A Latte Love: Fall Tile Inspiration

For many of us, the change in season from summer to fall is a welcomed time of year. We get to enjoy the change in weather, waredrobes, and drink orders. We're quick to trade in high temperatures for falling leaves, tank tops for sweaters, and a cold Starbucks Frappucinno for a hot Chai or Pumpkin Spiced Latte. Let's take a quick look at how your next tile project can be inspired by two beloved beverages.

Don't Be Shy About Your Love for Chai

Browsing Pinterest is one way to pass the time indoors on a cold day. Cozied up to our phones or computer screens, we can't help but be inspired by the fall photos and mood boards. Architectural Ceramic's Baltimore Showroom Manager, Loren Tomas, created a mood board inspired by a hot Starbucks Chai Latte. We hope you get inspired for your next tile project: We've fallen head over heals for her simple mood board featuring neutral tones and tons of texture. Just like drinking a Chai Latte with the right blend of milk, tea and spices; this tile blend makes us warm and fuzzy inside. Let's break it down tile by tile, to see what "ingredients" Tomas used:

Wood-look tile anyone? This new stock porcelain for Architectural Ceramics is from our Century Wood Collection, in the Back Tangram color. The large format 32"x32" tile gives the once popular parquet floor from the 1970's a new modern twist.

If a Chai Latte starts with calming tea, then our mood board starts the same way, with a calming neutral tile for any space. Check out our website or online data sheet to view other color options.

Another new stock item for AC, our Batik Collection, features glass tile with a textural finish. The 6"x12" tile shown as a set of three is also appropriately shown in the color Java. This screen-printed effect is inspired by Indonesian textiles.

Here, the Batik glass tile is used vertically behind a bathroom vanity. We love the modern and traditional feel this tile gives a space. To view more options from the Batik Collection, visit our website or online data sheet.

For a bit of shimmer, try using our arabesque shaped glass tile. Whether glass, ceramic, or marble, the arabesque shape is on trend. At Architectural Ceramics, we carry several lines that offer the popular shape. For one of our stock marble options, visit our website to view the Brocade Collection.

Here, a glass swatch in the color Haute, from our Oceanside line, has a water-like quality to it. Oceanside is a large collection for us. Visit one of our AC showrooms to explore the line more.

You might say we have a crush on these small decorative tiles from our Sonoma Tile line, featuring crushed glass on a ceramic base. The two colors shown, are Canyon Red and Adobe. One way clients have used these tiles are as accents in a kitchen backsplash. How would you use them?

Looking for texture through natural stone? This swatch, shown in Jerusalem Pearl Dark from our Artistic line, gives just a hint of what a larger tile would look like, and looks like raked sand.

Another swatch, from our Sonoma Tile line's Stellar series in the color Porcini, brings in a touch of contrast and brings up a good point: it's important to get samples like these before ordering a glazed ceramic. That way, you know what to expect of the final product's range.

Last but not least, this tiny 1"x1" hexagon tile from our Jeffrey Court line in the color Welded, adds more contrast to the mood board. Like adding a shot of espresso to a Chai Latte, this durable porcelain mosaic could add an industrial chic element to your space.

Pumped About Pumpkin

September. It's glorious month that means summer is over and retailers everywhere are jumping on the limited time only pumpkin bandwagon. From M&Ms to Coffee Mate creamer, and Oreos to Cheerios -- Several of our favorite foods are available in the popular pumpkin spice flavor. None have quite the following, however, like a Starbuck's Pumpkin Spiced Latte. In case you live under the rock of Gibraltar, here's what all the fuss is about. This seasonal favorite is a coffee with pumpkin pie flavor, seasoned with ginger, clove, and nutmeg. Top it all off with whipped cream and caramel drizzle, and you've got yourself a pumpkin phenomenon. Starbucks gave the drink its own Twitter feed weeks ago, @TheRealPSL to tease us all until the caffeinated cup became available September 5th for consumption. The mention on their Facebook page for the #PSL has been shared over 15,680 times and liked by over 114,000 fans. So, if you're someone who shares a love for the Pumpkin Spiced Latte, then you'll love our next fall inspiration. Here, Tomas created a mood board with a Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte in mind (and in hand). We're pumped about this mood board that again features neutral tones, but this time brings in a pop of pumpkin color. We already know what goes into a Starbucks Pumpkin Spiced Latte; let's see what "ingredients" Tomas used:

This large format porcelain hexagon tile, from our stock line Attitude Collection in the color Warm Sand, grounds the board. This porcelain tile looks like cement and sets the tone for the overall neutral feel.

For your tile project, it could ground your space as a great neutral flooring option. Check out our website or online data sheet to view the entire collection.

We can't use a Pumpkin Spiced Latte as inspiration without incorporating a bit of pumpkin. Here, this glazed ceramic tile from our Pratt & Larson line in colorway R126, adds a playful color and shape to the mix. Installed horizontally or vertically, this ogee shape could liven up any backsplash or bathroom.

Like frothy milk or falling leaves, this natural marble mosaic aptly named Foliage Grande in the color blend Linen, provides a softer feel to the mood board. The artistic mix of limestone and marble, comes from our Artistic Tile line. It could make quite a statement as a shower accent wall.

Here, this 5"x10" glazed ceramic tile adds a new glass-like texture. Slightly larger than a traditional 3"x6" subway tile, this ceramic features a timeless pattern on a modern size. works nicely with the overall board. The glass adds just the right amount of shimmer, where a Pumpkin Spiced Latte has just the right amount of nutmeg flavor.

If the previous pumpkin color was too orange for you, try this caramel hue instead. This 4"x4" ceramic tile from our Sonoma Tile line's Stellar series in the color Hermes, stays true to a fall palette without being so obvious.