I’m working on a few kitchen remodels where the clients like subway tile. But...

Aren’t we all getting a little used to it — you know — kind of like an old hat?

You can do subway tile expensively, with costly tile; or you can do it on the cheap. (It’s great for that.) I think it has become the go-to look of this decade.

Many people are doing subway tile backsplashes a bit differently these days:

They're using a herringbone pattern.

Some of my clients are a little gun-shy about laying the subway tile in a style other than a brick or running bond manner. They are wondering if it’s classic enough or timeless enough. Or whether it will be the next pattern to feel “of a certain era”.

Personally, I think herringbone patterns are timeless. And with smaller, or longer, handmade glossy tile, they can look even more unique and special.

Herringbone patterns work well in a kitchen, where we want some kind of interest and, perhaps, a little more textural look on the backsplash without it overwhelming the kitchen with chaotic pattern. Also, it adds height to a space, as a result of the direction it’s run.