Make a Splash with Pool Tiles

Deep indigo pool tiles, coupled with the architecture of the pool house,
make for an incredible outdoor setting. Image via Architectural Digest.

Handcrafted artisan porcelain tiles are perfect for pools and water features. The materials and methods used in art pottery are similarly applied to classic porcelain tile-making techniques to achieve rich glazes that excite the eyes and hands.

As such, these porcelain tiles embody the charm and appeal of fine handmade ceramic ware. Glaze colors on porcelain offer unparalleled depth, clarity and vibrancy. With the warmth and originality of handmade art tiles, our porcelain pool tile collection is the perfect choice for pools, spas, water features, or any outside space. It should go without saying that each tile is custom manufactured by craftspeople dedicated to preserving the tradition of functional, natural beauty.

An example of the various glaze colors available with our Pool Tile Collection.

Here are some important points to keep in mind when specifying or ordering hand-painted, artisan porcelain tiles:

• 25 vibrant glazes are available in a wide-ranging palette.
• Porcelain tiles are the optimum choice for pools and spas.
• Ideal for interior and exterior applications.
• Porcelain tiles are rated for freeze/thaw conditions.
• Our tiles are made to order, so please allow 3 to 6 weeks.
• Sample stock (3"x3") may be available, so please check with us.
• Other formats, trim and molding available.

For additional design options, consider our Spanish Valencia 6"x6" ceramic tile, part of our extensive Spanish Ceramic tile collection. 

With its historical Spanish pattern and colors, Valencia’s design is created using traditional Majolica glazing techniques. The hand-brushed patterns are a perfect complement to outdoor living areas and water features.

Hand-painted glazed ceramic deco tiles with terracotta pavers showcase the stairs, risers and the pool. Image via Houzz | Custom pool tile design by Fariba at Archarium. 

Discover our porcelain pool tiles including all the colors, available trims, formats and accessories

See All Pool Tile Glazes

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 Designing with Tile

“Water is the driving force of all nature.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

With the end of spring coming next month, summer's energy is quietly resonating on the horizon. Summer translates to taking on new projects, perhaps one that has been set aside for years. Now is the time to replace cracked or broken pool tile, or installing that fountain or water feature you've always wanted for the garden.

Using handmade or hand-painted porcelain tile for your next outdoor project will not only enhance the look of your home, but you can rest assured the tile you choose will withstand the elements, too. For whichever project you choose to conquer, Avente Tile is here to help you reach your design goal. Our extensive Ceramic Tile Design Idea gallery features a large collection of projects dedicated to inspiring you and your living space. How can we help inspire you today?

Tile Inspiration For Your Next Kitchen Remodel

Guest post by Jane Blanchard, Modernize

Vibrant blue Arabesque tile adds visual interest. Image via Modernize.

Tile is a popular choice for kitchen floors and backsplashes, so popular that even the priciest and most custom options can seem bland. One tile company is changing that, one beautifully unique tile at a time.

One thing you'll never find at Avente Tile is tile that looks like, well, any other tile you've seen at home improvement stores or most flooring and tile warehouses when seeking inspiration for your kitchen remodel. Avente specializes in handcrafted tiles that are guaranteed to make your floors or backsplashes stand out from the subway tile and stone tile crowd.

Handmade Cement Tile

If you've never heard of handmade cement tiles, you will. Though they haven't gained widespread popularity in the U.S. yet, handmade cement tiles are used the world over for their bright, true colors and their intricate hand-painted designs. One of the most popular uses for cement tiles is the creation of "rugs" on floors by strategically laying coordinating tiles in a pattern that mimics Persian or other rugs. Perfect for kitchens, where fiber or synthetic rugs can be a hazard, a tile "rug" gives bold color and visual interest while remaining durable and easy to clean. The wide range of colors are perfect for adding a pop of color to an accent area of a kitchen floor, or for inspiring your remodel to new heights of glamour.

