It’s probably pretty obvious what we were up to this week.
HEXAGON
TILE
FLOOR
Calling me obsessed with this floor would be an understatement. I’ve visited the floor every day, even when I didn’t have time to work on anything. I’ve talked to it. I’ve caressed it (with sealer… don’t think I’m going totally nuts).
Laying tile is a pretty intense feat. And have I mentioned that we’ve never done it?
Oh yeah… we’ve never installed tile. So, it’s pretty clear that it was a mean little trick to fall in love with hexagon tiles. But, Ryan loved them too and thought it couldn’t be that difficult.
Hardy-har-har…. that’s a good one.
You can laugh with me. Sounds kind of like every other difficult thing we’ve tried. It always starts out innocently.
Anyhoo… You remember last week when I was frantically looking for hexagon tiles so Ryan could lay the tile before he began traveling? Well, I was able to find the tiles locally through an awesome local tile shop and distributor. I talked to the owner on Thursday morning and Ryan picked up the tile from the distributor at 4 p.m. That was about the easiest part of the process. (Besides writing the check, of course.)
And would you even believe that our tiles were Made in America? I had one happy husband.
But, that happiness soon dissipated. After 8 hours of trying to dry-fit the tiles in the space, Ryan was on the verge of a melt-down.
Okay, let’s be honest. Ryan was having a meltdown. I am really not exaggerating when I say that I found him on the floor in the fetal position. That floor was kicking his arse.
Our house is so far from square and it was darn near impossible to get the tiles to fit properly. If we had ever done this before or had any real clue what we were doing, it probably would have went more smoothly. (Although if you google installing 1-inch hexagon tiles, you’ll find more people like us. Totally clueless and frustrated. The experts clearly don’t need to Google.)
At this point, it’s probably good to mention that this is one of the only projects in a long time that we have worked on together. We typically do our own things and work apart on separate projects. Not this one. We worked on this one together. This project needed two full beginner brains to accomplish.
I’ve started a more detailed post on the tips and tricks we learned about laying tiles, and more specifically laying hexagon unglazed ceramic tile. The truth was that we couldn’t find many really comprehensive tutorials or resources online for beginners. And, while we are certainly not experts (by any stretch of the imagination), there are a few things we learned that we hope can help any other DIYers who may lay this type of tile with zero experience in the future. (Ryan would like me to call it “Laying hexagon tiles for dummies.”)
But, the happy ending is that we had the tiles dry-fit by late Friday night. By that point, cutting, measuring and installing the black flower tiles was a breeze.
By Saturday at noon, the tiles were installed. By Monday, the tiles were cleaned, pre-sealed and grouted.
And, at this point I need to finish cleaning them really well and seal them again and we are done.
So, these pictures aren’t the total finished results, but they give you an idea. I’m especially loving the daisies and think they really make the entire floor. We ended up going with white grout, and I’m hoping with sealer, it’s still easy to keep clean. (I’ll let you know.)
So, that’s our little tile adventure. I haven’t updated the house list, yet. Maybe soon.
What do you think?
Did you like this post?
We'd love to send you more inspiration and encouragement for your home. When you sign up below, we'll send you our free guide to save thousands on your next home project. Because your home shouldn't own you.
Handy Man, Crafty Woman says
oh I feel your pain, we also put down similar tile in our bathroom; it was our first tile job…gaaaah!!! Curled up in the fetal position…yup, that’s what I felt like, at one point. and our house is “new-ish” (1990s,) but the walls and everything were SO crooked.
It looks great!
Kristyn @ Good Gravy Crafts says
what a great job you two are doing, i just found you through your feature!!
i love your stuff! going to subscribe to you!
xx-kristyn
ashley morgan says
I love the floor, and love the flower pattern! We also did a black and white floor on our bathroom redo (post coming soon), but a different pattern. And I’m told it was a pain in the booty as well. Luckily I was pregnant and laying around on the other side of the house.
Michelle @ Ten June says
Sigh. Still in love love with your tile. It’s GORGEOUS! And well-worth any melt down : )
Jenny says
You have every right to be obsessed with the floor- it’s beautiful! You’ll have to set your alarm half an hour early once you live in this house, just so you have enough time to admire the tiles every morning 😀
*claire* says
kim! gorgeous!! you guys are amazing!! i am in love with that floor. i too would be caressing it! i’m so impressed – that floor looks 100% professional and that’s such a big undertaking for a first tile project! we’ve never done tile either -scares me.
be-u-tiii-ful!
