Artisan Porcelain Tiles for the Pool

By Arpi Nalbandian, Tileometry

Custom tile design by Carson Magness Landscapes at The Pasadena Showcase House of Design. Photo by Karol Franks via Flickr.

With summer just around the corner, it's now time to clean and restore the backyard for a season full of fun and great memories. Along with washing the outdoor furniture, cleaning the grill for upcoming BBQs, and testing outdoor equipment, you shouldn't forget to refresh and update the look of your swimming pool with richly colored, hand-painted porcelain tiles.

Field tile, or plain, solid colored tile, is a tile found in the main "field" or area of an installation covering the walls, floors or steps of your swimming pool. You can pair field tile with our decorative Spanish ceramic tiles to create spectacular designs.

In addition to their wide variety of uses, hand-painted pool tiles offer more versatility and value than any other material with their resistance to abrasion, their ability to handle freeze/thaw conditions, and their ability to retain color. With such a wide variety of deep, rich hues and sizes to choose from, porcelain pool tiles offer you the freedom to create beautiful designs that withstand the elements. Because these are made-to-order, handcrafted items, please allow 3 to 6 weeks for delivery.

Here are examples of the soothing porcelain tile glazes we offer in our Pool Tile collection.

Azure

Cerulean

Midnight

Spencer

We offer a wide variety of pool tile formats, options, trims and accessories. Also, please 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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Celebrating Summer

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." - John Lubbock, The Use of Life

Summer's energy translates to taking on new projects, perhaps one that has been set aside for years. Replacing cracked or broken pool tile or finally installing that fountain or water feature you've always wanted for the garden .now's the time!

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 Ideas gallery features a large collection of projects dedicated to inspiring you and your living space. How can we help inspire you today?

Tile Fireplace Design Tips

— Written by Bill Buyok, Avente Tile

As February comes to a close, so does this month’s focus on tiled hearths and fireplaces. Today I will share three tips that can help you achieve the best design for your tiled fireplace. Tile will dramatically alter the look of a fireplace and improve a room’s look and character for a modest cost. Most fireplaces need just a few tiles, so it’s one place you can splurge, get something you really love, and still not break the budget. 

A fireplace using hand-painted Spanish Tile

Design Rule #1 for Tiled Fireplaces: What’s your style?

Define your style and your home’s style before deciding what tile to use. Just because you love a tile doesn't mean it will work with the design and flow of your home. Do you like plain, solid color tiles or patterned tiles? Are you working with a rustic or contemporary design? Answer these questions, and then remember that fireplace designs falls into two categories:

1. Fireplaces that use only plain or field tile. 
2. Fireplaces that use pattern tiles and field tile or some other material, like a stone mantle.

You can add decorative tile as accents or create a pattern with plain tile using two or three different colors of tile. Decide what style suits your tastes and the style of your house.

Detail of hand-painted Spanish tile accents used for this fireplace

Choose patterns consistent with your style and textures that will enhance it. The rough, uneven surface of our handmade Rustic Pavers and Arabesque tiles, for example, impart a provincial  feel that works great for houses with a Spanish, Southwest or colonial design. Our hand-painted Yucatan field tile will evoke an Arts & Crafts feel when the right glaze color is used. For a more formal effect, look for tiles with a smooth surface and precise edges. Use lighter glazed tiles to brighten the area. Relief tiles are a great way to add texture. 

Hand-painted Spanish tiles create a rustic look

Decide on a color scheme and then start looking for tiles! Make sure to give the design aspects of the project proper attention. Take into account the scale, pattern, and texture of the tile.

Design Rule #2 for Tiled Fireplaces: Frame the Firebox

This handmade Yuna cement tile border frames the firebox

It may sound obvious, simple or overstated, but make sure your fireplace tile design works by framing the fire box. It’s pretty simple, the theme for our design is really about the fireplace – drawing attention, warmth and comfort to that one space to share with friends and family.

You can frame the fire box with a decorative border tile or patterned cement tiles. For plain tile installations, use molding, different color tile, or a different format. For instance, if you are tiling the fireplace in 6”x6” tiles, try using a 3”x3” tiles around the box. 

Sangria red plain tiles frame the fire box.

Take a look at the four design ideas below. Notice each one of them frames the  firebox even if other design elements like a tiled mural or panel are used. In Design #1, a border pattern of cement tile creates the frame. In Design #2, a decorative liner or border tile frames the fire box. 

Decorative Andalucia Spanish ceramic tiles create a border around the fireplace's firebox.

Similarly, a 6" deco tile was used in Design #3. Plain tiles in sangria red provide the detail for the final design.

