Avente Tile Blog

You've changed the clocks, you've voted, the election season is over and fall is in full swing. Time to sit back, relax and get ready for ~~Thanksgiving and the holidays~~. . . your next tile project. I know it's a busy time of year. However, I couldn't wait any longer to introduce our newest line of cement tiles, Rustic Cement Tiles Pavers.

Cotto Gold Rustic Pavers in a 12x12 Format
Rustic Cement Tile Pavers Come in a Variety of Colors & Sizes

Right away you'll notice that these Cement Tile Pavers have a handmade appearance with a slightly irregular edge, face and finish that creates a rustic look. They have the rich look of classic clay bisque tiles that have been used in Spain, the Mediterranean, and northern Africa for centuries. With these pavers, you get the best of both worlds: the look of clay bisque and the benefit of cement. Cement tiles offer durability and strength, a broader color pallet, and sizes and shapes that can be adapted to any decor and environment.

Where to Use Cement Tile Pavers

This line of cement tiles is our most versatile ever. It can be used on wall and floor applications for both indoor and outdoor applications. It is also rated for pedestrian and light vehicular traffic so it's great for commercial locations and driveways, too! Unlike most other cement products it's also rated for freeze/thaw cycles. What does all this mean for you? Basically, you can use this tile just about anywhere and you'll see fantastic results. Because cement tile is porous, you will need to apply a penetrating sealer to protect them from staining and preserve their color and original appearance.

These tiles are made in the USA and the majority of raw materials are locally sourced to minimize transportation impact. Cement for these tiles is supplied by an Energy Star Certified factory and include varying amounts of recycled content.

Rustic Cement Tile Paver Formats

Our Rustic Cement Tile Pavers come in various square and rectangular formats. All tiles are 3/4" thick nominal thickness. You'll find square formats from 2"x2" to 16"x16"; rectangular formats from 2"x4" to 8"x16".

Mission Red Flash Rustic Pavers with Different Sizes & Random Layout
Rustic Pavers Come in Many Sizes

A few square formats also include clipped corners to accommodate decorative accent tiles. Our Malibu deco tiles tiles are the perfect choice to pair with these Spanish pavers. Use this combination with the smaller 4"x4" formats to make a great looking backsplash or for stair risers.

Rustic Cement Tile Paver Formats and Sizes

Rustic Cement Tile Paver Colors

Unlike Spanish pavers, these tiles are available in thirty colors and two blends. The colors are available in two styles: solid or flash. The Paver Color Palette includes classic bisque colors in terracotta, red and brown hues that provide traditional style. These classic styles take their cues from clay bisque that would be historically used to make Saltillo tile, brown Spanish pavers, and red clay tiles. You'll also find an extensive collection of more contemporary colors including subtle greys, green, plum, rust and tan.

Tuscan Mustard Rustic Pavers in a 12x12 Format for Entry

Expect variation in all the colors because this is a hand-crafted product that replicates natural variations that you would find in many clay products, like Saltillo tile. The flash colors are intended to exhibit a high degree of variation in both the shade, tone and saturation of the color. These tiles have "through-body" color because, the color goes all the way through the tile. The color is added to the concrete during the mixing process.

Explore our Cement Tile Paver Collection

Curious? Take a look at our Rustic Cement Tile Pavers and see if there is something that catches your eye.

What do you think of these Rustic Cement Tile Pavers? How would you use these tiles?

- Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

Project Pick: Durable, Rustic Spanish Pavers Offer Time-Tested Look

These pavers have the rich look of classic clay bisque tiles that have been used in Spain, the Mediterranean, and northern Africa for centuries. With these pavers, you get the benefit of cement in their durability and strength, a broader color palette, and sizes and shapes that can be adapted to any décor and environment.

Further, by using our Spanish Paver Tiles, you'll feel good knowing your choice is also good for the environment. Made in the USA, this paver tile collection is made using a high percentage of locally sourced materials, which minimizes transportation impact. Moreover, the cement used for producing these tiles is supplied by an Energy Star Certified factory.

A few square formats also include clipped corners to accommodate decorative accent tiles. Our Malibu Deco Tiles are the perfect choice to pair with these Spanish pavers. Use this combination with the smaller 4"x4" formats to make a great looking backsplash or for attention-getting stair risers. Here are two great examples of the hand-painted Malibu ceramic tiles we offer: Malibu Catalina and Malibu Zeteca.

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Malibu Catalina Malibu Zeteca

Our Rustic Cement Tile Pavers come in various square and rectangular formats. All tiles are 3/4"-thick nominal thickness. You'll find square formats from 2"x2" to 16"x16"; and rectangular formats from 2"x4" to 8"x16".

Finally, unlike Spanish pavers, these tiles are available in 30 colors and two blends. The colors are available in two styles: solid or flash. The Paver Color Palette includes classic bisque colors in terracotta, red and brown that provides traditional style. The Classic style takes its cue from clay bisque that would be historically used to make Saltillo tile, brown Spanish pavers, and red clay tiles. For a more contemporary look, choose from our extensive collection of 24 colors with the Premium color palette, which includes subtle greys, green, plum, rust and tan.

Like what you see? Go ahead, don't be shy, take a look at all of our Rustic Cement Tile Pavers!

Pinterest: Inspiring, Trend-Setting, Project Organizer

Move over Facebook and Twitter because Pinterest is gaining momentum. The site, which was launched as recently as two years ago, is a social media platform that allows users to share their interests on theme-based boards. Users not only upload their own photos, but they can discover other users' photos (Pins), and re-pin (copy) them onto their own boards. Users can also categorize their boards to include ideas for upcoming weddings, home remodeling projects, recipe organization, and so much more.

According to Mashable.com, an online news source for all things connected, more than 70% of Pinterest's 10 million users told BizRate that they turn to the social pinboard site for shopping inspiration and to keep up with upcoming trends. There's also better user engagement with brands on the photo-sharing website: 66% of users regularly follow and repin retailers. Not surprisingly, the female/male ratio has been quoted as somewhere between 70-80% female. As a retailer for handmade cement and ceramic tile products, we've seen many positives with Pinterest, including new business leads. Here's how we make our Avente Tile Pinterest boards work for us:

Inspire pinners with images who follow with great content that not only includes pins from the Avente Tile website, but also to websites that interest us. In addition to the products we offer, we have a pinboard that features past Avente Tile Talk newsletters Avente Tile Talk newsletters, as well as boards that feature certain colors, countries, specific rooms or areas of a home, cement tile floors and walls, outdoor living, and more.
We're not just posting items that we sell or can offer, but we're sharing things that interest us as a company. In a way, you're seeing a personal side of our company, and we're happy to show it!

In next month's issue of Tile Talk, we'll be sharing some best practices for Pinterest. Happy Pinning! In the meantime, tell us how you use Pinterest!

Tile Tip

Small tiles are the optimal choice for shower floors because they:

Follow the contour slope to the drain.
Provide additional grout lines that improve slip resistance.

Our Yucatan ceramic field tile can be purchased face-tape mounted in 2"x2", 1-1/4"x1-1/4", or 1-1/4"x2-1/2" formats. To further improve slip resistance, we can also add grit to the glaze.

The Yucatan series is inspired from long-standing, sprawling haciendas and villas found throughout the Mexican peninsular state. As a vitreous product, it's an ideal choice for countertops, fireplaces, pools, and fountains.

It's a bit of a story to this tile project as this section of the floor has been concrete for a few years. I've been a builder and blogger for some time now and we have a home on Cupid's Cay, Eleuthera, Bahamas that we work on every year. There are many more posts to read all dealing with your home on my blog, The Building Blox. Now you know the story about builders finishing their own homes right?

Well this year we decided we would tackle this floor when we returned but there were complications that worked out for the best. We went to the tile store that we had purchased from here in Eleuthera and they no longer carried the same tiles that we had used so it was decision time. We looked through the offerings and due to the increased cost we settled on a beige color tile and got 6 boxes, which worked out to 48 tiles that were each 18" x 18". Now how to make 48 tiles cover the area that we had? I thought about it for a day or so and did an experiment to see if it was going to work. It looked great!

Now once the decision was made I had to start the layout and plan on the concrete floor for how the tiles were to be spaced so that they looked like the design that I had made.

