Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Creative floor tiling

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

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


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


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


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


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

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

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

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

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


The finished floor.


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

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

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

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



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

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

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

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Great Floor Designs with Rustic Cement Tile Pavers

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

Rustic Spanish Pavers

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

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

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


Malibu Catalina Hand Painted Ceramic Tile< Malibu Zeteca Hand Painted Ceramic Tile


Malibu CatalinaMalibu Zeteca


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

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

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

See all our Rustic Cement Tile Pavers


Pinterest logo



Avente Tile Autumn Pinterest Board

Pinterest: Inspiring, Trend-Setting, Project Organizer

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

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

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


Tile Tip


Small tiles are the optimal choice for shower floors because they:
  1. Follow the contour slope to the drain.
  2. Provide additional grout lines that improve slip resistance.
Our Yucatan ceramic field tile can be purchased face-tape mounted in 2"x2", 1-1/4"x1-1/4", or 1-1/4"x2-1/2" formats. To further improve slip resistance, we can also add grit to the glaze.

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

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Rustic Cement Tile Pavers

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

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

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

Where to Use Cement Tile Pavers

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

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

Rustic Cement Tile Paver Formats

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

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

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

Rustic Paver Formats
Rustic Cement Tile Paver Formats and Sizes

Rustic Cement Tile Paver Colors

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

Tuscan Mustard Rustic Pavers in a 12x12 Format for Entry
Tuscan Mustard Rustic Pavers in a 12x12 Format for Entry

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

Explore our Cement Tile Paver Collection

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


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

- , Avente Tile

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Turkish Tile: Artistry Through the Ages


The significance of Turkish ceramic tiles occupies a prominent place in the history of Islamic art. Its deeply enriched heritage, which can be traced as far back as the Uighurs of the 8th and 9th centuries, owes its subsequent development to Karakhanid, Ghaznavid, and Iranian Seljuk art.


Turkish tile from Aladdin Palace, Konya, Turkey
Throne scene on a star-shaped tile using the Iranian-Seljuk minai technique. Aladdin Palace, Konya, Turkey. Image via www.turkishculture.org.
Siren on a star-shaped tile from Kubadabad Palace
Siren on a star-shaped tile, underglaze painting, Kubadabad Palace, c. 1236. Karatay Madrasah Museum, Konya, Turkey. Image via www.turkishculture.org.

Countries with colorful histories, such as Turkey with its sovereign past that includes the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, have always provided a deep-rooted fascination to outsiders because of their culture, traditions, food, and most importantly, the art produced within the country. It’s through this art that we, the current generation, are allowed to take a brief glimpse through the artisans mind and eyes of what was seen, felt, and experienced at the time.


Star-shaped ceramic tile from Kubadabad Palace
Sphinx on a star-shaped tile using the luster technique. Kubadabad Palace, c. 1236. Karatay Madrasah Museum, Konya, Turkey. Image via www.turkishculture.org.

Turkish Ceramic Tile Develops

When the Seljuks (Turkic nomads from Turkmenistan who were related to the Uighurs) victoriously conquered the Byzantines at Malazgrit in the early part of the 11th century, they brought with them their knowledge and talent for creating works of art on ceramic materials. As a result, a distinctive style of Seljuk art and architecture emerged by the 13th century. Seljuk mosques, medreses (a building or group of buildings used for teaching Islamic theology), tombs, and palaces were lavishly decorated with these exquisite, handmade tiles vividly in turquoise, cobalt blue, eggplant, and black. 


Seljuk tile from the second half of the 13th century.
Seljuk tile from the second half of the 13th century. Image via www.turkishculture.org.


By the late 15th and early 16th centuries, a new period in Ottoman tile and ceramic-making had emerged in Iznik. Artisans employed in the studios of the Ottoman court were sent to Iznik so their designs could be interpreted upon the ceramic wares and tiles that would adorn the palaces. As a result of the patronage, Iznik was known as the most artistically and technically advanced ceramic region.
Animal and flower figures, 16th century, Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey.
Animal and flower figures, 16th century, Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey. Image via www.turkishculture.org.
Early on, the Iznik style of ceramic artwork became distinctive with its blue and white designs and motifs of foliage, Arabesque patterns, and Chinese clouds. Court-appointed artisans were now imitating the 15th century Chinese Ming porcelains that had begun to permeate the Ottoman court.

By the middle of the 16th century, natural motifs such as plants, flowers, ships, animals, and even people, began to appear on ceramic tile. With their wide variety of vivid colors, the demand for ceramic tile as decorations surged with the extensive building programs undertaken by Suleiman I (1520-1566) and his successors. Countless examples of mosques and tombs across the Ottoman Empire were adorned with the products of the Iznik potters' skill.

Turkish Tile-Making Techniques

During the Anatolian Seljuk period, architectural decoration involved the use of glazed and unglazed bricks were used to produce a variety of patterns on the façades of buildings. The most frequently color used for the glaze was turquoise, followed by cobalt blue, eggplant violet, and sometimes black. Hexagonal, triangular, square, and rectangular monochrome tiles were also used in creating architectural details.

Panel of Hexagonal Tiles.
Panel of Hexagonal Tiles. Image via www.turkishculture.org.
However, unlike brick, these geometric shapes were used for indoor applications. The geometric tiles, made from a hard, yellowish paste, were glazed with vibrant hues of turquoise, cobalt blue, violet, and occasionally, green. There are also rare examples of these geometric tiles in existence that possess traces of gilding.

Further, the Anatolian Seljuks also incorporated extensive use of mosaic tile art for the interiors of domes, transitions to domes, vaults, mihrab niches, and walls.

Unfortunately, by the 18th century, the ceramic industry in Iznik had died out completely and another city, Kutahya, replaced it as the leading ceramic arts center in western Anatolia. Kutahya succeeded where Iznik failed in its ability to keep up with orders while maintain their renown product integrity. However, during the first half of the 19th century, Kutahya's ceramics industry also suffered a downturn.

Polychrome tiles, underglaze painting, harem of the Topkapi Sarayi, Istanbul, 16th century.
Polychrome tiles, underglaze painting, harem of the Topkapi Sarayi, Istanbul, 16th century. Image via www.turkishculture.org.
Lastly, there is a widely held belief that figurative painting in Islamic art is prohibited, in accordance with the Koran. According to Turkish Culture, “Religious rulings issued only in the 9th century discouraged the representation of any living beings capable of movement, but they were not rigidly enforced until the 15th century. Figural art is especially rich in tiles, as well as stone and stucco reliefs of the Seljuk period, adorning both secular and religious relief monuments. The subjects included nobility as well as servants, hunters and hunting animals, trees, birds, sphinxes, lions, sirens, dragons and double-headed eagles.”

The tiled hearth of the crown prince’s apartment in Topkapi Place, Istanbul, Turkey.
The tiled hearth of the crown prince’s apartment in Topkapi Place, Istanbul, Turkey. Image via www.turkishculture.org.
To view the products of today’s ceramic tile producers, visit the Turkish Ceramics Promotions Group. You can also plan to visit Unicera, the annual fair in Istanbul, Turkey where you can view and visit with Turkey’s producers of ceramic, stone and bathroom products  like to visit the annual ceramic and stone Unicera International Ceramic Bathroom and Kitchen Fair in Istanbul, Turkey, February 27-March 3, 2013.

How would you use Iznik-patterned tiles that are still produced today? Have you been to Turkey to see any of the above-pictured pieces?