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Friday Favorite: Italian Tiles

Jennifer — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:34:41 +0000

It’s no mystery why the International Furniture Show (the Salone del Mobile) is held in Italy. The Italians have real style.

In particular, I’ve been admiring Italian tiles. I guess centuries of experience making beautiful things with squares of clay has paid off. These are beautiful.

To find out more about Italian tile, you can visit their industry site by clicking here.

Harvey Maria Tile Flooring

Jennifer — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:15:00 +0000

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.

Bubbles and Water tiles are sold by the square meter.

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.

Daisies and Gerberas styles. They ship in three days. Fresh!

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

Jennifer — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:26:00 +0000

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

Jennifer — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:46:00 +0000

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

Jennifer — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:20:00 +0000

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.

via: Another Shade of Gray

Marmoleum Flooring

Jennifer — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:50:00 +0000

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.

Creative Designs for Bath & Kitchen Tiles

Jennifer — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 19:00:00 +0000

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

Jennifer — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:13:00 +0000

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.

Gilmore is composed of artisan glass inlaid in fine polished concrete.

Quilts is a less-expensive line designed to look like candy.

Erin has designed her own candy based on the Quilts Collection.