Once that was determined it was time spread out the thin set and lay the tile with the appropriate row spacing. Now the reason that I did the large tile rows first was so that I would have the level in between to gauge the height of the pieces that I would be adding after. This way I could determine if they were above or below the tile height and adjust them according. Some of the thinner pieces needed a bit more thin set to bring them up to the tile height and some pieces had to be shaved on the tile saw because they were too thick.

The outer edge band is made by breaking up tile that we had. The tile store also gave us a box that had been broken to use, which was really nice of them.

As I started down the rows it was very much like making a puzzle. Over the years we have collected pieces of glass, broken plates, bottle bottoms and a slew of random things on our beach walks and now was the time to use them. We used everything we had but had run out so we had to make a trip to the north where we knew a beach that would have a new supply and Success!

The stick you see in the above photo was used to make sure that the pieces were at the right height between the two tiles.

I also added in some blue that I cut out of bottles that I had been saving. The blue around the floor really catches your eye. Any guesses on what bottle they come from?

Luckily for me, throughout the project I had professional supervision. Here she's checking to make sure the thinset is the right consistency!

Broken tile, plates, found tile pieces, bottle bottoms and more all became part of the floor.

The finished floor.

So with a bit of creative thinking a floor that stands out from the rest and also uses a great many recycled pieces was made. The other thing that I didn't mention was that other than my labor this floor cost $200.00 to do. I can honestly say it was a great project and fun to do.

As to the degree of difficulty and if you should attempt something like this? I believe that a person with good DIY skills and/or someone that has done previous tile work could undertake a project like this. The key is of course having the knowledge of how to do it and just as importantly taking the time to plan it out and the patience to make the puzzle work.

Let me know what you think. Like it or not so much? Would you consider undertaking a project like this?

If you hadn't already guessed, the blue bottle pieces are from Bombay Blue Sapphire Gin that I cut with the tile saw.

A short post script.

When I first thought about doing this a good friend, Paul Anater, said it was very similar to what is done in Spain called Trencadis.

Trencadís (Catalan pronunciation: [tɾəŋkəˈðis]) is a type of mosaic used in Catalan modernism, created from broken tile shards. The technique is also called pique assiette. This mosaic is done using broken pieces of ceramic, like tiles and dinnerware

Although its a similar style, I adapted it to the materials I could find here on the island or more accurately, could find on our beach walks. Duel purpose walks- treasures and exercise!

Sheikh Lutf Allah Mosque is one of the architectural masterpieces of Safavid Iranian architecture, standing on the eastern side of Naghsh-i Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran.
Image via: www.IslamicArts.org

The impact of Persian tiles occupies a prominent place in the history of Islamic art. Recognized for having one of the richest and varied art legacies, Persia (now Iran) used this form of art to decorate palaces, public buildings, monuments, mausoleums, and religious buildings, such as mosques and theological schools.

According to the Iran Chamber Society, “The history of Iranian tile dates back to the prehistoric period. It holds an important position among the various decorative arts in Iranian architecture. The four main decorative features can be categorized here as well. They include stone carving, brick work, stucco and tile panels. Using an intricate method of manufacturing, design and the type of materials used in the four methods mentioned above, the methods have evolved as a result of natural factors, economical and political effects.”

Interior arcade of Sheikh Lutf Allah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran.
Image via www.IslamicArts.org.

It's because of their expertise in handling raw material, and especially because of their artistry, Persian tile makers found themselves in great demand. Their talents were sought in all corners of the vast Islamic empire. Over the centuries, creative artisans used colored stones and brick to create geometric patterns on structures. The rudimentary patterns then developed into natural subjects, such as plants, animals and humans. These masterful creations grace both the interior and exterior of historic Iranian structures.

A mihrab is a niche set into the middle of the qibla wall of a building in order to indicate the direction of Mecca. (Early 14th century).
Image via Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

The art of tile manufacturing reached its peak of perfection and beauty at the end of the 13th century. Moraq tiles (mosaic style) panels created with this technique were made to withstand the elements of time. “Tiles in such colors as yellow, blue, brown, black, turquoise, green and white were cut and carved into small pieces according to a previously prepared pattern,” says the Iran Chamber Society. Further, “These pieces were placed close together and liquid plaster poured over to fill in all the opening and gaps. After the plaster dried and hardened, a large single piece tile panel had been created, which was then plastered onto the required wall of the building. Timurid monuments in Herat, Samarkend and Bokhara were covered by this decorative technique. Among the most famous monuments decorated in this style are the Goharshad Mosque (1418 CE), the Molana Mosque (1444 CE), the Jameh Mosque of Yazd (1456 CE), the Jameh Mosque of Varamin (1322 CE), and the Madrassa of Khan in Shiraz (1615 CE),” the Society added.

Imam Mosque, Isfahan. Image via www.IslamicArts.org.

Of the many tile masterpieces found in Iran is the Shah Mosque in Isfahan. The dome of this religious building, which originates from the 17th century, serves as a wonderful example for mosaic tile, as well as cuerda seca tiles. A variety of tile had to be manufactured in order to keep a consistent look throughout its vast halls that were covered in mosaic tile.

Detail of one of many tiled walls of the Jameh Mosque, Yazd, Iran.
Image via www.IslamicArts.org

Also of importance to the tile-making techniques of the Persian empire was the the Safavid dynasty (1502-1736). It was during this time that ornamental mosaic pieces were often replaced using the haft rang (seven colors) technique. Images were first painted onto plain rectangular tiles, glazed, and then fired. Aside from economic reasons, the seven colors method gave artisans freedom with their creativity, as well as more time to stylize their works of art.

The complex of the Friday mosque of Yazd; found in the 12th century.

Situated adjacent to the center of the town of Yazd, the complex of the Friday mosque of Yazd was found in the 12th century. However, what stands on the site today is the new mosque (masjid-i jadid) built in 1324 under the Il Khanids. Image via www.IslamicArts.org.

It's unfortunate that this glorious form of art wasn't extensively documented throughout the ages. The patterns and designs were a closely guarded secret, and therefore, the techniques were only passed down orally from father to son, or from master to student.

Vakil Mosque, located in Shiraz, Iran, is a beautiful mosque built in the mid-18th century by Karim Khan.
Image via www.IslamicArts.org.

Sadly, this concludes my exploration of tile through the Middle East. Before I get too old, I would really like to explore the country that I was born in, Turkey, as well as Iran, where my husband was born. The architecture, the history, and knowledge that Islamic nations provided not only to their people, but to far-reaching lands, shouldn't be dismissed.

I hope you enjoyed reading this series as much as I enjoyed researching and writing it. Have you gained a greater appreciation of tile? How would you implement current tile patterns and colors into contemporary or modern designs?

New Arabesque Cement Tiles Bring Spanish Flair to Any Décor

Our newest line of cement tile offers not only a classic, time-tested look, but also the durability and craftsmanship of traditional handmade cement tile. Introducing Arabesque Cement Tile!

The geometrically inclined Arabesque pattern, part of our cement tile collection, pays homage the rich look of classic clay bisque tiles that have been used in Spain, the Mediterranean, and northern Africa for centuries. With Arabesque, you'll also receive the durable, time-tested benefits of cement tile with the added benefit of a broader color palette, and sizes and shapes that can be adapted to any décor and environment.

Further, by using our Arabesque Spanish Cement Tile in your next design project, you'll feel good knowing your choice is also good for the environment. Made in the USA, this collection is made using a high percentage of locally sourced materials, which minimizes transportation impact. Moreover, the cement used for producing these tiles is supplied by an Energy Star Certified factory.

Arabesque Aragon
Cotto Dark

Arabesque Mudejar Spanish Paver Handmade Cement Tile

Arabesque Mudejar
Cotto Dark

Finally, unlike their bisque counterparts, Arabesque features a Paver Color Palette that includes 30 colors and two blends. The Classic Color Palette (in six shades) takes its cue from clay bisque that would be historically used to make Saltillo tile, brown Spanish pavers, and red clay tiles.

For a contemporary look, you can choose from our extensive collection of 24 colors within the Premium color palette, which includes subtle greys, green, plum, rust and tan. Prices for the Arabesque collection start at $15 per square foot. Your choice of color, size, format, and finish will affect the final cost. There are 8 designs within the collection. Most designs are available in two or three styles allowing you to choose a larger, smaller, or slightly different format. Our online product catalog details the available styles, tile sizes, shapes, formats, color, and price for each design. Remember, each piece is handcrafted, therefore, please expect to receive them within 4 to 6 weeks from the time your order is placed.

