NYT : Bold Bathroom Tiles

Room to Improve
By STEPHEN TREFFINGER Published: July 21, 2005

Q. I'd like to replace the tile in my bathroom with something besides the usual plain four-inch squares. What styles and patterns can you suggest?
A. It's scary how many bathroom walls look exactly the same, as if there were some law dictating their appearance. Fortunately there isn't, so feel free to shake things up. Think about playing with the shape, size or color of the tiles. Any of these will help personalize the space.
If you are feeling especially bold, take a look at a new line of tiles, above, from Ann Sacks. They were created by Angela Adams, a designer in Portland, Me., best known for her colorful handmade rugs and textiles. There is nothing business-as-usual about this collection; it provides lively color combinations, sculptural textures and unusual shapes. The tiles are expensive - from $33.50 a square foot - and in any case it may be best to use them sparingly, on one wall only, for example, or as a backsplash or border. They aren't in stores yet but you can order them after Aug. 1; for information, annsacks.com or (800) 278-8453.
Mosaic glass tiles now come in hundreds of colors and in several sizes, from small monochromatic squares to larger striated varieties that look like marble or gemstones. Because of variations in the surface, you avoid the more flat appearance of standard, uniform tiles. Bisazza, an Italian company, makes them, priced from about $9 a square foot; for information, bisazza.com or (305) 597-4099.
If you would prefer something more subtle, try going off the grid. Instead of the standard horizontal pattern, apply rectangular tiles vertically. Ono restaurant at Hotel Gansevoort, in TriBeCa, has metallic tiles turned on their ends, and it looks great. Walker Zanger makes a small, narrow metallic tile, from about $42 a square foot. For information, walkerzanger.com.
Q. I have some wicker chairs that are suffering from midseason malaise. How can I give them a fresh look?
A. Wicker is often thought of as the material from which the furniture is made, but it is actually a generic term for hard woven objects, typically made from some sort of plant fiber, rattan, willow or bamboo, for instance. Some wicker is made from a paper fiber rush, a sort of twisted kraft paper innovation from the early 20th century, and wicker can also be synthetic resin or plastic.
Whatever kind you have, you can give it a lift by adding color. Wicker is traditionally painted white, so a bright blue or emerald green would give your pieces a more modern look. The easiest way to get full coverage is to paint with a power sprayer, which is often available from a rental agency.
For pillows, fade-resistant fabrics come in all sorts of colors and patterns. Calico Corners carries Sunbrella's line. For information, calicocorners.com.
Questions about furnishings and décor may be sent by e-mail to room@nytimes.com. Unpublished questions cannot be answered individually.