Nov. 12, 2025
How To Use Herringbone Tile For Fresh, Timeless Design
Send us a text You can’t scroll design feeds without seeing herringbone, but the real question is how to make it feel fresh in your space. We take you from big-picture design thinking to hands-on setup, sharing the layout tricks, grout choices, and smart budget moves that turn a zigzag into a polished feature. Along the way, we swap stories from the shop floor and walk through what goes wrong when the pattern drifts and how to fix it before you burn a weekend redoing rows. We start with why ...
You can’t scroll design feeds without seeing herringbone, but the real question is how to make it feel fresh in your space. We take you from big-picture design thinking to hands-on setup, sharing the layout tricks, grout choices, and smart budget moves that turn a zigzag into a polished feature. Along the way, we swap stories from the shop floor and walk through what goes wrong when the pattern drifts and how to fix it before you burn a weekend redoing rows.
We start with why this 90-degree pattern refuses to fade: it’s versatile, working in modern kitchens, historic homes, and everything in between. Then we dig into the practical steps that matter most—dry laying, anchoring from a center line, and choosing tile sizes that fit your room’s scale. Worried about cost or commitment? Try a focused accent behind a range, a niche, or a half-wall splash to get the look without tiling every inch. We also explore vertical herringbone to add height, oversized planks for bold graphics, and mixed materials like stone and glass to bring depth without visual clutter.
Grout and maintenance get their due, because the finish is where projects succeed. High-contrast grout can frame each chevron beautifully, but it also highlights mistakes, so we share forgiving options that still show the pattern. For floors and wet areas, we cover slip resistance, movement joints, sealing grout, and protecting natural stone to keep surfaces clean and resilient. A simple, pH-neutral routine is the quiet hero that preserves color and keeps lines crisp for years.
If you’re mapping your first herringbone or choosing between DIY and calling a pro, you’ll leave with a clear plan, design ideas that fit your budget, and care tips that protect your work. Love a subtle farmhouse vibe, a spa-like marble floor, or a metallic pop over the bar—there’s a path here for each. Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, leave a review, and tell us where you’d try herringbone next.
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Chapters
00:20 - Welcome And Topic Reveal
00:52 - Why Herringbone Stays Popular
02:05 - Budget, Scale, And Modern Twists
03:02 - Layout Planning And Common Mistakes
05:15 - Pro Help Vs DIY Realities
06:16 - Grout Choices And Floor Considerations
07:15 - Design Ideas And Style Variations
08:44 - Small-Scale Uses And Material Mixes
Transcript
WEBVTT
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Welcome to the Belk Tile Podcast.
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The Fat Road.
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The Fat Time.
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How to improve your home style with tiles to make your home absolutely beautiful.
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Welcome to the Belk Tile Podcast.
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Here's your host, Mike Belk.
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Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Belk Tile Podcast.
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I am Abby, and of course, Mike is with me as well.
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Good morning, Abby.
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Welcome everyone.
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Today I want to discuss herringbone tile designs.
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Oh, that is a good topic.
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We get a lot of questions on that.
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Alright, we're diving right into the classic herringbone tile pattern today.
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You can probably picture it already.
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Those rectangular tiles set in that sort of zigzag, almost like a broken fishbone.
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Technically, each tile is set at a 90-degree angle, which gives it that dynamic V-shaped look.
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It's been around forever, but I honestly can't scroll Pinterest or Reddit these days without seeing a dozen posts about herringbone, usually arguing if it's timeless or like totally overdone.
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Exactly, Abby.
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It's funny because in the store, folks come in with all these mood boards they've pinned, and herringbone is always somewhere near the top.
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And it's not just looks.
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The reason it sticks around so much is, well, it's versatile.
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It fits right in whether you're doing a supermodern kitchen or restoring an old house.
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It can be crisp and contemporary or have that old world charm.
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Where are you seeing it mostly?
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Backsplashes for sure.
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I mean it's huge for kitchen backsplashes, but bathroom floors and shower walls too.
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I swear, it's like people have herringbone fever.
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But here's the trick.
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The internet's kind of lost its mind debating whether the patterns played out.
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And honestly, it can look tired if you don't freshen it up.
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Some quick ways to keep it feeling modern, mix materials, play with grout color, or go vertical instead of horizontal.
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The new crop of oversized plank tiles for jumbo herringbone layouts, that's everywhere right now.
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Yep, but uh you gotta think about the budget piece too.
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Herringbone takes more time to install, so it's pricier than your basic subway layout.
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But I've seen folks get creative, like one of our customers who did just a half wall accent in herringbone behind their stove instead of tiling the whole backsplash.
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Saved a good chunk of change, but still got that classic look.
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So it doesn't have to break the bank, honestly.
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Totally.
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And if you love the pattern but want a twist, maybe just try a skinny accent stripe or a little pop in a niche.
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And yes, Mike, Pinterest and Reddit still can't agree if herringbone is done, but with all the ways to shake it up, I think it's safe for a while.
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Did we cover the basics?
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I think so.
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Summed up, herringbone's a pattern that's not going anywhere, but how you approach it, that's what makes it shine.
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Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty, actually laying out that herringbone.
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First, you've got to pick the right tile.
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Rectangular tiles always, obviously.
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And, you know, the classic 3x6 or 4x12 sizes, those always hit the sweet spot.
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I see people sometimes try to use big chonky tiles.
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Looks good if you get it right, but mistakes are less forgiving.
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You always want to dry lay a few rows first, test how it's gonna work in the space so you don't end up pulling your hair out after you've set five rows in the wrong spot.
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That layout planning step, folks love to skip that and regret it, trust me.
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Oh gosh, Reddit is packed with those help, my pattern is wonky posts.
