A Creative Collaboration

When an East Honolulu homeowner contacted Bella Pietra Design inquiring about its exclusive Artistic Tile collections, a fabulous and creative working relationship was born. What started as conversations about remodeling the homeowner’s recently purchased abode evolved into a dynamic exploration of fresh ways in which tile and stonework can elevate style and space.

The home has a spectacular ocean view, with a great lot and foundational bones for an extensive renovation, says the homeowner, who is a retired interior designer. Her vision was to bring the serene shades inspired by the seascapes into the color palette, finishes and materials selected for the abode. She called Bella Pietra Design owners Meagan and LaWanna Jensen after finding out that they had the perfect tiles for her kitchen.

“I found Meagan, and right off the bat I’m telling her that I told my husband I would start very slow — we’re just going to do the countertops and the backsplash,” the homeowner says. “And then I went in and said, ‘Meagan, I want something really dramatic for the floor.’ I found the tile, and it infatuated my imagination so much. What could be done with this wonderful, interesting, bold tile?”

Ambra carved standstone dimensional tile by Artistic Tile is a creative and striking choice for the kitchen backsplash, and one of Bella Pietra Design’s most popular selections. It’s shown here in the gris colorway.

Referring to Artistic Tile’s Aura collection in blue porcelain, this design element became a striking addition to the homeowner’s indoor spaces. It’s a popular line with Bella Pietra Design’s customers.

“It’s a matte finish with a little bit of texture, so it’s good for slip-resistance, but not heavy enough to go outside,” says Meagan Jensen. “It’s supposed to look worn, so it almost looks like another color — like tannish-beige with a little bit of gold tones. Pulling in that yellowish tone allows you to mix blue with warmer tones, like her countertops. It has an ocean-sand feel in a very discreet, sophisticated, elegant way.”

The kitchen backsplash is also by Artistic Tile. Continuing the sea-inspired motifs, the Ambra backsplash has waves carved in a creative combination of finishes. “It gives a lot of depth and dimension,” says Jensen. “Because the surfaces are all smooth, it’s still really easy to keep clean. It doesn’t have a heavy texture that’s going to soak up stuff when you’re cooking.”

Homeowners are often wary about incorporating the same tile in an entire space, says Meagan Jensen of Bella Pietra Design. This bathroom, where the same tile is used on the walls and floors, is one of her favorite examples of a creative whole-room tile application.

The homeowner’s bathroom is exemplary in its use of the same stonework in a whole space. This can often be tricky, says Jensen, as homeowners think that a single tile design on walls and floors will result in an overwhelming aesthetic. The blues and tans in the bath and shower area flow gracefully, reflecting the coastal theme.

“It’s a statement, but I definitely think it turned out beautiful,” says Jensen. “A lot of people will get the field tile for the main floors or the walls. But for slip-resistance and drainage, you need something smaller in the shower. So we’ll cut it down to smaller 2x2s — the most common size — and put it on a mesh.”

An unexpected turn of events left the home flooded just as remodeling began. The homeowner turned to the Jensens to assist with redoing the damaged tiles. Throughout the process, the homeowner says, Bella Pietra Design was accommodating and collaborative.

“Meagan and I can usually make a decision in 20 minutes,” says the homeowner. “We work so well together. It takes a good source for supplies, and people you trust to work with you. And then you just have to have fun.”

Jensen echoes that working closely with your tile vendor and clearly communicating the goals you have for your space is key to getting great results.

“I’m a big fan of telling people to take samples with them,” she says. “That way, when you go to pick out paint colors or cabinet colors, you’ve got it there and you can see everything together. It makes a huge difference.”