The previous edition of our Latest Adventures blog explored the neurological benefits of exposure to fractals. This article offers guidance and key considerations for applying dimensional tiles with fractal-inspired patterns in interior design projects.
Historically, a stone accent wall wasn’t the first association with wellness spaces, but in the post-COVID world, the word “wellness” suddenly became the centerpiece of conversations between interior designers and clients, and biophilic design has become as central to conversations as timeline and budget. After being relegated to our indoor habitation, there became a widespread realization that creating physically and emotionally healing environments required inviting the outside world in, which includes the use of stone and dimensional wall tile.
As an innovator in stone products and creative designs inspired by nature, Island Stone & Tile was ahead of the curve of the shift.
“There was a time when clients were driven in their design process by how it would physically appear in an environment,” Vice President of Brand Strategy and Design Feras Irikat said.
“Now, more than ever, people are talking about feeling. I've often heard clients tell their designers, ‘I would like to create a spa-like environment in my bathroom, please.’ I laugh, and then I want to clap for them and hug them, because I finally feel like someone knows how a home should feel. The spa-like environment is not a textbook look; it’s a state of mind.”
One of the best ways to achieve this feeling is to embrace a cheat code deeply rooted in the human mind: fractal patterns. As humans evolved alongside these recurring, scaled shapes in nature, we developed an instinctive sense of comfort in their presence. Adding tiles to a home or office that feature fractal-style patterns, such as our Paragon Hex hexagon wall tile, can have a powerful impact on your energy and mood. Here are a few ways you can maximize the effect.
Angled chevron facets catch the light across this dimensional stone tile, adding sculptural texture to a fractal-inspired design.
Setting the Volume with Decorative Wall Tile
Fractal patterns prompt an emotional reaction, but it’s up to the designer and client to decide what that reaction should be. At the outset of a project, brainstorm about the purpose the space will serve, and then figure out how to deliver an appropriate sensory experience through the visual and acoustic properties of your materials.
For example, a heavily textured stone accent wall will be more sound-absorbent and create a quieter, more contemplative space. If you were to use the same stone with a polished, highly reflective surface, you’d amplify the audio and create a louder environment.
“As material designers, this is something that my team and I think a lot about,” Irikat said. “When we're considering what a design is going to deliver, it’s not just about the aesthetic value, but what is the feeling that it should generate?”
Doing the Dimensional Wall Tile Math with Surface Area
Clients often wonder whether there’s a rule of thumb for deciding how much of a surface area should be covered with a geometric tile. The specific tile obviously matters, but you can soften the room's visual volume by pairing a 3D tile with a single-color surface.
Irikat suggests limiting the dimensional surface to about 20% of an environment and pairing it with a monotone color tile that’s more honed than polished to reduce its reflectivity. Any decision about the percentage should also depend on the contrasting color to be used. The rules for a simple beige will not be the same as a bold orange or pink, for example.
Island Stone’s Dunes Sandstone Mint accent wall adds depth and warmth to this living space, framing the fireplace and TV in dimensional tile.
Dimensional Wall Tile Comprehension
Irikat likened using a dimensional wall tile with a fractal pattern to adding icing to a cake. The great ingredients were already there, but you’re adding a new layer that amplifies the experience.
“The pattern has already given us the comfort, the connection, and the emotional engagement, but now I’ve made it tactile,” he said. “I made it jump out at me, so it becomes a part of my physical environment. It's no longer flat on the wall, where it just recedes.”
However, designers should respect the power each dimensional tile design holds on its own before combining them with others. Each shape, pattern, color, and finish may prompt its own response, and some combinations risk sending confused signals.
“A mistake I see is people mixing materials that have two different purposes,” he said. “I can't tell you how many times I've been with people who say, I like this space, but there's something off about it. It's like that little pebble in the shoe that just shouldn't be there.”
A close-up look at fluted dimensional tile reveals the sculptural texture that gives fractal-inspired surfaces their tactile depth.
Dimensional Tile & Stone Feature Walls: Consider the Exposure
Psychologists who’ve researched human interactions with fractals have concluded that the complexity of the patterns is a key driver of their reactions. Less busy images, like clouds in the sky, have a calming effect, while more involved scenes can evoke a higher-energy feeling.
It’s a data point to keep in mind when considering the placement of tile and stone accent walls. The complexity of fractal-inspired tiles can be leveraged to set the tone of a room.
For the home, try to work with fractal patterns that residents feel connected to. They may have a memorable experience with a beach or a flower garden that they associate with specific shapes or colors.
“Residential environments are the sanctuaries where we retreat to heal as human beings, to recharge, to engage with our families,” Irikat said. “A feature wall in a space like that has to be highly personal and deliver on the aesthetic and mindset of the consumer. The focal point is not the wall – it’s the human being living in the space.”
The calculus is far different for a commercial or hospitality space, where people will engage with an accent wall for a much shorter time, think a hotel front desk, where you’ll see it for a few minutes, or a restaurant, where your seat might face it for an hour. For these more casual interactions, the goal should be to deliver an immediate, memorable impression, which would call for a stronger dimensional wall tile.
Some tile designs have the versatility to strike a balance between soothing and energetic. Island Stone & Tile’s Paragon Hex was designed for a residential scale but is frequently used in commercial spaces. Some of our other tile products typically used in residential projects can be scaled up to larger sizes to create a faster, higher-impact connection better suited to a commercial space. Explore the full Dimensions Collection to see what’s possible.
For More Information & Advice
Contact Island Stone & Tile today to ask a staff expert your questions about any of our dimensional wall tiles. You can also view our interactive Dealer Locator map to see and experience our 3D tiles for yourself.