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The biggest mistake, not starting from a central visual spot, like lining up with a range hood or framing a niche.
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That way your cuts at the edges look intentional, not random.
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And those grout lines, I just saw a picture, someone forgot the spacers and ended up with like major gaps on one side, totally throws off the flow.
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Off been there way too many times.
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Actually, we had this customer ambitious DIY kitchen.
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They were so excited, but they hadn't mapped out the starting point, and by the second row the pattern had wandered off.
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Brought in a pro installer after a, let's just say, chaotic weekend.
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Pro realigned everything off a center line, recut some edge pieces, and uh save the day.
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So yeah, sometimes it's better to get a pro, especially for herringbone, if you want those tight lines and sharp corners.
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Totally agree.
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There's a pro DIY debate for every project, but with herringbone, if you're a rookie, at least bring in an expert to help you plan.
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And we haven't even touched grout.
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Hot take.
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If you want to highlight the pattern, pick a contrasting grout, but beware.
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It'll also highlight any mistakes.
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For most people, I tell them to go subtle, but not blend in and disappear beige.
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Just enough contrast to show off the zigzag but still forgiving.
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Exactly.
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And walls versus floors, for floors, definitely check tile thickness and uh slip resistance.
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Floors have expansion issues too, you need the right spacing so you don't end up with cracked joints a couple years in.
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Bottom line, plan dry lay, consider getting a pro.
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It'll save you so much headache.
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Where was I?
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Oh.
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And if you're picking grout, subtle contrast rules for first timers.
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Alright, so once you've got the layout down, let's talk design ideas.
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If you want that crisp farmhouse vibe, white tile with gray grout and herringbone is always a winner.
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I just did a coastal remodel where we ran it up the entire backsplash, and every time the light hit it, you got this beautiful play of shadow.
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I kinda fell in love with it.
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But you can go bold too.
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Metallic or glass herringbone mosaics.
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Very on-trend for a punch above the stove or bar area.
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And don't sleep on bathroom floors.
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Marble herringbone brings that luxury spa feel.
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And vertical herringbone, that that look where you run the herringbones up the wall instead of side to side.
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It's huge for making showers feel taller, makes the space feel, well, grander than it really is.
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I mean it's a trick of the eye, but it works.
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Exactly.
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And if you don't want to do a whole wall, try a little pop.
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An entryway with a herringbone accent behind the fireplace, even mud rooms.
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That's where people are getting creative.
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I love seeing those half-wall wainscotting ideas on Reddit or folks on Korra doing vertical stripes in the laundry.
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There's no rule anymore.
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Herringbone doesn't have to mean a whole floor takeover.
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Right, and sometimes all you need is a small section behind the range or sink.
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Costs less, not as intimidating if you're on the fence.
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And you can mix materials too, glass and stone, classic ceramic with a little bit of metal for a shimmer.
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Those combos really elevate the look without being too much.
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If you're not ready to go all in, just test it out on a smaller scale first.
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Besides, that's how trends start, with a little experiment that catches on.
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So don't be afraid to play around, folks.
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Herringbone works in more places than you think, and it honestly adds personality anywhere.
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Even in a little border or a surprise spot.
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Start small if you feel nervous, then who knows, you might be planning your next room in Herringbone too.
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Alright, so let's bring it home with a few practical tips on grout and maintenance.
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Choosing the right grout colors more than just an aesthetic call.
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In high moisture spots like kitchens or baths, durability's massive.
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You want something that's not going to stain or go moldy after a year, sanded grout for wider joints, unsanded for tight ones, and always check the manufacturer's guide for your tile type.
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Also, if you're in a high splash zone or using natural stone, seal that grout.
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It's uh one extra step that pays off in the long run.
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And please, everybody, seal your tiles if you're using natural stone.
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I know it's an extra step, but it'll spare you from those why is my marble stained messages in a few months.
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And maintenance isn't scary.
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Just regular cleaning with a pH neutral tile cleaner, nothing harsh, and you'll keep that herringbone pattern looking sharp for ages.
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Skip anything abrasive, especially if you went for a fancy finish.
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Oh, and if you're doing a big space, maybe make a routine.
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A quick wipe down once a week can do wonders.
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It's the difference between wow and what happened here in just a year.
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I'd add, don't forget grout maintenance, a little brush, and the right cleaner will keep those lines crisp, and if you see cracks or missing bits, fix them early, and it's easier to patch than rip out a whole section.
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If you just follow those basic care tips, seal if needed, clean gently, keep an eye out for issues, your herringbone's gonna look fresh for years, I promise.
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So that's our herringbone deep dive.
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Classic look, but the real key, take a little extra time to plan, pick the right details, and keep up with cleaning.
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Grab a few tile samples, try laying out some ideas on your kitchen table before you commit, and if you're stuck, reach out.
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We love helping with those design dilemmas.
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And Mike, want to tell them what's up next?
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Oh yeah, next time we're talking all things subway tile, stacked, offset, and way beyond the basics.
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So if you like today's episode, make sure to tune in.
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Abby, as always, love chatting tile with you.
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Thanks for hanging out, folks.
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Same here, Mike.
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Thanks everybody for listening.
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Catch you next time on Belk Tile Talk.
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Bye.
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You've been listening to the Belk Tile Podcast.
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When it comes to creating a beautiful home using Tile, this is the podcast for product design ideas.
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And today, we hope you've got some useful practical information from this guy and multiple expensive.
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But in the meantime, reach out to the website and phone number is 614-543-8334.
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Find us on Facebook and Twitter at BelkTiles.
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Find on Instagram at Belktiles.
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Make sure to leave a rating and review.
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And if you have questions or comments, reach out.
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And we'll talk about it on the next job.
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Till next time.
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