Battle of the patterns

It’s all about how you zig and zag

The stairwell leading to the lower level in this Cincinnati home features a chevron-patterned wall to create visual interest and character.

Herringbone seems to be having its moment in the spotlight. We’re seeing this angular pattern pop up everywhere—in kitchen backsplashes, oversized showers and even ceilings. But is it really herringbone?

That eye-catching pattern you can’t stop thinking about might actually be chevron. Both zig-zag patterns are often confused with one another.  In the chevron pattern, the pieces are cut at a 90-degree angle and meet point to point creating a continuous zig-zag. With herringbone, pieces are laid perpendicular to each other, resulting in a broken, staggered zig-zag effect. Similar, yet different, we’ve broken it down so you can easily tell the two patterns apart.

Herringbone

Precious Calacatta glazed porcelain tile from Florida Tile is laid in a herringbone pattern, adding a modern touch to the timeless white cabinets in this Dayton, Ohio kitchen.

 

The barrel-vaulted ceiling in this Cincinnati kitchen is covered in brick laid in a herringbone pattern. The homeowners were inspired by the authentic Italian architecture they saw while traveling in Italy

 

Porcelain tile mimicking the look of wood planks is laid in a herringbone pattern on the floor of this Cincinnati kitchen.

 

This Tampa Bay shower features captivating StonePeak Michelangelo Zebrino tile, a high-tech porcelain that mimics the look of marble. The eye-catching stripes and lines of the tile, laid in a herringbone pattern, create an alluring focal point.

Chevron

These glass tiles from Oceanside Glass & Tile’s Devotion Echo collection are laid in a chevron pattern, adding a hint of movement in the backsplash of this Columbus, Ohio kitchen.

 

The dramatic linear gas fireplace is surrounded by stone tile laid in a chevron pattern, which creates an elegant modern focal point in this Tampa Bay great room.

 

The stairwell leading to the lower level in this Cincinnati home features a chevron-patterned wall to create visual interest and character.

 

RESOURCES

Contractor Neal’s Design Remodel, 

Contractor Renovations Unlimited

Flooring Triboo Carbon Hamilton Parker Company

Photo credits: Dawn M. Smith, Robin Victor Goetz, RVGP Inc., Bill Horne/Horne Architectural Photography, Daniel Feldkamp, Johan Roetz, Connie Kimsey

Article by BY CHRISTINA KLEINER