Pinterest: Inspiring, Trend-Setting, Project Organizer

In the November issue of Tile Talk News, we touched upon our Pinterest boards and how we make it work for us. In this issue, we'll be sharing some best Pinterest practices that we've incorporated into our daily Pinterest schedule and ever-expanding boards.

We recently attended a Pinterest-focused twitter chat for kitchen and bath industry professionals, @KBTribechat where we left with newly found encouragement to continue to do what we've been doing. The chat featured Beth Hayden @bethjhayden, a nationally known speaker and social media expert, who taught us and dozens of other attendees a couple of new things. Here are some tips that both we and Beth have found that led to successful, profitable pinning:

Use descriptive titles, keywords, proper credit for photos, active links to where the image was sourced from.
Inspire visitors of your boards to go to your website to purchase what they like.
Pin every day, even if it's just a few things. You.ll keep things fresh, and chances are you'll get re-pinned more often.
Use the Pinterest Popular tab to see what kind of content people love, and what they are sharing. Beth mentioned that the "Popular" tab is her own trends spotter.
When clients are looking for a specific project type, i.e. kitchen, patio, mud rooms. You can send them to our Pinterest boards, or, they can send you to theirs. It's almost as if you're swapping portfolios.
Make sure you have your website listed in your Pinterest profile, and that you're posting your own blog posts.
Pin things that your audience (client base, customers, friends, etc.) are into, such as travel, architecture, design, nature, and so on.
Most importantly, remember your manners. As in all social media platforms, good manners will get you far, while bad manners will leave you stagnant. If someone takes the time to like or repin what you've posted, or has left a comment, make sure to thank them!

Lastly, did you know you could find out what people are pinning from your site? This invaluable piece of information, http://pinterest.com/SOURCE/[yoursitehere.com], can help form or reshape your online strategy.

For instance, take a look at ours: http://pinterest.com/source/aventetile.com/

This isn't a live link, so you'll have to copy and paste it into your browser. And where it says [yoursitehere.com], that's where you'll enter the website address where you want to see who is pinning from it, and which images have been pinned.

We hope this information has been helpful. If you're already on Pinterest, let us know how you use it, and what successes you've had with it. We'd love to hear your suggestions and/or questions, too! Follow our Pinterest boards and let's get pinning together!

As another year draws to a close, I want to shine the spotlight on a great organization that is benevolent and generous, The Tile Heritage Foundation. Since it was founded in 1987, this California-based non-profit has been supporting the preservation, history and appreciation of tile. This organization gives back to the tile community and works to preserve our tile heritage. Avente proudly supports their efforts and thanks the directors, staff and volunteers.

The Preservation of our Tile Heritage

The Tile Heritage Foundation promotes an awareness and appreciation of ceramic surfaces in the United States. The Foundation provides consultation and research, leads preservation efforts and shares information about tile. The Tile Heritage library and research facility has a wealth of knowledge including books and slides about ceramic tile surfaces. They provide historical perspective and depth on all ceramic surfacing materials and educate the public by sharing tile’s rich history. Because of these efforts, the organization now plays a major role in the preservation of rare existing ceramic installations. They promote contemporary tile work as well.

This year the Foundation celebrates their 25th-anniversary. A big drive is to transition their archive to an online searchable resource available to the industry and to the public.

Tile and our Collective History

One of the reasons I started Avente was my love of tile - both in the beauty of the hand painted design and the sense of place and time it conveys. A mosaic brings you back to the Roman Empire. The light hand painted blue and white strokes of a stylistic floral pattern on tile can have you dreaming about a centuries-old street corner in Portugal. It's pretty amazing what tile can convey!

Shortly after I started Avente Tile, I remember Jorge Aguayo, of Aguayo Tile explaining that he had discovered many floors in disrepair while visiting Cuba. His goal was to preserve these amazing tile tapestries of pattern and color found in Cuban tile. If we don’t strive to preserve and record these amazing works of art, we lose so much in the collective history of who we are.

Cuban Tiles found in Old Havana and Camaguey are in disrepair
Photo Courtesy of Aguayo Tile

I occasionally get calls from friends and customer’s saying they found some amazing tile after removing layers of other surface coverings during a remodel of their early 1900's home. These moments warm my heart. I am reassured that people do want to preserve well-crafted design and they value the history of a very special place. They want to help document, record and preserve the collective history that is ours.

When I can’t identify that tile, where do I send them? The Tile Heritage Foundation, of course.

Tile Identification Services

The Tile Heritage Foundation offers tile identification services to the public at no charge. Pretty darn amazing. Who else offers such a great service for free? I've sent many architects and designers their way. To take advantages of this service, Simply email foundation@tileheritage.org with clear, images of individual tiles or tile installations. Include other relevant information like site, city, state, size, date (approximate), architect/designer if known. If the experts at Tile Heritage are not able to identify the work, your email will be forwarded to others who are likely to know.

I could go on about the great folks at the THF; but, just visit www.tileheritage.org and discover what a great resource they are. Most importantly, if you can, I encourage you to join Avente and support this great organization with a donation.

Thanks and Happy Holiday!

- Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

May the holiday season bring you joy and fulfillment, and the warmth of being surrounded by friends and family!

Deer in Moonlight Ceramic Tile Mural

From Avente Tile's Winter pinboard. Image via Izabela Reimers.

As I get older, I'm amazed at how quickly time seems to pass. For the most part, I've always been the type of person to say “Now is not the time,” or, “Let me get this done, and then I’ll figure out what to do.” Well, friends, now is always the right time to answer the door when opportunity knocks, especially if that opportunity leads to other things. However, in the wake of the recent tragedy in Connecticut, and the heartbreak and confusion that continues to this day, I am more determined than ever to make the most of each moment, especially when it comes to my boys.

In this day of handheld electronic devices, like most working parents, I'm guilty of texting, checking email, or making and returning calls while in the presence of my boys. Unfortunately, it took a devastating event for me to realize work-related phone calls, emails, and texts could and should wait. I have hugged and kissed my kids more than ever since December 14, and have relished the time I spend with them more so than usual. I’m lucky. There are parents all over our world who are not so lucky. As cliché as it may sound, I have taken count of my blessings: their names are Gregory and Christopher. In the wake of this, and other horrific events around the world, we must make changes with the future generation in mind. Otherwise, no lesson will have been learned, and the mistakes we have made with our inaction are sure to repeat themselves.

And now, let's move forward.

As many of you know, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2013, Emerald, was announced recently. Depending on who you ask, people either love it, or are disappointed by the choice. Both Bill of Avente Tile, and I like the choice so much that we dedicated a Pinterest board to it: Color of the Year: Emerald. Not only does the board include a variety of emerald-toned objects and settings, but it also includes thematic and intricately patterned cement and ceramic tiles.

Avente's Pinterest pinboard celebrating Pantone's Color of the Year, Emerald.

During our daily interactions, we discussed including pinboards in each Avente Tile enewsletter, Avente Tile Talk. Of course, as a Pinterest-addict myself, I can’t wait to see what new boards and concepts we come up with! Have you seen Avente’s pinboards? If you haven’t, then you’re really missing out on some serious eye candy! Here are some great examples of how tile, the color of the year, and design go hand-in-hand!

Geometric Geo 10 Handmade Cement Tile

Portuguese Braganza Green Hand-Painted Ceramic Tile

Textured Circular Handmade Cement Tile

Traditional Handmade Constanza Cement Tile

Traditional Constanza Handmade Cement Tile

That being said, I wish nothing but happiness, health, and wisdom to all of you for 2013! May your dreams be achieved, may your home always be warm and comforting, and may you always be embraced by the love of family and friends.

Project Pick: Custom Cement Tile Design Adds The Right Touch

This month's Project Pick is from Mark and Erin C. from central New York and features custom designed cement tiles by Avente for their recent kitchen remodel. Avente thanks them for sharing these photos of their remodeled kitchen. Great job!

Mark and Erin were considering different designs options and found the tile they loved when leafing through the pages of a design magazine, Traditional Home. There was a problem though. They discovered the cement tiles they loved were reclaimed 19th century tiles. They wouldn't be picking up a box of these tiles at Lowe's.

