It can feel rare to find a trend that is as grounding and earthy as it is dramatic and fun, but one design movement fits the bill – and it comes in the shape of veined marble. This feature can take shape in almost every room of our home – but arguably, no space lends itself to its beauty quite like the bathroom, as Jamie Lee Curtis demonstrates.
The Freaky Friday actress is no stranger to sharing her Los Angeles abode via Instagram, and, just like us, she's prone to a bathroom mirror selfie before leaving the door. This has given us ample opportunity to appreciate her black and white veined bathroom tiles that often dominate her backdrop – and despite not being a recent addition to her home, experts say her look is shaping how we decorate our bathrooms this year and ahead.
While labeling veined tiles as a 'bathroom trend' may seem unfair (as it suggests the look is fleeting), they reassure this style is timeless. We can owe its success to its ability to both its dramatic aesthetic and surprising versatility.
'The heavy veining trend is all about showing off the beauty of stone’s natural detail with the more drama, the better. As such, heavy veined tile designs are having a moment. There are also lots of choices to be had, from monochromatic marble styles [such as that seen in Curtis's space] to confident color statements; there’s lots of fun to be had with this tile trend,' comments Grazzie Wilson, the head of creative at Ca’ Pietra.
Another step to long-lasting success includes the right styling. This is where we can also take notes from Curtis. In her bathroom, she has let her black and white marble set the tone for the rest of the colors used in the space – from her white freestanding tub to small details, such as her towels, that maintain a similar palette.
'The secret to success when going for this look is to let the beginning pattern shine, make it the star of the show and use it to influence the rest of your décor choices,' Wilson reiterates.
Similarly, to almost guarantee our veined tiles will impress long into the future, Barrie Cutchie, the design director at BC Designs, urges us to choose a statement marble look that is a permanent staple.
'Classic, timeless, and effortlessly chic, marble is a stalwart of bathroom design. It suits both modern, minimalist schemes as well as the more classic, traditional ones and is also material that can blend the two styles effortlessly together,' he says. Plus, it doesn't need to be as big of an investment as we might expect.
'Advancements in tile manufacturing have meant that large format tiles lend themselves to printing techniques that replicate the look of marble and other natural materials but at a fraction of the price,' Cutchie explains. 'Ceramic and porcelain are also hardwearing compared to those materials and so lend themselves to areas with high humidity and high traffic such as a bathroom.'
Shop our classic bathroom edit
Alternatively, we can buy into a Curtis-approved bathroom color scheme with these essentials below.
Choosing black and white marble, as Curtis showcases, is a classic way to tap into the look. However, for those looking for even more fun, we encourage swapping out black or gray veins with more daring hues – whether it's a statement-making red or a soothing green – the latter of which is an increasingly popular color to bring into bathrooms of every size.
Why not combine a color and tile trend together? The results can only feel yet more exciting.
