After years of lowered profile there's a renaissance in tiles.

There hasn't been so much excitement about them since early mass production elevated tiles to one of the great artistic endeavors of the late 19th century, making them affordable for Victorian England's new middle class. Since then, tiles have had their ups and downs, generally relegated to utilitarian applications in bathrooms and kitchens.

Lately, however, things have begun to change. Tiles are no longer lying low: they're gaining ground-floors, ceilings and everything else in between.

Tiles are finding their way into every room of the house. Easy to clean, weather resistant, durable and decorative, they are a practical flooring material for heavy traffic areas like entries, kitchens and corridors and a decorative alternative to benches, backsplashes and countertops. Standard 4" X 4" squares of white and gray are still available, but they pale in comparison to a contemporary array of colours, materials, sizes, and finishes that mimic the look of linen, leather and wood.

The big news is the big tile, a super-sized product that compliments the urban sophistication of recent design trends and reduces the usual grid work of grout lines.

"Tiles are getting bigger every year," says Tony Newcombe, owner of Royson's Flooring & Woodworking in Coldbrook, NS. Although square 12" tiles remain his top seller, Newcombe has seen a steady increase in size. The largest he carries is an impressive 2' X 4' porcelain tile in a creamy colour that looks like travertine. As well, he has an extensive selection of 2' X 2' tiles in colours ranging from new neutrals like greige (grey shades of beige) to Olympic-inspired Asian reds and oranges. "We're selling more of the larger tiles than we ever have before," says Newcombe, "especially for kitchen countertops."

Ironically, the other big tile these days is the mosaic, a term that usually describes a tile that is no larger than 2" square. Traditional mosaic tiles were made of porcelain or ceramic and laid individually like puzzle pieces-a time-consuming technique best left to skilled craftspeople. The sad truth is that unless you want irregular, wavy grout lines, tile work is still best left to skilled installers. Happily, many mosaics now come pre-spaced on 12" X 12" mesh sheets, making them as simple and economical to install as one larger tile. Look for traditional shapes like squares, hexagons and circles and for contemporary materials like metal and coloured glass.

The beauty and versatility of contemporary mosaics is showcased in a dramatic 5' X 6' shower in Andy Sharpe and Caroline Hancock's new home near Annapolis Royal, NS. The entrance to the shower has two curved walls that hide the bench seat and provide some privacy. The walls, floor, ceiling and seat are all tiled with the same 1" glass tiles in a tranquil shade of sea green.

"We didn't want taupe and we're not that keen on browns," says Sharpe. "The green is a water colour so it went with the space."

Initially inspired by a striking, orange-hued shower in Royson's showroom, Sharpe and Hancock considered using two different colours for the shower, but eventually decided that a mix of colours might give their bathroom a dated look. The end result is a monochromatic masterpiece: a restful place to rinse away the stress of a busy day.

Meanwhile, the attention-seeking mosaic shower in Royson's showroom continues to capture the imagination of everyone who walks in the door. Customers are drawn to the vibrant, retro-hued colours and the intricate design. They are inspired by the undulating curves of the tiled bench seat. Yet, in the end, most go with simple patterns and neutral shades. "We're still conservative in Atlantic Canada," says Tony Newcombe. "Tiles last a lifetime. Most people go with something they think will be safe."