Mark called to discuss what he wanted and Avente explained the different options. After looking through our extensive pattern library and existing cement tile molds, we had no exact match on the pattern or mold. If they wanted this exact design, Avente would need to design the pattern and create a mold for the cement tile. The process requires additional cost and time. They wisely considered some of our existing patterns that allow for easy color substitution from the existing color palette. None of them quite worked.

"It was a tough pill to swallow, spending the money for custom tiles, but the end result and focal point of our vision will never be regretted. Worth every penny to get it right!"
- Mark C.

Mark and Erin knew what they wanted and partnered with Avente to develop the pattern while they finalized the colors. Their unique design was manufactured to their exact specifications.

Do you want to understand how Mark and Erin worked with Avente to create their very own Fleur-de-Lis Pattern and Tile? See what inspired them, understand the design process, and see more photos of their stunning kitchen! Read our latest Cement Tile Design Idea, " Custom Cement Tile Design Adds Personalized Touch. "

Learn How Custom Cement Tiles
add a Personalized Touch in your Home!

Pinterest logo

Pinterest: Celebrating the New Year with Color, Style

A new year brings a fresh beginning, allowing us an opportunity to set new personal and professional goals and to start planning projects! We wish you a great 2013! May it be filled with good health, family, friends and spending time on what you enjoy most! Approach each resolution with a clean slate that the new year brings!

For the past 13 years, designers, decorators, and fashionista have looked forward to seeing which trend-setting color the experts at Pantone have chosen. This year, it's Emerald Green (PANTONE 17-5641). Since 2000, when Cerulean was the chosen shade, Pantone's color of the year has continued to influence paint palettes, fashion, home design, product packaging, and so many other industries. In choosing Emerald Green, Pantone said it is "A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."

In honor of the Color of the Year, we've selected a sampling of ceramic and cement tiles that would fit in perfectly with your current or upcoming projects!

Traditional Constanza Handmade Cement Tile

Constanza Cement Tile

Dark Green Ceramic Tile

Geo 10 Cement Tile

Best Wishes for 2013!

May the New Year bring you joy and fulfillment, and the constant warmth of being surrounded by friends and family! All of us at Avente Tile wish you a happy and healthy New Year.

Celtic Botticino Moorish Star Handmade Ceramic Tile

Our Celtic ceramic relief tile simulates the look of hand-carved antique stone.

Before we get too far into the new year, I want to share our most popular selling tiles of 2012. For the first time in three years, a white tile was not our top seller! In fact, you won't see a white tile until position #8. In 2012, our top selling tile was a Heritage Olive Green cement tile in a 14" x 14" format - the largest format available in cement tile. So without further ado, here's Avente Tile's Top Selling Tiles of 2012!

Heritage Olive Green 14" x 14" Solid Color Cement Tile (Polished Finish)

For your trend-spotters, there's something to be said about large format tiles and Pantone's color pick for 2013, Emerald Green.
Traditional Anillos Cement Tile 8" x 8" (Polished Finish)
Classic Athens A - 8" x 8" Cement Tile
Traditional Bayahibe 8" x 8" Cement Tile (Polished Finish)
Note: This tile ranked #5 in 2012
Cuban Heritage Design 230 3A - 8" x 8" Cement Tile
Cuban Heritage Design 140 1A - 8" x 8" Cement Tile
Portuguese Ruan - 6" x 6" Ceramic Tile
Classic Solid Color White 8" x 8" Cement Tile
Traditional Bayahibe 8" x 8" Cement Tile (Raw Finish)
Note: This tile ranked #5 in 2012 & takes 2 positions this year.
Classic Cluny - C 8" x 8" Cement Tile
Geometric Pattern #09 8" x 8" Cement Tile
Geometric Pattern #10 8" x 8" Cement Tile
Note: A tie for #12 (same pattern, different colorway)

Cement Tiles Remain Popular

As you can see, cement tiles continue to remain very popular and dominate this year's list. Cement tile's popularity continues to grow for several reasons:

Cement tiles provide stunning designs with straight-forward installation and minimal maintenance.
Existing patterns can be easily customized with a myriad of colors.
New patterns can be created and customized for minimal costs.

For these reasons, I expect cement tiles to remain popular among homeowners, designers, and architects.

Nevertheless, our timeless ceramic tile patterns are not to be outdone! At least one choice from our Portuguese, Spanish or Antigua Colonial lines makes an appearance in each year's list. This year wasn't any different.

Top Selling Tiles from Previous Years

If you liked this post, you might enjoy seeing what tiles have been top sellers in previous years.

I always enjoy re-discovering what tiles were the top sellers. Do you have a favorite cement tile or hand painted ceramic tile? Let us know by adding your comment below.

— Written by Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

Meet Mark & Erin C from central New York and their recently remodeled kitchen. What a great space and design!

Mark and Erin's Kitchen After Remodeling

They have been on quite a journey to get here. It's hard to believe, especially when you see where they started. Here's Mark and Erin's kitchen before remodeling.

Mark and Erin's Kitchen Before Remodeling

It was due for a little updating, wouldn't you say?

I was fortunate to join them on a small part of this journey. I had the pleasure to work with Mark. Avente provided both the design services and ultimately created the custom cement tile you see here!

Mark and Erin's Custom Cement Tile Design created by Avente Tile

Serendipity can be a wonderful thing. Mark kindly shared all of the photos of their kitchen you see here. He also provided a great summary of how they decided on this tile design, the decisions he and Erin struggled with to make, and the custom design process of cement tiles. It's a great story and thank you, Mark, for allowing me to share it with our readers today.

I asked Mark, "How did you find this cement tile pattern, and why did you decide to work with Avente?" Here's his reply.

Finding the Right Tile

We explored different avenues locally and online. We basically worked with the design we saw in a design-oriented magazine, Traditional Home. My wife saw it in a featured home's kitchen and said, "I want this!"

Reclaimed Cement Tile featured in Traditional Home provide inspiration

This clipping from Traditional Home magazine featured reclaimed cement tile and was the inspiration for Mark and Erin's design.

As with many design magazines, they list the designer or manufacturer of the elements in the room being featured. Of course, the cement tiles we loved, were reclaimed 19th century tiles. Not like they were still in production. We investigated local options to no avail. Online searches led us to several different sources. Some were simply vendors of reclaimed tile, flavor of the week, and when they're gone, they're gone. Some had designs that were close, but just didn't offer exactly what we wanted. Some would replicate the design by simply transferring our design onto porcelain tile. The cost was excessive and in our mind, the integrity of the product, structurally and philosophically, would forever remain suspect. A cop out, if you will.

Ultimately, we found Avente Tile. Avente's tile's were delightful and flexible, while maintaining an integrity beneath the face of the tile. They offered similar designs with color customization options. I called and spoke with you. After deciding the cement tiles would offer the hardy, stout, handmade look we desired, we focused on the design itself. The Traditional Bayahibe pattern was so close to what we had in mind that we decided to try to make it work. We ordered the Heritage Color Chip Set and chose our colors. It was a more expensive option. Once I'd crossed THAT threshold, I made the executive decision to just go for it and have custom tiles made. We would focus on doing it right, getting exactly what we wanted. No compromises.

Mark and Erin's Remodeled Kitchen featuring Avente's Cement Tile

It was a tough pill to swallow, spending the money for custom tiles, but the end result and focal point of our vision will never be regretted. Worth every penny to get it right!

I spoke with you frequently and the process took flight. I'd say it was three months total. From the time we said "yes," it took almost the exact time frame as predicted. It tool a week or two for the design and coloration, probably four weeks until we had a hard sample, and four to six weeks until they were delivered. There were no mysteries or overages involved in the cost. Your estimate was correct, to the penny.

Our contractor raised an eyebrow when he saw them, but by the end of the installation, he was a believer. The proof is in the finished product. There is an ultimate satisfaction in knowing these tiles are handmade, just for us, to our specifications. They incorporated so well with he preexisting brick, it's like it was meant to be.

Seeing the smile on my wife's face when she says "I LOVE my new kitchen," is priceless. Don't regret it for a second.

It's been great fun, and being featured is a nice compliment.

Thanks for your participation and guidance!

