But it has. . .

• I like to cook.  I have been self employed, working crazy hours for so long I had forgotten that I really like to cook. But I do!! Especially when all the ingredients are in the house.  This week I have made Pork Enchiladas, Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls and Chicken Casserole! All delicious as left overs too!
• I still don’t like to clean. My house is no cleaner today than it was 3 weeks ago. Nuff said.
• My neighborhood is so pretty! I have taken time to walk and notice things. Pretty flowers, really great paint colors, a sweet screen porch addition and more.
• I could be a couch potato, at least for a while.  It has been fun catching up on backed up movie lists.  However, I still don’t like to watch the same movie or show twice. Never have, never will.
• Having time to talk with family and friends is priceless!!
• I now know how to hunt for Morel Mushrooms and how to identify a Slippery Elm Tree.
• Silence is golden, as long as I can hear the birds in the background.
• I really love what I do. The last few weeks have been weird for everyone and like most I am not working quite as hard as I had been for the last… say 20 years. We are open and people are trickling in, but our showroom has been so quiet!  I miss the hustle and bustle, I really do.  I love picking pretty things for nice people :). I am ready to get back to it!

I hope that you are well, that this pandemic stays far from you and your family. Know that prayers are a big part of my day and that all of us at Tile Sensations look forward to our new normal once this is over.

Jennifer – #TileandDesignAddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  

The post What I am Learning about Myself appeared first on Tile Sensations.

Who doesn’t love shopping at a local market, meeting an artist and selecting just the right art piece for your home? Selecting handmade art tile is much like that experience, and while you don’t actually get to meet the tile artist at Tile Sensations, you can definitely get a feel for each artist when picking up each piece. You can feel the love that is put into art tile and you can definitely see the artists personality. Some are solo studios, some have teams that help them. To a tile artist, work is play.

A handmade tile artist wants you to have exactly what you want, they get joy knowing that a client has commissioned them to be a part of their project. Whether you choose vibrant colors, modern styles or a hand pressed subway tile your handmade tile selection will bring a warmth and charm to your space. Art Tile is Art, with a bit of Science added in.

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  

The post Made in the USA appeared first on Tile Sensations.

In this case the handmade tile ordered had a 5 week lead time.  For a client hoping to finish the project in a few weeks, this was the first project delay.  The selected installer had a scheduled vacation to Europe.  This was the second delay for the clients schedule.  Lastly, when the tile arrived it didn’t have as much texture as we hoped, so we ordered more tile, another 5 weeks, Yikes!  It was well worth the wait.  The fireplace is beautiful.

Tile Sensations Concrete Tile Fireplace Installation

In addition to the tile installation, we recessed the area for the TV and Glennie had a custom mantle made.  Glennie now has a fireplace that balances well with the beautiful furniture pieces in her home.  It is a focal point, yet does not over power the room.  And… It was worth the wait.

Good design cannot always be accomplished in the time we hope. Great design takes thoughtful planning and patience when things aren’t quite on schedule.  So take your time, make thoughtful choices and try not to be frustrated when things are a bit behind schedule.

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  #notjusttile

photos courtesy of the homeowner

The post Is it worth the wait? appeared first on Tile Sensations.

So… where to start? First, have an open mind and ask yourself a few questions.  How long have you dreamed about that inspiration tile?  Does it fit the style of your home?  Does it fit you?  Does it fit in your budget?  If the answers are yes, then don’t drive yourself crazy, just pick your favorite and go with it!  You will LOVE it!

If the doubts continue to creep in your mind, maybe it is time to ask for help.  Show us your pictures, pictures of the space and pictures of the exterior of your home.  Even better, show us a picture of your favorite room or nook in your home.   We love advising homeowners on tile selections.  We can answer the questions you have about care and suitability for your space.  Is this too modern for my home?  Is the tile too big for my area?  Should I use Natural Stone, Porcelain or Ceramic?  Is this Floor Rated?  And all the other questions you have about the selecting process.  Of course if you would like help with the entire selection process, cabinets, lighting, and more, we can help with that too.  The Design Team at Tile Sensations is ready to help you figure it all out.

