Christina Haack Has A Stylish Alternative For Subway Tile Backsplashes

Couples with completely opposing visions of what they want for their space are among an interior designer's worst nightmares. Fortunately, with over 20 years of interior design experience under her belt, Christina Haack was prepared for Season 3, Episode 4 of "Christina on the Coast." Appropriately dubbed "A Clash of Style," the episode featured a newly married couple who struggled to agree on aesthetic decisions.

The pair was particularly divided when it came to choosing a kitchen backsplash; the husband preferred a classic white subway tile that didn't match his wife's tastes. Haack's solution to the tile tension met the couple in the middle, and she laid a stone-looking tile in a herringbone pattern. The simple texture and veining in Haack's chosen tile echoed the kitchen's countertops while contrasting with its blue cabinetry, all in a way that didn't depart from the rest of the kitchen's aesthetics. The herringbone alternative ultimately made both clients happy. Plus, it introduced more visual interest than traditional subway tiles would have without dipping into avant-garde interior design territory.

Herringbone is one of Haack's signature design choices. And it isn't the first time that she's used the pattern to appeal to a couple with differing styles. In Season 4, Episode 9 of "Christina on the Coast", the designer was tasked with finding finishes that appealed to the wife's traditional style and the husband's coastal vibe. So, she presented a herringbone tile layout to them for their primary bathroom shower. She explained, "I feel like this one is a little more traditional take, but this, like, laying it like this makes it more contemporary." They both loved it and were impressed by the end result.

Haack's projects prove the versatility of this layout. It adds a little interest and movement to her typical neutral finish choices. However, if you want your herringbone installation to be particularly statement-making, use a bold color or alternating pattern. Monochromatic tiles, on the other hand, offer subtle texture. If you'd rather implement a herringbone kitchen backsplash on a smaller scale, isolate one section of your space, like behind your stovetop or above your sink, as an area of visual interest to contrast with the existing tile in your kitchen. Using herringbone as an accent rather than as an all-over style choice will, of course, reduce the time and labor costs associated with the project.