Climbing Out with Color, Texture and Time in Tile

About Bathroom Blogfest

Bathroom Blogfest 2012 celebrates its seventh anniversary with the theme 'Still Climbing Out'. During the week of October 29 through November 2, 2012, bloggers interpret the theme in a blog post and provide their own unique perspective based on experiences and background. First, a round of applause goes to C.B. Whittemore, chief simplifier of Simple Marketing Now. C.B. makes this entire event possible and orchestrates it with style and ease. She is also hosting a Twitter chat on 10/31/12 via #KBTribeChat from 2pm to 3pm EST. Thank you, C.B.!

Avente Tile Talk has participated for three years in this annual event. We kicked-off this year's blogfest with Tile Talk Contributor, Arpi Nalbandian, explaining Ceramic Tile's Creative Nature. A list of participants is included at the end of this article. Read their posts and see how they are Still Climbing Out!

---

We are Climbing Out

As the end of another year rapidly approaches and a presidential race looms large, it’s a good time to take stock of where we are at and where we want to go. I think most of agree with this year’s blogfest theme. There’s been a lot of progress; but, alas, we are still climbing out. The stock market is a great indication of optimism and confidence and it’s easy to see when you look at the Dow Jones over the past year.

The Down Jones is Still Climbing Out

Despite the cautious and fickle moods of Wall Street and the somewhat somber mood on Main Street, I’m optimistic about the future (perhaps to a fault). In fact, I’m really excited about what I’m seeing. The mission of the blogfest is to draw attention to how important the bathroom - and other forgotten spaces like bathrooms - are to the overall consumer experience. I’d like to focus on how tile is helping folks climb out and build a better bathroom (or any room) experience.

Climb Out with Color

I'm a big fan of color and pattern in design. One of my biggest frustrations is the ubiquitous 'sea of beige and white' tile. I’ve noticed a shift this year. I’ve seen more colorful tile at trade shows than ever before and the trend is coming to showrooms. I’ve also sent out an amazing array of colorful tile. Here’s photos of a recent sample order.

A colorful pattern: Monte Cristi Cement Tile

A colorful pattern: Ocoa Cement Tile

A colorful pattern: Melilla Cement Tile

This Chelsea (New York) kitchen was recently remodeled. The owners chose a colorful cement tile pattern for the backsplash. It looks fabulous and sets the standard for style. Don't tell me there isn't optimism out there! Folks are embracing color more than ever before.

The colorful patterned backsplash sets the style for this kitchen

Provide a Better Experience with Texture

The prevalence of texture is being found everywhere in tile. Texture adds interest and depth. Sometimes it is just the appearance of texture, created with geometric patterns, like this popular Cuban Heritage pattern.

Geometric Cuban Tile provides an illusion of texture

Large format tiles and stone tiles are are available in relief, too. I love these stone tiles by Galrão Group from Portugal. They transform stone into textured landscapes that are absolutely captivating.

Galrão Group's Wave Stone Tile

Even if folks balk at color, they will embrace the flowing geometric pattern in these concrete pavers that have surface roughness for a rustic look. It's a classic pattern in an updated color. Arabesque Cement Floor Tiles have low relief and are available from ARTO Tile & Brick.

Arabesque Cement Tiles Captivate with Pattern and Texture

Time to Choose

We are climbing out. Things are getting better - keep that great attitude! New trends in tile and design are making better experiences for any room. It might take longer than you want; but, I think you'll agree - it's a better place to be. Just take the time to design and choose the right tiles for your taste and needs.

Think about color and texture with tile and in no time you'll be looking at a better bathroom. What do you think? Can color, texture and tile make a better bathroom? What is most important to you?

KBTribe Chat Focus on Still Climbing Out

In addition to blog articles and social media content, Bathroom Blogfest will host a Twitter chat on 10/31/12 via #KBTribeChat from 2pm to 3pm EST. The Twitter Chat will focus on ‘Still Climbing Out: Bathroom Design After Cancer’ in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month co-hosted by Nora DePalma, principal, O’Reilly-DePalma, and C.B. Whittemore, chief simplifier, Simple Marketing Now.

Learn more about #KBTribechat and Bathroom Blogfest 2012 by visiting Bathroom Blogfest focused #KBTribechat.

---

This year's participants include:

Name	Twitter Username	Blog Name	Blog URL
Susan Abbott	susanabbott	theIdeaStudio	www.theideastudio.ca
Laurence Borel	blogtillyoudrop	blog till you drop	www.laurenceborel.com
Bill Buyok	AventeTile	Avente Tile Talk	www.aventetiletalk.com
Jeanne Byington	jmbyington	The Importance of Earnest Service	blog.jmbyington.com
Mr. Steam	steamtherapy	The Mr. Steam SteamTherapy Blog	blog.mrsteam.com/
Nora DePalma	noradepalma	OR-DP POV	www.oreilly-depalma.com/blog
Stacy Garcia	kbtribechat	kbtribe	kbtribe.wordpress.com
Diane Kazan	dkazan	Public Bathroom Blog	thekazan.blogspot.com
Arpi Nalbandian	Arpi_Nalb	Avente Tile Talk	www.aventetiletalk.com
Victoria & Shelley Redshaw & Pond	scarletopus	Scarlet Opus Trends Blog	www.scarletopus.com
Sandy Renshaw	sandyrenshaw	Purple Wren	purplewren.com
Bruce D. Sanders	rimtailing	RIMtailing	rimtailing.blogspot.com
Paige Smith	none	Tile tips from installation professionals	neusetile.wordpress.com
Todd Vendituoli	TALV58	Thebuildingblox	www.thebuildingblox.com
Shannon Vogel	cyswebsites	From the Floors Up	fromthefloorsup.com
CB Whittemore	cbwhittemore	Content Talks Business Blog	simplemarketingnow.com/content-talks-business-blog/
Irene Williams	crossvilleinc	Elevate Your Space	elevateyourspace.wordpress.com
Linda Wright	lindaloo	Skip to the Loo!	lindaloo.com/