Our goal is to help you choose products you will be happy with for decades.  There is nothing better than running into a client who purchased at Tile Sensations 10+ years ago and hear them say “I STILL Love it!!”

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary  #notjusttile

The post Choosing a tile, not as easy as you think or is it?? appeared first on Tile Sensations.

The Inaugural Alzheimer’s Tennessee Designer Home and Garden Tour is in full swing daily, except Mondays, through October 14th.  The home, originally a Southern Living Style home built in 2003, has been transformed, inside and out, into a Highlands Style home.  The homeowners, Scott and Hope Davis, moved out of their home in March and won’t move back in until late October!  There is so much to see on their 14+ acre property, the main home, the guest suite above the garage, the redesigned pool and more.  Make your outing complete with a sandwich from Ham ‘n Goodies in the Party Barn and pick up a few Christmas presents in the on-site gift shop while you are there.

The Design Team at Tile Sensations is a proud participant in this designer home, along with 13 other top designers in Knoxville.  We were awarded 3 rooms to transform, so when looking for our spaces just think Organic, Pink, Animals and Bugs.  We commissioned a pair of beautiful wood art pieces for the hall, had custom window treatments made and carefully selected each item for our rooms.  All in all we had fun designing these spaces!  Sourcing from local, family owned businesses like ours was a top priority for us, so we reached out to Mango’s Decor & Co., West End Antiques and Bill Cox Furniture for the main pieces in the rooms.  Next we contacted local artists and vintage shops for accessories.  

 Nationally recognized companies, Corbett Lighting and Thibaut provided support as well.  Once they heard that the funds raised would benefit Alzheimer’s Tennessee they generously donated products for permanent installation in the Davis’ home.  Our rooms would not have been complete without their help, we greatly appreciate them.

We hope you enjoy the entire home tour, but especially, we would love your feedback on the rooms we designed.  Remember, 100% of the tour price and a portion of the proceeds from each item purchased, from inside the home or gift shop, will benefit the good work that Alzheimer’s Tennessee does in our community.

Happy Touring!

Jennifer

#tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #ResisttheOrdinary #NotJustTile

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However, there is so much more to choose from when you are Resisting the Ordinary.  Consider this beautiful handmade vessel sink, there was only one of these made, so you might want this handcrafted piece to be the focal point of your bathroom.  Or, Kohler offers colors like Cashmere, Mexican Sand and Black,  just to name a few.  American Standard also offers Linen and Bone.  Choosing a color will bring attention to that item and the items surrounding it.  So before you settle on white or biscuit consider stepping outside your comfort zone and choosing a color that makes you smile.

If you choose a copper tub like the one pictured here, you can pair it with a copper sink and neutral commode.  Or add a stoneware sink that has an organic feel.  The combinations are endless with a beautiful tub like this.

And, believe it or not we can order commodes in patterns.   Beautiful patterns!  They can be hand painted to coordinate with your design plan.  Hand painted commodes almost always come with a coordinating sink creating a beautiful and unique addition to your bathroom.  Imagine your friends response if they walked in to your powder room and saw this fantastic commode!

Commodes are also available with custom features. They can have a heated seat, automatic close feature and can be lit in various colors!

All this being said, before you choose one of these extraordinary pieces, be sure you work through all the other choices in the room.  Your home should be a reflection of yourself, not your neighbor, so have fun choosing and Resist the Ordinary!

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict  #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations  #Resist the Ordinary

The post White or Biscuit? That is the question. . . appeared first on Tile Sensations.

We stayed busy working on bathrooms, kitchens and fireplaces.  Wet bars, laundry rooms and dog showers.  We worked on residential and commercial projects.  If you drove past our showroom on Sutherland Avenue after hours, you likely saw the lights on and our team working late into the night.  We worked and we worked, loving every moment of it!

