Avente Tile Blog

Tom Auer, owner of a landscape architect firm, The Ground Crafter, contacted me the first of the year about using some of our Leaf Imprint tiles for an upcoming trade show exhibit they would be attending. He explained that the tile were to be used on a water feature for an accent. He also let me know that he needed them right away. Unfortunately, we did not have any of the 8"x8" pieces in stock and the smaller 4"x4" format wouldn't work for him.

I always hate to disappoint a customer; but, I also try to provide a realistic delivery window. Handmade products require time and often don't work for projects that are on a tight schedule. If it can't be done, c'est la vie; but, let's look at the options. Avente works closely with its tile artisans and sometimes, we can beat the standard delivery time or find ways to improve delivery with expedited freight or shipping. I told Tom that we might be able to make the tiles and still meet his deadline. Of course, the artisan agreed and the tiles arrived in time for the show. Tom was kind enough to share a few photos of the tile installation and their exhibit space. Here are the results!

Large Leaf Imprint Tiles Accent Water Feature

Our Leaf Imprint tiles are popular kitchen backsplash accents; but, I think this is the first time they have been used as part of a trade show set. I've been to a few trade shows in my day and the exhibit show-stoppers are usually going for "wow" or "big." The Ground Crafter team created the most tranquil, peaceful exhibit space I've seen. I noticed they even included benches and cushions. Smart decision. Not only does it make the space more cozy, but also adds visual value. Seating at any trade show is hard to find. My congratulations for a nice job, Tom! I'm glad we could help with the tiles.

Large Leaf Imprint Tiles Accent Water Feature at Trade Show

The tile's stony matte finish accents natural stone beautifully and you can see that Tom took the same cue. In this installation, the Leaf Imprint tiles take center stage to a backdrop of flagstone and peaceful, flowing water. The look is further enhanced with the use of stained wood frames around the tiles, which really makes them pop. A similar "picture frame" effect can be achieved with ceramic tile molding in wood tones. The variation found in each hand-painted tile mimics nature in that no two hand-colored leaves are exactly the same.

Large Pressed Leaf Tiles

Pressed with real leaves, these decorative hand-painted 8"x8" tiles include a Maple Leaf, Ash Leaf and Ginkgo Leaf design. Tom chose one of each design in the 8"x8" format to create a triptych that has perfect balance.

Maple Leaf Imprint Tile (8"x8")

Ash Leaf Imprint Tile (8"x8")

Ginkgo Leaf Imprint Tile (8"x8")

Thanks to The Ground Crafter

Thanks again to Tom and his crew for sharing sharing how they used our tiles in a unique installation. The Ground Crafter is an expert team of designers, landscapers, carpenters, masons and gardeners. They have skills for advanced landscaping projects, including both code-compliant electrical and plumbing work. The company's mission is to create healthy, beautiful environments that enhance the quality of life. If you are in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area and in need of landscape design, stop by and see Tom and the team. They are located at 1409 W. Wanda Ave.

Are you looking for further inspiration with hand-painted decorative tiles? Then visit our Ceramic Tile Design Ideas portfolio for detailed installation photos and concepts.

Ceramic Tile Projects from Avente Customers

If you enjoyed this article, then you might enjoy these Tile Talk articles that show how Avente customer's have used our hand-painted tiles in their homes. Our customers have also used 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.

NOTE: Images of the above trade show water feature are courtesy of Tom Auer, owner of the landscape architecture firm, The Ground Crafter.

Pinterest has grown into a social media phenomenon that inspires people, projects and most importantly for business, verified revenue through purchases, as well as increased website and blog traffic.

Through increased exposure via Pinterest, designers, architects, stone and tile businesses, retailers and distributors are allowed access to millions of inspiring projects and settings they would never have seen before unless they conducted specific searches.

Still not convinced of Pinterest’s prowess? Then take note of these two recent Pinterest-inspired events:

Car manufacturer Buick put a social network spin on its 2013 Encore luxury car by reinventing its interiors and exteriors based on a Pinterest board.
A couple of weeks ago, Daltile had asked their Facebook users if any of them had switched over to the new format. I left a comment and thought nothing of it, until they responded by asking me what I would like to see on their boards. Whoa. A major corporation asking me for my opinion? I commend them for not only asking and responding, but for taking action! Here’s the conversation that took place and the result of it.

Daltile responds to its Facebook fans' request

Daltile used Facebook to develop a new Pinboard by engaging with its fans.

Therefore, it shouldn't be surprising that Coverings, always a step ahead of other industry-related shows, took the power of Pinterest and literally ran with it! You see, Pinterest is not just for recipes or beautiful settings, fashion trends, and so forth. It’s a business tool that brings attention to what a business offers, the company’s personality, its philosophy, and its interests. Basically, it humanizes entities and people alike. And that, my friends, is the secret to Pinterest’s success!

Of course, it was only natural that Coverings picked up on this growing trend and took it to a new level by hosting a Pinterest contest, as well as including this hot topic into its comprehensive list of educational sessions, and all for no charge. The rules of this contest were simple.

First, you had to have a Pinterest account for yourself. Then you had to follow Coverings’ pinboards. Once you were setup, and let Coverings know you were interested in the contest, they would start a pinboard in your name where you were encouraged to collect pin-worthy images of tile and stone products, installations, and materials. All they asked in return? “Promote your Coverings board to your friends and followers through your own social channels. In order to preserve copyright and trademark integrity, please pin only photos that can be attributed properly.” But how do you know what’s copyrighted or trademarked? Well, that’s where this panel discussion’s importance comes into light.

Finally, the top four winners were determined by who attracted the largest number of followers to their individual Coverings boards by March 22. Let me assure you the competition was stiff. Each participant dedicated many hours and tactics in trying to secure their place within the top four.

Thanks to Bill Buyok of Avente Tile, I will be on this panel discussion together with three talented, hardworking individuals. Moderated by Paul Anater, Social Media Manager, Coverings - Ultimate Tile and Stone Experience, here are the details of this session and the participants:

Avente Tile's Pinboard for Coverings

Crossville's Pinterest board for Coverings

Signature Cabinets' Pinterest board for Coverings

Tile Sensations' Pinterest board for Coverings

Promoting with Pinterest

May 1, 2013 (10:45 to 11:45 AM)

Pinterest is all the rage but how do you jump on board? How can you use it to promote yourself and your business? Where do you find what to pin and how do you pin? Join our panel of expert pinners, all gathered through the Coverings 2013 Pinterest promotion, as they discuss the ins and outs of how they use Pinterest to promote their brand and business. Plan to actively participate by bringing your questions and ideas -- this is your chance to unlock the mysteries of Pinterest and show your Pinfluence!

I hope you can join us for what is to be one of the hottest, most-talked about sessions on the Coverings education schedule! See you in Atlanta!

Project Pick:
Leaf Imprint Tiles Make a Tranquil Space

Bring the outdoors in with our Leaf Imprint Tiles! These decorative leaf tiles are pressed with real leaves, giving them a fossilized look. Our leaf tiles are hand-colored and offer a subtle way to enhance your kitchen or bathroom with a decorative touch.

Imagine my delight when Tom Auer, owner of landscape design and construction firm, The Ground Crafter, contacted me the first of the year about using some of our Leaf Imprint Ceramic Tile for an upcoming trade show exhibit they would be attending. He explained that the tiles were to be used on a water feature, and that he needed them right away. Unfortunately, we did not have any of the 8"x8" pieces in stock and the smaller 4"x4" format wouldn't work for him.

Avente Tile works closely with its tile artisans and we can often beat the standard delivery time, or find ways to improve delivery with expedited freight or shipping. Of course, the artisan agreed and the tiles arrived in time for the show.

Pressed with real leaves, these decorative hand-painted 8"x8" tiles include a Maple Leaf, Ash Leaf, and Ginkgo Leaf design. Tom chose one of each of the following designs in the 8"x8" format to create a triptych that has perfect balance.

Leaf Imprint Tiles

Maple Leaf Tile

Ash Leaf Tile

Gingko Leaf Tile

Our Leaf Imprint tiles are popular kitchen backsplash accents; but, I think this is the first time they have been used as part of a trade show set. The Ground Crafter team created the most tranquil, peaceful exhibit space I've seen. Congratulations on a nice job, Tom! I'm glad we could help with the tiles.

If you're looking for further inspiration with hand-painted decorative tiles, then we urge you to visit our Ceramic Tile Design Ideas portfolio for detailed installation photos and concepts.

NOTE:Images of the above trade show water feature are courtesy of Tom Auer, owner of landscape design and construction firm, The Ground Crafter.

Pinterest: Celebrating Spring

"Life stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes." -- Carl Friedrich Gauss

Spring arouses the senses with its freshness, renewal, and reawakening of the vivid colors of flora and fauna alike, and of course, the energy exuded like no other season.

