Ladies and gentlemen, we have a situation! A subway predicament so delicate and difficult that, left unresolved, may haunt us forever.
This conundrum surrounds a classic staple in the interior design industry: the subway tile, and a larger-than-life South African personality, known for her exacting standards in style and home decor.
A few years ago, the flamboyant and fashionable Johannesburg ‘It girl’ and OG influencer, Tali Shapiro famously aired her ‘unpopular opinion’ about subway tiles on her Instagram feed:
‘Guys, I actually really dislike subway tiles,’ she claimed. ‘They are DONE in my opinion.’ Tali’s infamous claims that subway tiles are ‘so 2017′ has presented a dangerous interior design dilemma.
Is the subway stale, or does it still slay?
We asked top South African tile retailer and style aficionado, Stiles, to counter Tali’s tile turmoil and set the subway record straight.
‘Tali, we think you just haven’t met your subway match yet, babes!’ says Stevie Joubert, CEO Stiles.
‘Subway tiles are the eternal rockstars of the interior design world,’ claims Stevie, ‘an iconic canvas for creativity that screams both timeless sophistication and modern edge. Subways are the ‘white t-shirt of interiors,’ he adds, ‘always in fashion, endlessly versatile, and capable of elevating any room.’
Subway tiles originated in early 20th-century New York City subway stations and have evolved into a timeless element in interior design.
They are characterised by their rectangular shape and clean, simple lines. Stiles’ subway options include curvy, glossy, matt, funky and colourful, and even a few which are longer and leggier than a supermodel in stilettos… The Stiles promise is simple: ‘Tali, we will find you a subway style you love, or we’ll eat our grout!’
Monocolour
Let’s start simple. The Monocolour tiles are ceramic subway tiles exclusive to Stiles and come in a range of colours and finishes.
Thse versatile metro tiles are ideal for indoor wall surfaces. When design powerhouse Kelly Wearstler said: ‘Subway tiles are design gold‘, she could easily have been referring to this range.
Monocolour’s simplicity is what makes them revolutionary. Whether paired with bold grout lines or arranged in daring patterns, they become the backbone of a room. Examples include the glossy blue Monocolour Aire Liso, the pretty-in-pink Monocolour Rosa Liso or the daring matt black Monocolour Rustico.
Materika
When it comes to architectural poetry, the Materika range mimics natural forms and rhythms. These gently curved porcelain tiles have rounded edges and a gloss finish. Put simply, they whisper elegance in jewel-like shades of ocean, blue, grey and green.
Look
The Funky Tiles Look range are the supermodels of subway tiles. With long, slender proportions and a simple colour palette, the sleek Look range offers effortless elegance. Available in matt and gloss options, in white, moss green and light grey, the Look tiles create instant length on a kitchen backsplash or a bathroom feature wall.
Ava
Celebrated for her signature ‘California cool’ aesthetic, celebrated interior designer Amber Lewis describes the subway as ‘an underdog turned superstar’. Once relegated to utilitarian subway stations, these tiles are now evolving as a hallmark of luxury and taste.
The Funky Tile Ava subway is a prime example. With slightly longer proportions than the traditional subway, the Ava tile is available in smoke grey for moody sophistication or classic white for breezy charm.
Metalbrick
The majestic Metalbrick range is the show-stopping power player of the subway world. This range of highly polished porcelain tiles has a luminous metallic look with a colour that varies in depth depending on which angle you look at. This high impact tile is capable of bringing all the drama to an interior.
Find the emerald green, deep blue and sophisticated black options online.
Cadaques
Finally, for a subway tile with rustic charm, warmth and a handmade, earthy quality, browse the Cadaques range.
This style is perfect for those looking to recreate the modern Hacienda style, a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Spanish or Mexican estate architecture. Available in Light, Medium and Rosso, this porcelain tile has a terracotta stone look and a matt finish.
We’re hoping that Tali’s next sequel will be ‘Tali’s Décor Diary’ where she can embrace the stylish subway. Tali babes, grab a latte, follow Stiles on all the socials and let the subways steal the show!
Visit any of Stiles’ showrooms to view these products in person or visit their website here to find out more.
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Picture: Supplied
