Seaside Tile and Stone is a tile company based in Victoria, BC that makes a splash here in Western Canada. Kai Hansen, a tile setter for Seaside Tile and Stone, had a chance to share his experiences in the tile industry, his customer-first approach, and his thoughts on current trends in home renovation.
So Kai, tell us about yourself. How did you get started in the tile industry?
I’m a tile setter in Victoria, B.C. I’ve been in the trade since 2006 when I started out in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area working on townhouse developments and hotels. This gave me an opportunity to gain a lot of experience in a short amount of time.
And how did being in this trade get you to where you are now?
Before long, I moved away from commercial installations and into high-end custom homes. This has been my focus for the last 14 years or so.
In 2013, I had the opportunity to move to the Sea-to-Sky Corridor. I spent seven years working on multi-million-dollar homes throughout Whistler before returning to Victoria in the spring of 2020. I’ve since been working throughout the southern island.
What’s your approach for giving clients assistance?
When working with clients, I try not to talk people out of things — rather, I talk them through it. I will tell them if something won’t work, but I want them to get the look they want, not the look I want.
Do you have any tile preferences?
I enjoy working with larger format tiles that are simple and understated, as they will never go out of style.
What home décor trends have you spotted in 2022?
One trend I’ve noticed recently is green kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Maybe we’ll start to see green tile coming into fashion.
Another item that seems to always be trending would be the classic white subway tile. Love it or hate it, I don’t think it’s ever going away.
Is there a trend you’re particularly fond of? What’s here to stay?
While I prefer larger tiles, I’ve always loved the look and feel of white walls in a shower. It just feels clean to me, and can be great value for your money.
Highlights of tile setting from Kai Hansen.