It's with this energizing euphoria where many renovation projects are launched. Be it the bathroom that needs updating, floors that need freshening up, a kitchen that needs brightening, or an outdoor water feature you've been yearning to tackle, Avente Tile can help you meet any design goal. Our extensive Design Ideas gallery features a large collection of projects that incorporate our handmade and hand-painted ceramic tile, cement tile, decorative tile, mosaic tile, and so much more.

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

Spring Vine Hand Painted Ceramic Tile

Portuguese Braganza Hand Painted Ceramic Tile

Artist Series Thimo Pimentel Riley Handmade Cement Tile

12x12 Rustic Paver
Color: Cotto Dark

Did you know?

Our Arabesque Cement Tiles and Rustic Cement Tile Pavers are a durable and green product.

These tiles:

Have through-body color
Are handmade here in the USA
Contain recycled content
Are not kiln-fired, so no greenhouse gases are released in the manufacture process
Made with locally sourced sand, cement and aggregate, which minimizes the transportation fees and costs associated with these raw materials.

With its eye towards the future, Coverings 2013 has remained steadfast in its quest to provide the best possible experience for the attendees of its annual tile and stone trade fair and expo. Set for April 29 to May 2 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Coverings is prepared to help its attendees tackle real-world installation situations, preview the latest in tile and stone designs and products from global providers, and help attendees utilize their time and efforts within various social media platforms. It’s this dedication to innovation and resourcefulness that continue to drive the success of Coverings and make it a must-attend annual event.

Once again, Coverings will be host to hundreds of exhibitors, distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors, specifiers, architectural and design professionals. The four-day exposition serves as a valuable resource for continuing education within all segments of the industry. There are more than 70 informative, accredited seminars and live demonstration sessions offered throughout the show, all of which are free of charge, thanks to several sponsors, including Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), Tile of Spain/Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer's Association (ASCER), Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and The Tile Council of North America (TCNA).

Coverings 2013 Highlights

There’s always so much to see and do while at the show that it can be overwhelming for first-time attendees or the veteran show goer. By all means, pace yourself and wear comfortable shoes so you can fully grasp and enjoy all that Coverings offers you. Here's just a sampling of what I have on my not-to-be-missed agenda for this year’s event:

Tile of Spain Pavilion: More than 40 ceramic and stone manufacturers from Spain will showcase some of their most advanced ceramic tile technology and breathtaking design choices. Guests will experience cutting-edge technology, sustainable design and diverse architectural solutions from leading Spain tile manufacturers. To get started on the Spanish tile journey, first visit the Tile of Spain booth (#3309), located in the center of the pavilion, where you’ll find a variety of literature, including directories of the “must-see” Spanish tile exhibitors at Coverings. You can find a preview of the 43 Spanish tile and stone manufacturers participating in the Spanish Pavilion.

Illusion by Onix Mosaico.

Ribadeo from Vives Ceramica.

Tile of Italy Pavilion: The 3,000-square-foot Piazza Ceramica (Booth #2231) designed by e+i studio, will once again be in the heart of the Italian Pavilion. Serving as the main information point and gathering space, the pavilion will be surrounded by displays from dozens of Italian tile brands. The Ceramics of Italy booth will feature a popular café and coffee bar, offering authentic Italian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon aperitivos every day of the show. The Piazza also serves as your starting point to viewing Italian tile collections and design trends from nearly 50 Ceramic Tiles of Italy exhibitors.

Diamond from Gardenia Orchidea

Frame designed by Studio FM for Ceramiche Refin

Installation Design Showcase: This is the place where attendees can observe masterpiece-worthy collaborations between NTCA Five Star contractors and Atlanta-area design firms. These partnerships produce beautiful designs and highly skilled installation techniques. This year’s vignettes include a bar/lounge, hotel lobby, inpatient room in a women’s birthing center and a master bathroom being created from inception to completion right on the show floor.

For Coverings 2012, Foreman Rogers, senior designer from tvsdesign in Atlanta, designed this boutique guest room. Image courtesy of Coverings.

SCAD Tiled Bench Exhibit: Coverings teamed up with the Interior Design Department at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) where through a 10-week course, students learned how to design and tile six benches. These benches will be displayed at Coverings, after the show, be permanently located on the SCAD campus.

Coverings Central: This interactive and vibrant area, located on the show floor, will be home to many Quick Fire sessions addressing both social media and complementary industry topics. Located in booth 6457, these 20-minute sessions are designed to highlight the synergy between the tile and stone industries and social media. Within Coverings Central, attendees can also check their email in the Internet Café, get a photo taken in the Coverings 2014 photo booth with Las Vegas showgirls, view the PROJECT: Green display, relax at the bar, and so much more!

Must See Tile Products at Coverings

As the largest and most-attended show for the U.S. tile and stone industries, it’s important that manufacturers get a head-start on new designs and materials to debut their latest creations in time for Coverings. With that in mind, here is just a sampling of the newly unveiled collections and series you’ll be able to see and touch at the show.

Pulling inspiration from fashion, Jorge Aguayo hopes to have you on, "Pins & Needles." The handcrafted collection of fabric-inspired field tiles and trims are all made of cast cement and marble dust. They come with an exhaustive color palette, too. "Pins & Needles" takes its romantic yet edgy cue from the fashion trend of combining lace with textured fabrics. The complete collection will be on display during Coverings at Wholesale Tile by Aguayo's booth (#7941).

Aguayo Tile Presents a new ceramic line: Pins & Needles

Pins & Needles is a handcrafted fabric-inspired collection of textured cement tile by Wholesale Tile by Aguayo.

The Manhattan Collection from Bedrosians. Image via Bedrosians.

The Alhambra series from Kalebodur. Image via Kale Seramik.

SistemC CITTA Wall Tile by Marazzi Architectural. Image via Marazzi Architectural.

Crossville's Virtue Porcelain Tile Collection.

The Riva Del Mar Collection by Country Floors. Image via Country Floors.

For additional information, list of exhibitors, a comprehensive session schedule, and more, please visit www.coverings.com, or contact National Trade Productions, Coverings Show Management, 703-706-8257. I'll see you there!

If you follow this blog, you know there's nothing I like better than sharing a tile installation photo from our customers! I received an email a few weeks ago from some good people who live by the Maine coast near Acadia National Park. They were kind enough to show us how they used Avente's Spanish Cadiz Tiles!
The email started like this and included several photos:

"Attached are some closeups of the tiles as I installed them in our kitchen. Also attached is a photo of our cozy house looking eastward out to Penobscot Bay. Thanks for assembling such a pleasing collection of tiles for our selection."

Spanish Cadiz Tiles for Backsplash

Avente Customer's cozy home looking eastward out to Penobscot Bay.

The Ryans, who shared these photos, chose the vibrant hand-painted Spanish Cadiz tiles to add focal points to the white tile backsplashes behind their oven and kitchen sink. We think the unexpected pops of color and patterns add interest and energy to these spaces! It's a great example of how different sizes of decorative tile are used to bring both pattern and color to a design.

SPANISH CADIZ TILES FOR KITCHEN BACKSPLASH

Stove backsplash uses Spanish Cadiz 4"x4" & 6"x6" Tiles

Sink backsplash uses Spanish Cadiz 4"x4" Tiles

View of the Kitchen

One aspect about this project that I love is that they choose decorative accent tile based on their desire to add interest and color to their kitchen. Occasionally, I hear, "I love those Spanish tiles; but, they don't work with my home's style." Often, different styles can complement one another and I have to admit the bold gold and blue in this Spanish Cadiz work well with this New England kitchen's maple cabinets, white field tile and clean, functional layout.

Expect Variation in Hand-Painted Tiles

I have to tell you that the Cadiz wasn't the Ryan's first choice. Originally they ordered some Spanish Burgos 2"x2" tiles.

Spanish Burgos 2"x2" Dot was the First Choice

While the blue glaze in some of the tiles was exactly what they were looking for; some of the tiles in the lot didn't have the same vibrancy the Ryans wanted. This is often the case with hand-painted tiles because the hand of the artist can be seen in each tile. Showing Yankee perseverance, they discussed a few options with me and then asked if they could return the Burgos dots and try the Cadiz 4"x4" and 6"x6" formats. We had a winner! And, I love how they used the tiles differently behind the sink and stove.

Sink Backsplash

Stove Backsplash

Yankee Ingenuity Helps the Layout

The Ryans used a unique way to lay out the tiles that really focused on scale and size rather than color and pattern. Below is a photo of their paper layout demo. They explain, "Here is another aspect of our tile project that might have interest for your blog readers. Before ordering anything, we made a full-size paper mock-up of the two splash areas to be tiled, using colorful squares cut from magazine photos to represent the accent tiles - which allowed us to play with different layout options and really evaluate the impact of potential layouts in situ (on the wall), and in our case, to thus evaluate the interplay of the design of the two separate splash areas. We were trying diagonal accent layouts at first, comparing them to vertical/horizontal patterns, and playing with spacing of the accents. All easy to do with scotch tape!

