Penny Wise.

Ann Sacks 

Prior to 323,  I was a non-waffling, decision making machine (at least as it related to design.)  I could select a paint color, have it mixed and on the wall in less than 12 hours.  Never did I feel obligated to sleep on it, obtain a second opinion, or evaluate the impact of natural vs. artificial light.  I would just pull the trigger (or the roller in this case) and move on.  And yet, four weeks after being asked to select tile, all I have to show for it is a bag full of mismatched samples and a new found sense of indecisiveness.

So, with my gut-driven instincts on hiatus, I  am forced to be pragmatic.  I assess each room's needs and establish objectives.  First-up, is my sons bathroom.  The needs of this room are simple:   it needs a floor and a shower.  My objective:  to find a tile that is reasonable, attractive and durable enough for the loading dock at a Wal-Mart Super Center.  I decide to seek professional help.   


An hour later, armed with my newly organized game plan, I find myself sitting in front of  my "tile counselor," Barbara.  Desperately, I try to bring her up to speed on my progress, or lack thereof. She listens intently, and then presents me with a sheet of porcelain penny round mosaic tiles. "Cute," I say.  But how do they wear? "You could drive a truck over them."  Perfect.


As soon as I arrive home, I begin searching for images of these little circular tiles and am [pleasantly] surprised by their versatility.  A bit of a tile chameleon, penny rounds can be found effortlessly blending into pretty much any setting from traditional to contemporary.  All I know, is I am flipping for these coin-shaped tiles.

A cool, blue floor made up of a sea of circles:

Kitchen of Sharon Simonaire; Domino Magazine, April 2008

A vintage bathroom wall:

Tile by Ann Sacks

A classic bathroom floor:

Photo Courtesy of Coastal Living

An eclectic kitchen:

Photo Courtesy of Mod Walls

P.S.  Did you catch the chandelier?

A modern mural:

Photo Courtesy of The Tileist

And, a contemporary bathroom backsplash:

Selldorf Architects

Who knew a penny had so many sides?

So, with the month quickly coming to an end, I begin to make "cents" (sorry, couldn't resist) of it all.  I have narrowed in on what I want to accomplish:  simple finish choices that give tradition a nod, and then a wink...things that pay homage to the age and history of 323, but are still a bit unexpected.