Cement Tile Patchwork Makes Kitchen Backsplash Sing

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

Patchwork tile floors and walls using encaustic cement tile are incredibly popular. Patchwork is a great way to add color and pattern to any room. The cheerful designs make you smile.

A cement tile patchwork design was used for this kitchen backsplash.
Photo credit: Avente Customer, Laurie Suarez.

Last week, I received a call from our customer Laurie Suarez of in San Clemente, CA. She was interested in using our Bayahibe C for a powder room wall and wanted to know how much inventory we had. In February of this year, I worked with Laurie on a patchwork design for her kitchen backsplash. I couldn't help but ask her how the project came out. She told me she loved her kitchen. She explained, "The cement tile patchwork really provided the pop of color she wanted for her white kitchen." A few days later, she was kind enough to share these photos with me.

Cement tile patchwork designs provide a colorful focal point for this kitchen
Image credit: Avente Customer, Laurie Saurez.

I have to agree, Laurie did a great job blending the different colors and patterns from our Traditional Cement Tile collection. While it may appear that a patchwork design is a random hodgepodge of tiles, it takes planning and smart choices to get the colors and patterns to make a design. Laurie admitted that she worked with several different layouts to achieve her design and that it took some time.

DESIGN TIP - Patchwork designs take planning to achieve a balanced layout with color and pattern. Try different layouts on paper. Print the layout you like best for your tile installer to use.

The use of quarter design patterns makes this cement tile patchwork unique.

You often seen patchworks in contemporary design. The large open space and clean lines of this architectural style allow a wall or floor to be the focal point for the spartan details. However, the use of complete quarter design patterns is rare for patchworks. Most often, only one of the four tiles in the quarter design is used so the pattern is not completed.

Laurie's kitchen has some contemporary design elements with its open layout. However, I think it offers a very traditional feel because of the details: the Quaker-style cabinetry with vintage steel pulls and pendant lights with reeded glass. What I love about Laurie's design and what makes it unique is that she almost exclusively uses quarter-design patterns. Additionally, she tastefully blends the colorful, eclectic look of patchwork with traditional details.

Patchwork designs take planning to achieve a balanced blending of color and pattern
Photo credit: Avente Customer, Laurie Suarez.

When cement tile patchwork designs adorn a wainscot or backsplash, they provide a focal point that brightens the room. Laurie was also careful with her color palette. For the patterns, she used a blend of different blue and yellow shades on white backgrounds. To avoid a garish look, follow Laurie's cue and stick to a color palette. Kudos to Laurie for flawlessly executing her patchwork design. I love this kitchen!

You also should know that Laurie took the last of our Bayahibe C stock and will have it installed in her powder room wall. I can't wait to see the photos of that installation. Thank you Laurie for your business and sharing what you did. Nice job! Interested in using cement tile for next home improvement project? With a range of design possibilities, handmade cement tiles will transform any space. See our Guide to Buying Handmade Cement Tile to get started today!

Finally, during this week of Thanksgiving, all of us at Avente Tile are thankful for our wonderful customers who support us, work with us, and allow us to do what we love! Happy Thanksgiving.

Cement Tile Tips for the Pattern Addict

— By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

The month of March was devoted to tile patterns and designs. I've had so much fun and such a great response, I've decided to continue playing with pattern through April! I'm no April Fool, when I say we've got some more great tile talk on pattern. Last week, I provided some design tips on how to effectively use patterns if you are pattern shy or a pattern wallflower. Today, I share my favorite cement tile tips for the pattern addict.

Tips for Pattern Addicts

If you're a pattern addict, keep these tips in mind to maintain balance and harmony in the space. Too much of a good pattern can create chaos.

The scale of the pattern needs to match the scale of the space or the room. Large-scale patterns are striking in large open rooms. A quarter design pattern and border separated by plain tile makes this tropical veranda inviting and expansive.

Large patterns often need a larger space, such as this veranda.