Layout was simulated using magazine cutouts as Deco Tiles

After the switch from 2-inch to 4-inch tiles as the material we chose to work with, and after the first order of 4-inch had arrived, we again used full-sized paper mock-ups to play with different configurations. And that's when we decided to go for a very different layout from the initial plan, which necessitated ordering a few more tiles. Since the tiles differ in size, the use of proper sizing of the background grid and of the accent tiles also promotes recognition of the required layout that will be necessary and to avoid additional or excessive cuts, awkward edges, or thicker grout lines. Going through the physical mock-up process can be very helpful to generate the most satisfactory end results."

I agree, it's difficult to envision design concepts on any scale and to take into account all of the details. But, it's that work and effort that really shines through on your installation. Not only is the layout clean and professional, but the two backsplash designs work well together to provide a cohesive design. It's always a good idea to lay out the design to get a sense of what works, and to find any flaws you might not have thought about.

Finally, the Ryans pointed out that, "The reason we used paper magazine cutouts for accents is that you get the exact size of accent pieces. I suppose someone could print a set of photocopies of the desired accent tiles and trim to correct size if the printing process does not generate a correct size (tricky). That would produce a more realistic mock-up than the magazine clipping approach."

Ceramic Tile Projects from Avente Customers

If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy these Tile Talk articles that show how Avente customer's have added style and a personal touch to their homes with hand-painted ceramic tiles. Here are a few posts devoted to tile floor accents and kitchen backsplashes using our hand-painted ceramic tiles.

Cement Tile Projects from Avente Customers

These posts show you how cement tile can be used on floors and kitchen backsplashes. You'll also discover the decisions that each customer experienced as part of the project. I thank these customers for taking the time to share these tips and ideas.

Avente Tile welcomes a new tile perspective to our blog. Our guest post is provided by Ruth Hinds on behalf of Tons of Tiles, U.K.-based importers and suppliers of a wide range of quality floor and wall tiles for bathrooms, kitchens, and any area of your home you would like to improve.

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A mosaic wall is one of the best features that you can have in your home. Not only is it highly personalized and individual, it's also really easy to create once you know what you're doing. Let's take a look at how you should approach the task.

Necessary Materials

Planning is key to success, so make sure that you have everything you need before you get started. This is likely to include adhesive, grout, a grout scraper, gloves, and safety glasses. Then, it's just a case of picking the best tiles for your job!

Use Handmade Tiles

Handmade porcelain tiles are made with the most care and love, so are a great option when you want to make something really special. The colors and designs that you'll find are almost endless. A dedication to using handmade tile products doesn't mean you compromise on results; rather, you're installing a sense of uniqueness into the existing style of your home.

Break the Rules!

The joy of creating a tile mosaic is there is no right or wrong. Feel free to let your imagination run wild, and go with whatever patterns or designs appeal to you. A haphazard approach might even make the best results, so just go with the flow!

As you can see, it really is simple to create a mosaic wall feature. Have you ever made one? Do you have any tips you'd like to share?

Coverings 2013 lived up to, and exceeded, all expectations as THE Ultimate Tile + Stone Experience. The four-day event, which concluded last week, was set in Atlanta for the first time in the show’s history. With that, more than 900 exhibitors from over 50 countries packed the aisles of the Georgia World Congress Center with the latest, most innovative stone and tile products.

If that weren’t enough, the organizers of Coverings also offered a wide-ranging conference program comprising more than 70 informative seminars and demonstration sessions targeting every segment of the industry, all free of charge, and many with CEU credits. Session topics included Social Media, design, exterior façades, stone fabrication, installation methods, and more. There was definitely something for everyone, and everyone was definitely engaged!

Of course, Coverings and its exhibitors have always aimed to please their attendees. This edition of the show did that, and more, with everything from micro-mosaics to large-format tiles. Texture was definitely a trend this year, as was the vast selection of attention-grabbing vibrant colors, or the subtle statement of shapely white tiles. Here’s just a sampling of what was available on the show floor. I’ll delve deeper into patterns, textures and sizes in future posts, so enjoy these beauties in the meantime.

Porcelain tile that mimics polished stone from Fiandre Architectural Surfaces.

The Shizen collection from Bedrosians Tile and Stone.

Coatings by Sandberg features an aviation industry inspired coating.

New shapes and textures from Interceramic.

LATICRETE International, Inc.'s Strata_Mat Uncoupling Membrane

Galala dimensional stone from Marmi Natural Stone.

Handmade cement tile by Tiles Couture.

Within the last couple of years, and more so for the 2013 edition of the show, Coverings stepped up its efforts with its social media presence. As a result, the indisputable nerve center of the show was Coverings Central. This interactive and vibrant area was strategically located on the show floor. Home to many Quick Fire sessions that addressed both social media and complementary industry topics, these 20-minute sessions highlighted the synergy between the tile and stone industries and social media. It went above and beyond its purpose by engaging attendees within the various Social Media channels, as well as helping those who needed a bit of help in getting started.

Coverings Central, the show's social media hub.

Now, what would Coverings be if it weren’t for the beautiful tile and stone designs? More importantly, what would those products be without proper installation? Here are a couple of places where design and installation was the belle of the ball!

Installation Design Showcase: Now this was the place to be if you wanted to see masterpiece-worthy collaborations between NTCA Five Star contractors and Atlanta-area design firms. These partnerships produced beautiful designs and with highly skilled installation techniques. This year’s vignettes include a bar/lounge, hotel lobby, inpatient room in a women’s birthing center, and a master bathroom – all created, from start to finish, right on the show floor.

Installation Design Showcase: Bar/Lounge. Image courtesy of Coverings.

Installation Design Showcase: Bar/Lounge

Design Firm/Designers: Margaret Nysewander, LEED AP, ASD Inc., and Michael Neiswander

Installer: Rimrock Designs, Inc.

Installation Design Showcase: Hotel Lobby. Image courtesy of Coverings.

Installation Design Showcase: Hotel Lobby

Design Firm/Designers: Foreman Rogers, ASID, IIDA, tvsdesign, and Allison Isaacs, AIA tvsdesign

Installer: Rod Owen, C.C. Owen Tile Company, Inc.

SCAD Tiled Bench Exhibit: Coverings teamed up with the Interior Design Department at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) where through a 10-week course, talented students learned how to design and tile six benches. These gorgeous benches were displayed for all the attendees to see as they passed through Halls B and C. After Coverings, the benches were moved to their permanent locations on the SCAD campus.

Students of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) created tile benches.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief glimpse of what Coverings 2013 offered. With so many new installation products, as well as new tile and stone designs unveiled at the show, I’ll be highlighting something new in future blog posts.

Lastly, did you know that plans are already underway for Coverings 2014? It’s already set for April 29-May 2, 2014, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. Make sure to include the show in your 2014 plans!

Coverings is sponsored by several associations, including Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), Tile of Spain/Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer's Association (ASCER), Ceramics of Italy/Confindustria Ceramica, National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and The Tile Council of North America (TCNA). The show is managed by National Trade Productions.

For additional information, please visit www.coverings.com, or contact National Trade Productions, Coverings Show Management at 703-706-8257.

NOTE:Unless otherwise noted, all images are the property of Arpi Nalbandian. Please contact her if you would like to use these images.

New Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tiles Offer Classic Spanish Touch

Similar in their hand-crafted workmanship to our line of Arabesque Spanish Cement Tile, our Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile collection pays homage to its Moorish and Spanish tile roots with deep, rich colors and intriguing geometric shapes. The clay Arabesque tiles pictured above are from Aljafería Palace, a fortified medieval Islamic palace built during the 11th century in Zaragoza, Spain. As you can see, hand-crafted clay bisque tiles are truly timeless elements.

Further adding to its inherit rustic appeal is the fact that our decorative, hand-painted Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile is produced using a classic extruded red clay body. Using this method of production only enhances this collection.s appeal.

Manufactured in the USA, these high-fired classic terracotta tiles offer unsurpassed flexibility as they can be customized for any décor need with traditional unglazed bisque colors, glazed bisque colors, glazed blends, and more than 50 studio glazes.

Clay Arabesque Tile: Alcazar	Clay Arabesque Tile: Aragon	Clay Arabesque Tile: Leon
Clay Arabesque Tile: Mudejar	Clay Arabesque Tile: Sintra	Clay Arabesque Tile: Zaragoza

From contemporary to rustic, our Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile collection is sure to fit any need in any setting whether it.s for walls or floors, indoors or outdoors. There are 6 designs within this collection. 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.

