 Tile and stonework have long been a characteristic of a home’s style as well as an artistic expression for the homeowner. Today, there are more choices than ever for home interior decorating with tile. Why? Because it’s durable, easy to maintain, looks great and can even increase the resale value of a home.David Johnson, regional manager of Emser Tile and Natural Stones in Reno, says, “Many people in the Truckee Meadows area are choosing to replace their carpet with stone or tile because it’s cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing. When they replace their flooring,” he says, “the countertops and backsplashes follow suit. For example, when customers choose a pattern for a shower floor, they will often follow that pattern for their backsplash.” And what styles are they choosing? “In our area, natural colors and textures are popular,” says Johnson. “Stone is popular because of its versatility as well as durability.” “What’s new,” Johnson adds, “is the way tile and stonework are being mixed and matched in the same room. Mixed mediums are much more acceptable now.”
Cindy French, the owner of Tile Outlet in Sparks, agrees. “Ceramic tiles are much more affordable than ever before,” French says. “Also, tile manufacturers are coming out with the natural stone look in their ceramic and porcelain tiles. This allows people to have the stone look at a more affordable price. Tile is more economical than marble or granite.”
 “What we’re seeing now is more of the Tuscan look,” French adds. “Granite and travertine – the real earthy, old-world European look – is popular.” (For more on this rustic look, see the following story, "Rustic tile – worn, aged and elegant.")
Johnson agrees. “We’re also going toward more color,” he says. “Natural greens are popular now. You’ll also see more blue-gray and pale blue – softer colors, colors you see in nature. The outside is coming inside.” Of course, there are many types of ceramic tiles to choose from.
“Porcelain is a type of ceramic,” says Johnson, “but it’s harder than other ceramics and more durable. Though it’s a type of clay,” he says, “it’s less susceptible to chipping or cracking than other ceramics. Porcelain has a harder finish. For those people who want to get granite but need to consider affordability, porcelain is more economical,” he adds. “Versailles is very popular now,” says French. “It comes in kits for the do-it-yourselfer. A diamond pattern or staggered brick pattern (a pattern with a staggered joint) is popular. Whatever larger patterns you use on your flooring can also be used in smaller patterns on your walls or backsplashes,” she says. “Basically, we like to have the European look of stone but want the ease and cleanliness of ceramic,” Johnson says. “Ceramics today mimic the natural stone look. It used to be that everything was stamped on a tile. It’s not that way with natural stone. The ceramics now are less repeating in their patterns to give them that old-world look.” Hand-painted tile work remains a kind of specialty, Johnson says. “Hand-painted deco-tile backsplashes as a small accent may be used now and then,” he explains. “But we’re not really seeing a lot of hand-painted tile work these days.”
French and Johnson agree that individual creative expression in tile work is “in.” “People are doing more of what they like and less of the status quo,” says Johnson. “For example, they might choose to mix a granite countertop with a slate backsplash. Many people mix stone with ceramics. It’s really more creative and individual now than it used to be,” he adds. “You can do more of whatever you like, make little changes using tile and do it with more expression that’s your own.” 
Susan M. Botich is a Minden-based freelance writer.
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