I'm so glad I could help, Mark and Erin. Custom jobs are always fun. This job went smoothly because you both had realistic expectations and a clear sense of what you wanted. It was a joy working with you and nothing makes me happier than knowing you will be enjoying the tiles and your new kitchen. Great job!

Great Choices Make a Great Kitchen

Smart choices in appliances making cooking and clean-up easy and fast. Combine that with stylish surface coverings and the kitchen can easily be your favorite room and cooking becomes a joy. The kitchen can be the place to entertain guests and relax after a long week at work. Here's Mark & Erin's choices for making a kitchen great!

The cabinets are by Medallion. The style is Rushmore in maple wood with a ginger snap finish and paired with handmade pulls by Artesano Iron Works. Nice touch!

For the appliances, they decided on a Thermador 36" Professional Series Convection Gas Range with a custom vent hood by Faber. A Thermador microwave and a Thermador Emerald Series Dishwasher with matching cabinet facing provides good looks with function.

The countertops are "black titanium" granite. The flooring is Vallano in caramel. It's a porcelain tile with the look of lightly weathered stone.

Mark points out that, "Of course, the star attraction... custom cement tiles by Avente Tile for our backsplash." And, how could I possibly disagree?

Cement Tile Projects from Avente Customers

If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy these Tile Talk articles that show how Avente customer's have used cement tiles in their homes. These posts will show you how cement tile can be used on floors and kitchen backsplashes. You'll also discover the decisions, trials and tribulations that each customer experienced as part of the project. I thank these customers for taking time to share these tips and ideas.

Ceramic Tile Projects from Avente Customers

Our customers have also used our hand-painted ceramic tiles to add style and a personal touch to their home. Here are a few posts devoted to tile floor accents and kitchen backsplashes using our hand-painted ceramic tiles.

What pattern and colors would you choose for a custom cement tile? Where would you use the cement tile, on the floor, or for a backsplash? In three weeks, I'll explore the custom cement tile design process in detail. You'll see examples of pattern development, color choice, and the manufacturing steps from Erin and Mark's design.

Recently I had the pleasure of traveling to Cologne, Germany as part of BlogTour Cologne and while I was there I visited The Cologne Cathedral.

Kölner Dom

First I think I should give you a little background on The Dom ( Kölner Dom, also The Cologne Cathedral) as it was started in 1248 and completed in 1880 so the next time your contractor says it's going to take a bit longer to finish your project, think of this one. In all fairness there was a long period of time when not much was done from 1473 -1842.

The structure is totally incredible to see in person and can be seen from all over Cologne as the spires rise up 515 feet in the air. When I was walking around one day I actually used the spires to redirect me back to where I wanted to go.

If you look in the above photo to the spires at the top, they of course must be large but in fact this is an actual reproduction of one in front of The Dom. It is massive!

So this gives you a very small perspective but I hope that it helps you understand the undertaking and efforts that went into constructing this incredible structure. Everything about this building was done with grandeur, style and greatness.

Looking up at The Cologne Cathedral

Now while there I also had the opportunity to view some amazing mosaic work that if you didn't look closely could assume was a painting or even a rug. Yet that would be incorrect. These mosaics are incredibly complicated and detailed with thousands of pieces that comprise each one.

Mosaics from the Cologne Cathedral

The detail is incredible

Can you imagine the time and skill that was used to make these mosaics?

Look at this closely and you'll see that various tiles are used for the shading.

If you didn't know better you might assume this was even a rug by the detail.

Mosaics at The Dom, The Cologne Cathedral

Take a close look at the number of pieces in this mosaic and try imagining doing it.

I went back to The Dom twice during my trip and each time I saw something I had missed earlier. I tried to take as many photos as I could because they deserved to be seen by others that aren't yet able to view them in person.

As you have seen the mosaic work that was done was and is after all these years outstandingly detailed and true works of art. Now add to the fact that on average over 20,000 visitors a day walk through The Cologne Cathedral is a testament to the lasting value of tile and quality workmanship.

PS: If you ever get a chance to be in Cologne, Germany you will never regret stopping and visiting The Dom. That I guarantee!

Surfaces, the largest U.S. event serving the floor covering industry, once again brought together buyers and sellers from around the world to see the latest floor covering products, tools, services and technologies. The event, held January 28-31 in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, was co-located with StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas.

Surfaces | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas was held January 28-31 in Las Vegas

Thousands of floor covering retailers, distributors, installers, architects, designers and builders from around the world convened on the show floor to see the latest product offerings from more than 600 exhibitors in various categories, including tile and stone, while gaining vital education, and most importantly, networking with other floor covering professionals.

Here’s a glimpse of what new tile and stone products enjoyed the most visibility by the show’s visitors.

ARTO Brick and California Pavers, a company based in Gardena, CA, is a manufacturer of rustic, sustainable, concrete, clay, tiles, brick veneer, precast, and pavers. After years of interacting with each other over Twitter, it was truly delightful to finally met Armen Alajian of ARTO. The company practices good stewardship (recycled content, reduced packaging, locally sourced materials), while producing eye-catching tile designs. Here are a few of my favorites:

ARTO Brick's Mondrian tile design

ARTO Brick's Griffith tile design

ARTO Brick's new dimensional wall tile design

Also catching my eye was a new collection by Mediterranea called “Juliet’s Courtyard,” named after the Shakespearean lovers of Verona, Romeo and Juliet. The collection features a rich assortment of stones of various sizes and colors – all perfectly designed to blend together into a timeless look. Inspired by the classic treasured travertine tones and colors of Tuscany, the Juliet’s Courtyard collection utilizes Dynamic HD Imaging™ technology to create a stunningly vintage look in a product manufactured to the highest technical specifications.

The collection is available in two colors – “Juliet’s Blend” – a perfect mixture of light soothing earth tones and natural hues – and “Romeo’s Blend” – a rich and bold fusion of darker tones with traces of gold and rust shading. Juliet’s Courtyard is unique in that it utilizes four fully modular sizes – 12”x24”, 12”x12”, 18”x18” and 6”x6”. This allows the individual tiles to be installed in an array of patterns and combinations – giving designers limitless possibilities when crafting flooring concepts worthy of Shakespeare’s literary masterpiece.

Mediterranea's new tile collection: Juliet’s Blend

Mediterranea's new tile collection: Juliet’s Courtyard

Crossville Inc.’s Laminam collection gained a new series with the addition of Filo, a uniquely textured, metallic-finish line of large format porcelain panels ideal for skinning interior vertical surfaces in commercial settings.

Filo comes in eight colors – Brina, Mercurio, Pece, Rame, Oro, Argento, Ghisa and Bronzo – each featuring metallic effects and a texturized surface that adds dimension and subtle sparkle. The overall look is modern and glamorous—ideal for use in hotels, restaurants, spas, salons, retail and other contract design environments.

Crossville's latest addition to the Laminam collection, Filo

Crossville's latest addition to its Laminam collection, Filo.

Dimensions of all Laminam by Crossville panel sizes are 1m x 3m (nominal size 3’4”x10’) with 3mm thickness. The generous outer dimensions coupled with the extremely lean profile make these panels versatile for an array of uses and light enough for ease of installation. The durable porcelain body reinforced with a fiberglass mesh backing creates a surface skin that can be installed over most structurally sound substrates, including existing tile or painted walls.

Finally, in celebration of the 10th year of its SpectraLock Grout product, Laticrete conducted an in-booth promotion where the works of extremely talented mosaic artists were displayed. The mosaic art gallery featured unique, museum-quality creations using Laticrete’s SpectraLock Grout Dazzle. The epoxy grout features a unique design component that adds metallic and "glow-in-the-dark" enhancements to the SpectraLock product. “Dazzle was used in all of these creations," said Ryan Blair, Laticrete Channel Manager. "We’ve also unveiled several new Dazzle colors here at Surfaces, as well."

Laticrete’s Vegas sign using SpectraLock Grout Dazzle and mosaic tile

Laticrete’s Las Vegas sign combines SpectraLock Grout Dazzle with mosaic tile artistry.

Lastly, you can chalk one more item to the good news column. Surfaces | StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas will be co-located with International Builders’ Show (IBS) and Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in 2015! According to my informal poll on the show floor, all responses indicated an overwhelmingly positive outlook for the 2015 event. What do you think of this one-stop show? Do you think it will help overall attendance for all the co-located shows? Will it be information and product overload? I would love to hear your comments!