Lastly, by using our Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile in your next design project, you'll feel good knowing your choice is also good for the environment. Along with being made in the USA, this collection is made using clay sourced from California and includes 33% recycled post-industrial content.

Our Ceramic Tile FAQs section should help answer any questions you may have. If not, please feel free to call our office at 888.739.4972.

Project Pick: Cadiz Tiles Add Warmth to Maine Coastal Kitchen

Spanish ceramic tile conveys warmth and instills Old World ambiance in any environment. With centuries-old tile designs, our versatile Spanish ceramic tile collection includes borders, corners, large decorative tiles and accent dots.

It.s because of its inherit versatility and stunning colors that homeowners Buck and Marsea Ryan chose our hand-painted 6"x6" Cadiz Spanish Ceramic Tile series for their kitchen backsplash.

The Ryans, who live by the Maine coast near Acadia National Park, chose the vibrancy of Cadiz to add much-needed focal points to the white tile backsplashes behind their oven and kitchen sink. We think the unexpected pops of color and patterns have added interest and energy to these spaces!

You can read the complete story about this project on our Avente Tile Talk Blog.

Pinterest: Celebrating Spring

"He who does not travel does not know the value of men." --. Moorish proverb

Spring is definitely in full-swing with an energy like no other season. For this month.s Pinterest focus we chose our boards that focus on the color orange for vivid exuberance, and of course Spain for highlighting the unveiling of our new Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile colelction.

With that energy comes the overwhelming urge to remove the layers of wear and tear that have compiled over the years.
It.s time to take on a project that has been set aside for years. Now is the time for renewing not only your home and living areas, but also a time to renew one.s appreciation for the little things.

Whether you embark on a small or large project, Avente Tile is here to help you any design goal, and for any budget. Our extensive Design Ideas gallery features a large collection of projects that incorporate our handmade and hand-painted ceramic tile, cement tile, decorative tile, mosaic tile, and so much more. So, how can we help you?

Tile of Spain's exhibit at Coverings 2013. Image courtesy of Tile of Spain.

Ceramic tile use throughout Spain is prolific. Not only can it be seen on the floors and walls of Spanish churches and palaces, but ceramic tile also plays an integral role in the everyday functioning of modern homes, hospitals, educational centers, hospitality and commercial applications.

At Coverings 2013, held recently in Atlanta, the Tile of Spain marked its 26th year in exhibiting Spanish innovation at the annual tile and stone show. The Tile of Spain international brand represents 125 ceramic tile manufacturers belonging to the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER).

Tile of Spain's pre-Coverings catalog of the 43 ceramic tile and stone manufacturers slated to exhibit at the show.

Collectively, the advanced ceramic tile technology and architectural/design solutions presented during Coverings by 43 Tile of Spain members made an unforgettable, awe-inspiring impression for any visitor of the expansive pavilion.

Further, true to their eco-friendly stance, Tile of Spain’s Spanish Pavilion booth was constructed of 100% recycled cardboard and organic dyes. “Made by the company ECOWALL, it was created with modular cardboard pieces joined together by small connectors. The use of ECOWALL reduced the costs of transportation, building, storage and is environmentally friendly,” Tile of Spain noted.

Now, here are some of the highlights of the ceramic tile products seen at the Spanish Pavilion.

Apavisa’s new Vintage collection is a handmade, contemporary collection reminiscent of days gone by. Also from Apavisa is the three-dimensional Archconcept series (shown here) that continually defies imagination. www.apavisa.com

Grespania showcased the marble looks of its Numancia (shown above) and Icaria porcelain floor tiles in 60x60cm and 30x60cm sizes. Java, Daino and Nepal wall tiles were introduced as well. www.grespania.com

Keraben showcased its Maderia series, part of the company’s Home Collection, which takes its inspiration from natural wood. Available in nine shades, Madeira features a gently rippled surface. www.keraben.com

Taking center stage at the La Platera booth were the Copper (shown above), Crosscut and Pietra Roma collections. Using digital technology, these ceramic tiles mimic the look of natural stone. The Incanto line, which combines 12 different graphics of stone, concrete, wood and marble, was also on display. www.laplatera.com

Levantina featured its 3mm-thick Techlam series of ceramic tile. The large yet lightweight panels (measuring up to 1000x3000mm), offer versatility in size, color, durability, and installation flexibility, including as a cladding system (ventilated façade). www.levantina.com

Onix presented its FuseGlass 1"x1" mosaic tile which artfully combines textures and effects. Onix offers a wide selection of colors, ranging from the neutrals (white, beige, grey) to striking blacks, golds, silvers and browns. All of ONIX's new collections are made of 98% recycled glass. www.onixmosaico.com

From Pamesa was the debut of the Thule series of inkjet wall and floor red body tiles. Its Reef series of porcelain tiles, available in six colors and three formats, were also attention-getters! www.pamesa.com

Inspired by wood and marble, the Tarima and Sande series by STN Ceramica had visitors gawking. The show-stoppers -- Hexagon (shown above), Orion and Planet wall tile series -- each offered additional inspiration with their various surfaces and textures. www.stylnul.es

I hope you enjoyed this brief walk through the Tile of Spain Pavilion. For more information about these and additional Spanish tile manufacturers, please visit www.tileofspainusa.com.

Remember, Coverings 2014 will be held April 29 through May 2 in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Hope to see you there!

Finally, for additional sources for Spanish, Moorish and Arabesque ceramic tile designs, colors and formats, check out Avente Tile. So, which is your favorite tile? How and where would you use it to fit your design and architectural needs?

Handmade cement tiles are an easy-to-maintain product that not only offer deep colors and a rich history, but most importantly, they offer long-lasting beauty and extensive design possibilities for floors and walls.

From bold tile patterns in contrasting colors or classic cement patterns in harmonizing colors, the resulting design is certain to transform the look and feel of any space. To that end, we’ve assembled dozens of image-filled cement tile projects and ideas onto our Design Ideas Portfolio.

With dozens of Cement Tile Design Ideas in our portfolio, we're sure you'll be inspired!

Our extensive portfolio of design ideas will show you how handmade cement tile can be used on floors, wall, ceilings, backsplashes, as a tile rug, wainscoting, mural, or in or around a water feature. Because of their natural slip-resistant qualities and versatility, cement tiles are perfect for flooring a bathroom, kitchen, dining room or outdoor patio.

Our Houzz Ideabooks offer a glimpse into the endless possibilities when designing with handmade cement tile.

Additionally, we invite you to explore the world of cement tile via our Pinterest boards Cement tile floors/walls, and Cement Tile Rugs. Cement tiles are used all over the world in countries such as Cuba, France, Spain, Portugal and more. Our Houzz Ideabooks also offer various settings and applications for handmade cement tile.

Avenete Tile's Pinterest board on cement tile floors, walls

Our Pinterest board featuring Cement Tile: Floors, Walls

Avente Tile's Pinterest board on cement Tile: Rugs

Our Pinterest board featuring Cement Tile: Rugs

Creating a Custom Cement Tile

Creating a custom pattern takes time. There is time to work out the design of the pattern, choose the colors, and create virtual designs with options. Most importantly, you need time to decide what looks best and is right for you. Then, once the design is final, more work begins. A mold needs to be made for the pattern and a strike-off or sample tile is created using the mold. This allows you to verify the pattern, color, and design before a full-order.

So how much time does it take to make handmade cement tile? Once you have your colors and pattern picked out, it will take about six to eight weeks. For a fully customized handmade cement tile pattern and color options, the delivery time is much longer – up to several months. Here’s an example of the timeline for a fully customized cement tile pattern:

2-3 weeks - Pattern development in black and white with several iterations.
1-2 weeks - Color choice and placement with several iterations.
2-3 weeks - Create mold.
2-3 weeks - Create strike-offs and ship for approval.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of why it takes so much time, and the increased costs involved, in creating a custom handmade cement tile. Rest assured the end result of the time and effort of invested in creating a one-of-a-kind tile product is well-worth it!

Have we inspired you? Where would you use our handmade cement tile?

Ceramic tiles are materials that can add glamor and value to any part of your home. Although initial cost can be expensive, these tiles are easy to maintain and can stand the test of time. If you are considering this flooring option, this article provides valuable tips and important considerations on ceramic tiles.

The Buyer's Guide to Ceramic Tiles

1. Durability

There are different types of ceramic tiles and each one has its own tolerance to the temperature of the room and exposure to dirt and stains. In general, ceramic tiles are durable. However, to achieve the longest possible life, it is advisable to regularly sweep the floor and maintain a clean and sanitary tile surface. When there are stains, you can apply water mixed with vinegar or friendly detergents that won’t strip the glaze off the tiles.