1. Cement Tile Fireplace

2. Spanish Tile Fireplace

3. Spanish Tile Fireplace

4. Fireplace Tile Mural

Design Rule #3 for Tiled Fireplaces: Consider Scale

Scale your project to the size of the room and fireplace surface for balance. Tile size and pattern will drastically alter the fireplace’s appearance. The tile’s size needs to be in scale both to the size of the firebox and the room. The pattern on the tile, the tile layout (or how it is set), color and texture will create an atmosphere – make sure it’s the one you want.

 

A medallion using Celtic ceramic tiles provides subtle interest.

Frequently, folks love a certain tile pattern and want to use it for their fireplace. After ordering samples, they will give me a call and say it just didn't work. I’ll often ask, “Did you try it in a smaller format? That fireplace isn’t very big when you are trying to fit patterned and field tile.” Sure enough, the design works when the tile is the right scale for the fireplace. When working with patterned or decorative tile, it’s a good idea to look at patterns that are available in different scaled formats, like our Malibu, Barcelona, Spanish and Portuguese ceramic tile lines.

Cuban Heritage Border Tiles provide warm colors and a charming pattern.

If you want to tile your fireplace, keep these three tips in mind and you should be on your way to creating a design that you will love! I hope you enjoy our series of blog posts devoted to tile and fireplace design.

Design Ideas for Tiling your Fireplace!

Click Here to View!

Do you have a question about using tile for your fireplace or hearth? No problem! Leave your tile question in the comments section of this blog, and we'll happily answer any questions you may have.

Fireplace and Hearth Tile Design Posts

If you enjoyed today's post, then you might enjoy previous posts on tile fireplaces and hearths.

• Designing with Tile: Fireplaces & Hearths 
• A Tiled Fireplace Will Warm the Home All Year
• Four Fireplace Tile Design Ideas
• Cement Tile Fireplace Ideas 
• Spanish Tiles Create a Classic Look for Fireplace 
• Cement Tiles Work Well for a Fireplace Surround
• Tile Ideas for the Hearth

Interview with Lilywork Artisan Tile, LLC

Today's post is the second in our Tile Artisans Interview Series. It’s a joy to share their love of tile. By getting to meet the artisan, you begin to discover both their techniques and inspirations. I met Esther of Lilywork Tile about eight years ago at Coverings, an annual tile and stone trade show. I was captivated by the unusual dance that her complex glazes played with unusual textures and classic patterns. Esther has a passion for tile and you’ll find that in every Lilywork Artisan Tile that is made. — Bill Buyok

Bosphorous/Rosette Focal by Lilywork Artisan Tile, LLC

1. How and when did you start creating your tiles?
Both Paul and Esther, owners of Lilywork, come from art backgrounds. Paul studied at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. During this time, his mentor, Will Mead of Peace Valley Tile, introduced him to tile-making. It was here that Paul developed a passion for the craft that has been with him for the last 14 years. Paul had worked tirelessly to hone his craft, balancing his own business and, until recently, holding the position of Mold-maker at Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Bucks County, PA. Esther, the other half of Lilywork, got her start at the Hartford Art School. Originally starting in printmaking and textiles, Esther quickly found her niche in tile-making. “I realized the layering of pattern, texture and color I wanted could best be achieved in the ceramic arts.”

Herringbone Backsplash by Lilywork Artisan Tile, LLC

2. As an artisan, what inspires your creations?
Lilywork owners gain inspiration from travels, pulling ideas from architecture and cultures across Europe and the Near East.

Ravenna Listello by Lilywork Artisan Tile, LLC

3. Now, of the many designs and projects, which stands out as your favorite? Why?
One of our favorite recently completed projects is a residential backsplash. It is a traditional space in a historic home using Lilywork field tile in the herringbone pattern. It also incorporates one of our more interesting textured field tiles, Bosphorous, and three-dimensional rosettes into the focal area. We were able to work more closely during the backsplash design process for this project.

Backsplash with 4" Field and Star+Cross Focal
by Lilywork Artisan Tile, LLC

4. What was the proudest moment for you and your hand-made tile business?
One year ago, this past April, we both began to work exclusively for our own company. It is something special to look back at what had been built from the ground up and now could sustain us, especially during a time when the economy was uncertain.

Concept 1 by Lilywork Artisan Tile, LLC

5. In promoting your creations, and to help gain greater exposure, which digital platforms do you use (Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.)? How do you use them to promote your hand-made tile business?
Facebook has been helpful for showing studio process shots. It is invaluable for designers, dealers and prospective clients to see and understand the hand-made process.

Concept 2 by Lilywork Artisan Tile, LLC

Concept 3 by Lilywork Artisan Tile, LLC

6. Which of these social media platforms has helped your business the most? How?
We self-promote via our website, and Facebook, which have been useful tools for people familiar with our business to further explore our products and concepts. Houzz has introduced our business to a wider market not yet familiar with Lilywork. We would like to work more with Pinterest, as time permits.