Additions to Tile Sensations in 2017 include wallpaper and late, til 7pm, Thursday hours.  Wallpaper is back, as you probably already know, so we have added wallpaper lines not available in big box stores or online.  Resist the Ordinary!

In January 2017, The Design Team at Tile Sensations, began taking on Interior Design projects.  What fun this has been!  We have worked on homes in Farragut, Bearden, Fountain City, Old North Knoxville and Downtown, as well as, businesses needing freshen ups!  We spent much of 2017 on relationships with trusted installers, plumbers, electricians, cabinet companies and more, making Tile Sensations your one stop shop.

Kitchen 919

The Design Team at Tile Sensations closed out 2017 working on the interiors for Kitchen 919 in the Orangery Village on Homberg.  Kitchen 919 is a must try.  Both for the fantastic local, seasonal food and for the ambiance.  The service is fantastic and the food delicious.  I personally recommend the Porcini Dusted Filet Mignon and the Misoyaki Glazed Butterfish, if you prefer the recommendation of Brooks Clark and Cityview Magazine just click here.  After you visit, let us know what you think of the interior selections, be sure to note the lighting in the main dining room and the photo wall and ceiling in the bar.  It was all fun to pick!

We are available to work with our clients from conception to completion of the project, Tile Projects, of course, and now Interior Design Projects too.  Or we can just come up with a design concept and let the homeowner takes the reins from there. You choose. We are here and ready to help.

2018! Bring it on we are ready!

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict #TheDesignTeamatTileSensations #Resist the Ordinary

The post Tile, Wallpaper, Interior Design, oh my! appeared first on Tile Sensations.

I assume you have pinned to your hearts content and have studied Houzz photos into the wee hours of the morning.  But now it is time to decide, to actually decide, what your project style will be.  How do you start making decisions?

The first question is:  “Who is this project for?”   You will find design decisions are much simpler once you decide who you are doing this project for.  Is this a project for you?  for resale?   is this a rental?

You:  This is my favorite type of project to work on.  When the remodel or new build is designed to make you smile, decisions should come a bit easier.  Think about your favorite spaces.  What do you like about them?  What don’t you like about that same space?  Whatever that favorite space is, use it as a muse.  Now I am not saying you should duplicate your favorite space, I am just saying that the properties that make you like that space can be repeated.  Is that space well lit or is dark and cozy?  Have you filled that space with color and art?  Or is it a space with minimal distractions.  The answers to each of these questions will lead you down the path towards a space that is pleasing to you.

Resale:  One statement that I strongly disagree with is “When designing for resale make everything neutral”.  When I design for resale I want my space to be different.  If I choose similar finishes to all other houses on the market why would this one stand out?  Most importantly I ask myself, who will buy this house?  Then I design for that demographic.  Will a young couple just starting a family buy it?  If so, choose more trendy colors.  Is this a weekend getaway for a boomer couple?  Then choose finishes that are obviously not a trend, but that exude quality.

Rental:  Finishes for rentals need to be, first and foremost, serviceable.  But serviceable does not need to be boring.  Of course in a rental you need to think about who is renting?  Would upscale finishes allow you to increase the daily price of your AirBnb?   If your rental is in a lower price bracket, why shouldn’t the finishes be unique? Unique does not always equate to expensive.  Remember renters will stay longer in a unit that is well taken care of, with updated features.

Now I guess it is time for more pinning. . . and remember “why choose ordinary”?   You or your space shouldn’t be ordinary or expected.

Jennifer – #tileanddesignaddict

The post A Primer: Design Style and Finishes appeared first on Tile Sensations.

Believe me, I feel this way too. Sometimes I think of my home as a version of “the plumber with a leaky faucet” always finding time to work on others projects, then neglecting my own. While I LOVE LOVE LOVE most of the spaces in my home, there are definitely a few neglected areas.

