The following is the first in a two-part series focusing on the wellness benefits of barefoot contact with pebble tiles. Keep an eye on our Latest Adventures blog for our next story, which looks at the connections between pebble tile design and historic stone massage traditions.

Healing the soul starts with the heel and sole.

Reflexologists, massage therapists, and your favorite spa all know the therapeutic benefits that come when a bare foot comes in contact with smooth, round pebbles. It has a seemingly supernatural quality that can work at conscious and subconscious levels.

Dating back to ancient times, people have studied how pressure on specific points of the foot can relieve mental stress and physical pain in other parts of the body. For some, the sensation evokes a state of mind: the relaxed feeling you had standing on the beach on a long-ago vacation, or after a great surf session.

That is exactly what the founders of Island Stone & Tiles sought to capture when they designed our Perfect Pebble tiles three decades ago. These innovators persisted through a year of trial and error, determined to perfect what others doubted could be created: a pebble mesh tile sturdy enough to withstand foot traffic and the dynamic, moist environments of showers and the outdoors.

Many have tried to copy our industry-trailblazing Perfect Pebble tiles, but all fall short because they won’t commit to the extra steps it takes to manufacture excellence. That means employing expert stone workers to hand-select every pebble from Indonesian quarries, using only the best pieces. It also means cutting each pebble down to a height that makes them just level enough to avoid the dreaded toe stubs, but variable enough to create the texture our feet respond to so well.

“You can set something on top of our pebble tiles, and it will remain as level as can be,” said Lead Designer of New Product Development and Marketing Cathy Aroz. “You don’t get extreme highs and lows. There’s a nice consistency to them.”

Pebble tile carries from the floor up the step and into the shower, so the wellness moment doesn't stop at the curb.

Spa Moment

In recent years, more and more designers have come to Aroz looking to create a spa feeling in the home, using pebble tiles to achieve it. The most popular place to do it is the bathroom.

“To a lot of people, the bathroom is their haven within the home,” she said. “It’s where they can go to take a soak, a steam, or a long shower. They want to create a space where they can go to unwind and relax.”

The feeling of a dimensional pebble tile under the foot in the shower, or on the floor after a bath when the foot is soft and extra sensitive, goes a long way toward creating the spa moment in the home. Island Stone & Tile’s seamless interlock system makes it impossible to tell where one tile ends and the other begins, and ensures the shower floor or walkway feels right beneath your feet.

Those who prefer the feel of a flatter stone on the foot can use our Level Pebble products. These tiles have the same organic shapes as the Perfect Pebble, but with stones that have been sliced to a uniform thickness to achieve a flat surface.

Designers can also add to the spa atmosphere by adding an accent wall in the bathroom with pebble tiles. Placing them on an elevated vertical surface creates a powerful visual dynamic that draws the eye and creates a unique sense of calm. 

Straight from Bali, the same hand-selected pebble craftsmanship that shapes our pool decks and outdoor living spaces.

Great Outdoors

The great feeling of pebbles underfoot isn’t limited to the bathroom and home interiors either. Customers frequently use the pebble mesh designs outdoors for patios, outdoor shower floors, walkways, pool decking and more.

They are also a powerful way to decorate outdoor amenities such as seating walls, outdoor kitchens, bar walls, and fire pit exteriors. The subtle color combinations of the mosaics help them blend in with a variety of other materials and provide a visual transition between the built and natural environments.

Maintenance is important, but not complicated. In settings where they’ll be exposed to water, abrasion, and the elements, it is best to seal them promptly upon installation and to reseal them periodically for protection. With pebble or natural stone tiles in general, it is best to avoid acidic cleaning products, as they can degrade their surfaces over time.

A pebble mosaic accent wall turns a simple soak into a ritual. It is proof that organic bathroom design starts with what's underfoot and behind you.

Perfect Pebble for Perfect Projects

Whether you’re working on a full organic bathroom design or looking to reinvigorate your daily view with luxury shower tiles, our pebble tiles can help you achieve your spa moment in the home. Reach out to Island Stone & Tile’s expert staff to learn more about material choices, color options, maintenance, and installation considerations, or ask any other questions you have. You can also use our Dealer Locator web app to find a showroom in your area where you can step on our pebble tiles and experience the feeling for yourself.