We came across this beautiful home on Vancouver Island in British Columbia in Elle Decor and fell in love with its minimalist design. Although the color palette is more muted than what I prefer, I couldn’t help noticing how well it all flows so freely from room to room. The homeowners, one a trained architect, worked with the builder to reconfigure closets and open up the space. I love how the colors were inspired by sand and fog, which is indigenous to the area.

I was recently asked by a reader of St. Louis Post-Dispatch “What is the best material to use for a kitchen backsplash? What are the pros and cons of various types of backsplashes?”

Below is my response, which was published in the Home section of the Post-Dispatch.

A variety of wonderful materials are being used today for backsplashes. Stainless steel continues in popularity. A backsplash is out of the way for fingerprints, so this can be a good selection. It lends beautifully toward a sleek, contemporary look. A special stainless steel cleaner is necessary to keep it looking great.

Ceramic tiles can be effective in a variety of shapes and colors. Designs can easily be incorporated, and they are easy to clean.

Granite, marble, slate, travertine and porcelain are available in many varieties and finishes that are gorgeous and unique. These materials can be expensive, but the result is usually worth the additional investment and communicate value for selling your home.

Glass tiles have taken the market by storm. They can range from iridescent to gold-flecked, clear, frosted and tumbled. They are also available in many sizes, including a very popular 1-inch-by-1-inch mosaic. Glass tiles can also be used to accent stone.

Installation can be tricky, so hire an experienced professional. Solid surfaces such as Corian are available typically at a lower cost than glass or natural stone. They are easy maintenance but don’t always have the perceived value of a natural stone.

For more tips on design please enter your email address to the right of this post under “Get our posts in your email”.

We are excited to see what Los Angeles-based art provider Soicher Marin and designer extraordinaire Thom Filicia have been working on the last year creating the Thom Filicia Collection. Debuting at High Point this October, the Thom Filicia Collection will definitely showcase the unique design sense of Thom, who made his TV debut on Bravo’s “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.”

According to  Home Accents Today, Thom took a minimalist approach to his designs, which include airplanes, industrial images, leaves, beach scenes and smatterings of Americana, “His designs are accessible” said Ed Marin, CEO. “It takes me back to being a kid; the nostalgia of America, of a time that was perhaps simpler.”

Soicher Marin’s designer collections features the work of Suzanne Kasler, Jamie Drake, Barclay Butera, Mariette Himes Gomez and now, Thom Filicia. The collection offers “a mix of intelligence and wit, edginess and chic, continental flavor and classic style. Each of these influential designers brings his or her inspiration to the table.” Soicher Marin works closely with the designers to help project their design aesthetic.

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