Zellige Bathtub Surround in Deerfield Colonial
This tub/shower combination in a Deerfield Colonial home uses cream zellige tile floor to ceiling on all three walls of the tub enclosure. The handmade Moroccan tiles have natural surface variation in both color and texture that gives the space warmth without adding pattern complexity. Brushed brass fixtures and a built-in niche with its own inset shelf complete the look.
The original bathroom in this Deerfield Colonial had a dated fiberglass surround that had begun to delaminate. We demoed to the studs, installed foam waterproofing board rated for continuous wet exposure, and then tiled over it. The niche was framed before the tile went up so we could tile the interior separately and run the field tile flush to its edges. Zellige's thickness variation required careful thinset bed adjustment throughout to keep the face plane flat.
Project Details
| Service | Bathroom & Shower Tile |
|---|---|
| Area | Deerfield, IL |
| Materials | Cream handmade zellige tile, brushed brass hardware, foam waterproofing board, white thinset |
| Scope | Residential — full tub/shower surround, Deerfield Colonial home |
| Timeline | Multi-day install including demo |
What We Did
- Demo: Removed existing fiberglass surround; inspected and replaced any water-damaged framing.
- Substrate: Installed foam waterproofing board; taped all seams and corners; framed and waterproofed niche.
- Installation: Set zellige with adjusted thinset bed per tile; white thinset throughout to prevent show-through.
- Finish: Grouted and sealed; installed brass hardware after tile cure.
Considering a tub surround remodel in your Deerfield home?