Babylonia Listello with 1" Field Tile by Lilywork Artisan Tile, LLC

7. Where do you see the company going from this point forward?
Lilywork recently moved to Stonington, CT, and we look forward to working locally, and direct to the trade in our new location.

Iznik Listello with 2" Decoratives by Lilywork Artisan Tile, LLC

Name: Paul & Esther Halferty
Company(s) Name: Lilywork Artisan Tile, LLC
Email: info@lilywork.com
Phone: 215-859-8753, 860-599-6050

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LilyworkTile
Website: www.lilywork.com

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If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy reading about these Tile Artisans:

• Interview with Nutmeg Tile Designs
• Inner Piece Art Tiles

Affordable Luxury with Hand-Painted Field Tiles

Enjoy Long-Lasting, Affordable Luxury with Hand-Painted Ceramic Tiles

Image via Lonny Magazine.

With summer just around the corner, it's time to clean and restore the backyard for a season full of fun and great memories. Along with washing the outdoor furniture, cleaning the grill for upcoming BBQs, and testing outdoor equipment, don't forget to refresh and update the look of your swimming pool with new richly colored, hand-painted ceramic field tile.

Field tile, or solid colored tile, is a tile found in the main "field" or area of an installation covering the walls, floors or steps of your swimming pool. In essence, field tile refers to a solid color tile. Of course, you can pair field tile with decorative ceramic tile to create a spectacular custom design.

In addition to their wide variety of uses, hand-painted ceramic tile offers more versatility and value than any other material with their resistance to abrasion, freeze/thaw conditions, and color permanence properties. With such a wide variety of deep, rich colors and sizes to choose from, ceramic tile gives you the freedom to create beautiful swimming pool designs that will withstand the elements. Here are several tile collections for you to consider when you're ready to update your pool tile:

Arles is a handmade tile with stunning, reactive glazes that are full of movement. Inspired by the fields of Provence, France, this series is available in five colorways.
Cracked Ice is composed of unique glass tiles in a myriad of geometric shapes, and several rich colors.
Pillow Chiclet offers a classic shape with a touch of softness. The wonderful translucent colors are hand-painted onto softly domed "pillow-like" tiles.
Yucatan takes its inspiration from old sprawling haciendas and villas found throughout the Mexican peninsular state.

Featured Tile

Yucatan Cobalt	Cracked Ice Slate Blue
Pillow Chiclet Royal	Arles Mist

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Pinterest: Celebrating Summer

"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

School is out, and dreams of summer adventures wait! For this month's Pinterest focus, we chose two of our Pinterest boards that best reflect this exuberance of upcoming trips and longer, fun-filled days.

Alongside summer's energy comes the urge to start a new project, perhaps one that has been set aside for years. Replacing cracked or broken pool tile or finally installing that fountain or water feature you've always wanted for the garden - now's the time!

Using handmade or hand-painted ceramic 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 whatever project you choose, Avente Tile is here to help you reach any design goal on any budget. Our extensive ceramic tile Design Ideas gallery features a large collection of projects dedicated to inspiring you and your living space. How can we help inspire you?

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Project Pick: Fountain with Spanish Tiles

The peaceful sounds of a water feature are enhanced by the presence of delightful hand-painted tile. Spanish Andalucia tiles are used to frame this outdoor fountain grotto, while Spanish Brushed Natural tiles are used around the front edge. Finally, the water's bright blue is enhanced with our Yucatan Cobalt tiles for the water level.

Like all our hand-painted tiles, the patterns are hand-brushed by the tile artisan. The Spanish tiles are created using the traditional Majolica glazing techniques. Because the hand of the artist is at work, you will see variation from tile to tile. Remember, these tiles can't be used in outdoor environments subjected to freeze/thaw cycles.

Feeling inspired? Take a look at our complete collection of hand-painted Spanish ceramic tile, read more about on this design, Fountain with Spanish Tiles, or explore other ceramic tile design ideas.

Tile Talk Newsletter - June 2012

Project Pick: Cuban Cement Floor Tiles for a French Moroccan Bath


Photo credit: Celia Reiss Interiors

This month's project pick comes from Celia Reiss. She is a designer at her firm, Celia Reiss Interiors, in Manhattan, New York. Celia shared an image showing how she used Cuban Heritage cement tiles in a design for her own bathroom. Celia loves cement tiles and it shows in this design!

"The tiles were installed in my own home to be able to show my clients how fabulous it would look."

- Celia Reiss of Celia Reiss Interiors, Manhattan, NY

I love that the floor tile wraps up to surround the bath. The tiles carry the pattern on both vertical and horizontal surfaces creating a very sophisticated look. The bath tile is in perfect balance with the floor tile. The antiqued wood vanity with marble top creates a rich, but comfortable space.