2. Maintenance

As mentioned in the intro, ceramic tiles are pretty easy to maintain but removing and replacing them are hard. When one tile is damaged, you should buy an equally matching tile to replace it and go to the store where you first bought it or find one that specializes in creating custom-made tiles to fit the original design, size and shape of the ceramic tile.

3. Cost

Ceramic tiles are usually quite pricey so expect to splurge a bit when buying pieces. The cost is directly tantamount to the complexity of the design, life cycle of the material used and also the durability guaranteed by its manufacturer. Also take into account the cost of installation required as you can’t install the tiles on your own if you’re not expert in this. Installation is often charged per square foot including some factors like location and the size of the area.

Author Bio:

Aubrey Madrona is a Social Media Specialist. She loves Music and spends a lot of her time playing piano and reading. She’s currently building her reputation as an online writer of Marble Mosaic.

Enjoy Long-Lasting, Affordable Luxury with Hand-Painted Ceramic Tiles

Enjoy Long-Lasting Luxury with Hand-Painted Ceramic Pool Tiles

Image via Lonny Magazine.

With summer just around the corner, it's time to clean and restore the backyard for a season full of fun and great memories. Along with washing the outdoor furniture, cleaning the grill for upcoming BBQs, and testing outdoor equipment, don't forget to refresh and update the look of your swimming pool with new richly colored, hand-painted ceramic field tile.

Field tile, or solid colored tile, is a tile found in the main "field" or area of an installation covering the walls, floors or steps of your swimming pool. In essence, field tile refers to a solid color tile. Of course, you can pair field tile with decorative ceramic tile to create a spectacular custom design.

In addition to their wide variety of uses, hand-painted ceramic tile offers more versatility and value than any other material with their resistance to abrasion, freeze/thaw conditions, and color permanence properties. With such a wide variety of deep, rich colors and sizes to choose from, ceramic tile gives you the freedom to create beautiful swimming pool designs that will withstand the elements. Here are several tile collections for you to consider when you're ready to update your pool tile:

Arles is a handmade tile with stunning, reactive glazes that are full of movement. Inspired by the fields of Provence, France, this series is available in five colorways.
Cracked Ice is composed of unique glass tiles in a myriad of geometric shapes, and several rich colors.
Pillow Chiclet offers a classic shape with a touch of softness. The wonderful translucent colors are hand-painted onto softly domed "pillow-like" tiles.
Yucatan takes its inspiration from old sprawling haciendas and villas found throughout the Mexican peninsular state.

Featured Tile

Yucatan Cobalt	Cracked Ice Slate Blue
Pillow Chiclet Royal	Arles Mist

Pinterest: Celebrating Summer

Avente Tile's Pool and Ponds Pinterest Board

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

School is out, and dreams of summer adventures wait! For this month's Pinterest focus, we chose two of our Pinterest boards that best reflect this exuberance of upcoming trips and longer, fun-filled days.

Alongside summer's energy comes the urge to start a new project, perhaps one that has been set aside for years. Replacing cracked or broken pool tile or finally installing that fountain or water feature you've always wanted for the garden - now's the time!

Using handmade or hand-painted ceramic tile for your next outdoor project will not only enhance the look of your home, but you can rest assured the tile you choose will withstand the elements, too. For whatever project you choose, Avente Tile is here to help you reach any design goal on any budget. Our extensive ceramic tile Design Ideas gallery features a large collection of projects dedicated to inspiring you and your living space. How can we help inspire you?

Project Pick: Fountain with Spanish Tiles

The peaceful sounds of a water feature are enhanced by the presence of delightful hand-painted tile. Spanish Andalucia tiles are used to frame this outdoor fountain grotto, while Spanish Brushed Natural tiles are used around the front edge. Finally, the water's bright blue is enhanced with our Yucatan Cobalt tiles for the water level.

Like all our hand-painted tiles, the patterns are hand-brushed by the tile artisan. The Spanish tiles are created using the traditional Majolica glazing techniques. Because the hand of the artist is at work, you will see variation from tile to tile. Remember, these tiles can't be used in outdoor environments subjected to freeze/thaw cycles.

Feeling inspired? Take a look at our complete collection of hand-painted Spanish ceramic tile, read more about on this design, Fountain with Spanish Tiles, or explore other ceramic tile design ideas.

The Italians are famous for their design sense. From the clothing and accessories they design to their timeless architecture and art work, and of course their legendary sports cars. There is no limit to their imagination.

The same determination applies to their design sense when it comes to tile. From Venetian glass mosaic tiles, to ceramic tile that closely resembles heavy brocade patterns, to the crispness of summery linens, it seems the Italians have perfected the art of mimicry.

During the recently held Coverings tile and stone show held in Atlanta, Italian tile manufacturers unveiled their creativity and ingenuity with new twists on patchwork type styles, state-of-the-art anti-bacterial and self-cleaning tiles, time-tested encaustic and majolica patterns, fabric-like textures and embossing, large-format tiles, and quick-installation ceramic tile systems.

Matching is Overrated

Patchworks tiles, such as “Minoo” by Marcel Wander for Bardelli, feature ornate 8”x8” porcelain floor tiles in five silkscreen patterns reminiscent of Persian rugs.

For Mosaico+, renowned mosaic artist Carlo Dal Bianco used mosaics from the company’s various lines to create a series of new decorations. For the “Lacquer” and Inlay” series, he used iridescent mosaics from the Perle collection and square glass chips from Concerto to invoke ancient Chinese dynasties.

For a mixed color palette, Ceramica Sant’Agostino’s “Abita” collection of 8”x24” white body wall tiles boast a diamond effect in three chromatic mixes of beige, lilla and menta.

Philippe Starck also played a role within the ceramic tile sector with the launch of “Flexible Architecture” for Italian manufacturer Ceramica Sant’Agostino. The decorative, modular tile can be specified on one to four sides of the tile or on no sides at all to create an endless array of architectural compositions.

“Minoo” by Marcel Wander for Bardelli.

"Lacquer" by Mosaico+

"Abita" by Ceramica Sant’Agostino

Philippe Starck's “Flexible Architecture” for Ceramica Sant’Agostino.

Antibacterial & Self-Cleaning

Ceramic tile is inherently hygienic. It contains no VOCs, so it was only natural for Italian manufacturers to collaborate with biotech companies to offer products that promote the antibacterial, antipollution and self-cleaning properties of ceramics.

Among the latest to develop these types of tiles are Fincibec with “Antibact”, Century with “Technica”, Mirage with its “Sundeck” (its zero maintenance decking product), and Panaria, Lea Ceramiche and Cotto d’Este (all part of the Panaria Group) with their antibacterial floor and wall tiles for residential and commercial applications.

Further, as an industry first, Casalgrande Padana unveiled “Bios Self Cleaning Ceramics” that uses HYDROTECT technology from the Japanese brand, TOTO, to create self-cleaning, anti-bacterial and pollution-reducing tiles. The HYDROTECT coating contains two active agents: titanium dioxide, which is photo-catalytic; and a well-balanced formulation of metals that offer antibacterial and antivirus properties. The technology is especially useful for exterior cladding and can be applied to all Casalgrande Padana products.

Lea Ceramiche's "BioPlank"

Vintage Encaustic, Majolica

Inspired by vintage encaustic and majolica tiles, old world historical charm has been renewed with new fervor thanks to high-tech printing methods.

Of these unique collections is “Azulej” – the latest porcelain tiles designed by Patricia Urquiola for Mutina. Inspired by ancient handcrafted majolica made of hydraulic cement, the 8”x8” glazed porcelain tiles are available in three neutral base colors (white, light grey and dark grey) in a choice of nine patterns or as a combination of 27 different designs. Following this trend is the Majolica pattern of Refin’s “Frame” collection. Designed by graphic design firm Studio FM, the large 30”x30” square tiles feature traditional decors from majolica tiles of the 19^th and 20^th centuries but presented in a more graphic light.

“Vintage” by Cerim, “Cotto Vogue” by Cir and “Concept” by Ragno are a few other collections featuring this unique look.

Vintage by Cerim.

"Azulej" by Mutina designed by Patricia Urquiola.

Planking with Style

The lines of wood and ceramic are blurred once again with a wide-range of plank-sized tiles that made an appearance at Coverings. Not only do these longer tiles resemble wood, but they are now taking on the look of concrete and stone.

“Sunrock” by Atlas Concorde is available in a range of formats including 6”x36” and 9”x36” while Coem’s “Pietra del Friuli”, inspired by stones found in the northeast of Italy, also comes in a 6”x36” plank size. ImolaCeramica’s “Vein” collection mimics vein-cut or cross-cut marble, and Ceramiche Caesar’s “Wabi” is inspired by oak.

Wabi by Ceramiche Caesar.