Relief tiles add depth and dimension to this kitchen's backsplash. Image via Modernize.

Hand Painted Relief Tile

As tiled backsplashes become an integral part of any kitchen remodel, so do the options for backsplash-ready tiles. You've no doubt seen glass, stone, and even pebble backsplashes, but you've likely seen nothing as classically beautiful as hand-painted relief tile. Marrying the lovely forms of sculpture to lightweight tiles, relief tiles are perfect for mixing with other ceramic tiles to create unforgettable backsplashes that are one of a kind. These tiles are the perfect inspiration for traditional, retro or transitional kitchens, but proceed with caution -- the designs are so alluring that they run the risk of taking your kitchen remodel in a whole new direction.

For more tile tips and tricks, please visit Modernize.com.

Geometrical Ceramic Tiles Offer Everlasting Design

By Arpi Nalbandian, Tileometry

Our new Geometrical Glazed Ceramic tile collection was used to create this appealing kitchen backsplash.

Our Geometrical line of ceramic tile mixes classic hand-painted glaze techniques with modern, geometric patterns to achieve an absolutely stunning look. They are ideal for backsplashes, accent strips or anywhere a splash of design is needed.

The Geometrical Ceramic Tile collection features hand-glazed, modern patterns.

Hand-painted in the USA using the traditional Cuerda Seca (dry cord) technique, this latest addition to our ceramic tile collection is available in 6-, 5-, 4-, and 3-inch square formats, with each pattern offered in at least four colorways. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, these high-fired ceramic tiles are suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Because they are hand-painted, variations in glaze colors, aswell as a slight relief from pooled glazes, should be expected.

Adding to their versatility is the fact that the Geometrical ceramic tile collection can be used in submerged/wet applications (such as pools, ponds and fountains) by applying a clear overglaze. For floor applications, grit can be added to the glaze to reduce slippage.

Moreover, the Geometrical tile pattern glazes coincide with our Malibu Field Tile palette. With this added flexibility in design, the patterns and colors within the Geometrical deco line perfectly complement the 50+ glaze colors available from our Malibu Field Tile collection. To make things even easier, the glaze colors used on the Geometrical collection are individually identified on the Avente Tile site.

A sampling of the ceramic glaze colors available with our Malibu Field tiles.

Also of note is that the solid-colored, high-fired Malibu Field tiles are created using classic red bisque. Available in 3"x3", 6"x6", 4"x4", 4"x5", 6"x6" and 4" Hexagon sizes, as well as a full line of trim and molding, these tiles are made-to-order so please allow four weeks for delivery.

Lastly, visit our dedicated Ceramic Tile FAQs page for any questions you may have. Of course, you can also call our office at 888.739.4972, and we would be more than happy to help with your purchasing decisions.

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Designing with Tile

"One geometry cannot be more true than another; it can only be more convenient. Geometry is not true, it is advantageous." - Robert M. Pirsig, Philosopher

Geometrical shapes have made a comeback in the design world. Everything from wallpaper to fashion accessories, and of course tile, are now proudly touting the angular allure of hexagons, octagons, and more.

Thankfully, our tiles have always been in vogue, despite changing trends. In addition to the Geometric Cement tiles and Arabesque Cement tiles we offer, our new Geometric Ceramic tiles will continue to add to the centuries-old appeal of handmade and hand-painted tiles in any design environment.

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In-Stock Cement Tile
Looking for cement tile? Need it now? Take a look at what's in-stock and ready to ship NOW! These in-stock patterns move fast, so don't delay! Place your order today.

Cathedral 8x8 Cement Tile In Stock! 300 Pieces (130 sq. ft.)	Fleur-de-Lis in Clover 8x8 Polished Cement Tile In Stock! 180 Pieces (78 sq. ft.)
Fragments Mosaic - Fall 12x12 Cement Tile Mosaic Sheets In Stock! 40 Sheets (40 sq. ft.)	Bayahibe C 8x8 Polished Cement Tile In Stock! 800 Pieces (348 sq. ft.)

