Monday, October 29, 2012

Ceramic Tile's Creative Nature

Bathroom Blogfest 2012
Bathroom Blogfest 2012: Oct. 29 through Nov. 2 

Bathroom Blogfest, now in its seventh year, draws attention to the customer experience through blog articles and social media content published over five days, from October 29 through November 2, 2012. This year’s event also includes a Twitter chat on Wednesday, October 31, via #KBTribeChat. In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, #KBTribeChat will focus on generating ideas for reinventing the bathroom experience while bringing new meaning to life for cancer survivors. And now, onto the topic of ceramic tile and nature!

Ceramic tile has been a part of building history for centuries. According to the American Ceramic Society, the first discovered instance of ceramic figurines used for ceremonial purposes occurred in 24,000 B.C. Naturally, over time, this material with its new found purpose led to the production of ceramic tile back in 14,000 B.C. in Mesopotamia and India.


Image via Biblical Heritage

Iznik Ceramic Tile
Iznik ceramic tile motif (16th century). From Iznik, Turkey. Image via Ceramopolis 

As the centuries passed and previously thought impossibilities fell to the wayside, ceramic tile has evolved from being an embellishment to masonry and brickwork, to that of a long-lasting, multi-purpose, and flexible necessity. Adorning floors, walls, façades, and ceilings, ceramic tile has brought forth ongoing vibrant beauty and enlightenment to historical buildings of worship that still stand today. I believe it can easily be said that ceramic tile has served as a testament to time.


Ceramic tile from Teruel, Spain
Various shapes and sizes of white and green ceramic tiles used throughout Teruel, Spain. (12th-13th centuries). 
Detail of intricate tile work on mosque dome, Yazd
Detail of intricate tile work on mosque dome, Yazd. Image via Sacred Sites

Thanks to the multitude of technological advancements available, such as ink-jet technology, ultra-thin slabs, nature-mimicking designs and patterns, ceramic tile has become a chameleon of the building and decorating industries with its inherit ability to adapt. History has proven ceramic tile has climbed out of the bathroom!


Canakkale Seramik's “Reptile” Collection
Canakkale Seramik's “Reptile” Collection

Apavisa's Archconcept tile
"Archconcept" from Tile of Spain manufacturer Apavisa

Mosaic glass tile from Italian manufacturer Mosaico+
Mosaic glass tile from Italian manufacturer Mosaico+

So how does this help you elevate the customer experience? It’s simple, really. Keep yourself abreast of what’s available globally by attending international shows, such as Coverings, Cersaie, Cevisama, Expo Resvestir, and many more. With your experience and knowledge, coupled with your customer’s quest for information, a positive and memorable customer service experience is guaranteed. 

About Bathroom Blogfest 2012
Bathroom Blogfest brings together 18 bloggers and blogs from the U.S., Canada, Dubai and the UK. Between October 29 and November 2, these experts in marketing, customer experience and service, public relations, home and interior design, life, retail, building materials and flooring will call attention to improving the overall bathroom experience for end users via the blog articles they publish.

“Bathroom Blogfest builds relationships and conversations about an intensely compelling topic,” says Christine B. Whittemore, chief simplifier, Simple Marketing Now, who organizes the yearly Bathroom Blogfest. “The customer experience holds universal appeal regardless of the industry. And, yet, it is too frequently overlooked. Those participating do so to remind their followers, fans and subscribers how critical the bathroom is to customers – including those battling a life-threatening illness who can benefit from a wellness-focused home retreat.”

For more information about Bathroom Blogfest, visit BathroomBlogfest.com, follow along on Twitter as @BathroomBlogfes (look for the hashtag #BathroomEXP), or "Like" Bathroom Blogfest on Facebook. You can also contact Whittemore via email at: cbwhittemore@SimpleMarketingNow.com.

About KBTribeChat
#KBTribeChat is a weekly Twitter discussion for kitchen and bath industry companies and professionals which takes place Wednesdays, from 2pm to 3pm EST. For Bathroom Blogfest 2012, Nora DePalma, principal, O’Reilly-DePalma, and Whittemore will co-host #KBTribechat. This week’s edition will focus on reinventing the bathroom experience in homes and buildings to bring new meaning to life for cancer survivors "still climbing out."

Participating bloggers for Bathroom Blogfest 2012 include:




NameTwitter UsernameBlog NameBlog URL
Susan AbbottsusanabbotttheIdeaStudiowww.theideastudio.ca 
Laurence Borelblogtillyoudropblog till you dropwww.laurenceborel.com
Bill BuyokAventeTileAvente Tile Talkwww.aventetiletalk.com
Jeanne ByingtonjmbyingtonThe Importance of Earnest Serviceblog.jmbyington.com
Mr. SteamsteamtherapyThe Mr. Steam SteamTherapy Blogblog.mrsteam.com/
Nora DePalmanoradepalmaOR-DP POVwww.oreilly-depalma.com/blog
Stacy Garciakbtribechatkbtribekbtribe.wordpress.com
Diane KazandkazanPublic Bathroom Blogthekazan.blogspot.com
Arpi NalbandianArpi_NalbAvente Tile Talkwww.aventetiletalk.com
Victoria & Shelley Redshaw & PondscarletopusScarlet Opus Trends Blogwww.scarletopus.com
Sandy RenshawsandyrenshawPurple Wrenpurplewren.com
Bruce D. SandersrimtailingRIMtailingrimtailing.blogspot.com
Paige SmithnoneTile tips from installation professionalsneusetile.wordpress.com
Todd VendituoliTALV58Thebuildingbloxwww.thebuildingblox.com
Shannon VogelcyswebsitesFrom the Floors Upfromthefloorsup.com
CB WhittemorecbwhittemoreContent Talks Business Blogsimplemarketingnow.com/content-talks-business-blog/
Irene WilliamscrossvilleincElevate Your Spaceelevateyourspace.wordpress.com
Linda WrightlindalooSkip to the Loo!lindaloo.com/

1 comment:

CB Whittemore said...

Arpi, what a fabulous journey you've taken us on! Thank you for contributing your love of tile and bathrooms to Bathroom Blogfest 2012!

Best,
Christine