Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes use this tile trick to ensure their white kitchen is anything but clinical and cold

Achieving a 'clean' kitchen aesthetic goes beyond our cleanliness levels. Alongside good hygiene, this style is often associated with bright neutral cabinets and countertop hues (especially white) that offer a radiant feel to any sized space. However, in all their qualities, these tones can sometimes fringe on appearing too clinical (especially when used in abundance) – so how can we avoid a cold aesthetic? Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes may have unintentionally revealed a starting point. 

Actress Eva, married to Oscar-nominee Ryan Gosling, shared her 'clean' kitchen (both in terms of its color scheme and hygiene levels), but the space doesn't feel unwelcoming. The key? Their kitchen tiles that cover the entirety of their back wall. 

Eva and Ryan's tiles may be subtle and neutral, but they bring just the right amount of interest to the room. Their soft colorway means they don't over-intrude or interrupt the 'clean' style, but their pattern brings instant interest to the otherwise color-blocked space. It's a technique that hasn't gone unnoticed by experts who urge us to follow the couple's teaching.

'People are ready to embrace maximalism in their homes by combining a range of different materials, textures, and patterns all within the same scheme, begins Leandro Pacheco, the founder of Everett and Blue.

'Clients who previously maintained a clean aesthetic are now using our tiles as focal points such as their kitchen backsplash, fireplaces, and outdoor bar areas.' And Leandro is not alone in his observations. 

'Tiles are beautiful pieces of art on their own and have the power to utterly transform a room. Using tiles as a kitchen splashback is an exquisite way of displaying and accentuating their pattern, texture, and glaze,' adds Andrew Bendall, the marketing manager at Craven Dunnill Jackfield.

As mentioned, Ryan and Eva opted for neutral kitchen tiles that are impactful enough to add interest to their white kitchen. However, we can take their technique further by choosing brighter or glossy pieces that are equally as approved by experts.

'A beautiful way to bring a burst of color into a room, highly reflective gloss tiles are also a great way to create a sense of space and openness,' Andrew says. 'Whether you’re looking to go bright and bold or simple and classic, our offering of tiles comes in a whole range of styles and designs to suit all types of homes.

Leandro Pacheco

Leandro founded Everett and Blue, a company that specializes in artisanal and hand-painted Portuguese tiles (inspired by the beautiful architecture of Lisbon and Porto).

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