Tuesday, February 14, 2012

My Love Affair with Tile

Happy Valentines Day! This is a day dedicated to love and today I discuss My Love Affair with Tile.

Bird of My Heart Tile
Bird of my Heart Tile

Hand Painted Tiles Kindle the Flame

I love tile. Even as a kid I was fascinated by their bright colors, patterns and shapes. I admire tile for its ability to transform a home. Tile can create texture or depth. Tile can add a splash of color for an accent or create visual interest with patterns. The enormous variety of tile also allows you to be creative.

In a quest to find hand painted tiles with an old world design similar to some I had seen from Spain, Avente Tile was born. I couldn’t find any designs in local showrooms, tile stores or online. Once I found the right tiles, I fell in love with them. It was then I decided to start a company to sell hand painted tiles. These niche tiles were ideal for a web-based company. I’ve always enjoyed learning about art and architecture, history and culture, and tile is a great connection.

Colorful Tiles
Color & Bright - Tiles Delight

Love What You Do

I started the company in 2003 as way to share my enthusiasm about artisan and hand-crafted tile. I believe that you need to love what you do. If you have a passion for something, you’re bound to do it well. I spent ten years in corporate America working as a mechanical engineer. I did well; but, my heart wasn’t in it. People that love what they do, do it with passion. Money is never the driver – it’s the joy you get out of what you do. I probably work twice as hard as I did as an engineer; but, I enjoy every day and look forward to the challenges I face. I am surrounded by people I admire and respect and who respect me. Don’t get me wrong we all encounter days filled with frustration or disappointment. The key is to find something you love (or let it find you) and make it your own creation.

Tile Artisan Glazing Tile
The Hand of an Artist Touches Every Tile

Keeping the Passion Burning

Now you know about me and my love for tile. How has it evolved or changed? Or, perhaps the quintessential question, how do you maintain passion? Anyone who has been in a relationship for more than five years asks the same question. It’s great to have that impassioned night of discovery; but, it can easily become a tepid relationship or chore. You have to learn to grow, change and embrace the differences. And of course, you have to share some common values. Tile started as a passionate love affair with color, design, and pattern.

Amazing how an object, a piece of clay, makes us share this world in wonderful and unique ways.

I maintain the passion when a customer tells me how thrilled they are with their new installation that includes Avente Tile. I cultivate passion with knowledge and understanding. The ways in which a tile are made are varied and unique. My passion is fueled by knowing a piece of clay sculpted into a relief tile and touched by the hand of an artist in Guatemala will be part of an architect's inspired Beverly Hills bathroom. It’s the story of legends and it happens every day. It makes me feel so connected to the world and people in a very special way. Amazing how an object, a piece of clay, makes us share this world in wonderful and unique ways.

Hand Crafted Tiles Create Stunning Installations
Hand Crafted Tiles provide Inspiration for Design

That’s how my passion for tile started and evolved. Never forget how much beauty there is in the world and enjoy it every day. May you also find your passion and make it something you can cherish and cultivate.


Portions of this post were published on JB Bartkowiaki's blog, Building Moxie. JB wondered how my passion for tile evolved and I was thrilled to have an opportunity to write a post about something I love. If you are not following JB's blog or Twitter feed,I recommend that you do - especially if you are a DIY! His fun and quirky perspective is fun and helpful. I met JB through Twitter and he continues to provide great tips and make me laugh. JB's Twitter handle is @BuildingMoxie . You can read the post in it's original form Bill Buyok :: Finding Passion in Life with Tile.


2 comments:

Pioneercaps said...

I always like to read and see your love with tiles. Continue to provide great tips.

Bill Buyok said...

Thanks for stopping by and letting us know you enjoy our posts. We do love to talk tile.

For installations photos you might also enjoy our Cement Tile Design Ideas and our Ceramic Tile Design Ideas.