The phrase Go Big or Go Home originated in the 1990s as a sales slogan and encouragement to go all out – put forth all your effort and experience life to the fullest. But it aptly applies to this year’s Installation Design Showcase of tiny homes at Coverings: The Global Tile and Stone Experience in Atlanta, Georgia. Three tiny homes were installed during the show and highlighted a trio of very distinct design styles and applications. Each tiny house was BIG on design and included everyday functional living requirements demanded of a HOME.
The Installation Design Showcase is a must-see attraction at Coverings. This year’s showcase featured NTCA Five Star Contractors and leading designers partnered together showcasing the synergy between beautiful design and exceptional installation.
Traditionally, tiny homes measure anywhere from 65 to 500 square feet. Not only does this size carry a smaller environmental footprint that supports minimized consumption and maximum sustainability, but it also typically allows people to own their homes for a lot less amount of money. For these squeezed spaces to work, they need to contain adaptable living and sleeping areas, kitchens and bathrooms.
Drawing on today’s wealth of innovative materials and customization options, design and installation professionals incorporate functional and aesthetic requirements to support livability. This was beautifully exemplified during the short three-day challenge at the on-site interior construction and tile installation at Coverings.
Leveraging neutral colors and light walls to make the space appear larger, Rita Carson Guest, FASID of Carson Guest, created a contemporary design for the CG Villa. The structure was constructed by Hummingbird TINY Homes, LLC before the show and then completed during Coverings on site at the show. The home was designed around the tile, and it exclusively features Crossville tile collections.
“Selecting finishes that will make the space appear larger is important when designing tiny homes or other small spaces,” said Guest. “We used tile as a starting point for our creation, building the design around the tile used for the walls, floors, shower and countertops.”
As for going BIG, Guest specified Crossville’s gauged porcelain tile panels as a creative solution for the mobile tiny home’s walls and floors. Measured in feet instead of inches, these BIG tile panels were the first step in making this tiny house a HOME. Since Crossville’s tile panels are available in thicknesses of 3+mm and 5.6mm, it proved perfect to keep the weight light for a mobile house for which weight is a concern.
In collaboration with the designers, Erin Albrecht and the accomplished team of J&R Tile brought the tiny home’s design to life through its installation with careful attention to detail and the use of movement joints to support the tiny home’s eventual transport. The J&R Tile installers are experienced in tiny house installation, as they also completed last year’s Covering’s Installation Design Showcase featuring Crossville tile collections. The meticulous approach J&R brings to any project takes it to the next level–even when the scale is as small as a tiny house. Ardex provided setting materials for the home, with additional materials from wedi.
By integrating various Crossville tile formats and styles ‒ Groove Glass mosaics and gauged porcelain tile panels ‒ Guest created an inviting living space that capitalized on the contrast of big style in a small footprint, as she checked off all the items on a potential tiny home owner’s wish list.
From tiny homes to any small space in residential or commercial settings, tile offers creative answers for design and technical challenges beautifully. Our experience with tiny homes through the project at Coverings proved to be an effective opportunity to showcase that our tile collections’ performance attributes, installation advantages, and BIG style are right at HOME even in the tiniest of spaces. Go BIG (in tile) and Go (tiny) HOME.
The result is nothing short of amazing, as CG Villa is modern, livable, and welcoming for real relaxation. And it’s certainly a showcase of the possibilities of Crossville tile collections with exceptional design vision carried out through skillful installation.
The house even features Crossville gauged porcelain tile panels on the exterior. These panels add an angular touch to the design and make the entrance of the home that much more inviting.
Here from the installation and design leaders in this video interview.
See more photos of this amazing tiny home on our Facebook album!