Tactile Textiles

Textiles and ceramic tile seem to be enjoying a heavenly relationship within the Italian manufacturing arena. From Raw Edge’s second collection for Mutina called “Tex,” a rich, three-dimensional and multi-colored collection of 4.5”x8” rhombus-shaped glazed porcelain tiles, to the “I Tessuti” collection created by Elena Strafella for Cottoveneto, the range of fabric-inspired patterns are not only realistically breathtaking, but they also capture the essence of the designer’s soul.

Additional textile-inspired products include Marazzi’s “Silkstone” line whose decorative ceramic wall tiles are inspired by Indian saris, Japanese kimonos, tulle and silk.

Marazzi's "SilkStone"

"I Tessuti" by Cottoveneto

Large-Format Tiles

In their continuous evolution to better serve the A+D communities, large-format tiles are becoming increasingly comfortable in various settings and environments.

For example Novabell’s “Avant” collection is available in a heavy-duty 20mm paving version in a 24”x24” format and special R12 anti-slip finish while Ceramiche Keope’s “Pecorsi SMART” tiles are available in five stone looks and a 24”x24”x¾” size. Pastorelli’s new 2cm-thick “Quartz Design” series features the same sparkling reflections as quartz flecks, while “Sunrock” from Atlas Concorde gets its inspiration from Travertine.

Further innovations in the large-format tile circle come from Cotto d’Este’s Kerlite series, “Exedra”; Panaria’s “LightQuartz”; “Micron 2.0” by ImolaCeramica; “Gli Alabastri di Rex” by Rex; and “Industrial” by Floor Gres, which reinterprets cement in porcelain slabs as large as 1.2m x 3m.

"Industrial" by Floor Gres.

Lastly, “Studies in Gouache” a tile product designed by Diego Grandi for Lea Ceramiche – is the first slim tile with a contemporary bas-relief design. The four decors (grid, scratch, weave and moire b) feature geometric and abstract patterns engraved and sanded into the 3mm tiles. They are offered in the same chromatic range as the company’s “Gouache.10” collection.

“Studies in Gouache” a tile product designed by Diego Grandi for Lea Ceramiche.

So, which of these Italian tile designs is your favorite? How and where would you use it in your next project?

Today's post is the first in an occasional series exploring Tile Artisans. I hope to share their love of tile by discovering both their techniques and inspirations. Social media allows me to find and connect with these amazing tiles artisans that I never knew existed - some around the corner and others across the globe. Today I'm excited to share an interview with Margaret Almon of Nutmeg Designs.

Card & Thank you Bill Buyok received from Nutmeg Designs

I became enamoured with some of Margaret's work a few years back and began following and supporting her on twitter. This spring I was touched by the kindness of a simple gesture that few of us do in this electronic age, Margaret wrote a note thanking me for my support - on the cover was a joyful expression of her stain glass mosaics. I was touched and so happy to share more about this amazing person and tile artisans.

How and when did you start creating the mosaic glass art masterpieces?In 2003, I saw the mosaics of Hildreth Meiere at the Wernersville Jesuit Center, and I was smitten. I was working as a medical librarian and making collages at my dining room table, and cutting glass wasn't feasible.

Buying a house with my husband, Wayne Stratz, in 2004, gave me a studio space. After reading and checking every possible book on mosaic out of the library(being a librarian after all), and taking some classes, I began my Etsy shop, Nutmeg Designs in 2007.

Hope Spiral by Nutmeg Designs

My husband began making stained glass in 2008, which transformed our home into a "one-bedroom-two-studio-rowhouse." We wanted to collaborate, and started with words, such as Hope and Joy, with Wayne designing the lettering and cutting and grinding the pieces, and then I created the background.

In 2010, a friend suggested we make house numbers, and what a friend she was! House numbers on Pennsylvania slate had an immediate positive response from our clients. Even though craft shows have been much tougher over the past few years, clients have found our house numbers online, and commissions and custom work have steadily increased.

House Numbers 1670 by Nutmeg Designs

As an artisan, what inspires your glass art creations?

Quilt blocks were my first inspiration. My husband's grandmother was a quilter, and we have one of her Log Cabin quilts. Like quilts, mosaics are based on modular patterns, and since sewing was not my strength, I was eager to translate the patterns into glass.

Color guides me in my work, experimenting with complementary hues, and color gradation.

My husband and I started collecting art tiles before we started making art, and the aesthetic of the Arts & Crafts movement remain an inspiration with our house numbers. We are fortunate to live near the Moravian Tileworks in Doylestown, PA.

Garden Sign in Blue and Orange by Nutmeg Designs

Now, of the many designs and projects, which stands out as your favorite? Why?

A Flickr friend commissioned us to create a house number for her sister, who loves the weathered colors of totem poles. Wayne began by designing and cutting out the numbers in white glass. Looking at the blue, teal, and red glass for the background reminded me of a Canadian artist I admired, Emily Carr. Flipping through a book of her art, I found a watercolor painting of totem poles evocative of what our client requested. It was a pleasure to have such variegation, and other clients have gravitated toward the color scheme when they see photos of the original 1670. Listening to our clients tell stories about what they envision is a catalyst for creativity.

Joy Mosaic by Nutmeg Designs

What was the proudest moment for you and your hand-made mosaic/tile business?

After my employer closed the library in 2010, I began working in my business full time. Being laid off was a shock, but after the initial shock receded, and after many conversations with my husband, I knew that making mosaics was what I wanted to do. I stopped looking for a library job, stopped receiving Unemployment, and began working for myself, and persisting in spite of uncertainty.

Log Cabin in Copper and Cream by Nutmeg Designs

In promoting your creations, and to help gain greater exposure, which digital platforms do you use (Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.)? How do you use them to promote your hand-made business?

I have blogged at Margaret Almon Mosaics (http://margaretalmon.com), since 2008, on topics such as mosaic art, tiles, Margaret Mondays, Orange Tuesdays, quilts, The Alexander Technique and jazz. Our most recent house number order was from someone who saw a photo on my blog. Readers have become friends, fans, and clients.

This year Wayne and I began a blog at our website for collaborations (http//nutmegdesignsart.com), documenting work in progress, our commissions and the process of being a Dynamic Duo.

Facebook, both personal accounts and Business Pages, has allowed us to share photos of our work in progress, our studios, materials, and finished mosaics.

Twitter is something we enjoy, and have met very interesting folks, including an Icelandic Jazz Pianist, Sunna Gunnlaugs, and jazz vocalist Andrea Wolper, both of whom make wonderful music and who became clients.

Pinterest excels in being a visual medium for sharing our work, and we do get traffic from that platform. I also find it tempting, and need to take breaks from it to actually make work in the studio. It is the top referral source to my blog

Turtle Camp by Nutmeg Designs

Which of these social media platforms has helped your business the most? How?

Facebook has shown us how responsive people are to our images, and their tendency to say "I want to buy that." The exponential process of friends of friends of friends viewing our images has been a blessing.

Although Etsy may be more e-commerce than social media, it also has been very helpful in helping people discover us. If someone searches for mosaic house numbers in Google, results in Etsy rank high, and people can come across our work.

Where do you see Nutmeg Designs going from this point forward?

Commissions have led us to new collaborative designs, like a Celtic knot tree for a wedding gift, and we practice remaining open to inspiration and improvisation. We cherish delighting people with our work. As we like to say, "Catching the Eye. Delighting the Soul."

Is there anything you would like to add, especially to those who have a deep appreciation for the art you create?

When someone makes one of our house numbers part of her home, we are honored. When someone commissions a word sign to bring hope to a friend going through a hard time, we are awed by the power of friendship. We are grateful to those who champion our art, purchase it, share it, write about it, and enjoy it.

House Numbers 737 by Nutmeg Designs

Name: Margaret Almon & Wayne Stratz

Company(s) Name: Nutmeg Designs (Margaret Almon Mosaics /Stratozpheres Stained Glass)
Email: imagine@nutmegdesignsart.com
Phone: 215-353-6970

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/nutmegdesigns
https://www.facebook.com/MargaretAlmonMosaics

Twitter
https://twitter.com/nutmegdesigns
https://twitter.com/margaretalmon

Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/nutmegde/
http://pinterest.com/margaretalmon/

Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nutmegdesigns/

LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/in/margaretalmon/
www.linkedin.com/pub/wayne-stratz/71/49a/430

Website for Collaborative Nutmeg Designs glass
http://nutmegdesignsart.com/

Margaret Almon Mosaics Blog
http://www.margaretalmon.com/

Etsy
Nutmeg Designs Shop has Collaborative Work plus Margaret's solo work
https://www.etsy.com/shop/nutmegdesigns?ref=si_shop

Stratozpheres also stocks the Collaborative Work plus Wayne's solo work
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Stratozpheres?ref=si_shop

Artist Series Candido Bido Espiral 10 x 10

Dominican artist Cándido Bidó is the creative force behind the bold Espiral cement tile.

