That once-popular stripe of tiny, sea-toned square glass tiles—or practical, 4-inch strip of granite—above the stove isn't just out of vogue; the contrasting color cuts your walls in half, making the ceiling seem lower than it actually is. To open things up, choose stone mosaic tiles in a herringbone pattern, or rows of white subway tiles, and extend them all the way to the ceiling (even behind and around the hood), recommends Erin Gates, the interior designer and blogger behind
ElementsofStyle.com, and author of the
New York Times-bestselling book,
Elements of Style.