But, smaller rooms require smaller patterns. For instance, quarter design cement tile patterns are too big for many kitchen backsplashes; you'll need to use a pattern that fits on a single tile. The scale of this pattern fits nicely into this cozy New York City apartment's kitchen.

The scale of the pattern should match the space.

Unify different patterns in a room by choosing a common color for all patterns. Or, use the same pattern in different scales or colors. The border pattern and main field pattern in this entry are flawless together! Why? The patterns are unified by common colors.

Unify patterns in different rooms by choosing common colors.

One of the most common questions I get with cement tile is, "What border tile works with this pattern?" The answer is almost any border tile pattern can work with that pattern if they are unified by color. In this installation, both the entry and adjoining powder room use cement field (solid colored) tiles and border patterns in the same color.

Use the same colors in patterns to unify patterns in the same room.

The colors really unify both spaces and allow for a cohesive design. It's a lot of pattern in two small spaces. However, you can see that when it's done right it works splendidly - even the pattern shy will agree!

Limit yourself to just a few patterns in a single room. Or, you can use subtle or muted patterns to help create some negative space. This typically bold, Cuban pattern (below) was muted to create a much softer effect that was used in the entry, bath, and dinning room. 

Cuban Heritage Design 150 in a muted color palette.

The muted pattern allows you to use more of the same pattern and provided much needed negative space.  Here's the pattern on the entry floor.

Muted Cuban cement tile pattern in the entry.

Muted Cuban cement tile pattern in the powder room.

Notice how even the muted pattern becomes powerful in the bathroom? This is because there is very little negative space with the pattern on the floor and wainscot. Contrast this to the dining room where the cement tile is only used as wainscot.

Muted Cuban cement tile pattern is used as wainscot in the dining room.

In fact, let's step further back to get a really good view of the entire dining room.

Negative space between different patterns is required.

What do you see?  Did you notice a different pattern and some negative space between them? The wainscot and the fabric in the chairs use different patterns; but, the rest of the room is "pattern quiet." Patterns need room to breath and negative space and the right color are the perfect dance partner.

When using several patterns in a room, distribute them around the room so there is space between them to balance them out. However, if you want to draw attention to an area or wall, such as a kitchen backsplash, then concentrate the pattern to create a focal point.

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To learn more about tile and pattern design, make sure to subscribe to our blog. It's published weekly, and this month, we'll continue playing with pattern.

Simple Cement Tile Patterns are Playful & Powerful

— Written by Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

Patterns establish the mood of a room – just like color. However, they add complexity to the design because they need to work effectively with color to maintain the mood and feel. It’s more difficult to create an effective pattern and color palette than just choosing colors.

Cement Tile Patterns establish the mood of a room like color.

This commercial application uses a classic and straight-forward black and white color palette with a basic "on point" pattern. The lounge area at this Caribbean resort is just off the main lobby and establishes the right mood for this adults only five-star resort near the beach. The colors and pattern really establish a mood for the room that is slightly, formal but still fun.

Playful Pattern

The high contrast colors found in a checkerboard pattern evoke playfulness and fun. No doubt, they can also be very formal. But here, they conjure images of a large ballrooms, dancing, and romance.

The "On Point" Pattern has a playful approach to design.

The colors - black and white - help maintain a classic, traditional feel. The pattern itself is playful - it creates the checkerboard pattern using squares that contain both colors.

Cement Tile Patterns Help Soften Awkward Corners

Patterns soften hard corners and make decorating nooks and crannies easier. However, a skilled and knowledgeable installer, and good layout, are the key to a professional design.

Patterns can soften hard corners.

Expect Some Color Variation in Cement Tile

Cement tile is a handmade product and you should be prepared for variation in color - especially white.  Look at these tiles closely.

Color variation and "crazing" are common in light-colored cement tile

See the variation in color of the white in theses tiles? The color varies from a light tan to bright white depending on which tile you choose. The color is impacted significantly by the sand or silica used in the mixture and can vary. You may also see some surface crazing or veining. This is also common for light colored cement tile and should be expected - especially over time.

