I thought this bathroom tile detail was totally outdated – but this vintage bathroom by Nate Berkus proves the right materials can make it feel chic in 2025

If I've learned anything over the past few months, it's that designer Nate Berkus has a knack for making seemingly outdated features feel chic once again. Last month, it was chicken-wire fronted cabinets, and this month, it's a bold tile trim – a bathroom feature I haven't seen much of in 2025.

The way we use tile trim has evolved over the years, with many approaches feeling outdated. Nowadays, it's much less common to see it in designs, with many designers and homeowners choosing to use different tile shapes to create an interesting edge instead.

But the revival of this more traditional approach has created a charming vintage bathroom feel – and proves that in the right design, there's still a place for this traditional feature in modern-day bathrooms. And it seems his followers agree.

In many ways, this guest bathroom defies this year's bathroom trends. But I think that's what makes it so special – it reimagines a vintage design in a way that feels timeless rather than outdated.

And it seems a lot of us are happy to see the return of these unexpected but timeless design details, with one person commenting, 'love the composition,' and another reflecting on its nostalgia: '[it] brings back my childhood memories growing up in Brooklyn Park Slope Brownstone. And that black and white subway tile detail? That is such a classic. Love it.'

The tile-drenched approach is what caught my eye first. The off-white tiles are a more old-school style, a wider rectangular design rather than the thin subway tiles we are so used to seeing.

Not only has Nate introduced them from floor to ceiling on the walls, but he's also tiled the side of the alcove bathtub, creating a cohesive, all-encompassing finish. It puts the tiles at the forefront of the design, and it's a truly effective approach. I think this is going to be a look that makes a slow and steady comeback, too.

The bathroom tiles instantly bring a vintage feel to the space, and while it's neutral, it still feels warm and inviting. They're also crucial to the contrast that has been created with the rather unexpected black marble tile trim. The simple addition of the black trim running down the edge of the shower area and perpendicular to the edge of the bathtub gives the entire area dimension.

And I can't talk about the design without mentioning the tile trim around the shower niche. Few details have proved more controversial in recent years than a trim around a recessed niche, with designers recommending a mitred edge instead. But here it really works, and feels intentional rather than an afterthought as it so often can.

The reason this more traditional, vintage look works so well here is because of the materials and finishes Nate has introduced to the space. The brassware used for the faucet, shower head, and curtain pole adds instant warmth – and it's a finish we heavily associate with chic, timeless design today.

He's also added subtle marble details, which blend a little bit of contemporary style into the mix. It's been introduced as trim along the edge of the bath and for the niche shelf – small additions that make a huge difference.

The striped shower curtain is another lovely touch. The pattern is classic yet still feels playful – it adds a more tactile element that softens the harder, more angular lines of the space. It's a truly chic bathroom, and it's made me reconsider how I feel about more traditional details and designs.

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This bathroom really feels like the blueprint to getting a traditional bathroom right. It's characterful and charming, yet still offers and air of tranquility and chic style. It proves that sometimes, the simplest of designs are the most impactful – and on occasion, tile trim on a niche might actually be the better option.