Choose the color first, then the texture (most often they go hand in hand). A neutral color will cause the window to recede or blend in with the wall. If you want to call attention to the architecture of the window, use decorative tiles but design judiciously. Too many bright colors and designs can overwhelm a room and defeat the purpose. If the window is situated on a wall that you’re going to tile, tile the wall first. Use bullnose tiles to round off the edges of the window frame. That way you can make sure the grout lines of the recess are on the same plane as the wall. You can expect to spend about four to five hours tiling a standard 36x40-inch double-hung window. Before you begin, repair any structural defects to the window and make sure it’s in good working condition. To finish the edge of a tiled window, you have several additional options. Instead of setting bullnose inside the recess, set it on the wall surface. Set the recess tiles first, then the bullnose. Use Corner Edging Tiles Use corner edging tiles, similar to countertop V-caps (but without the raised lip that forms the front edge of the counter). Mark the wall where the edges of the corners will fall. Set the wall, then the corners, and then the jamb tile. Apply Decorative Border Apply a decorative border strip around the recess; place bullnose or rounded field tiles on the jambs. Use bullnose if the border tile does not have a finished edge. Set the wall tiles and border first, then set the jamb tiles.
