NEWLY OPENED in January in the erstwhile H. H. Gregg building, the commodious, sleek Virginia Tile showroom is the first in Indiana. And you’ll find way more than the usual subway and marble looks. The brightly lit lobby introduces you to space after space of tiles crafted of natural stone, porcelain, glass, and traditional ceramic, as well as home design accoutrements, like vanity hardware pulls, from both American and European brands. Interior designers are on hand to help you sketch out your ideas. You can also get help envisioning outdoor projects like pool tiling and landscaping with stone and pavers.
Angie Allen, showroom manager, sees shoppers moving away from gray—ubiquitous in kitchens and baths in recent years—and leaning toward warmer colors, especially soft earth tones. And natural-textured and patterned tiles are having a moment. Their large-form porcelain panels have also proven popular. Allen is seeing them used in all different ways, including around fireplaces, as cabinet fronts, alongside staircases, and to create feature walls. “We’ve had people who were driving past stop in because they were intrigued and had to see what was inside. To watch their excitement and creativity bubble up as they explore is invigorating to me,” shares Allen.
4161 E. 96th St.; Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