Summer is now in full-swing with vacations, short getaways, daily outings, and entertaining outdoors with friends and family members alike. If you're like us, you love to hear the chatter and laughter of a house full of people, especially when a day time gathering spills over into the evening. Similar to the inside of your home, your outdoor space should also reflect your personality and décor style. We have just the right solution for you - ceramic and cement tiles in a multitude of colors, shapes, and motifs.

Whether you choose a solid-colored tile, or decide to use patterned tiles for the stairs or stair risers, walkway, water feature, outdoor wall mural, or patio, you can be sure you'll be adding long-lasting, and beautiful aesthetic value to your space.

Our handmade cement tiles offer a range of design possibilities. We offer everything from vibrant Cuban tile patterns in contrasting colors, or soothing classic cement patterns in harmonizing colors. Or, pick a pleasing plain tile in your favorite color and enhance with a border to create a tile rug. Regardless of your choice, the end result will transform any outdoor living space into something you would be proud to entertain in or for alone time.

In addition to their wide variety of uses, hand-painted ceramic tile offers versatility and value like no other building material thanks to their inherit resistance to abrasion, freeze/thaw conditions, and color permanence properties. Here are several cement and ceramic tile collections to consider when you're ready to update your outdoor living space.

Arabesque Cement Tile
This collection pays homage to a deeply rooted tradition of Moorish and Spanish tiles. With their interlaced geometric patterns, these hand-crafted tiles are designed and made in the USA.

Pattern or Plain Cement Tile
We offer an expansive selection of patterned cement tile, relief and molding cement tile and solid color cement tiles to coordinate with any decor. Choose from traditional Cuban, artist series, geometric, classic and mission cement tile patterns as well as cement tile fragments.

Rustic Pavers Cement Tile
Our rustic 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 durability of cement, combined with a broad color pallet, and a range of sizes and shapes.

Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile
Similar in their hand-crafted workmanship to our line of Arabesque Cement Tiles, our Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tile collection pays homage to its Moorish and Spanish tile roots. They can be customized with traditional unglazed bisque, rustic glazes, glaze blends, and more than 50 studio glaze colors.

Featured Tile

Arabesque Aragon Spanish Paver Handmade Cement Tile	Cuban Heritage Design 110 2B Cement Tile
Premium Saltillo Rustic Paver Handmade Cement Tile	Clay Arabesque Alcazar Handmade Ceramic Tile

Pinterest: Outdoor Fun & Living

Avente Tile's Gardens / Outdoor Living Pinterest Board

Avente Tile's Summer Food & Fun Pinterest Board

"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness." - John Steinbeck

Summer is definitely in full-swing with energy like no other season. For this month's Pinterest focus, we chose the boards that best represent the season where the lines between outdoor and indoor living spaces are blurred, pool and beach days outnumber work days, and the exuberance for exploration is enhanced by the extended ours of sunlight.

With that same energy comes the willingness to renew or update outdoor living areas. Whether you embark on a small or large project, Avente Tile is here to help you. Our extensive Design Ideas gallery features a large collection of projects showcasing our handmade and hand-painted ceramic tile, cement tile, decorative tile, mosaic tile, and so much more. Let us know how we can assist you!

Image via Photographersnature.

Located in the southern part of the famous Las Vegas Strip, the Bellagio Resort Hotel has dominated its surroundings from the time it opened in 1998 with lush landscaping, classic architecture and elements, and a man-made, eight-acre lake reminiscent of Italy’s Lake Como.

With an original cost of $1.6 billion, this Italian-styled property by MGM Resorts International exudes charm, luxury, and aristocracy while simultaneously welcoming the masses into its ornate lobby.

Artist Dale Chihuly’s 2,000-piece “Fiori di Como” hand-blown glass sculpture comes to life above the Bellagio's lobby.

It’s within this lobby that Bellagio’s true form and nod to the artistic masters, new and old, come to fruition. From the moment guests walk into the lobby, eyes are first drawn to the artwork on the 18-ft ceiling. This is artist Dale Chihuly’s 2,000-piece “Fiori di Como” hand-blown glass sculpture comes to life.

As beautiful and stately as the individual glass blossoms are, one’s eyes are then diverted to the intricate mosaic and stone tile work on the floors, walls, staircases and even ceilings – all thanks to the talented artisans of Italian mosaic manufacturer – Sicis.

Elegant mosaics and marble tiles adorn the reception area of the Bellagio's lobby.

Above the entrance/exit doors, lighting niches are further enhanced by painstaking mosaics.

Above the entrance/exit doors, lighting niches are further enhanced by detailed mosaics painstakingly applied by tile and stone masters.

From the lobby, guests and visitors are encouraged to stroll through the hotel’s famous Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. With glass ceilings measuring 50-feet high and a space measuring more than 13,500 square feet, the amount of foot traffic the lobby and the conservatory see on a yearly basis could easily surpass a million people!

The Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens fully decorated for the summer season.

This is one snail I wouldn't mind having in my garden!

Thousands of square feet of stone, mosaic tile, medallions by Italian manufacturer Sicis can be seen and appreciated throughout the Bellagio hotel and resort. Here are several mosaic stone and tile patterns seen in just the Conservatory and Botanical Garden area alone:

Intricate mosaic designs flow throughout the Bellagio's lobby and reception areas.

Classic and timeless stone mosaics patterns happily reside alongside the floral motifs.

Glistening mosaic stones form floral focal points throughout the Bellagio's lobby and conservatory.

Mosaic floral bouquet in the conservatory.

Detailed view of the mosaic floral bouquet.

And this is where artistry, talent and experience are integral to a long-lasting and successful installation. With hundreds of thousands of casual visitors coming into the Bellagio’s lobby, wearing everything from flip-flops to stilettos, the role of the highly experienced stone and tile installer becomes even more imperative. With so much at stake, lippage or uneven tiles, are hazards that no hospitality facility can ever afford to overlook or tolerate.

Interlaced mosaic stone borders gracefully accentuate the Bellagio's solid marble floors.

Hotel lobbies, such as the Bellagio’s, have steadily evolved from an area where people merely check in our out of rooms to that of a public living room where all guests are welcomed on a grand level.

Therefore, it’s on this social platform where the master tile and stone artisans’ of Las Vegas-based Carrara Marble Company of America (the stone and tile contractors for Bellagio) proved vital in presenting the hotel’s first impression to newcomers.

Do you appreciate the level of hospitality and artistry that hotels and resorts now offer? Have you ever been drawn to a destination because of the variety of tile and stone installations? I'd love to hear your story if you have!

Perhaps the most enduring feature of Roman villas is the mosaic tile work. There are many fine examples to be found throughout Europe. For this short article, I will focus on Fishborne Roman Palace, in Sussex, England.

Photography by Joanne Bradley

The first century mosaics at Fishborne Roman Palace demonstrate the varied skills of the artisans and enduring beauty of tile. The earliest Fishborne mosaics reflect the esthetic of the time and are fashioned in geometric patterns of black and white.

Photography by Joanne Bradley

Later mosaics contained tessera (a piece of Roman mosaic) in vibrant colors. Patterns of flowers, animals and mythical creatures were carefully crafted from the tessera. Elaborate boarders of twisted rope and curling vines frame the main designs.

Photography by Joanne Bradley

When building defects caused floor subsidence, or if the style of the time changed and the floor of an important room was no longer fashionable, a new floor was laid over the old.

Photography by Joanne Bradley

Mosaic floors prove to be surprisingly resilient to slow subsidence.

Photography by Joanne Bradley

For those with an interest in history, a mosaic floor can be a treasure trove of information. Areas of exceptional wear mark doorways. Patterns and designs can help define the time when a floor was laid and what the room was used for. The quality of the workmanship identifies the skills and experience of the mosaicists that laid them.

Photography by Joanne Bradley

Damage to the mosaics at Fishborne Roman Palace can be attributed to later building work at the palace, a fire, and farming during the Middle Ages when the palace was buried and lost. Currently, only the area of the north wing and northern half of the formal gardens at Fishborne Roman Palace are accessible. The northern half of the west and east wings are preserved beneath turf, the southern half of the palace is under private homes, gardens and roads.

Photography by Joanne Bradley

About the Author
Joanne Bradley takes an interest in architecture through the ages. Using photography to capture designs and details, she uses the images as inspiration for digital designs.

Located 83 miles north of Los Angeles, CA, is a gem of a city nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains. Santa Barbara is considered by many to be the American Riviera as it shares the same dramatic mountains, sparkling seas, lush gardens, white-washed buildings, red-tile roofs and abundant sunshine of its French and Italian counterparts.