Project Pick:
Moroccan Inspired Cement Tile Floor

This month's project pick includes a tile pattern whose name conjures both a romantic and exotic locale and the setting for a 1942 American romantic film classic, Casablanca. A perfect choice for Valentine's Day! The patterned cement tile, Casablanca, in this bedroom takes its cues from the Moroccan tradition of zellij tile design. The bright jewel tones, especially the blue, and small, intricate geometric lattice pattern, are details found in zellij tile and the inspiration for this pattern. The Casablanca rug pattern is available in the standard 8" square format with a less-common 4"x8" border and 4"x4" corner to create a classic rug design.

Cement Tile and Moroccan Tile

Zellij is the art of hand-cut geometric mosaic design. Both decorative and elegant, zellij tile is noted for its rich colors and pattern. It is one of the highest forms of artistic expression in Moroccan culture and the Islamic world. Its repetitive mathematical patterns carry artistic, religious and scientific meaning.

Morocccan Zellij tile
Image credit: Morocco Travel Blog

The saturated blue, bright yellows, and deep greens in the Heritage Color Palette are great choices for emulating Moroccan zellij tile colors. The zellij tile shown here has cobalt blue, emerald green and bright yellow - colors that became popular in the 17th with zellij mosaics.

Traditional Casablanca Cement Tile

Colors Used in This Cement Tile Pattern

The colors used in The Casablanca pattern are listed below. You can use this colorway or easily customize the colors shown in the pattern below with any Heritage Color.

Solid Color Cement Tiles & Tile Rug Design

Because they are hand-crafted, plain cement tiles in a single, solid color have a slight variation in shade that adds subtle sophistication. The plain cement tiles around the rug are often referred to as "fill tile" because they are used to fill the area around the border and rug. To make a room "pop," consider a bright, bold color like the blue used in this design. In this case, the blue is also thematic; it represents the gem tones one might find in a zellij mosaic. And, if you decide to create a cement tile rug, start with a scaled drawing and by reading our Tips for a Creating a Great Cement Tile Rug Design.

Tips for a Creating a Great Cement Tile Rug

Celebrating Love With Valentine's Day

When you fish for love, bait with your heart, not your brain -- Mark Twain

Saint Valentine's Day, now known as Valentine's Day, is observed on February 14 each year in many countries around the world. The liturgical celebration was named after an early Christian saint named Valentinus. The story goes that Saint Valentine was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry, and for ministering to Christians who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. It was during his imprisonment that Saint Valentine healed the daughter of his jailer, Asterius. According to legend, before St. Valentine was executed, he had written "from your Valentine" as a farewell to the jailer's daughter.

Forward now several centuries later where Saint Valentine s became associated with romantic love thanks to author and poet Geoffrey Chaucer (late 1300s). By the 15th century, Saint Valentine's Day had evolved into an occasion where lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering candies/chocolates, and sending greeting cards (known as "Valentines").

Today, the symbols of Valentine's Day are represented by heart-shaped outlines, doves, the color red, and of course our favorite cherub, Cupid.

In honor of Valentine's Day, we've selected a sampling of ceramic and cement tiles that would fit in perfectly with your current or upcoming projects!

Cuban Heritage Design 260 1A Handmade Cement Tile

Textured Cuadros 16 Handmade Cement Tile

Classic Chantilly-A Handmade Cement Tile

This month we're featuring "Bird of My Heart" as a sweetheart deal for tile lovers. Save 10% on "Bird of My Heart" through February 28. Created by an artisan that isn't afraid to use a bright, beautiful palette in her glazes and themes inspired from nature. Get acquainted with the complete line of Eartha tiles! They all boast of rich colors completed with intricate relief designs. Eartha tiles are great gift ideas and your sweetheart will be sure to remember your artistic thoughtfulness! Remember, these tiles are handmade, one-at-a-time. No two are exactly alike.
To receive 10% off, call us at 888.739.4972 and mention the Valentine's special!

It’s been an exciting year so far at Avente Tile. We have worked on several commercial projects, a historic renovation, and shipped lots of samples. Thank you to our many customers who have picked some unique tiles and been patient with us. I always like to share photos of the samples. It provides customers with a better idea of what the cement tiles look like right out of the box. Furthermore, it helps show the tile in a different light compared to the product catalog images. Here's some of the sample cement tiles and colors that we have shipped so far.

You'll remember this tile from last month's blog post. Mark and Erin C. from central New York showed us how Finding the Right Cement Tile Adds a Personalized Touch to their kitchen. Here's some photos of sample stock before we shipped it to a customer.

From the Traditional Series of Cement Tile

Artist Series Fleur-de-Lis in Clover Polished 8" x 8" Cement Tile

I love the simple elegance in this pattern and the bright, warm yellow border. Wouldn't it be great for a sunny breakfast patio?

Traditional Santurce Cement Tile 8" x 8"

From the Artist Series of Cement Tile

I love these muted colors in the bold print. What I find extraordinary with this pattern is the way the cement tile appears to be layered. This unique series of cement tiles is created by artists from the Dominican Republic. It showcases their skills, while elevating cement tile to a functional art form. A portion of each sale supports charities that promote art in the artists' home country.

Traditional Joery Santos Cement Tile 8" x 8"

What do you think of these patterns? Would you considering using any of these cement tile patterns in your home? Let us know what you are thinking.

Cement tiles are handmade. It’s an amazing process that is extremely labor intensive and one that takes time. A manufactured tile can’t provide the same natural variation like the hand of a tile artisan. That is why prices for handmade cement tile start at $9/SF for plain unpolished tile in an 8"x8" format. Patterned tile generally start at about $12/SF to $15/SF and can reach $20/SF for 8"x8" tiles. If you've got some flexibility with your design and color choices, then here’s five ways to get more cement tile for less.

Tip #1
Use existing patterns in standard colorways.

Use existing patterns in standard colorways or in-stock tiles.Cement tile offers the creative homeowner, designer or architect the ability to create custom patterns in specific colorways. This benefit comes at a cost because new molds, custom colors, virtual designs and strike-off samples are required to create the tiles and confirm the look prior to a full-order. Leverage your buying dollar by working with existing patterns and colorways, or choose from in-stock tiles. You’ll still get a great looking installation; but, you’ll avoid the time and costs of customization.

Cuban Tiles, like those shown here, are stocked.

Tip #2
Use only plain tiles.

Use only plain tiles or solid color tiles that don't have a pattern. Cement tiles in single colors make great flooring designs while providing a rustic fluidity because of the inherit variation in color.

Plain Cement Tiles Create a Stunning Floor and are Less Expensive than Patterned Cement Tiles

For a bold look, you can also use contrasting alternating colors to create a checkerboard pattern.

Plain Cement Tiles in Bold, Contrasting Colors placed in a Checkerboard Pattern Grab Your Attention

Or, choose plain tiles in two or three colors to create a rug design for a room. Consider using a different format for the rug border. For instance, use black 8”x8” tiles for a rug in the center of the room, frame the rug with 4”x8” grey tiles, and fill the area outside the border with 8”x8” white tiles.

Tip #3
Limit the use of patterned tile.

Minimize the quantity of patterned tile required and you can save a bundle - especially on large flooring projects. A tile with a complex pattern or a lot of colors takes longer to make and will have a higher rejection rate. Here's a few great ways to enjoy these tiles and still meet your budget. Make a rug with plain tiles framed in a patterned border tile. Framing a solid color field tile with a decorative border is a great way to use cement tiles. This keeps the design simple but not overpowering. You should consider using plain cement tiles or solid color tiles if you are timid about using the colorful stylistic designs found in many cement tile patterns.

Framing plain tile with a decorative border is a great way to use cement tiles.

Framing plain cement tile with a decorative border is a great way to use cement tiles.

Or, create medallions or groupings of four patterned tiles separated by a "grid" or row of solid color tiles. You can reduce the tile cost by 25- to 75-percent when compared to a floor that uses all patterned tiles.

Break-up cement tile patterns and create medallions or groupings of four patterned tiles separated by a 'grid' or row of plain tiles.

Patterned cement tile can be grouped into medallions and separated by a "grid" or row of plain cement tiles.

