The Beautiful Floor Tiles That Will Instantly Make Your Home Feel Vintage

We love a good retro find, right? You're probably the one in your friend group who already knows the vintage thrift store item that's on trend for every room in the house. And you likely already have an idea about the vintage design trends that will be making a big splash in the new year. So, if you're in the market for new flooring, and you want something a little nostalgic, you'll love cabochon tiles. This traditional design involves cutting the corners of white square tiles and filling the space with black cabochon inserts. While the black and white contrast is classic, you can customize colors and dimensions to suit your home décor and personality. It works with soft earth tones like blue and green, and even more vibrant shades like deep maroon or fuchsia.

Cabochon tiles offer a timeless look with a sense of traditional luxury that gives a nod to the Georgian floors that originally made them famous centuries ago. (Talk about vintage!) It was during the Georgian era, spanning from 1714 to 1837, that cabochon flooring was designed and grew in popularity. But like the superstar it is, cabochon tiles caught on and traveled the globe. Fortunately for us now, having a quaint little country home in England isn't a requirement for enjoying this epic style. These beautiful old-world tiles will work in many different rooms of any type of home.

Originally, cabochon flooring was used in the grand entryways of typical Georgian style homes, making a fantastic first impression on guests. And while you can use it for that if you have a large, open entry, don't feel discouraged if you don't. It works just as well in hallways, kitchens, or bathrooms. Dining rooms are also a good choice for this type of flooring. Hallways and kitchens tend to be high-traffic areas, so the typically used limestone tiles of cabochon flooring should hold up well. Bathrooms and dining rooms tend to be smaller spaces where this style of flooring could really add a pop of personality. Limestone cabochon floors are also easy to clean. A simple sweeping and occasional mopping will do.

Now, before you install cabochon tiles throughout your whole home, you should know that there are a few places where this style may not work well. As Alison Victoria explains why tile flooring doesn't belong in the bedroom, it can simply be too cold — both in the winter months and also aesthetically. People typically want areas like bedrooms and living rooms to have a warm, cozy, or relaxing feel that tiles just do not offer. Walking barefoot on tiles can be cold and hard, which is not quite the comfy experience of a more intimate room.