Choosing a ceramic because it is beautiful, it’s easy. Choosing a ceramic that will still be beautiful, durable and adapted to its environment in several years is something else.
At NÜMA Design & Co., it’s a question that keeps coming back: which ceramic to choose for a bathroom, shower, kitchen, backsplash or entrance?
Because no, I never select a tile just for its color.
I also watch:
• The place where it will be installed; the level of humidity; traffic; maintenance; format; finish.
A beautiful lustrous tile can look spectacular on a wall, but it won’t necessarily be my first choice for a bathroom floor. Conversely, a very resistant porcelain can be perfect in an entrance where boots, children and animals pass daily.
The goal is not just to find a beautiful tile, it’s to find the right ceramic for the right space.
Here are the 4 criteria I look at before choosing a ceramic tile
1. Usage
Is it a wall? A floor? A shower? A busy entrance?
The needs are simply not the same. The more space is used, the greater the resistance and maintenance become.
2. The finish
I love glossy finishes for their ability to reflect light and bring depth.
On a wall or backsplash, they can be beautiful.
On the floor, especially in areas likely to be wet, I will generally favor a matte or slightly textured finish suitable for this use.
3. The format
If there is one trend that has changed in recent years, it is that of formats.
For a long time, the 12 x 24 was the reference. Today, in most of the projects we carry out at NÜMA, we prefer formats of 24 x 24 and more.
Why? Because they reduce the number of visible joints.
Result: the focus is more on the material than on the grout.
I often like to say that the 24 x 24 has become the new 12 x 24.
The 24 x 24 and 24 x 48 formats generally create more refined, contemporary and timeless spaces.
4. The care
This is probably the least exciting but certainly one of the most important criteria. I don’t just want a material to be beautiful on the day the photos are taken. I want it to work again on a Tuesday morning, three years later.
In Quebec, it also means thinking about sand, salt, wet boots, children and animals.
Which ceramic to choose for a bathroom?
For a bathroom floor, I usually prefer a matte porcelain suitable for this use.
I particularly like the stone effects since they create a soft and timeless atmosphere.
The Unique Bourgogne collection by Céramique L'Entrepôt represents well the type of material that I am looking for in this environment: an elegant stone effect, large formats and an aesthetic that will last over the years.
Unique Bourgogne collection (2 colors, 2 sizes + wall tile 24x48 in chevron)
For the walls, we can then allow ourselves more freedom in terms of textures and finishes.
Which ceramic should you choose for a shower?
Showering always requires special attention.
We must consider the water, maintenance and durability of the material.
On the walls, I almost always prefer large formats. They significantly reduce the number of visible joints and simplify daily maintenance.
Regardless of the product chosen, I always recommend checking that it is designed for the intended application before installation.
Which ceramic to choose for a kitchen and backsplash?
In a kitchen, I seek above all a balance between personality and maintenance. For the floor, I particularly like playing with wood effects. It allows you to bring all the warmth and character of wood to the space, while enjoying a durable and easy-care material. And in a kitchen, it’s hard to find something more practical than ceramic!
For the backsplash, I always look at its relationship with the counter and the cabinets. Note that the backsplash is usually THE last item I choose in a kitchen. As it occupies an important place visually, it must adapt to the other elements already selected and complete the whole.
If the counter already has a lot of movement or veining, I will usually calm down the backsplash.
Conversely, in a more sober kitchen, textured ceramics can become the detail that gives character to the whole.
It’s also a place where I particularly like glossy finishes for the depth they bring. Here, I love the Manufatti collection by Céramique L'Entrepôt. Its textured glossy finish instantly brings a touch of refinement.
Manufatti collection - 8x8 color (backrest) | Baldai collection - 9x47 color (floor)
Which ceramic should you choose for an entrance?
The entrance is probably the place where materials are put to the test the most.
Snow. Water. Sand. Salt.
In short, real life in Quebec.
So, I prefer a resistant porcelain designed for highly stressed surfaces. Again, I recommend a larger size to limit the amount of grout. It’s also time to choose something that creates a real "WOW" effect and immediately gives the house a presence. Here, I recommend the ROMA collection by Céramique L'Entrepôt, installed in a checkerboard pattern, which allows you to achieve the warm appearance of a house while enjoying the resistance and ease of maintenance of porcelain.
ROMA Collection – color Bianco and Nero 24x24 laid out in checkered pattern (and the Nero on the wall)
Why does Céramique L'Entrepôt often appear in my selections?
When I select materials for a project, I seek above all to build a coherent pallet.
This is one of the reasons why I regularly consult the collections of Céramique L'Entrepôt.
There are several large format porcelain pieces, notably in 24 x 24 and 24 x 48 sizes, which is exactly the approach we prefer at NÜMA: fewer joints, more visual continuity and materials that age well over time.
In summary
If I had to summarize my main reflexes:
· Bathroom: matt or textured porcelain.
· Shower: material suitable for wet areas and large formats on the walls (lappato, glossy or satin finish...).
· Kitchen and backsplash: balance between maintenance and personality.
· Entry: resistance, presence and ease of maintenance.
· Format: prefer formats 24 x 24 and more when possible.
The best ceramics are never universal.
A material can be perfect in one room and much less relevant in another.
At NÜMA Design & Co., this is exactly why the selection of materials is an integral part of our design process: a beautiful material is not enough.
We need to find the right spot.
