This Vintage Tile Pattern Is Popping Up Everywhere—and It’s Easy to Love

When it comes to traditional flooring styles, the charm and sophistication of cabochon flooring stand out. This simple tile pattern conveys both nostalgia and elegance, and it’s equally suitable for a French country estate as for a cozy American home. 

What Are Cabochon Floors?

“A cabochon floor is a classic tile layout that features octagonal tiles separated by small square insets known as cabochons,” says interior designer Ellie Stein. “Traditionally, a cabochon floor uses a 12-inch square tile with each corner trimmed to create an octagonal shape. A small 2-inch cabochon tile is then set into the negative space where the corners were removed.”

The small cabochons are traditionally made of a different material or color than the main tile. This divergence creates the typical light-dark color scheme of the flooring, enhancing the overall pattern.

Traditional and Modern Interpretations

Cabochon floors have been around for centuries, with origins dating back to French architecture and a notable presence in Georgian homes. The appeal of cabochon floors lies in their timeless design and simple coloring, which evoke a sense of both history and agelessness—an installation that is eye-catching but not attention-seeking. Multiple variations on the style include modifications to the classic pattern, the materials used, and the scale and installation. 

Materials

Limestone and marble are common main tile materials paired with slate as the deep-hued cabochon. “One of my favorite ways of achieving a successful cabochon floor is with variations of limestone. A tumbled limestone paired with a contrasting black or gray limestone cabochon is just to die for,” says Stein.

Travertine, as well as darker shades of marble, are also commonly used as stone cabochons. Tiles with decorative patterns and metallic finishes can also be used as cabochons for stone installations. 

But stone isn’t the only material option. Light and dark porcelain or ceramic tiles, as well as pre-made mosaics, are frequently used to achieve the cabochon look. In bathrooms, glass tiles can serve as an alternative to traditional cabochon materials.

“For a more modern look, I love a painted version of the cabochon pattern applied over a home’s wood flooring,” suggests Stein. “This is especially striking in a foyer or circulation space and is a creative and unexpected twist on such a timeless concept.” 

Variations

You can also play with coloring for a fresh take that’s still comfortable in traditional interiors. Black marble accented with gray or white marble cabochons creates drama, while a monochromatic pairing—or even a cabochon pattern laid in all the same tile—adds subtle geometry.

The traditional style places cabochons between the cutaway corners of every tile. A common way to vary the scale of the pattern is to lay four square tiles and treat them as a single square, cutting away the outer corners for the cabochon. Similarly, tiles of various sizes can be used to create a pattern with different effects. You can also find square tiles with painted corners that, when put together, appear to have the same cabochon pattern overall.

Where Cabochon Floors Shine

“Cabochon floors are generally found where durability, versatility, and visual impact are key—think entryways, foyers, kitchens, mudrooms, or bathrooms,” says Stein. These spaces often offer an opportunity to wow guests while benefiting from hard-wearing and easy-to-clean flooring. 

However, cabochon floors are not a good fit for bedrooms or casual gathering areas, such as family rooms. “Due to the natural coolness of materials like stone and tile, it can unwelcomingly introduce starkness to a setting that is meant to be intimate and cozy,” advises Stein. 

Stylistically, cabochon floors are ideal for traditional interior designs. “Cabochon flooring is historically a French style,” says Stein. It’s at home with sophisticated French country decorating, as well as laidback, contemporary, and new rustic styles."

The materials can complement other styles as well. "A beautiful terra-cotta cabochon is absolutely stunning in a Spanish-style home,” says Stein, who also suggests that a painted cabochon pattern fits easily in English-inspired interiors. While the pattern is predominantly traditional, a high-gloss finish and dramatic colorway in a cabochon floor can also balance more modern interiors.

Planning to Install a Cabochon Floor

Before installing a cabochon floor, careful planning is essential. Because the cabochons are small, it’s important to ensure that the tile’s layout maximizes the number of full cabochons around the edges of the room, doorways, and any transitions between different flooring materials. “A tiny half-inch sliver at the end of the job can be the bane of a perfectionist’s existence,” Stein says. 

Orientation, such as whether the cabochons appear as diamonds or squares when viewed from room entrances, can also affect how the flooring pattern is perceived. 

“When considering whether to bring cabochon flooring into your home, my biggest advice is don’t force it. The beauty of a cabochon floor is inherently in the timelessness it brings to a space,” says Stein. “That only works if it’s in harmony with your architecture. Take time to evaluate your space and select a version or interpretation that complements the bones of your home.”