Geometrical Ceramic Tiles Ring in the New Year

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

As the new year starts with full force, I think it only fitting to share some of our new tile patterns and lines. This week, I share our new glazed ceramic line. It's a small line that carriers a large, and very popular, design punch. Our Geometric Geo 10 and Traditional Anillos, or Ring pattern, has been very popular in cement, so it's with great pleasure that we are now offering both patterns in a glazed ceramic tile format.

Geometrical Circles B in Glazed Ceramic mimics our Geo 10 Cement Tile

The new line, Geometrical Ceramic Tile, melds classic, hand-painted glaze techniques with modern, geometric patterns to achieve an absolutely stunning look. Ideal for kitchen backsplashes, accent strips or anywhere a splash of color, pattern and more modern design is wanted.

Our Geometrical Rings A pattern mimics our Anillos cement tile

The glazed ceramic tile patterns are available in 6-, 5-, 4-, and 3-inch square formats. Each pattern will be offered in four colorways, and several new patterns will be released by the end of the month. You can complement these decorative tiles with field tile and trim from from our Malibu Field Tile.

Geometrical Ceramic Tile 10E is one of the new patterns and colors available in a glazed ceramic tile format

If you have a small backsplash area where a large pattern or cement tile in an 8"x8" format is hard to fit, we recommend using our Geometrical Ceramic Tile line. Or, if you want to carry the same geometric motif with a different look, these tiles offer the prefect decorative solution!

Spanish Tile Details Charm this Los Angeles Neighborhood

By Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

The Memorial Day holiday marks the unofficial start of summer for just about everybody in America. I hope you enjoyed yours. For me, here in Los Angeles, I know summer is almost here not just by the long, warmer days but the early and relentless songs of the mockingbird - sometimes too early and way too long into the night.  These longer days allow longer walks in my Los Angeles neighborhood.

Spanish tile adorn the riser and column on this Los Angeles home.

During each walk, I usually spy decorative tiles in outdoor settings that adorn the Spanish and Mediterranean homes that were influenced by Mission, Spanish, and Spanish Revival architecture. The asymmetrical arch is a rich architectural feature; but, look at the Spanish tile on the column. These are original tile circa 1928.

Spanish Tile on a column circa 1928

Brightly colored tile are influences of Spanish Revival architecture. 

I do have a soft spot for tile and love seeing how decorative tile is used to add a splash of color or touch of interest to a home. Exterior stair risers are of course a common home for Spanish tile. This small, inviting patio places Spanish paver tiles and decorative Spanish tiles both on point. This "on point" layout for pavers can help small spaces like a front patio seem more expansive.

Both pavers and decorative riser tiles are "on point" in this open courtyard.

For a more private patio, the owner of the home below chose a high wall with Moroccan details and wood for the entry. And who wouldn't want a turret for their second-story bedroom? It's almost story book material!

Spanish tile, wood and Moroccan detailing provide an inviting entry.

But, let's get a closer look at those Spanish stair riser tiles.

Spanish tiles in the same pattern adorn these stair risers.

Not as common is the use of patterned cement tile. There is one unique example that I want to share. I love the quaint look of patterned cement tiles placed in the cement walk of this home.

Patterned cement tile placed in a poured cement walkway add interest.

The color and pattern in the walk guide you to this stunning recessed entry.

The cement tiles in the walk complement the color and pattern in this entry.

I hope you enjoyed exploring just a few of my favorite homes near the Los Angeles neighborhood where I reside. These are great examples of  how Spanish tile and cement tile can be used to complement an existing design, while adding curb appeal. Throughout the summer, we'll explore more homes in the neighborhood and share additional ways to bring tile outside!

Want to add some Spanish tile charm to your home? Then look through our Spanish tiles or browse our Ceramic Tile Design Ideas where you can find a large collection of projects showcasing our handmade and hand-painted Spanish tile. Let us know how we at Avente Tile can assist you!