Right now I have major bathroom envy. One of the bathrooms in my home has been neglected. It is tiny and accessed from a seldom used bedroom, honestly I forget its even there sometimes. I forget until I have guests coming or when I see a finished bathroom that is perfectly designed. So after visiting a friend who just did a complete gut and remodel on her home I am back to having Bathroom Envy.

Do you have Bathroom Envy? Is your envy mild? Will some cute wallpaper and a new shower curtain do the trick? Or maybe it is time to change out the fixtures for more modern pieces? Or are you completely green with envy and only a complete gut job will satisfy you? Make that first decision, then jump in.

Your next step is to do visual research. You could start on our Pinterest page, we have all sorts of Bathroom pictures saved and sorted by style. https://www.pinterest.com/tilesensations/ You will quickly eliminate ideas you do not care for, sometimes I see a picture of a complete room and say to myself “what were they thinking?!” The nice thing about eliminating styles is that with each, “I don’t like that” comment, you are getting closer to a style that will fit your home and personality. As you are looking at pictures ask yourself a few questions. Do I like it? Do
I LOVE it? Would this style fit in my home? Save the ones you love AND would work in your home then think about the project again. Are you feeling inspired or overwhelmed? If the answer is overwhelmed maybe you should consider a little design help. If the answer is inspired, it’s time for a shopping trip!

Whether you decide to tackle your project alone or decide to get design help be certain to choose 1st quality products and services. While I understand you need to be mindful of your budget, do not scrimp. Be frugal, complete what leg work you can, but don’t settle for products that don’t make you smile or don’t have staying power. There is nothing worse in my world that feeling that I compromised on something I should not have comprised on, how I wish I had not settled. If necessary divide your project into stages so you can budget in just the perfect lighting or that dream mosaic.

Remember really good design takes thoughtful decisions and the investment of a little time.

Jennifer – Tile and Design Addict

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I now confess I am a #DesignAddict too. When a client walks into the Tile Sensations showroom with a design dilemma my heart starts to beat a little faster. I immediately begin to wonder, will this client want help with their dilemma? or have they already picked a design choice after hours and hours of time spent on Pinterest….   With fingers crossed I ask a few questions and hope that they are open to design ideas, whether they have seen them before or not.  One of my favorite design inspirations is a simple tile cubbie for toilet tissue. These clients did not like changing the toilet paper roll……

Design dilemmas don’t have to be about function, though function is a crucial part of design. The dilemma may simply be that the 2 people using the room like different color schemes or design styles. What to do when he wants rustic and she wants classic?  We can help with that.  Sometimes its an easy compromise, sometimes it takes a little longer to work through the design process. Rest assured, given creative time we will come up with a plan that works in your space.

A few things to remember when you are looking for help with design.

• For the best design service, make an appointment. Appointments are not required, but if you want a design professional to give you their best work, make an appointment.
• Share pictures of your space, preferably before your appointment. Also send pictures of the adjoining spaces, the more information we have about your design style and home, the easier it is to create a design just for you.
• If you have spent hours online, share your Pinterest Board with your designer before your appointment
• Bring pieces of permanent items in the room to your appointment.  Choices you have already made such as your granite sample, cabinet color, etc. Measurements of the space help too, but are not necessary in the 1st stages of design.  At the risk of sounding snarky “I have darkish wood cabinets” is not enough information. It is really hard to work on a project without the necessary information.
• If you cannot bring these things to an appointment, consider an in home consultation. While you will pay for the design consultation, you likely will save time and money in the long run.

What project has been haunting you? Why not gather all your goodies and make an appointment. Tile design, as always, is included in the price of your tile at Tile Sensations. If you need 3D images or renderings, we can do that too, there will be an upfront cost for these services, but we can credit all or most of these charges to your tile order.  I say most because if we design the same space 2 or three times, we may need to charge for a 3d model or 2.  If you need help with your other choices, we would love to help.  Our design services include selecting, fixtures, cabinets, wall coverings (we have a great selection) and more.

If you haven’t visited recently, stop in and say hi. We can’t wait to help with your project.

Jennifer – Tile and Design Addict.

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