Skip Traditional Tile Backsplashes: Erin Napier's Charming Alternative Is Anything But Ordinary

If traditional tile backsplashes in the kitchen aren't your thing, don't feel compelled to follow the crowd. There are plenty of ways to spruce up your space without defaulting to a basic white tile or uninspiring pattern. Designer Erin Napier, star of HGTV's "Home Town" alongside her husband Ben, used an interesting alternative to basic tile in Season 4, Episode 8 of the show. Erin opted for a star-shaped print with a weathered-looking patina, which added warmth and charm to the renovated kitchen.

Patterned tile can bring rustic charm instead of the cold and clinical vibes that can be evoked by sleek white modern backsplashes. The specific tile that Napier used, the Peronda FS Star from A & A Flooring, features a sage hue that Erin echoed in the earthy green cabinets. "I wanted to have fun with color and texture and pattern," Erin explained, showing off the kitchen to her overjoyed clients. "I wanted to bring in this worn-pattern backsplash tile because it gives you some age and patina and warmth."

If this tile is calling your name, you'll be glad to learn that Peronda's FS Star collection is available from online retailers, including the company's own website. It also comes in a range of colors, including blue, burnt orange, sage green, and black. So, it's worth requesting some samples to check against your kitchen color palette when choosing your backsplash tile. Inspired by tiles traditional to Valencia, the Star collection can also be used as a flooring option if you want to create a sense of symmetry between your backsplash and your floor tile. 

This isn't the only time Napier used patterned tile to add character and color to a kitchen. In Season 9, Episode 9, Napier created a similar look in another renovation with a patterned tile, this time blue and brown. She echoed them with blue cabinetry and butcherblock countertops. She even noted that she used the hues in the tile to drive the palette throughout the whole home, creating a cohesive look.