Spanish Tiles Make Magic

The geometric patterns of Spanish tiles have created alluring charm in homes for centuries. These time-tested patterns still make magic today.  This powder room is a great example of how these classic patterns still have style staying-power.

Powder Room using Spanish Tiles
Photo Credit: Jo Ann Richards, Works Photography

About a year ago, Ines Haml, a designer in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada called me looking for Spanish tiles.  We discussed the different hand painted Spanish Tiles lines.  She expressed special interest in the La Merced pattern from our Barcelona line. I could tell she had done her homework because of the detailed questions she asked and her familiarity with the tiles on our site.

A few days later she placed a sample order that included several popular hand painted Spanish decorative tiles and our Yucatan field tiles.  The subtle variation in color in our hand painted Yucatan field tile works well with the change in color values found in hand painted decorative tiles.  Samples sent to Ines included the SpanishValencia, California San Diego and the Barcelona La Merced.

Barceloan La Merced	Spanish Valencia	California San Diego

She mentioned she was working on a very special project and was certain one these tiles would be the right fit for her client.  Ines and I found each other through Houzz. I later learned she was also the Principal of her design firm, The Sky is theLimit Interior Design Concepts.

A Hand Painted Sink Adds a Special Touch
Photo Credit: Jo Ann Richards, Works Photography

Spanish Tile and Hand Painted Trim

A few months later, Inez asked for an estimate based on her material take-off and lead time based on our current production schedule.  A few weeks passed before she submitted her final order for the project and it included one of my favorite patterns and trim: Barcelona La Merced and Yucatan Cobalt Molding.  We didn’t have all of the decorative Spanish tiles in stock and the Yucatan tiles are always made to order.  Not a problem, Inez had worked that into the plan based on discussions we’d had earlier.  She was prepared for the lead time.  A few months later, Inez sent me teh photos from the project and just have to share them here.

Decorative Spanish Wall Tile in Powder Room
Photo Credit: Jo Ann Richards, Works Photography

What a beautiful powder room! The hand-painted designs of Spanish tile add charm and color to this powder room. Together with the terracotta Arabesque floor tiles, these La Merced ceramic tiles reveal a warm and friendly surrounding.

Hand Painted Spanish Tile Patterns Paired with Bisque Pavers
Photo Credit: Jo Ann Richards, Works Photography

Spanish Tile Formats, Colors, and Lead Times

The Barcelona line is available in small quantities for quick shipping. This flexible line comes in five patterns, each in their own unique colorway. You'll find complete designs in both a 6"x6" and 3"x3" format. Hand-painted 3"x6" and 3"x3" border/corner trim is also available for each line, and provides a variation on a theme for a cohesive look. The rich look of Yucatan Cobalt P-Molding provides the perfect trim to set-off the entire look.  All tiles in our Yucatan line are made-to-order here in California.  Allow about four weeks for most orders.

Different Spanish Wall Tile Patterns Add Interest
Photo Credit: Jo Ann Richards, Works Photography

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Thanksgiving Greetings

Santa Rita Hills, California Central Coast 

Fall is one of my favorite seasons and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  It’s a great time to slow down and re-connect with family and friends over a great meal and glass of wine.  The warm days are appreciated after the cool nights and shorter period of daylight.  Take some for yourself.  I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!  

Colorado  Rockies near Mancos, CO
Happy Thanksgiving - Find a Peaceful Place

Italian Made: Fashionable Tile, Design

The Italians are famous for their design sense. From the clothing and accessories they design to their timeless architecture and art work, and of course their legendary sports cars. There is no limit to their imagination.

The same determination applies to their design sense when it comes to tile. From Venetian glass mosaic tiles, to ceramic tile that closely resembles heavy brocade patterns, to the crispness of summery linens, it seems the Italians have perfected the art of mimicry.

