Create a Costa Rican Tropical Vibe with Tile Mart’s Astrum Ivory: A Style Your Tile Guide
Welcome to another Style Your Tile episode! Today, I’m excited to share how you can bring a Costa Rican tropical vibe to your home with some of my favorite design elements. At the heart of this look is Tile Mart’s Astrum Ivory large-format porcelain tile—a perfect blend of beauty and durability that works both indoors and out.
Why I Love Astrum Ivory Tiles
If you’re looking for a versatile tile with a natural, warm feel, you can’t go wrong with the Astrum Ivory collection. It comes in several sizes (48x48, 24x48, and 2x2 mosaic) and mimics the look of Travertine while giving you the durability of porcelain. The neutral stone-inspired palette adds warmth to your space without feeling overwhelming, making it a great base for any design.Layering Natural Textures
To build on that tropical vibe, I paired the Astrum Ivory tile with some key textures and materials. First up is Serena & Lily's Sedona Rug—hand-woven from jute, cotton, and wool. This adds some rich, natural texture, while their Harbour Cane furniture introduces a laid-back, yet sophisticated feel to the space.
For the cabinets, I went with rift-cut white oak. The subtle grain of this wood pairs beautifully with the tile and adds a touch of warmth. And to really bring out the tropical vibe, I couldn’t resist choosing two stunning wall coverings from Serena & Lily.
The metallic grass cloth wall covering adds texture and reflects the golden browns of Costa Rica’s natural landscape, while the Palmer’s wallpaper brings in those lush green tones that remind me of Costa Rica’s rich tropical forests.
Upholstery and Finishing Touches
For the upholstery, I wanted to keep things light and natural, so I selected Serena & Lily's raphia weave in coastal blue, perennials textured loop, and washed linen in gold. These fabrics work beautifully together, complementing the white oak and the jute wool rug, giving the room a comfortable, coastal feel.
Sleek Countertops and Hardware Choices
When it comes to countertops, I went with Cozantino’s Dekton Awake. This material is absolutely stunning and offers the durability you need for a long-lasting, stylish finish. For hardware, I always turn to NTEC. Their satin brass cabinet latches and the select Conical Terrazzo doorknob bring in a fun, colorful touch that ties back to Costa Rica’s vibrant scenery.
Paint Palette to Pull It All Together
To let all the textures, fabrics, and patterns pop, I kept the paint palette subtle. Sherwin Williams’ Pure White and Drift of Mist create the perfect neutral backdrop, allowing everything else in the room to shine.
Bring This Look Home
Transform your space into a tropical oasis with these warm, natural textures and beautiful tiles. You can download the complete design board as a PDF at Tile Mart University to get everything you need to recreate this Costa Rican-inspired look in your own home.
Thanks for joining me! Don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe, and let me know in the comments which tile I should style next. See you in the next episode!