The red tile roofs of Santa Barbara. Image via www.welcometosantabarbara.com. One of the best ways to explore the city of Santa Barbara is on foot as you follow along the Red Tile Walking Tour that takes you through 17 stops and 22 historic adobes dating from the late 1700s through the 1800s, plus many of the structures built in the Spanish-revival and Moorish styles mandated by community leaders after the devastating earthquake of 1925

A Brief History of Santa Barbara
The city of Santa Barbara got its name from Portuguese explorer Juan Cabrillo when he happened upon the area in 1542. Before and after Cabrillo’s visit, the Chumash Indians populated the coastline, cruised through its coastal waters and lived off the land until Spanish Franciscan monks arrived in the 18th century on their mission-building quest through California.

The Franciscans built 21 missions in California, including three in Santa Barbara County: Mission Santa Ines in Solvang; La Purisima Mission in Lompoc; and Mission Santa Barbara, which is affectionately known as the "Queen of the Missions." After coming under Mexican rule for 24 years, Santa Barbara became a U.S. territory in 1846.

Focus on Handmade Tile Artisans
As a city known for its population of outdoor lovers, surfers, volleyball players, and college students, and of course, the rich and famous, the most notable residents are the artisans. These artisans craft everything from foods to art in various mediums. However, those that stand out are the handmade tile artisans. Everywhere you go within this elegant city, you’ll notice hand-painted terracotta and ceramic tiles gracing every niche, fountain, building façade, restaurant, and more.

Tile graces every part of Santa Barbara, CA.

Handmade or hand-painted tile can be found in every part of Santa Barbara, CA.

Tile mural by Susan Dunbar’s Custom Tile Studios. Her tile artwork can be found throughout Santa Barbara County.

A closer look at Susan Dunbar's beautiful hand-painted tile craftsmanship.

Within the outdoor Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center in downtown Santa Barbara, tile artisans have created installations that cannot be missed, some of which are included here:

Handmade tile can be found throughout the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center.

An Old World terracotta look is graced with intricately designed inserts.

This installation of 6" x 6" tiles resembles Moroccan zillij tiles.

Here's another installation of 6" x 6" tiles that beg for attention!

Hand-painted ceramic tiles that reflect the Spanish influence of Santa Barbara.

More hand-painted ceramic tiles that reflect the city's Spanish influence.

Another example of hand-painted ceramic tile that reflects the city's Spanish influence.

An outdoor staircase at shopping center Paseo Nuevo is decorated with Mexican tiles. Image via National Geographic Traveler. Photo by Catherine Karnow.

Do you live near an artisan community where the city’s heritage and culture is celebrated? Does handmade tile play an important role in your community as much as it does in Southern California?

If you love Spanish and Moorish influence in your tile design, then here are related posts you may like to read:

Moroccan Tile: In a Class of Its Own

Tiles with a Classic Spanish Touch

Rustic Cement Tile Pavers

In my last blog article, I wrote about the mosaic tile floors of Fishborne Roman Palace in Sussex, England. This article will explore how ancient designs still have a place in modern life.

Antiquity - Fishborne inspired geometric

Unlike the Roman rulers, most of us do not have the time or money to have elaborate tile mosaics fashioned for our floors. However, all is not lost. While the cost of replicating an ancient masterpiece may be beyond our means, we can still enjoy the patterns on our own floors. Patterns from antiquity can be adapted to the materials used today. Let us consider the humble, hard-wearing cement tile that is available in ever increasing designs and patterns.

Typically, cement tile comes in 8" x 8" and 10" x 10" sizes. To recreate the old patterns, on tiles of this size, the first step is to identify repetition in the original pattern.

In this first example, the simple geometric pattern of a Fishborne floor has been reproduced in a single tile that works well in a repeating pattern. The colors in the reproduced pattern were chosen from Avente Tile's Heritage Cement Tile Color Palette.

Photography by Joanne Bradley

16 Tile Layout
Designed by Joanne Bradley

A single cement tile replaces hundreds of tessera in a design. In the following adaptation, the pattern was inspired by the first century mosaic in the west wing of Fishborne Roman Palace. The floor was re-buried to protect it. The original was created using black and white tessera.

16 Tile Layout
Designed by Joanne Bradley

This guilloche border pattern is adapted from a circular design, necessitating the creation of a corner pattern to create a square frame.

Guilloche Edge
Designed by Joanne Bradley

In this final design, for this article, the pattern requires two tiles. It is similar to the running edge design at the top of this post. It took several attempts to adapt the pattern and, in its current form, there are limitations on how the design can be used. The design was inspired by a floor at Bignor Roman Villa, but similar patterns can be found in other places.

Two Tile Pattern - 16 Tile Layout
Designed by Joanne Bradley

Which pattern and color palette inspires you to create your personal design?

About the Author
Joanne Bradley takes an interest in architecture through the ages. Using photography to capture designs and details, she uses the images as inspiration for digital designs.

Fresh-Picked Gourmet Garden Ceramic Tiles

Summer Harvest Mural 8" x 23"

The sight, taste, and smell of freshly picked fruits and vegetables, from either your own garden or from your local farmer's market, appeal to the inner chef in all of us who love to eat and share our latest culinary creations.

With summer's bounty also come the planned, and sometimes impromptu, gatherings and get-togethers. You can keep the memories and feelings of summer alive throughout the year with our ceramic Gourmet Garden Ceramic Tiles and Fruit, Floral and Vegetable Garden Murals.

Beautiful glazes and intricate relief designs are just a few of the wonderful traits our collection of ceramic Gourmet Garden tiles and custom murals offer. With their hand-painted relief details, available either in a matte or gloss finish, these richly colored tiles boast sophisticated designs inspired by nature's bounty.

You can combine our individual garden tiles with solid colored ceramic or stone tiles, rope borders, pencil liners, or you can opt for our Garden Tile Murals for an increased visual impact for your kitchen backsplash. No matter which option you choose, you'll be adding long-lasting, beautiful and aesthetic value to your space.

Gloss Vegetable Garden Tiles
Our Gourmet Garden Gloss tiles create a classic kitchen theme of fresh-picked fruits and vegetables from the garden or the local farmer's market.

Matte Gourmet Garden Tiles
The matte finish of this collection of matte tiles perfectly accents tumbled stone, like travertine or marble.

Fruit Basket Hand Painted Tile Mural
Our Ceramic Tile Fruit Basket Mural brings to life the classic theme of freshly picked fruits. Measuring 18"x18", hand-painted ceramic tile mural is accented with a border of rope liner for added visual interest.

Relief Hand-Painted Bouquet Mural
Our relief hand-painted ceramic tile Bouquet Mural includes the rope trim and looks perfect when paired with natural stone, such as travertine or granite. The intricate details in this mural make it a work of art.

Featured Tile

Gloss Vegetable Garden Tiles	Matte Gourmet Garden Tiles
Fruit Basket Hand-Painted Tile Mural	Relief Hand-Painted Bouquet Mural

Pinterest: Vibrant Harvests, and Garden Tiles

"The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul." - Alfred Austin

Our Pinterest board selection for this month was inspired by our own garden harvest of hearty eggplants, luscious grapes, and juicy plums. Together with summer's bounty of purple fruits and vegetables, and our collection of Gourmet Garden Ceramic Tiles, we thought we should pay homage to all that nature offers.

For more ceramic tile design inspiration, check our pages on houzz.com, our boards on Pinterest, and browse through dozens of our Ceramic Tile Design Ideas portfolio page where you can find a large collection of projects showcasing our handmade and hand-painted ceramic tile, cement tile, decorative tile, mosaic tile, and so much more. Let us know how we at Avente Tile can assist you!

Large Pressed Leaf Tiles

Thanks to The Ground Crafter

Ceramic Tile Projects from Avente Customers

Project Pick: Leaf Imprint Tiles Make a Tranquil Space

Leaf Imprint Tiles

Pinterest: Celebrating Spring

Did you know?

Expect Variation in Hand-Painted Tiles

Yankee Ingenuity Helps the Layout

Ceramic Tile Projects from Avente Customers

Cement Tile Projects from Avente Customers

Necessary Materials

Use Handmade Tiles

Break the Rules!

New Clay Arabesque Ceramic Tiles Offer Classic Spanish Touch

Project Pick: Cadiz Tiles Add Warmth to Maine Coastal Kitchen

Pinterest: Celebrating Spring

Creating a Custom Cement Tile

Enjoy Long-Lasting, Affordable Luxury with Hand-Painted Ceramic Tiles

Featured Tile

Pinterest: Celebrating Summer

Project Pick: Fountain with Spanish Tiles

Featured Tile

Pinterest: Outdoor Fun & Living

Fresh-Picked Gourmet Garden Ceramic Tiles

Featured Tile

Pinterest: Vibrant Harvests, and Garden Tiles

Project Pick:
Leaf Imprint Tiles Make a Tranquil Space