Kendall Jenner's burgundy & white zellige tile shower that everyone is talking about

Kendall Jenner's recent Architectural Digest mountain-home feature put a spotlight on a bathroom look that's instantly bookmarkable: a burgundy and white checkerboard shower with a glossy, handcrafted feel. The home's interior was designed by Heidi Caillier (architect Kirby Lee), and AD specifically highlights the checkerboard-tiled shower and the classic Barber Wilsons & Co. fittings.

What makes this shower stand out is not just the pattern, it's the combination of deep burgundy tile + bright white tile + traditional brass fittings that makes the shower feel rich, timeless and intentional instead of trendy-for-a-minute and gone by next year. In the AD video Jenner states "My shower might be my favorite thing in this entire house", and for good reason, the checkered tile wraps the space, bouncing light around the room and making the whole bathroom feel bold, classic, and completely one-of-a-kind.

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Image Credit via Architecural Digest Video.

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Why burgundy + white zellige works so well in a shower

1) High contrast, but still warm

Black-and-white checkerboard can feel stark. Burgundy and white keeps the graphic impact while adding warmth and depth, a burgundy that’s more wine cellar than race car red. It's a little unexpected but also somehow traditional. 

2) Handmade glaze keeps the checkerboard from looking flat

Zellige has natural variation. In a checkerboard layout, which can sometimes feel flat, Zellige’s variation softens the grid and makes the surface look layered and expensive, especially with a glossy finish.

3) The style reads vintage, not themed

The AD bathroom leans into classic details (those fittings are a big clue). That's why the checkerboard doesn't feel like a novelty pattern, it feels like a design choice that belongs in an old European house and a modern build.

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How to get the Kendall-style checkerboard shower look

Choose the right burgundy zellige tile

For this look, you want a burgundy that reads like a fine wine, not a 1950's retro red. Bright "true red" changes the mood entirely and can feel diner-ish. Burgundy keeps it elevated.

Pair it with the right white zellige tile

A slightly softer white (ivory-leaning) often looks better than harsh optical white, especially next to brass fixtures and warm lighting. Because of Zellige's varied nature and textured finish, a pure white still adds dimension and depth when installed.

Pick the right Tile Size

The Kendall Jenner shower featured in Architectural Digest uses 4×4 zellige tile and for good reason. The larger format creates a calmer, more refined checkerboard pattern that feels bold without being visually busy. It's still high-impact, but the spacing between grout lines keeps the look grounded and intentional.

If you want to replicate the AD look exactly, go with 4×4 burgundy and white zellige. We also carry both colors in 2×2 zellige tile if you prefer a smaller format with more visual texture.

Keep the rest of the shower simple

This is where people overcomplicate it: they add too many other "moments." Let the checkerboard be the moment. Clean niches, simple trim, classic hardware. Let the focus be on the tile, the more checks, the better. What's also so striking is the floor to ceiling installation of the tile, creating a hugh surface volume for the checkered tile.

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Shop burgundy and white zellige tile for a checkerboard shower

If you want a burgundy and white zellige tile shower, we carry both of these colors in authentic Moroccan zellige, glossy, handmade, and full of natural variation.

Start here:

• See our Burgundy Zellige Tile 
• See our  White Zellige Tile

Message us with:

• your shower wall heights + widths
• whether you're tiling the ceiling

We'll help you estimate quantity and choose the right burgundy/white amount for the look.

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FAQ: Burgundy and white zellige tile showers

Is zellige tile good for shower walls?

Yes, zellige is commonly used on shower walls. The key is proper waterproofing behind the tile and a skilled installer who understands handmade tile variation.

Do you need special grout for zellige?

You don't need "special" grout, but grout color matters. For this style, most people choose a grout that supports the tile, not a contrast grout that turns the shower into a gridline drawing.

Will the burgundy tiles look identical piece-to-piece?

No, and that's the point. Zellige has natural variation in glaze and tone, which creates that rich, reflective look in real light.