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Harvey Maria Tile Flooring
Here’s something different. Vinyl tiles from British firm, Harvey Maria. They offer faux wood and stone styles. But that’s so ordinary! Why not create the look of a rug (above) without the upkeep with some soft stripes? Still too tame? Then, you need water tiles. Just the thing for your pool house kitchenette. Of course, bubbles are always an option.
Are you into gardening? Wish you could sleep on a bed of roses? Then Gerberas and Daisies might be just the ticket. This may seem really wacky, but done in the right way such as a small room, it can work really well. They’re also practical for wet areas because they’re made of vinyl.
Harvey Maria ships all over the world, and will help you figure out how to mix and match different styles to create something really unique. Of course, you could always rely on your interior designer for that as well.
More Tiles! From Margaret Licha
I couldn’t resist adding these to my thoughts on tile resources during Kitchen Week. I know this style isn’t for everyone. And remember, a little goes a long way. But, if this is for you, tile designer Margaret Licha does a brilliant job.
Pewabic Pottery
Pewabic Tile has been a Detroit institution since it was founded in 1903. Their work is so distinctive. you can instantly identify it. They created amazing tiled murals and still do. My son attended a Pewabic tiled elementary school. Built in the 1920’s, the classrooms feature nursery rhyme characters at each classroom entrance. The two kindergartens have Pewabic fireplaces and fishponds. Those were the days! The fish have gone and so have the fires. But the tiles are still beautiful. Sorry, they wouldn’t let me take pictures! The photos, above, will have to suffice.
Below is a sampling of their tiles. You can take classes in pottery making at Pewabic. And, of course, you can contact them about custom design work.
Marlborough Tiles
These exquisite, handmade tiles are from British firm, Marlborough. These are one of those finishing touches that can transform and ordinary kitchen into something extra-ordinary. Marlborough will provide shipping overseas.
Marmoleum Flooring
Here’s a product I love. Marmoleum is a natural product made from linseed oil, wood flour, rosin, jute and limestone. It comes in a lot of great styles and colors. Now, they have an easy-to-install product called Click. You can mix and match the colors to do your own thing. Shown here are a couple of ideas.
Leather Wall & Floor Tiles from Blackstock
Here’s a great resource. Blackstock Leather has created leather tiles for installation on both walls and floors. They’re magnetic, so if a tile needs to be cleaned or replaced, it’s easy to do so.
The tiles are made from vegetable-tanned cowhide, the same material used for shoe soles. The tiles come in 14 colors, and a variety of shapes and sizes. The look is warm and sophisticated.
Creative Designs for Bath & Kitchen Tiles
I thought I’d try to make today an inspirational one. I’m starting with some interesting ways of using tile as well as some really cool tiles from Italian tile company, Etruria. Let’s take a look, okay?
Etruria has released a new line called Mondrian. These three photos show the variations that can be created.
If you play with the direction of the tile, you can create something with a textural quality while only using one color.
Here the Mondrian is used in two colors to accent the toilet and the sink. It turns what could have been a boring, gray bathroom into something striking. You can do the same thing with paint.
This line is called Haring, after artist Keith Haring. I don’t like the brown, but it comes in lots of colors. The pattern itself is striking.
Okay, I really love this tile design. Would someone who needs a new bathroom please call me right away? The only problem is the green. It looks great in the photo. But I wouldn’t want to wake up with a hangover and have to stumble into this looking for the aspirin. Fortunately, this, too comes in lots of other colors.
Finally, a little fun. File this under “Don’t Let This Happen To You.” This is from Hakatai. They make beautiful glass mosaic tiles. But why on earth is this on their site? It’s a restaurant restroom. So, while I’m on the subject of hangovers, can you imagine looking at yourself in the mirror after even one martini, much less three? I don’t care if you’re Angelina Jolie, you’re going to look like Frankenstein.
Add this to your list of decorating rules: Never use this color in a place where people drink and women apply make-up. It’s tantamount to fluorescent lighting in a swimsuit dressing room. By the way, Design Hole’s first rule of decorating is: Choose the paint last.
Tiles from Erin Adams
Erin Adams has created a new line of tiles called Luna. She adds to her beautiful collection of work at Erin Adams Studio. Here is Luna and a few of my other favorites. Enjoy!
Luna is an environmentally conscious glass and aluminium collection.
Quilts is a less-expensive line designed to look like candy.Erin has designed her own candy based on the Quilts Collection.
Norafloor and Johnsonite
Colors from Noraplan’s Spec line
Have you ever thought of using rubber flooring? It might just put some bounce in your step. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) Most people think of rubber floors as strictly commercial, but they look great in kitchens and baths, too. I just ordered up some Nora Flooring Signa for Chum Bucket’s bathrooms (our beach house located in Vacation Paradise - renovation almost complete).
Colors from Johnsonite’s Artisan line
Rubber floors come in an array of fantastic colors and styles. They’re great for kitchens because they’re kind on legs and feet that do a lot of standing. They’re also great in bathrooms because they’re soft and a bit springy. Basements? Perfect for that, too.
I was considering using a new, do-it-yourself Armstrong product called MIYO, but it costs more than $5.00 a square foot. Plus, you need expensive rolls of backing and adhesive. Ouch! It makes my bunions hurt just thinking about it. Nora and Johnsonite, the two biggies, are much less expensive, and all you need is adhesive. The tiles I bought were $3.14 per square foot and are easy to install yourself. I’ll be sure to post the after photos when we get the bathrooms finished.
Wood Tile from Cancos
Here is a surprising new product from Cancos. It’s mosaic, tile made from wood. Wood in a bathroom? Well, the specifications say “yes” to that. This kind of natural, hand-rubbed wood is a real trend to watch.
doussié, roveré, wenge, teak, acéro,
I saw a lot of it, especially in bathroom sinks a couple of years ago at the Salone del Mobile in Milan. The wood choices are wenge, teak, doussié, roveré, and acéro. They come in 1-inch squares, or 1″ x 3″ rectangles.
Wouldn’t the wenge be beautiful in a bathroom?
Great New Vinyl Product
Wow! What a fantastic new product from Armstrong - and just what I’ve been looking for at Chum Bucket. It’s called MIYO, which stands for Make It Your Own. Basically, it’s like FLOR only in vinyl instead of carpet. The styles and colors are bright, modern and you can install it yourself. the tiles are beveled 16″ squares that click together. According to their site installation is easy because you design on a grid which is printed onto a base layer and sent with the product. The tiles adhere to the grid, so you can install it over any surface. This is definitely something to check out.
I Like Grass, It Rocks
I almost got to use this really cool tile on a commercial project. But the client rejected it. Probably because she wasn’t smoking enough… grass! Or maybe because she was. Whatever. This is my feeble attempt to segue into my topic at hand - ceramic tiles with photographic grass images. This really cool product is made by Imagine Tile. They make all kinds of tiles with elements from nature like in the image above, done with ceramic “rocks”. They have another line with more urban themes, like asphalt. Anyway, I like it. You should check it out. Ixnay on the outfit in the dressing room.