Tip #4
Use large format tiles

Use the largest format or size available to save both manufacturing and installation costs. Generally speaking, a large tile size or format will be much less expensive to manufacture and install than a smaller size format. This is a great choice when using plain cement tiles because you save costs by simply choosing a larger format. We can provide cement tiles up to 14”x14”. You can save 40% by using 12”x12” tiles instead of 4”x4” tiles.

	Tile Cost (Unpolished)	Tiles 100 SF	Cost 100 SF
4”x4”	$1.29	930	$1,200
8”x8”	$3.89	230	$900
12”x12”	$7.20	100	$720

Tip #5
Avoid dark blue & green colors.

If you can, avoid dark blue and green colors in your pattern or plain cement tiles. Cement tiles are colored with natural pigments. Red, brown and yellow are generally created by adding iron and iron oxide compounds that are abundant and inexpensive. Dark green and blue colors are created with cobalt compounds. Cobalt is the reason these colors will cost more. The saturated blue and deep green colors can add 20% to the cost of the tile.

The deep, saturated blue in this tile makes it beautiful and more expensive.

The deep, saturated indigo and sky blue in this tile makes it beautiful and more expensive.

These tips are guaranteed to reduce the costs per square foot of any cement tile project. If you are flexible with your design and colors, these tips will allow you to get more cement tile bang for your buck!

Tell us what you think. Would you consider implementing any of these tips on your cement tile project? Do you have a money-saving tip you’d like to share? Or, do you have a question about cement tile that you’d like answered – share it here!

Los Angeles is a place where California history is still held sacred. Amongst the downtown skyscrapers and recently built Civic Center facilities, such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by architect Frank Gehry, you’ll find everything from Olvera Street (the birthplace of the city of Los Angeles, which started as Pueblo de La Reina De Los Angeles in 1781), to Union Station (built in 1939 in a modern, Art Deco, Mission/Spanish Revival architectural style), and everything in between.

Founder Arto Alajian's signature in clay

Arto Alajian's signature on brick is proudly displayed at the ARTO's Brick and California Paver factory in Gardena, CA.

With history on their minds, I, as well as several architects and design professionals, recently toured the ARTO Brick and California Pavers factory complex in Gardena, CA. Along with the tour, an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education Course, “The Beautiful Face of Concrete: Using Precast Tile, Pavers, and Wall Veneer for Historic Restoration and Renovation,” was offered.

The Company

ARTO Brick, which has been in operation since 1966, was founded by the company’s Armenian namesake, Arto Alajian. In his birthplace of Egypt, Arto got his start in the business world by helping his father as a shoe cobbler. Later, when the family moved to Lebanon, Arto continued honing his artistic talents with various mediums, including installation of tiles. Shortly after his arrival in the U.S., Arto found his calling producing a lightweight, thin brick veneer.

ARTO's Antik tumbled brick veneer. Photo courtesy of ARTO.

Since the company’s inception, the product line has expanded to include the manufacturing of concrete and clay tiles, ceramic tiles, rustic pavers, brick veneers, pool coping, wall caps, pier caps, fountains, moldings, and balusters.

Forward now to more than 45 years later, and you’ll find unwavering commitment to craftsmanship within the inner workings of this Los Angeles gem.

Together with its ARTO Tile Studio, and the recently bought Western Quarry divisions, ARTO Brick has garnered a reputation for quality, good stewardship, and an environment where a family-like relationship is nurtured amongst the owners, their employees, the company’s dealers/retailers/distributors, as well as their customers, and those who look to ARTO for their expertise, such as architects, designers, and specifiers.

The Tile Art Studio

ARTO’s Tile Studio is “a division of the ARTO Family of companies who are dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the Old World craftsmanship distinguished by the rich tradition of California tile making and decoration which was perfected by both Malibu and Catalina Potteries in the early part of the 20th century,” the company says. It’s by adhering to these time-tested traditions that ARTO continues its growth, which has necessitated the expansion of its Gardena location.

Now, let’s take a look at what defines hand-crafted, hand-painted tiles by examining the process of silk-screening to glazing.

The Process: Cuerda Seca

The method of Silk Screening transfers an outlined image onto the tile. This process creates “a pattern and guide which our artisans use during the glaze application. This outline image acts a resist barrier known as Cuerda Seca," ARTO notes. In short, this barrier prevents various glaze colors that are used on the same tile from blending together during the kiln firing process.

Silk-screening transfers an outlined image onto the tiles. The outlined image now acts as barrier known as Cuerda Seca.

These silk-screened, or stenciled, tiles are now ready to go into the glazing room where they will be handled by tile artisans.

From the silk-screening area, the tiles are then sent to the skilled artisans where each piece is carefully glazed by hand, piece by piece. Through their expertise, these artisans take precision to a new level by not allowing any color to cross the barrier of the Cuerda Seca. It isn't until after the tiles are fired where their true beauty is revealed.

These Cuerda Seca tiles have been hand-glazed, one-by-one, by the artisans at ARTO.

Using a bulb for delivering the proprietary mix of colors and components needed for each pigment, these tile artisans hand-glaze each piece with ease and perfection using the Cuerda Seca technique.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the first part of my profile on ARTO. In my next couple of posts, I’ll be digging deeper into the inner workings of ARTO’s manufacturing process of cement tiles, brick pavers, and more.

Would you agree that seeing a creative process, such as handcrafted tiles, gives someone a deeper appreciation of the time and expertise involved in producing one tile? Which creative processes would you like to see featured in future posts?

Editor's Note: If you enjoyed this post on the Cuerda Seca tile making process, you might also enjoy these posts that explain other tile making processes.

As the founder and owner of Avente Tile, I take great pride in offering each of my clients a diverse and unique professional experience. Since it's inception in 2003, Avente Tile's online tile showroom has sold hand-painted ceramic tile, handmade cement tile, and artisan tiles through various channels of the internet, including our website, this blog, Facebook, Twitter, Houzz, guest posts, and most importantly, word of mouth and repeat business.

So imagine my excitement when I was selected to participate as a panelist in an educational session for tile and stone professionals, Selling Tile: The Internet, the Industry & the Consumer, during Coverings 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. The interactive panel discussion, scheduled for May 1 at 3:15 PM, is designed to show how the internet is influencing the sale of tile to the consumer. From strict sale policies, to reduced prices and no sales tax, the internet has created a new frontier for the industry to navigate.

At Coverings 2012, Bill Buyok shares tips on How a Social Media Presence Improves Retail Sales

I’m honored to share the unique perspectives and practices that can lead others to success when it comes to creating a brand and online presence. I started Avente Tile as an online tile showroom and catalog - to make hand-painted ceramic tiles and cement tiles broadly available for others who share the same passion. The internet excels at bringing unusual and divergent communities together. From the day I started the company, I’ve found acceptance and demand for this niche product.

Further, I’ll be sharing the discussion floor with three additional panelists. The discussion will be led by Christine Whittemore of Simple Marketing Now. Christine encourages the use of content marketing including blogs and other inbound digital marketing and social media to add value to your company and message. I met Christine at a Coverings tweet-up almost four years ago. I’ll focus on the virtual showroom perspective and provide tips for more effective web sites and how to determine if an online catalog or e-commerce solution might be right for you. I'll also discuss how Social Media and blogging can save you time and may help bring customers to your virtual or brick-and-mortar store.

Additionally, I am honored to share the stage with two panelists, who are also from Southern California. Steve Slutzah, President/CEO, of Westside Tile and Stone, Inc. in Canoga Park, CA, and Beverly Hills, CA. Westside Tile and Stone is one of the premier tile stores in Southern California. I met Steve several years ago while attending an educational session at Coverings. Also on the panel is Tom Carr of Pan American Ceramics, Inc., who'll represent the distributor perspective. Pan American Ceramics, Inc. is an importer, exporter and distributor of ceramic and porcelain floor, wall and counter tiles, as well as glass and stone mosaics. Rounding out the list is Dave Milanowycz, Director of Sales for Independent Distribution for Florida Tile. Dave will share some of the unique challenges, benefits and insight that the internet poses to the manufacturer, distributor, and retail chain.

