A recent trip to Portugal opened up my eyes to the versatility and personality that tile offers. Portugal is built from tile. While here in the states, we tend to see tile as appropriate for select environments, in Portugal there is no floor or wall that is left unfinished. Tile driveways, tile retaining walls, tile rooms. Small kitchens and bathrooms, which would be otherwise unnoticeable are transformed by the tile used. While from afar, a Portuguese home might appear very mundane and standardized, it is the tile work that makes each unique and reflects the personality and style of the inhabitants. This is the lesson from which we could learn much. You don’t need to own a mansion to warrant using tile in your home. Tile can turn even the smallest, simplest room into an exclusive environment. A simple subtle colored glass tile design behind your bathroom mirror, the powerful look of Medan pebbles in your kitchen backsplash, rough rustic cladding transforming a fireplace or the comforting texture of a random tile or pebble tile on the bathroom floor. Look around your house, each room is a chance to project your personal design ethic