Luxury Tile Design Guide
Tile selection is one of the most impactful decisions in any kitchen or bathroom design. The right tile transforms a backsplash into a focal point, a shower surround into a spa experience, and a floor into a design statement. The wrong tile — or tile chosen without design guidance — can undermine an otherwise beautiful room.
At Emerald & Oak, we source tile from specialty manufacturers, artisan studios, and international importers — bringing our Charlotte clients access to materials that far exceed what's available at retail showrooms.
Tile Categories
We work across the full spectrum of luxury tile — from hand-made artisan pieces to precision-engineered large-format panels.
- Zellige — hand-glazed Moroccan tile with luminous variation
- Handmade ceramic — artisan-crafted with organic imperfection
- Large-format porcelain — minimal grout lines, stone-look surfaces
- Natural stone mosaic — marble, limestone, and travertine patterns
- Encaustic cement — patterned tiles for floors and feature walls
- Glass tile — reflective, colorful, ideal for backsplashes
Porcelain, Ceramic and Handmade Tile
Porcelain is dense and absorbs very little water — industry standards define porcelain tile by water absorption of 0.5 percent or less — which makes it suitable for floors, showers and many outdoor uses. Ceramic tile is more porous and softer, often ideal for walls and backsplashes where impact is limited. Handmade tiles such as zellige vary in thickness, glaze and color, which creates their appeal but also means wider grout joints and more installation skill. Natural stone tile brings depth and variation but needs sealing and gentle cleaning depending on the stone.
- Porcelain: floors, showers and high-wear areas.
- Ceramic: walls and backsplashes.
- Handmade: character with wider joints.
Slip Resistance and Floor Safety
Floor tile in wet areas should have suitable slip resistance. In the United States, the ANSI A137.1 standard uses a dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF) measurement, and tiles intended for interior floors that will be walked on when wet are generally expected to measure at least 0.42. Smaller tiles with more grout lines also improve grip in shower floors. Polished stone and glossy finishes can be slippery when wet, so honed, textured or matte finishes are often chosen for bathrooms and entries. Ask your supplier for the tile's technical data sheet.
Large-Format Tile and Installation Quality
Large-format tiles create fewer grout lines and a calmer surface, but they require flatter substrates and careful setting to avoid lippage, where edges of adjacent tiles sit at slightly different heights. Leveling systems, appropriate mortar and back-buttering help. Layout should be planned to avoid thin slivers at walls and to center patterns on focal points. In showers, waterproofing membranes and proper slope matter more than the tile itself. Ask your installer about substrate preparation, movement joints and the grout type — cement-based, urethane or epoxy — for each area.