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says
Seriously impressed – these look awesome! The experience you guys are having while doing this cannot be matched and honestly, I’m a little jealous!
yeoldesandwichshoppeva says
It looks so wonderful! I am really loving it! Way to go Ryan! Also… What’s wrong with actually caressing newly laid tile?? Is that not normal?
jen @ homeinthecountry says
Kim! It’s beautiful! The tiles are great & I’m so jealous that Ryan let you have flowers on the floor (Jason told me that they are too “girly” and “ornate” – so we went with the black border instead). Great job!!!
Leigh says
FANTASTIC! You guys did an awesome job, so glad you stuck with it. Working on separate projects is probably good for your marriage. Oh, and I really like your hair color.
DecorandtheDog says
Love, love, love the tiles! Amazing! Totally worth it…I can say that…I wasn’t there. 😛
Amanda Sevall says
So absolutely GORGEOUS! 🙂 Totally worth the effort and the fetal position time on the floor for poor Ryan!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
You all should be so proud of yourselves!! I know it was hard work, but doesn’t it feel so much better to know you did it yourselves? 🙂 Great job!
Mrs. 5C says
I love it!! And I commend Ryan’s amazing tiling efforts! And the fact that you’re still married! 😉
I’ve been dreaming about your carved, flower newel post for weeks now (since it was sneakily in a previous post). It is so beautiful. I should have told you that before, but I forgot. And you know, these daisy tiles kind of tie in with the newel post.
Wendy says
Beautiful! Well worth all the work! Love watching it all come together!
kim says
I’m digging the tiles! They remind me of a cleaner version of the powder blue flower tiles I had in my very first college apartment. Very charming! 🙂
queenbee1994 says
Looks Great, I love the hexagon tiles and its fantastic that you and your hubby are doing the work yourself.
By the way thanks for stopping by my blog and giving me your thoughts.
Mike and Katrina @HA says
The floor looks amazing! Great work! We’re hopeing to do hex tiles one day in our bathroom too. I’ll check back for tips 🙂
The Brick Cottage says
I love those tiles! Excellent choice!
Emily says
Loving the hex tiles! You guys are so classy – the house will have a vintage vibe but, you know, not be grimy. I love that!
Danielle and Clint says
When it all comes down to it, the end result is worth it! Nice job Woodwards!
Katie @ Chirp in the Forest says
It’s looking great!!! And now you’re practically experts 🙂
Wendy says
Oh, that frustration must be (semi)forgotten once you have the immense pride in a job well done! It looks gorgeous.
Speaking of which, is your hair darker in your tiling glamour shot? You look so cute! I’d have sweat dripping down my face with my hair every which way but correct, but you look stinkin’ cute.
So.Not.Fair.
Deb says
I remember our own tiling adventure last year at this time – it was So. Hard. and we had big tiles not the itty bitty ones like yours – I can’t imagine trying to place those tiles – even though they comes in sheets. It looks great though! You guys did an amazing job!
Leigh @ Kesler Expressler says
beautiful! bravo to you & Ryan
Mrs. Adventure says
Ummm I’ll make you a deal, I’m come help you paint, if you’ll come help me lay tile… WOW I’m seriouly in love Kim!
Liz @ It's Great To Be Home says
There is no doubt in my mind that my husband and I would kill each other if we attempted this, I’m so impressed you guys are still married and speaking!! It looks amazing – I can’t wait for your tutorial, I know there will be tons of great info in there! Really beautiful. 🙂
Miss Effie says
1) I am in love!
2) I am calling Rick.
3) I am calling Ryan so to save my marriage.
(another very un-square house)
Real Housewife in MN says
Looks so good!!! Love love love it.
Jen@Notes From the Heartland says
Oh.My.Lord. That tile is so darn pretty I can hardly stand to look at it. Wow. Okay, actually I can’t STOP looking at it. Don’t bother with the tute….you’re just going to come over and do mine, right? 😉
Cindy @The Flipping Couple says
Sounds like a total nightmare but the floor is GORGEOUS!!! I’m so glad you found the tile.
Oonafey says
I think it looks absolutely amazing! I think a project like that would be the end of the Mister and I… You two are awesome.
Biz says
Beautiful work.
I’ve never done tile work, but I can only imagine it can be frustrating.
P.S. How can you look so cute while doing home renovation?! It’s not fair haha!
Biz