It's actually this color variation that makes cement tile so beautiful when you view the entire installation. The subtle differences in color from each handmade piece create a look that is both unique and complex.

Simple Patterns are Powerful

As we play with pattern this month, let's explore how powerful simple patterns can be. Look what you can do with our "On Point" pattern and a few plain tiles.

Cement tile layout based on using the "on point" design pattern

 Here's another example of what you can create using this design.

Pattern Tile Tessellation

Pretty amazing, don't you think?  The power of pattern! What are you waiting for? Go play with pattern!

Play with Geometric Pattern Tiles!

Click Here. See More Geometric Pattern Tiles!

New Arabesque Pattern Designs in Cement Tile

                                                — Written by Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

As we explore pattern and tile design this month on Tile Talk, I’d like to start by introducing some of our newest Arabesque cement tile patterns. Arabesque is a unique line of Spanish floor tiles or pavers that can also be used on walls, too! The collection pays homage to a deeply rooted, rich heritage of traditional Moorish and Spanish tiles that feature interlaced geometric patterns.

Malaga Spanish Paver in Charley Brown

Patterns are decorative designs on the surface of materials that usually have a repeating design motif. When you see pattern from afar, the motifs become so small that you no longer see them as single elements; rather, you perceive them as texture. Take a look at this pattern. Can you see texture? This is an example of "visual texture." It refers to an implied sense of texture or depth created through the use of artistic elements of line, shading and color.

Medina Spanish Paver in Assorted Grays

Patterns can also utilize a non-repeating design motif, as seen below. Although the shape repeats, the random color of this Saltillo-looking color makes the pattern very playful, sophisticated, and fun!

Safi Arabesque Spanish Paver in Artillo

While pattern refers to recurring visual events or motifs, they can exhibit visual texture, as well as true texture. Texture refers to the tactile quality of the surface - what you feel when you touch the tile. One of my favorite colors, Normandy Cream, uses a variety of texture and hue to create an antique look.

Arabesque Tangier Pattern in Normandy Cream

I hope you have enjoyed a quick look at some of our newest Arabesque Cement Tile Patterns, and how they can play with patterns while introducing texture.

Arabesque Paver Tiles are Different

Our Arabesque Paver Tiles differ from traditional cement tile. They are made with a soft mold. Traditional patterned cement tiles are made the old way with a steel mold and the color layer is only in the top 1/8" of the tile, whereas Arabesque Paver Tiles have true through-body color.

The texture, feel and style of the tiles is also very different, including the color. While both tiles are handmade and will have some variation, classic cement tiles have a more traditional, slightly formal, sophisticated look that works well for creating a multi-color pattern using the face of the tile. The cement Arabesque Pavers have a rustic feel with a softer defining edge, and have only one color throughout each tile.

With so many sizes, shapes, and colors to choose from, this is one tile you can't get enough of! Handmade rustic cement tiles can be used on floors, walls and both interior and exterior locations - even those subjected to freeze/thaw cycles.

Benefits of Arabesque Cement Tile

1. Handmade appearance for a rustic look.
2. True "through body" color. You can't scratch, cut or remove the surface color layer.
3. Rated for freeze/thaw cycles.

How to Buy Arabesque Pavers

Follow these easy steps to make sure you find the right tile for you!

1. Pick a color. With over 50 different color and blends, it's easy to find a color that works with your design scheme. Choose from our Classic, Premium, or Signature colors and blends. Make sure to use the Paver Palette Colors.
2. Add texture, if you want. Tiles comes with a standard smooth finish; but, additional textures are available to create a weathered, antiqued patina. Textures are listed below the Paver Palette Colors.
3. Find a format and size. You'll find prices, sizes, shapes and colors for our Arabesque Cement Tile! We have octagons, hexagons, pickets and more! Looking for shapes that are rectilinear? No problem! Square and rectangle formats are available from 2" to 14". You'll find prices, sizes, shapes and colors in our Rustic Paver Price List.