Shopfront: The trend in tiling for the past few years seemed to have been towards the smaller the better: bathrooms titled in tiny mosaic-like tiles, ditto kitchen splash backs.

Now, says Michaela Feely, co-owner of Surface, a two month old fancy tile store, what's in demand are larger tiles, the bigger the better.

"We're selling 60 cm by 60 cm porcelain tiles. Larger titles generally make a room appear more spacious. We can make these big tiles touch so there is almost no grouting visible, which makes for a cleaner look."

Other than that, she says, the shop sells "bucket loads of coloured glass tiles. People use them wall-to-wall or just as a border or inset."

Travertine marble, again in large-sized tiles, is another big seller.

What makes Surface worth a visit are the traditional and very modern tiles that sit side-by-side.

Along with things such as metal trims and raised 1960s space age-looking tiles are Victorian-inspired floor tiles in various colours (burnt terracotta, blue, white, black) and styles (geometric patterns as seen in grand redbrick houses).

Surface, Upper George's Street, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Tel 01 6638992. www.surface.ie