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	Designer's Approach Ever wonder how the pros navigate the vast tile landscape on behalf of their clients? We asked four well-known architects and interior designers how they approach tile design when working on a project.
LAUREN OSTROW, INTERIOR DESIGNER Lauren Ostrow Interior Design Inc. New York, New York “I always attempt to be original and unexpected. There are so many options in the world of tile that it’s important to practice restraint. The tendency might be to overdo it and not keep the tile in mind as one element in an overall scheme. When it comes to tile, I don’t worry too much about geography. It’s more about the type of home a client has, and choosing the right surface that complements the architecture. You don’t want anything on the interior to fight with the mood of the exterior.” JAMES PARAGANO, ARCHITECT James Paragano Architects Madison, New Jersey “I favor historical looks, so I use a lot of subway-type tiles or period styles in the home, so that it fits the architecture. All the elements in the house, such as lighting, fixtures, doors and tile should complement each other. A grand space like a foyer, for example, may have larger proportions or a larger pattern of tile or stone. If you’re trying to be more rustic, tile may have a more random pattern. If you’re creating a formal look, it may have a honed, very specific geometry, to emphasize the architecture. Tile can set the whole tone for the space, whether it be a grand pattern for a grand space or an intricate pattern for an intricate space.”		SCOTT SALVATORE, INTERIOR DESIGNER Scott Salvatore Inc. New York, New York “I always consider where a client is geographically, and then I look at the architecture and the overall design of the space. For example, if you’re in a Park Avenue apartment, I don’t want the bathroom to look like you’re living in South Beach or Bridgehampton. I don’t think you have to use traditional tile in a traditional venue, but tile that’s more sophisticated and detailed fits better in an urban environment, while simpler tiles can be best used in a rural setting. There are no rules, but I’ll know if it isn’t right.” LYNNE PRAGER, INTERIOR DESIGNER Lynne Prager Interiors Deal, New Jersey “I’m there to take my client’s style and bring it up to the highest level of design and good taste. My job is part psychologist, part caterer and part designer. The colors I pick are based on the personal preferences of the client, but I like color as well as neutrals.” “I like bathrooms to be functional but pretty. I use marble, or the new porcelain tiles that look like marble, but are very practical. I often add designs to the floor and the walls, especially around the mirrors and tub. When it comes to bathrooms, I like them to look chic. I don’t like fussy, overdone styles.”