Tiling with Intention: Expert Advice from Sarah Schaid
Scottsdale, Arizona
Behind every beautifully tiled space is a journey - a blend of vision, expertise, and a whole lot of decision making. At Facings of America, Sarah Schaid guides clients through this process every day.
Sarah’s passion for interior design began early through exposure to construction and the building process. After earning her degree, she advanced to Senior Designer at a leading Scottsdale design-build firm, overseeing all levels of projects from production builds to major remodels and large-scale custom homes. Now at Facings of America, she partners with Arizona’s leading architects, designers, and builders, bringing a tile-forward perspective that helps shape the mood and character of a space.
As Sarah well knows, picking the right tile is about more than just color and pattern. It’s about understanding material limitations, managing expectations, and making choices that reflect both form and function.
“The best tile projects don’t happen by accident,” says Sarah. “They happen because we ask the right questions - early.”
In this guide, we follow the client journey step by step through Sarah’s expert lens.
Step 1:
Falling in Love (with the Right Tile)
The journey usually starts with inspiration: a photo, a trend, or a walk through the showroom.
One material that stops clients in their tracks is Zellige tile: a handcrafted, clay tile with a rich, imperfect charm.
“Zellige looks amazing on the wall. It has this artisanal energy,” Sarah says. “But I never just sell it. I explain what it really is.”
Zellige is uneven, with chips, pits, and color variation. It's not sleek or uniform, and that's the point.
“If a client still loves it after we talk about all the imperfections, then it’s probably right for them,” she adds. “They’ll love it through and through.”
It’s the first lesson in material selection: know what you’re committing to, and love it for what it is, not just what it looks like.
Step 2:
Matching Material to Lifestyle
Once the tile vision takes shape, the next step is understanding where and how it will be used. This is where honest conversations matter most.
“White marble is incredibly popular right now,” Sarah says. “But it can yellow over time. Not because something went wrong, that’s what happens as we live in our spaces.”
Facings of America works closely with both clients and interior designers to guide choices based on performance, not just appearance.
“We’re not here to say yes to everything. We’re here to make sure you love it five years from now, not just on install day.”
In high-traffic areas or outdoor spaces, materials like natural stone or porcelain need to be chosen with care. And that brings us to the third critical step...
Step 3:
Understanding the Technical (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
Sarah knows the terminology around tile can feel intimidating. So she simplifies it - like with slip resistance. The industry uses ratings such as R9, R10, and R11 as classifications for slip resistance.
“I always tell people: R9 is smooth and great for indoor floors. R10 is a little grippier - good for patios and covered outdoor areas. R11 is what you want for uncovered outdoor areas. It’s gritty, and that’s what keeps you safe.”
She also breaks down grout choices, where many clients freeze up.
“I usually recommend matching grout to the tile’s main tone so it blends. Unless we’re intentionally making it catch your eye with contrast. Grout color is part of the design too.”
Step 4:
Designing with Intention (and Flexibility)
As selections get finalized, Sarah works closely with designers and builders to make sure the patterns, scales, and quantities align.
“There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a pattern that can’t be installed correctly,” she says.
She recalls a client who selected a Versailles pattern based on a manufacturer’s photo, only to find out the tile didn’t come in the necessary sizes.
“We had to let them know it was a conceptual image. That’s why we always double-check patterns and layouts up front.”
Mosaics, for example, are traditionally used on shower floors, but Sarah notes they’re trending less in contemporary homes, where large-format tile is taking over even small spaces.
“We’re seeing porcelain slabs everywhere - walls, floors, exteriors. It’s sleek, minimal, and actually budget-friendly in many cases.”
Step 5:
The Make-or-Break: Installation Day
You can have the perfect tile, but if the installer isn’t right, things can go wrong fast.
“We always ask: is the installer licensed, bonded, insured? It matters,” Sarah stresses. “We see issues most when clients go outside their GC’s network to save money.”
Before installation, Sarah recommends having everything ready: samples on site, diagrams taped up, and materials staged. Missing product? Major delay.
“Just having the right material and enough of it on-site can save a week or more,” she says.
Step 6:
Maintenance & Longevity: Love It for Life
Especially with natural stone, Sarah encourages clients to think about the future, not just the finish.
“Natural stone is a living material. It’ll etch, it’ll absorb. But it can also be refinished and brought back to life. That’s part of its beauty.”
Sealing is a must, and so is understanding what each stone is susceptible to: fading in sunlight, scratching, staining.
“Porcelain is more durable and lower maintenance, so for busy families or high-use kitchens, that might be a better choice. But if someone’s in love with limestone, we just help them understand the care it needs.”
Step 7:
Experience Over Everything
At the end of the day, Sarah believes that tile is personal and the process should feel that way too.
“This is someone’s home. Whether they’re spending a little or a lot, the emotional experience matters. If the process is stressful, that’s what they’ll remember.”
Sarah makes sure her clients feel seen and supported, not rushed or oversold.
“I want them to look at their tile and feel proud, not just of how it looks, but how it came together.”
