Incorporating Specialty Tile into Any Design

Featured Image: 3D White Ribbon Matte Ceramic Bathroom Wall Tile from Arizona Tile

Specialty tile doesn’t need to be specific to any type of project and can beautifully accompany many features in a remodel or new build. Utilizing specialty tile is a good way to add depth and dimension to a space in an elegant fashion. Defined by its unique textures, patterns, and materials, specialty tile serves as a versatile design choice that can enhance rooms like the gathering room, bathroom, and kitchen, and certain specialty tiles can even be used outdoors. 3D porcelain,  natural stone stack, and textured glass tile can be used for a variety of applications and pair well with other stone and tile products to create focal points and elevate aesthetics across various settings.

Image: 3-D Mesh Mount Ivory Honed Travertine Tile Fireplace Surround from Arizona Tile

Natural Stone 3D Tile

The appeal of natural stone stems back so far into history that it’s hard to fathom, but the mesmerizing qualities of it make this no surprise. Many agree the calming aura of natural stone cannot be duplicated. Stack tile fits this bill as it is classic, versatile, and charming. Natural stone 3D tile provides a unique depth and texture to a space as it seems to “pop” off the wall. For interior and exterior use, the versatility of 3-dimensional, textured stone allows your imagination to take charge in your design. Enjoy the plethora of options in 3D Mesh Mount Stack, Classic Limestone Combed, and our natural stone Split.

Image: 3D White Wave Ceramic Shower Wall  Tile from Arizona Tile

Textured Porcelain and Ceramic Tile

Textured porcelain and ceramic tile offers a beautiful, low-maintenance aesthetic that adds elegance to any space. Used on interior walls, the flowing visual movement across the tile’s surface adds an artistic touch of texture and depth. Specialty tile like this can shift a design into a unique, specialized space.

The 3D series is a rectified white body porcelain wall tile. This Italian-made product contains 20% or more pre-consumer recycled content with five texture options to choose from—White Twist, White Blade, White Matte, White Ribbon, and White Wave—to add a multi-dimensional style. While this series is only for interior, vertical applications, it can be used both commercially and residentially.

Image: Invictus Beige Vein Cut 24 x 48 Rigato Large Format Porcelain Wall Tile from Arizona Tile

The Invictus Vein Cut series in the Rigato finish brings a distinctive texture and refined elegance to any space. With a surface that resembles natural stone with a subtle, combed texture, this finish adds a unique tactile quality that beautifully complements a variety of interior styles. Available exclusively in a large-format 24×48 size, this Italian-made, rectified tile is designed for both beauty and sustainability, containing over 20% pre-consumer recycled content. Offered in four sophisticated color options, the Rigato finish on the Invictus Vein Cut series delivers an elevated aesthetic that’s ideal for creating modern, minimalist spaces with a touch of natural texture.

Image: Dunes Platinum Wave 3×12 Glass Specialty Tile Shower Wall from Arizona Tile

3-Dimensional Glass Tile

Popular for any living space, 3-Dimensional glass tile presents a stylish and modern design. The Dunes series is available in six colors and five sizes – with one size boasting a textured wave finish. With so many options available, this tile can complement any design application—commercial or residential, inside or outside, and even wet or dry spaces. With its shimmer and reflective qualities, you will notice your space brighten as light bounces throughout the room, or glistens in a pool. The tile is made of high-quality, heavy-duty, construction-grade glass which is the same type of product used for commercial windows in high-rise buildings. During the manufacturing process for the Dunes series, the tile is placed in a kiln to bond color pigments to the glass but also to soften its edges, leaving a pillowed effect on each piece, allowing for a new texture and dimension in your space.

Image: 3D White Twist Ceramic Bathroom Wall Tile from Arizona Tile

Kitchen & Bathroom

Kitchens and bathrooms tend to gain the most attention in a home. We spend more time in the kitchen than we probably realize – cooking, socializing, and generally living. Bathrooms are a place for serenity, so you want an aesthetic appeal you love with easy cleanability. The Dunes series,3D series, and the new Invictus Vein Cut Rigato finish are all excellent choices for both kitchens and bathrooms, and they can even be paired together for added effect!

Dunes glass tile makes a wonderful kitchen or bathroom sink backsplash because it helps light move around the room with a stylish flair, and cleaning it is a breeze. Then, on a larger wall space, combining it with 3D ceramic tile, or the Invictus Vein Cut Rigato, creates a second focal point that adds even more dimension. All three textured options are gorgeous in a shower, especially Dunes, when the water reflects upon it. Used together or separately, these tile options can help create the kitchen or bathroom aesthetic you’ve always dreamed of.

Image: 3-D Mesh Mount Silver Split Stack Travertine Tile Fireplace Surround from Arizona Tile

Gathering Room

The gathering room, or living room, is a space we want to enjoy that’s comfortable and appealing. At the end of the day when it’s time to relax, or when you’re hosting a gathering, you want this room to exude peace and tranquility, and there is no better way to achieve that than with natural stone. A fireplace or focal wall are perfect areas to incorporate 3D Mesh Mount Stack, Classic Limestone Combed, or natural stone Split. Between these three products/series, there’s a plethora of colors, layouts, and textures.

3D Mesh Mount Stack has 21 options to choose from—some are marble, others are travertine, and one is a mix of the two. There are both cool and warm options, dark and light, and subtle and vibrant. The abundance of texture present in the stack is a true expression of stone in its natural form.

Natural stone Split has similarities to 3D Mesh Mount Stack but the variation in layout from piece to piece is a little more subtle. This 4×16 tile is intended to be installed closely together without a grout joint. Offered in three stones—limestone, marble, and travertine—there are five colors that could make your space a true masterpiece.

Classic Limestone Combed displays a beautiful texture that is so inviting. It is a sedimentary stone that is formed in shallow seas and sometimes small shells and fossils may appear throughout. The combed surface of this 12×24 tile gives it a unique look and feel.

Image: 3D Mesh Mount Ocean Storm Split Stack Outdoor Patio Marble Tile from Arizona Tile

Outdoors

Outdoors can truly be an extension of your home. Using quality products outdoors can make the space a luxurious place to relax. Not all products are suited for outdoors, but Split, Classic Limestone Combed, Stack, Invictus Vein Cut Rigato, and Dunes will not disappoint.

3D Mesh Mount Stack adds a rugged look to vertical exterior applications, like garden walls, retaining walls, and fire pits. This cladding emphasizes the features of a patio space, bar area, outdoor kitchen, and pool area. With minimal maintenance—a huge bonus—stack tile provides the perfect aesthetic for a lifetime.

Classic Limestone Combed and Split provide a different aesthetic than Stack but within the same realm. Exterior cladding can become a highly emphasized focal wall with either of these products.

The Invictus Vein Cut Rigato finish is an excellent choice for exterior cladding, adding texture and visual interest to outdoor spaces. With its gently textured surface and large 24×48 format, it brings a sophisticated, modern look that complements a variety of architectural styles. As a high-quality porcelain tile, it is highly durable and can withstand extreme weather fluctuations, including freeze-thaw conditions, making it a reliable option for any exterior application.

The Dunes series offers more outdoor options because not only can it be used as exterior cladding, but it can also be used in a pool. The sunlight hitting the water and then reflecting off the tile… this will make a pool a true oasis escape!

How Will You Use Specialty Tile?

Specialty tile can be a beautiful addition to many spaces! Come visit an Arizona Tile showroom or slab yard to see how amazing these products are in person. To see products in different applications, try our Just Imagine Tile and Slab Visualizer,  to ignite your creativity. If you have questions along the way, please send us a message, and our exceptional staff of tile experts will be happy to help.