During the recently held Coverings tile and stone show held in Atlanta, Italian tile manufacturers unveiled their creativity and ingenuity with new twists on patchwork type styles, state-of-the-art anti-bacterial and self-cleaning tiles, time-tested encaustic and majolica patterns, fabric-like textures and embossing, large-format tiles, and quick-installation ceramic tile systems.

Matching is Overrated

Patchworks tiles, such as “Minoo” by Marcel Wander for Bardelli, feature ornate 8”x8” porcelain floor tiles in five silkscreen patterns reminiscent of Persian rugs.

For Mosaico+, renowned mosaic artist Carlo Dal Bianco used mosaics from the company’s various lines to create a series of new decorations. For the “Lacquer” and Inlay” series, he used iridescent mosaics from the Perle collection and square glass chips from Concerto to invoke ancient Chinese dynasties.

For a mixed color palette, Ceramica Sant’Agostino’s “Abita” collection of 8”x24” white body wall tiles boast a diamond effect in three chromatic mixes of beige, lilla and menta.

Philippe Starck also played a role within the ceramic tile sector with the launch of “Flexible Architecture” for Italian manufacturer Ceramica Sant’Agostino. The decorative, modular tile can be specified on one to four sides of the tile or on no sides at all to create an endless array of architectural compositions.

“Minoo” by Marcel Wander for Bardelli.

"Lacquer" by Mosaico+

"Abita" by Ceramica Sant’Agostino

Philippe Starck's “Flexible Architecture” for Ceramica Sant’Agostino.

Antibacterial & Self-Cleaning

Ceramic tile is inherently hygienic. It contains no VOCs, so it was only natural for Italian manufacturers to collaborate with biotech companies to offer products that promote the antibacterial, antipollution and self-cleaning properties of ceramics.

Among the latest to develop these types of tiles are Fincibec with “Antibact”, Century with “Technica”, Mirage with its “Sundeck” (its zero maintenance decking product), and Panaria, Lea Ceramiche and Cotto d’Este (all part of the Panaria Group) with their antibacterial floor and wall tiles for residential and commercial applications.

Further, as an industry first, Casalgrande Padana unveiled “Bios Self Cleaning Ceramics” that uses HYDROTECT technology from the Japanese brand, TOTO, to create self-cleaning, anti-bacterial and pollution-reducing tiles. The HYDROTECT coating contains two active agents: titanium dioxide, which is photo-catalytic; and a well-balanced formulation of metals that offer antibacterial and antivirus properties. The technology is especially useful for exterior cladding and can be applied to all Casalgrande Padana products.

Lea Ceramiche's "BioPlank"

Vintage Encaustic, Majolica

Inspired by vintage encaustic and majolica tiles, old world historical charm has been renewed with new fervor thanks to high-tech printing methods.

Of these unique collections is “Azulej” – the latest porcelain tiles designed by Patricia Urquiola for Mutina. Inspired by ancient handcrafted majolica made of hydraulic cement, the 8”x8” glazed porcelain tiles are available in three neutral base colors (white, light grey and dark grey) in a choice of nine patterns or as a combination of 27 different designs. Following this trend is the Majolica pattern of Refin’s “Frame” collection. Designed by graphic design firm Studio FM, the large 30”x30” square tiles feature traditional decors from majolica tiles of the 19^th and 20^th centuries but presented in a more graphic light.

“Vintage” by Cerim, “Cotto Vogue” by Cir and “Concept” by Ragno are a few other collections featuring this unique look.

Vintage by Cerim.

"Azulej" by Mutina designed by Patricia Urquiola.

Planking with Style

The lines of wood and ceramic are blurred once again with a wide-range of plank-sized tiles that made an appearance at Coverings. Not only do these longer tiles resemble wood, but they are now taking on the look of concrete and stone.

