A kitchen island is still at the top of most people's wish list if they have the money and space to spare. But designers are slowly reinventing islands, exploring ways they can serve us better, from casters and space-conscious rounded edges to modern materials.
And the materials used for kitchen islands are also changing. Marble is becoming less of an obvious choice. Few ideas feel more right now than the tiled kitchen island, once a retro centerpiece but now firmly back in the design zeitgeist. There's an inherent modernity to its rigid grid, and endless color, size, and texture options that Metro's tiles can't match.
Featuring high-contrast grout, the graphics give it a slightly 1970s feel. We use shiny zellige tiles that are as smooth as terrazzo planks.
We've already seen a wave of tiled countertops, and with them comes growing concerns about the practical parts, from dirty grout to (the dreaded) cracked and chipped tiles. Perhaps a kitchen island could be the perfect compromise. A secondary prep space that doubles as a desk and dining table, isolated from the dangers of the splash zone.
Here are seven kitchen projects in which designers took the plunge.
1. Follow the form
(Image credit: Scott Weston Architecture Design PL. Photo credit: Nicholas Watt)
Freed from strict client conditions, it's always worth observing what designers are working on at home. Architect Scott Weston, founder of Sydney-based Scott Weston Architecture Design, said: “Ever since I was a child, I was drawn to American kitchens with tiled benchtops that I saw in movies.'' “I did it,” he says.
He chose DTILE, an architect favorite. This is his system of three-dimensional components that allows for “purity” of form. “The advantage is that we use standard tiles, prefabricated parts such as curved bullnose parts. The design is based on a system, so you don't have to cut to fit the tiles. It's better for the tiler. it's simple.”
Slim tiles were chosen to accentuate the legs, and a commercially available epoxy grout was chosen to be mold and stain resistant.
Weston chose a gray lilac called “Plum” for his home and was fascinated by the possibilities it presented to his customers. She says, “Rather than sticking to the same old formulaic system of specifying marble or quartz, we creatively use tile colors and patterns to provide unique design solutions for your home.”
2. Search for color
(Image credit: Robson Rak Architects. Photo credit: Shannon McGrath)
Will it be a modern wash of matte kitchen island color, or an artisanal take on the trend that's perfectly imperfect? The implied uniformity of the tiles – it all comes down to those clean lines and repeating shapes – means you can potentially go a little bolder than usual without feeling overwhelmed.
“This Australian seaside home is set amidst coastal vegetation with tones of green, silver and sand,” explains Kathryn Robson, principal at Robson Luck Architects. “Our intention with the green benchtop was to connect the interior details with the colors and textures of the exterior landscape. Our client was a little surprised by our proposal for a fully tiled bench, but , they had great faith and confidence in our vision.”
“The tiles are made in Italy and are used commercially in kitchens, science labs, and bathrooms, so we knew they would be durable and sturdy.” She also endorses the benefits of epoxy grout. . “No worries about stains or discoloration!
3. Consider the use
(Image credit: Liz Callamal)
For those with limited floor space or grout-related questions, this graphic kitchen table from New Orleans-based designer and muralist Liz Kamarle's 19th-century home A smart twist on a tiled island.
Visually it falls somewhere between the two, with all the impact of an island without the effort required. Required only if you don't need much extra surface space. The height of the bar stools makes it the perfect pitch for social gatherings.
“My husband and I built the table,” explains Liz Kamarul. “It's a great statement piece and works well as an accent in the kitchen. Because it's not a major prep surface, it stays relatively clean and is easy to wipe down.”
The practicality of a tiled kitchen island depends on the exact combination of tile size, grout, and sealant, but it's a smart compromise if you're concerned about wear and tear from daily use.
4. Play with scale
(Image credit: GRT Architects. Photo credit: Nicole Franzen)
New York-based GRT Architects' East Village project features custom-built oak cabinetry, utilizing a dense grid of glossy oxblood tiles that differs significantly from the uniform white squares. I covered the kitchen island.
Encouraged by a client who “likes to explore the unexpected,” the results are particularly sophisticated, without any of the ultra-luxurious connotations of cost or heavy stones. Deep colors emphasize the structure, while gloss, texture and cantilevered effects help counteract its solidity.
Notice how the 2-inch handcrafted tiles reflect the scale of the floor. This creates an interesting variation at the base of the island. Both create a kind of barrier and emphasize the visual boundary between the kitchen and dining area.
5. Frame shelf
(Image credit: Nimtim Architects. Photo credit: Megan Taylor Photography)
The island in this London family kitchen by Nimtim Architects is far from monolithic, smartly designed to accommodate books between its tiered dividers. Grid tile acts as a frame for kitchen shelving while providing structure to the backsplash and cabinetry beyond.
“The architecture is simple and understated in scale and materials, which is reflected in the choice of simple white ceramic tiles that define the kitchen island and worktops, contrasting with the rich tones of the natural prairie doors in the kitchen and joinery. founders Tim O'Callaghan and Nimi Attanayake.
If you have two young children, marble may seem classy, not to mention heavy and impractical. “These simple materials provided a playful and reasonably durable backdrop for family life. The choice of dark grout was critical for this project!”
6. Think beyond ceramics
(Image credit: Studio Rhonda. Photo credit: Rachael Smith)
Designer Rhonda Drakeford needed a little convincing on this London project. “She designed this residential kitchen for two professional chefs who had originally requested an island made of cast concrete,” explains the founder of the studio Herronda, who then added a stained Introduced the idea of using concrete she tiles. “It’s important for the kitchen above as a more playful and lightweight solution.” Ground floor – they loved it!”
She said the wood substructure was meticulously constructed and measured so that the entire tile could be used as a 4-inch square. “It forms a strong grid pattern that reflects the property’s urban location and views of the adjacent skyscrapers.”
The one-two hit of gray and sunny yellow draws the eye, but its chalky finish is carefully prepared for the pros. “The grout, which is a contrasting color to the tile surface, is lacquered with a sealant that helps keep everything clean and stain-free. ”
7. Try “ghost” grout
(Image credit: Andrew Burges Architects. Photo credit: Peter Bennetts)
For the namesake founder of Andrew Burgess Architects, tiled surfaces are ambiguous, at once homely and faintly industrial. “We were particularly interested in the above-ground part of this house, which is outdoors, that is, reads as a continuous garden. Therefore, materials that might normally be used outdoors were used inside. ”
Equally fascinating was the way the white tiles evoked a wide range of cultural references, from public buildings to butcher shops. “You might think of a utopian grid of super studios,” Burgess suggests. A simple white grout was chosen here to soften the grid effect and provide a counterpoint to the trending high-contrast graphics.
He describes the result as a “utilitarian sculpture” freed from the constraints of stone-like objects, emerging from the quarry as giant singular slabs. “Simple tiles were a better fit for the understated feel we were going for,” he added.
