saw the lights on and our team working late into the night.  We worked and we worked, loving every moment of it!

Additions to Tile Sensations in 2017 include wallpaper and late, til 7pm, Thursday hours.  Wallpaper is back, as you probably already know, so we have added wallpaper lines not available in big box stores or online.  Resist the Ordinary!

In January 2017, The Design Team at Tile Sensations, began taking on Interior Design projects.  What fun this has been!  We have worked on homes in Farragut, Bearden, Fountain City, Old North Knoxville and Downtown, as well as, businesses needing freshen ups!  We spent much of 2017 on relationships with trusted installers, plumbers, electricians, cabinet companies and more, making Tile Sensations your one stop shop.

Kitchen 919

The Design Team at Tile Sensations closed out 2017 working on the interiors for Kitchen 919 in the Orangery Village on Homberg.  Kitchen 919 is a must try.  Both for the fantastic local, seasonal food and for the ambiance.  The service is fantastic and the food delicious.  I personally recommend the Porcini Dusted Filet Mignon and the Misoyaki Glazed Butterfish, if you prefer the recommendation of Brooks Clark and Cityview Magazine just click here.  After you visit, let us know what you think of the interior selections, be sure to note the lighting in the main dining room and the photo wall and ceiling in the bar.  It was all fun to pick!

We are available to work with our clients from conception to completion of the project, Tile Projects, of course, and now Interior Design Projects too.  Or we can just come up with a design concept and let the homeowner takes the reins from there. You choose. We are here and ready to help.

2018! Bring it on we are ready!

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations #Resist the Ordinary

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I assume you have pinned to your hearts content and have studied Houzz photos into the wee hours of the morning.  But now it is time to decide, to actually decide, what your project style will be.  How do you start making decisions?

The first question is:  “Who is this project for?”   You will find design decisions are much simpler once you decide who you are doing this project for.  Is this a project for you?  for resale?   is this a rental?

You:  This is my favorite type of project to work on.  When the remodel or new build is designed to make you smile, decisions should come a bit easier.  Think about your favorite spaces.  What do you like about them?  What don’t you like about that same space?  Whatever that favorite space is, use it as a muse.  Now I am not saying you should duplicate your favorite space, I am just saying that the properties that make you like that space can be repeated.  Is that space well lit or is dark and cozy?  Have you filled that space with color and art?  Or is it a space with minimal distractions.  The answers to each of these questions will lead you down the path towards a space that is pleasing to you.

Resale:  One statement that I strongly disagree with is “When designing for resale make everything neutral”.  When I design for resale I want my space to be different.  If I choose similar finishes to all other houses on the market why would this one stand out?  Most importantly I ask myself, who will buy this house?  Then I design for that demographic.  Will a young couple just starting a family buy it?  If so, choose more trendy colors.  Is this a weekend getaway for a boomer couple?  Then choose finishes that are obviously not a trend, but that exude quality.

Rental:  Finishes for rentals need to be, first and foremost, serviceable.  But serviceable does not need to be boring.  Of course in a rental you need to think about who is renting?  Would upscale finishes allow you to increase the daily price of your AirBnb?   If your rental is in a lower price bracket, why shouldn’t the finishes be unique? Unique does not always equate to expensive.  Remember renters will stay longer in a unit that is well taken care of, with updated features.

Now I guess it is time for more pinning. . . and remember “why choose ordinary”?   You or your space shouldn’t be ordinary or expected.

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict

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Life has definitely been happening around here.  For one thing, I got married and took some time off! You likely know weddings take a lot of time to plan and a lot of time to recover, so I needed that time off.  Whew!  We both still feel a bit tired.

But now I am ready to get back into the swing of things, both at home blending our “stuff” and at work designing spaces.

Thinking about our wedding and all the details that go into planning a wedding reminds me of the details you need to think about when tiling or working on any home project.  It’s all in the details.  We had so many details to remember for our wedding, from pew markers to boutonnieres to our vegan guests meal selection.  In a remodeling project you need to remember transitions, lighting, finishes and more.  Not to forget a contractor choice and a budget.  Plan, Plan, Plan and do not forget the details is true for either planning a wedding or a space.

While my hubby and I were vacationing we stopped at the beautiful Historic St Johns Catholic Church in Utica, New York.  One of the first things I noticed at the church, after I recovered from the awesome beauty of it all , was the attention to detail.  This historic Church was built in the late 1800’s and they did not miss a beat.  If you are ever in Utica we highly recommend a stop at this beautiful church.  Here are a few of the fantastic details you would not want to miss.

We took so many photos of the details it was hard to choose which to post…. so here a a few more.  Showing tile of course.  Note the borders, note the details in the floor that was installed one little piece at a time, note the solid marble moldings.  The designers of this magnificent space did not miss a beat.

Every detail is carefully placed to impact your experience here.  Unfortunately in design today, corners are often cut or a step is skipped because it might take a little longer to install or we might have to wait for the right piece to be made.  To avoid cutting corners I suggest you plan out your project.  Review the steps, the budget, the desired results before anyone begins to work in your space.  I admire our clients who plan ahead and have all the pieces and parts they can possibly get their hands on, ready and waiting for the contractor before the project begins.  It is an awful feeling when your contractor asks you for a decision you have not even thought about.   It is in these rush decisions that we end up compromising for less than the best outcome.

In my dream remodeling world I hope for you that your project is carefully planned, that the details are carefully selected and that your dream project becomes a reality. If we can help you with that, just let us know.

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict

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