Be Careful When Doing It Yourself

Recently I had the experience of meeting with a client that was looking at installing large format tile himself. He was asking my opinion on choosing paint and a coordinating backsplash tile to go with the tile colour and not necessarily about the size, style or how to install it. I felt it my responsibility to mention that when using the larger format – in this case they were 12” x 24” – the style in which they are to be laid will certainly create an effect. The tile chosen was quite contemporary in style, unfortunately the space wasn’t. He was only translating what had been seen in a picture and the taste of the salesperson in the tile store that had never been in his home to know what it was going with. Since it had already been purchased he felt obliged to keep going. I did caution that he had that opportunity to make the change now before installing it and it would be a small cost at this point rather than compounding things by doing the installation. He agreed. The tile colour was ok and we made the change to a 16” x 16” tile that could still give the look that he was hoping for, works with the style of the cabinets and in all honesty was what he was thinking all along.


The other item that drew my attention was the lack of the subfloor for the tile and a distinct slope in the floor area. That would have to be levelled out to allow for the installation to be trouble free. He was thinking he could install the tile directly on to the aspenite subfloor of the house. I suggested he either do a 5/8” plywood subfloor or use the Schluter – DITRA mat system. The system is easy to install and the tile lays well. Some things to think about when doing it yourself!!

References and Photos

It is always interesting when speaking with potential clients for the first time to be asked “what style do you work in”? My response is always – “in your style.” It is so important to know that interior design and decorating should be done for each individual client’s tastes and to suit their home style. It is their home, not mine or for that matter it isn’t the neighbours or their sisters either. So many people are intent on getting opinions of others that really have no bearing on what is done for their own space.

It is important to know that when looking at photos on the website, that there may be things that strike you as wonderful however there may be others that you can’t understand why someone would have done that. Everyone is different and our job is to be sure that the basic principles of design are followed but the choices made are always special to the project being done. Colour, style and finishing are what the client wants or at least expressed what they would like.

When asking for what was done in another project, the thought has to be directed to what was intended and does it apply to another space. Sometimes clients ask to duplicate a picture and when reviewing it with them it becomes evident that it may be not in keeping with the style of their home, or in the end there are things that don’t translate well into their environment.

Keep and open mind and experience the difference. You will be amazed.