“Sunrock” by Atlas Concorde is available in a range of formats including 6”x36” and 9”x36” while Coem’s “Pietra del Friuli”, inspired by stones found in the northeast of Italy, also comes in a 6”x36” plank size. ImolaCeramica’s “Vein” collection mimics vein-cut or cross-cut marble, and Ceramiche Caesar’s “Wabi” is inspired by oak.

Wabi by Ceramiche Caesar.

Tactile Textiles

Textiles and ceramic tile seem to be enjoying a heavenly relationship within the Italian manufacturing arena. From Raw Edge’s second collection for Mutina called “Tex,” a rich, three-dimensional and multi-colored collection of 4.5”x8” rhombus-shaped glazed porcelain tiles, to the “I Tessuti” collection created by Elena Strafella for Cottoveneto, the range of fabric-inspired patterns are not only realistically breathtaking, but they also capture the essence of the designer’s soul.

Additional textile-inspired products include Marazzi’s “Silkstone” line whose decorative ceramic wall tiles are inspired by Indian saris, Japanese kimonos, tulle and silk.

Marazzi's "SilkStone"

"I Tessuti" by Cottoveneto

Large-Format Tiles

In their continuous evolution to better serve the A+D communities, large-format tiles are becoming increasingly comfortable in various settings and environments.

For example Novabell’s “Avant” collection is available in a heavy-duty 20mm paving version in a 24”x24” format and special R12 anti-slip finish while Ceramiche Keope’s “Pecorsi SMART” tiles are available in five stone looks and a 24”x24”x¾” size. Pastorelli’s new 2cm-thick “Quartz Design” series features the same sparkling reflections as quartz flecks, while “Sunrock” from Atlas Concorde gets its inspiration from Travertine.

Further innovations in the large-format tile circle come from Cotto d’Este’s Kerlite series, “Exedra”; Panaria’s “LightQuartz”; “Micron 2.0” by ImolaCeramica; “Gli Alabastri di Rex” by Rex; and “Industrial” by Floor Gres, which reinterprets cement in porcelain slabs as large as 1.2m x 3m.

"Industrial" by Floor Gres.

Lastly, “Studies in Gouache” a tile product designed by Diego Grandi for Lea Ceramiche – is the first slim tile with a contemporary bas-relief design. The four decors (grid, scratch, weave and moire b) feature geometric and abstract patterns engraved and sanded into the 3mm tiles. They are offered in the same chromatic range as the company’s “Gouache.10” collection.

“Studies in Gouache” a tile product designed by Diego Grandi for Lea Ceramiche.

So, which of these Italian tile designs is your favorite? How and where would you use it in your next project? 

How to Create a Stunning Mosaic Tile Wall Feature

Avente Tile welcomes a new tile perspective to our blog. Our guest post is provided by Ruth Hinds on behalf of Tons of Tiles, U.K.-based importers and suppliers of a wide range of quality floor and wall tiles for bathrooms, kitchens, and any area of your home you would like to improve.

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A mosaic wall is one of the best features that you can have in your home. Not only is it highly personalized and individual, it's also really easy to create once you know what you're doing. Let's take a look at how you should approach the task.

Necessary Materials

Planning is key to success, so make sure that you have everything you need before you get started. This is likely to include adhesive, grout, a grout scraper, gloves, and safety glasses. Then, it's just a case of picking the best tiles for your job!

Use Handmade Tiles

Handmade porcelain tiles are made with the most care and love, so are a great option when you want to make something really special. The colors and designs that you'll find are almost endless. A dedication to using handmade tile products doesn't mean you compromise on results; rather, you're installing a sense of uniqueness into the existing style of your home.

Break the Rules!

The joy of creating a tile mosaic is there is no right or wrong. Feel free to let your imagination run wild, and go with whatever patterns or designs appeal to you. A haphazard approach might even make the best results, so just go with the flow!

As you can see, it really is simple to create a mosaic wall feature. Have you ever made one? Do you have any tips you'd like to share?