Ditch The Subway Tile: Erin Napier Has A More Unique Idea For Your Backsplash

HGTV's Erin Napier is proving that a certain tile trend is having a major comeback, even using it in her own home in Laurel, Mississippi. Once believed to be an outdated tile design, the four-by-four glazed, ceramic tile is on the rise, dethroning the classic, clean subway tile in favor of a more authentic, textured look in places like kitchen backsplashes. Common in many historic homes and now a favorite of those who want a bit of a heritage touch in their spaces, these stacked four-by-four tile grids are an ancient design that's been reimagined in modern houses.

For Napier, she kept finding these square tiles throughout her home while they were renovating it, and it didn't take long for her to embrace the historic charm of these materials. A favorite in 19th century interior design, these four-by-four glazed tiles epitomized the popularity of handcrafted materials as exemplified by the Arts and Crafts Movement. A reaction against the swiftly mechanized nature of home building, decor, and other everyday things, the Arts and Crafts Movement valued the handmade imperfections of items like these four-by-four tiles. It's not dissimilar to today, as homeowners continue to look for more authentic, unique, and well-crafted items for their home at antique stores. It's the same emphasis on handicrafts that Napier loved about these historically inspired tiles, a material that shows off texture and tells a story, more so than crisp subway tiles might.

According to Napier, a square, stacked backsplash with these four-by-four tiles isn't about perfection. For her own family kitchen, Napier opted for weathered-looking Clé zellige tiles, a hand-cut glazed tile with irregular edges. You don't want the grid to feel "too perfect and mathematical," Napier writes in her blog for the Laurel Mercantile, instead wanting the "imperfect, irregular edges that throw sunlight around." To add an even more organic feel, Napier also chose micro-thin grout lines in a similar color to the cream tiles. This avoids making the backsplash look too mid-century modern symmetrical, and instead gives off more of a vintage country kitchen design vibe — a look that's more authentic to the structure and history of Napier's own home.

To lean into this old-is-new-again design trend, consider making a big impact with fully tiled stretches of wall, leaning into the same vintage aesthetic that Napier used in her own kitchen. For a soft, cottage core feel, opt for similar creamy and milky tones that Napier used with your own grout and tile selection. Of course, for a fresher and more modern take, go stark white, not unlike the color that subway tile became famous for, and that's still trending today. But if you're looking to dramatize the space a bit more, consider these same, stacked square tiles in rich hues — think deep greens or blues. Pair these colors with earthy, organic textures like natural woods and brass hardware, and you'll have a kitchen that any episode of "Hometown" would love to feature.