The Maximalist Tile Backsplash Jonathan Scott Has In His Backyard
Since buying their beautiful Los Angeles property in 2020, Property Brother Jonathan Scott and actor Zooey Deschanel have been hard at work renovating the space. Now, with the project completed, they've been showing off all their unique design choices. Some of their best areas are made for entertaining, such as their outdoor kitchen, which features a maximalist tile backsplash. "We use the outdoor space so much [and] always have in any house that we've been in," Scott shared on YouTube. "So this was pretty important for us to have a space here where it's almost like a full operational kitchen."
As said, one of the most prominent features in their outdoor kitchen is the tile "backsplash," which is clearly maximalist. It features a bright blue-and-cream color palette and displays a mesmerizing pattern of flowers. Overall, this feature, which could be purchased from the Tile Bar for $10.29 per square foot, works to add lots of color and personality to the space. It also makes the kitchen feel like it could've been placed indoors, which is exactly what Scott and Deschanel were going for.
The rest of their outdoor kitchen
Because their maximalist tiles are so loud, Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel kept the rest of the outdoor kitchen design pretty muted. The cabinets are a dark tone, while the countertops are solid white. Behind the tile backsplash is a brick wall, which adds more color and history. Along the seating area are tan bar stools, and next to the kitchen is a wooden pergola with trailing, green vines. All of these elements work together to create a stunning space that really emphasizes the design of the tiles.
Scott and Deschanel also made sure that the outdoor kitchen was both functional and durable. Because they both love to spend time entertaining outside, they included lots of useful appliances, including a grill and a pizza oven. When talking about these features, Scott said, "They're actually stainless steel, so these will outlive all of us. They are beautiful, they're also going to withstand the heat, they're not going to fade, which is really great" (via YouTube). The maximalist tiles they chose are also another ideal option for the outdoors, as their porcelain surface is easy to clean and won't get damaged by heat or weather.
How the tile fits into their home's design
When designing an outdoor space for your home, a surefire way to go is to reflect the design of the interior. For Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel, this meant going completely maximalist — with lots of patterns and colors. In an Instagram post, Scott shared some images of the inside of their house and said, "It's true, @zooeydeschanel and I are obsessed with wallpaper;" loud floral and plant patterns adorn many of the walls in their LA home.
To carry this same theme to the exterior of their house, Scott and Deschanel added the blue-and-cream tile backsplash to their outdoor kitchen, which has the same effect as wallpaper but is much more durable. Further, to make the floral and earthy elements of their design fit into the rest of the outdoor space, they also included plenty of plants around the property.
In fact, this inclusion is what gave the Scott-Deschanel home its name of "Park House," as when their kids first witnessed all the vegetation, they asked, "Are we living in a park?", per Drew & Jonathan. This makes the whole property feel cohesive, as many of the design elements (including the maximalist tiles) fall under the theme of greenery, florals, and liveliness.
Scott's tips for choosing the right tile
Because Jonathan Scott has picked out tile countless times, he has a few tips on how to decide upon the right pattern for you. His first piece of advice? Choose something that fits into the time period of your home to ensure it will always appear timeless.
For the tile installed in his and Zooey Deschanel's LA home, Scott shared (via Drew & Jonathan), "It was really important that we pay homage to the architect, Gerard Colcord. We chose materials that felt luxurious but classic." Their house was built in 1938 when bright colors and optimistic patterns were on the rise, so the blue floral design chosen for their outdoor kitchen backsplash fits well into the history of the home.
Scott also recommends focusing on three things when it comes to tile selection: color, pattern, and texture, noting that all three will "add the interest you're looking for, per "Inside the Design." This is why it's better to see the tile in person before purchasing instead of just online, as you'll be able to feel the texture and truly understand how the tile will look in your home.
Finally, consider the overall feeling you want to create in the space. Because Scott and Deschanel wanted their outdoor kitchen to feel fun and ideal for entertaining, the bold blue maximalist tile proved the perfect choice.