If I've learned anything over the past few months, it's that designer Nate Berkus has a knack for making seemingly outdated features feel chic once again. Last month, it was chicken-wire fronted cabinets, and this month, it's a bold tile trim – a bathroom feature I haven't seen much of in 2025.
The way we use tile trim has evolved over the years, with many approaches feeling outdated. Nowadays, it's much less common to see it in designs, with many designers and homeowners choosing to use different tile shapes to create an interesting edge instead.
But the revival of this more traditional approach has created a charming vintage bathroom feel – and proves that in the right design, there's still a place for this traditional feature in modern-day bathrooms. And it seems his followers agree.
In many ways, this guest bathroom defies this year's bathroom trends. But I think that's what makes it so special – it reimagines a vintage design in a way that feels timeless rather than outdated.
And it seems a lot of us are happy to see the return of these unexpected but timeless design details, with one person commenting, 'love the composition,' and another reflecting on its nostalgia: '[it] brings back my childhood memories growing up in Brooklyn Park Slope Brownstone. And that black and white subway tile detail? That is such a classic. Love it.'
The tile-drenched approach is what caught my eye first. The off-white tiles are a more old-school style, a wider rectangular design rather than the thin subway tiles we are so used to seeing.
Not only has Nate introduced them from floor to ceiling on the walls, but he's also tiled the side of the alcove bathtub, creating a cohesive, all-encompassing finish. It puts the tiles at the forefront of the design, and it's a truly effective approach. I think this is going to be a look that makes a slow and steady comeback, too.
The bathroom tiles instantly bring a vintage feel to the space, and while it's neutral, it still feels warm and inviting. They're also crucial to the contrast that has been created with the rather unexpected black marble tile trim. The simple addition of the black trim running down the edge of the shower area and perpendicular to the edge of the bathtub gives the entire area dimension.
And I can't talk about the design without mentioning the tile trim around the shower niche. Few details have proved more controversial in recent years than a trim around a recessed niche, with designers recommending a mitred edge instead. But here it really works, and feels intentional rather than an afterthought as it so often can.
The reason this more traditional, vintage look works so well here is because of the materials and finishes Nate has introduced to the space. The brassware used for the faucet, shower head, and curtain pole adds instant warmth – and it's a finish we heavily associate with chic, timeless design today.
He's also added subtle marble details, which blend a little bit of contemporary style into the mix. It's been introduced as trim along the edge of the bath and for the niche shelf – small additions that make a huge difference.
The striped shower curtain is another lovely touch. The pattern is classic yet still feels playful – it adds a more tactile element that softens the harder, more angular lines of the space. It's a truly chic bathroom, and it's made me reconsider how I feel about more traditional details and designs.
Shop the look
A soon as I saw the tiles in this bathroom, they immediately reminded me of deVOL's Cream Subway Tiles. A chunkier version of the skinny subway tiles favored in past trends, they are a truly timeless choice. They also have that slightly worn feel you can see in Nate's project.
Simple touches like elevating your shower curtain rod can add a chic finish to your design. Take inspiration from Nate's scheme with a brass finish – this option proves you don't have to spend a lot for a luxe design.
Unless you are currently remodeling a bathroom, adding marble trim and shelving is probably out of the question. But adding a marble tray, like this design, to elevate your surfaces can have the same effect.
You may have noticed the little copper soap dish on the niche shelves. It's a lovely way to elevate shelving and give practical items a home. This similar design is perfect for shower niches and vanities.
Inspired to add trim to your bathroom tiles? This honed marble design features subtle white veining, which would pair seamlessly with the cream subway tiles, perfect for adding an elevated finish to your shower area.
Bathroom textiles are a great way to bring in pattern. The stripes in Nate's design offer the perfect balance of classic and playful – this neutral design is a stylish choice for bathrooms of every style.
This bathroom really feels like the blueprint to getting a traditional bathroom right. It's characterful and charming, yet still offers and air of tranquility and chic style. It proves that sometimes, the simplest of designs are the most impactful – and on occasion, tile trim on a niche might actually be the better option.
