Let the Tile Sing: Tara Coniglio on Designing with Pattern

Fort Point Brushy 5” x 5” Harbor (G)

 

An Extension of Outdoor Living 

Welcome to a home set on 6.5 acres in New Canaan, Connecticut, where a lower-level bath was designed to feel like an extension of outdoor living—easy, fresh, and effortlessly seasonal. Envisioned as a future pool bath and gathering space, the room strikes the balance between function and atmosphere: relaxed enough for family life, yet intentional enough to feel elevated. In this material story, we’re stepping inside the shower—where one bold surface choice sets the tone for the entire space.

 

Tara Coniglio, Founder, Haley Design Company

Photo: Andrea Topalian / Moments by Andrea

 

Where the Design Begins: The Tile 

For Tara Coniglio, founder of Haley Design Company, the design began with one clear decision: the tile. Known for creating warm, inviting homes in partnership with custom builders, Tara often lets one standout material set the direction. Here, she selected AKDO’s Fort Point Brushy 5″ x 5″ in Harbor for the shower, drawn to its playful geometry and sun-washed palette. “The tile dictated the whole bathroom design,” Tara explains. The colorway immediately set the tone—evoking a poolside sensibility—while the pattern offered the flexibility to create a range of layouts and visual movement from a single modular piece.

Let the Material Lead 

To let the material take center stage, Tara kept the rest of the space intentionally quiet. Neutral finishes and understated details create a calm backdrop, allowing the tile to define the room. A full wall wrap, rather than a single accent, pushes the effect even further, transforming the shower into an immersive, enveloping experience. “If you’re going to do it, go for it,” Tara says, noting that full-surface applications feel more intentional than a single feature wall. The tile isn’t just a surface—it’s the story: bold, rhythmic, and undeniably the focal point.

 

Fort Point Brushy 5” x 5” Harbor (G)

 

Design Tip: Keep Everything Else Quiet 

For designers and homeowners looking to work with statement tile, Tara offers a simple guiding principle: keep everything else restrained. “Let the tile sing,” she says—an approach that allows the pattern to read as intentional rather than overwhelming. By limiting competing finishes and keeping the palette quiet, the tile becomes the natural focal point, and the room feels composed rather than busy.  Here, the Fort Point Brushy pattern becomes both a visual anchor and a mood-setter, bringing energy and character to the room without relying on excess decoration.

A Note on Layout, Grout, and Play 

While Tara often prefers a quiet grout for a seamless finish, she emphasizes the creative potential tile offers beyond the surface itself—through layout, scale, and even subtle shifts in contrast. “Have fun with it,” she says, pointing out that small decisions can dramatically change the way a tile reads in a space. With its flexible geometry and sunlit palette, Fort Point proves that a bold tile can still feel timeless—especially when it’s given the space to be the main event.