Last year, during Coverings 2012, I gave a short, informal presentation and shared tips on How a Social Media Presence Improves Retail Sales. It was a great opportunity to provide insight and hear the struggles that folks face everyday. I've been attending Coverings for over a decade now. It's a yearly pilgrimage for me, and it's the one trade show I never miss. Besides discovering what is new in the world of tile, the event allows me to develop existing relationships, build new ones and gain valuable business insight. If you are a tile and stone professional, it's essential to you and your business to attend Coverings.

I hope to see you at the panel discussion, and I'm eager to have you share your thoughts and insights as well.

Project Pick:
Create a Mosaic with Gourmet Garden Tiles

The green of Saint Paddy's day, springing the clocks forward, and the warmer temperatures have us thinking about Spring and the outdoor garden. Our Gourmet Garden Matte tiles create a classic kitchen theme of fresh-picked fruits and vegetables.

The matte finish works well with tumbled stone, like travertine or marble. The slightly uneven edges create a charming and slightly rustic feel. Each tile is exquisitely hand-painted in relief. The backsplash shown uses 4"x4" tiles in a checkerboard mosaic pattern, and is framed with a charming twig border created by the same artist. Create your own mosaic backsplash by choosing your favorite vegetables or colors!

Pinterest: March Turns Us Green With Envy

Avente Tile's Color of the Year Pinterest Board

"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." -- Pedro Calderon de la Barca

The color green not only symbolizes money (U.S. currency), but it also symbolizes safety, regeneration, and honor, among other things. Did you know:

Green, blue-green, and blue are sacred colors in Iran, where they symbolize paradise.
As the emblematic color of Ireland, green represents the vast green hillsides, as well as the country.s patron saint, St. Patrick.
Green is regarded as the color of eternal life in Japan.
In the Aztec culture, green was considered to be royal because it was also the color of the quetzal plumes used by the Aztec chieftains.
The Chinese believe jade stones represent virtue and beauty.
The Portuguese believe green represents hope because of its association with spring.
In the highlands of Scotland, people wear green as a mark of honor.

So you see, March is not only synonymous with the color green and Spring, but it also represents royalty, virtue, life, and honor, too.

In honor of this wonderful month of March, we've selected a sampling of ceramic and cement tiles that would fit in perfectly with your current or upcoming projects!

Classic Provence Handmade Cement Tile

Mission Espanola Handmade Cement Tile

Yucatan Dark Green Hand Painted Ceramic Tile

Did you know? Go Green with cement tiles!

While we are celebrating the green, did you know that cement tiles are considered a green product?

Cement tiles are completely handmade and never have to
be fired in a kiln, which means that the amount of energy
used in our manufacturing process is very low.
Because no firing is required, no pollution-creating fossil
fuels are used during the tile production phase.
Harmful chemicals that may affect the environment are never used.
Plentiful local materials like sand and aggregate are used to minimize transportation of raw materials.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Handmade products have always intrigued me. I appreciate the time, the effort and the passion that goes into creating something with little or no need for machinery. Our hands have always been our best tools, but when things need to be made in massive amounts, then machinery can play an important role in helping to meet the demands of impeding deadlines.

ARTO's Normandy Cream cement tile combination

ARTO's Normandy Cream cement tile board is getting ready for shipment. There are four textures in this combination: Travertine, Luna, Limestone and Standard (smooth).

Thus, when I recently toured the ARTO Brick and California Pavers factory complex in Gardena, CA, along with several architects and designers, I knew I would be in for a treat. Over the years, I have been on several tile manufacturing tours, but let me stress how excited I am for each and every tour. I’m literally on edge wondering what we’re going to see next. Let me put it to you this way – I’m the main character of the movie “Groundhog Day.” Yes friends, any previous tour I may have participated in gets wiped clean out of my memory! You may be wondering why that happens. “It’s just tile,” I’ve been told. Well, good point. With that theory, you can also say that a Pacer and Ferrari are “just cars,” right? And that’s when the highly animated arguments over engineering and craftsmanship start, and then, it happens. They get what I’m saying. And with that, let’s continue our look at how ARTO delivers on its promise of handmade quality and longevity.

Custom Tile Molds

With the vast majority of raw materials sourced locally, each ARTO product is manufactured with concrete. Concrete’s lifespan can not only be measured in decades, but it can also be measured in centuries. You only need to refer to ancient European ruins to see how the properties of cement tile remain time-tested elements of any structure.

Before the process of tile-making commences, molds must be made. There are several types of molds used at ARTO, including rubber, plastic and metal. Each mold has a specific purpose for the type of tile it will help produces.

For example, rubber molds are first created using carved wooden pieces where the rubber is vacuum-formed over the wood. These rubber molds offer a higher level of detail, flexibility, and they can be used repeatedly.

A humble piece of wood will soon contribute to the tile-making process.

These humble pieces of wood will soon contribute to the handmade tile-making process.

Wooden forms are carved out to the exact specification of the plastic mold that will form the tile.

These shapely tiles are the product of the wooden blocks and the rubber molds they helped create.

The Chemistry Behind the Color

Our next stop on the tour included a peek into the science behind the coloring process of concrete tile. ARTO used the Davis Color Chameleon Liquid Color System for mixing the wide assortment of pigments needed for their concrete tiles. With this system's dded flexibility, they are able to offer dozens of color options for to their clients, including customization services for specific shades. Honestly, the possibilities seem nearly endless!

These massive tanks hold the colors that will be mixed and used for creating the various shades of colors available in ARTO’s cement tile product line.

Lastly, it should be noted that ARTO not only believes in sustainable practices, but they practice what they preach in an energy-efficient facility. For example, the vast majority of raw materials needed to produce their tiles are sourced locally. Also remember that each ARTO product is manufactured with concrete. Concrete’s lifespan can not only be measured in decades, but it can also be measured in centuries.

In my next post, I’ll take you through the handmade tile-making process where you’ll see a dedicated team of well-trained professionals producing ARTO’s masterpieces, one piece at a time.

I know I gain a better appreciation of what goes into producing a handmade piece of tile, including those carried by Avente Tile and their extensive line of Cuban Heritage cement tiles. I'd love to hear your experience with handmade tile! Did you require custom colors, sizes or shapes? Were you pleased with the outcome?

Where to Use Cement Tile Pavers

Rustic Cement Tile Paver Formats

Rustic Cement Tile Paver Colors

Explore our Cement Tile Paver Collection

Project Pick: Durable, Rustic Spanish Pavers Offer Time-Tested Look

Pinterest: Inspiring, Trend-Setting, Project Organizer

Tile Tip

New Arabesque Cement Tiles Bring Spanish Flair to Any Décor

Pinterest: Inspiring, Trend-Setting, Project Organizer

The Preservation of our Tile Heritage

Tile and our Collective History

Tile Identification Services

Project Pick: Custom Cement Tile Design Adds The Right Touch

Pinterest: Celebrating the New Year with Color, Style

Best Wishes for 2013!

May the New Year bring you joy and fulfillment, and the constant warmth of being surrounded by friends and family! All of us at Avente Tile wish you a happy and healthy New Year.

Cement Tiles Remain Popular

Top Selling Tiles from Previous Years

Finding the Right Tile

Great Choices Make a Great Kitchen

Cement Tile Projects from Avente Customers

Ceramic Tile Projects from Avente Customers

Project Pick:Moroccan Inspired Cement Tile Floor

Cement Tile and Moroccan Tile

Colors Used in This Cement Tile Pattern

Solid Color Cement Tiles & Tile Rug Design

Celebrating Love With Valentine's Day

From the Traditional Series of Cement Tile

From the Artist Series of Cement Tile

Tip #1 Use existing patterns in standard colorways.

Tip #2 Use only plain tiles.

Tip #3 Limit the use of patterned tile.

Tip #4 Use large format tiles

Tip #5 Avoid dark blue & green colors.

Project Pick: Create a Mosaic with Gourmet Garden Tiles

Pinterest: March Turns Us Green With Envy

Did you know? Go Green with cement tiles!

Custom Tile Molds

The Chemistry Behind the Color

Project Pick:
Moroccan Inspired Cement Tile Floor

Tip #1
Use existing patterns in standard colorways.

Tip #2
Use only plain tiles.

Tip #3
Limit the use of patterned tile.

Tip #4
Use large format tiles

Tip #5
Avoid dark blue & green colors.

Project Pick:
Create a Mosaic with Gourmet Garden Tiles