Find out more about this project and Celia's design on our blog, Avente Tile Talk. There are great ideas for anybody that is considering a cement tile floor. Read:

>> A Designer Chooses Cuban Tiles for her Bathroom

You can see more images of this project on her blog at Bathroom with a French Moroccan twist. There are wonderful images that detail the vanity, pulls and sink - not to mention the tile.

The cement floor tiles are all 8" x 8". The cement tile pattern is Cuban Heritage Design 140-2B with the contemporary colors of Light Turquoise, Brown, and Caribbean Blue. Celia wisely chose not to use the border pattern for this design because the bathroom isn't big enough to accommodate both a bold border and intricate pattern. The field pattern uses only Light Turquoise and Brown:

Light Turquoise

Brown

Cuban Tile patterns are characterized by elaborate designs, bold colors and prominent borders or double borders. The Cuban Heritage cement tile patterns are from cement tile installations found in old homes or estates in Cuba.

Cuban Heritage Design 140 comes in four standard colorways:

Design 140 1A 8" x 8"

Design 140 2B 8" x 8"

Design 140 3B 8" x 8"

Design 140 4A 8" x 8"

>> See the collection of Cuban Tile Patterns

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Experience the Color of Provence in Arles



Cote d'Azure near Roqubrune
Provence is the inspiration for the colors in Arles

Have you seen our new line of field tiles? Arles is a handmade tile with a stunning, reactive glaze in colors reminiscent of the seasons in Provence. If you've ever felt a cold Mistral blow against your face or seen the hay dry in the fields on a warm summer day, you'll begin to see and feel the colors in Arles.

Arles Field Tile & Trim in Mist

Arles is available in five colors: Aqua, Mist, Hay, Cork, and Wheat. Each color is stocked in a 4"x4" field tile, a molding, and a simple liner. Rhomboids are also available. When purchasing samples, make sure to be get at least four different pieces so that you get a good idea in the variation of color.

Arles Field Tile & Trim in Hay

There’s something very unique about the rich glazes in the Arles Field Tile. They are full of movement. The tiles are fired differently with a glaze that is reactive to the local terracotta body. It is this combination that gives each tile such distinctive qualities. The owner of the design studio where Arles is made explains, "Basically, this combination is what makes this line is so different. There is great variation in the glaze color ranges. The reactive glazes change so much, so it is never the same twice." And, don't forget, Arles is 100% handmade. You'll see the hand of the artist in each tile body and in the glaze.

>> View Arles Field Tile

>> Read Blog Post: Arles Handmade Field Tile

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Tile Tip:
If you are tiling a newly finished and poured concrete slab, allow adequate cure time for the slab to avoid grout cracks. Cement shrinks as it cures and excess moisture evaporates. If tile are applied too soon, while the concrete is still shrinking, grout is likely to crack. The TCNA (Tile Council of North America) suggests a 28-day cure for concrete before tiling. Also, the TCNA cautions that many factors must be considered before determining the appropriate cure time to avoid grout cracking.

Find out more and read:

>>Our blog post on Why grout cracks in tile installations
>>TCNA's recommendations on Concrete Cure Times before Tiling

Arles Handmade Field Tile

Today I'm excited to highlight our new line of field tiles, Arles. Arles is a handmade tile with a stunning, reactive glaze in colors reminiscent of the seasons in Provence. If you've ever felt a cold Mistral in your face or seen the hay dry in the fields on a warm summer day, you'll begin to see and feel the colors in Arles.

Lavender field
Provence is the inspiration for the colors in Arles

There’s something very unique about the rich glazes in Arles. They are full of movement and fluctuation.

Arles is available in five colors: Aqua, Mist, Hay, Cork, and Wheat. Each color is stocked in a 4"x4" field tile, a molding, and a simple liner. Rhomboids are also available. When purchasing samples, make sure to be get at least four different pieces so that you get a good idea in the variation of color.

Aqua ranges from inky black to aqua blue.

Arles Field Tile & Trim in Aqua

Mist is an intense, blue-grey tile.

Arles Field Tile & Trim in Mist

Cote d'Azure near Roqubrune
Provence is the inspiration for the colors in Arles

"We use a local terracotta body which allows the titanium oxide in the glaze to move the way it does. We fire it differently than our other ceramic tiles too, and that’s why each tile has such distinctive qualities," explains the owner of the design studio where they are made.

"Basically, this combination is what makes this line is so different. There is great variation in the glaze color ranges. The reactive glazes change so much, so it is never the same twice." And, don't forget, Arles is 100% handmade. You'll see the hand of the artist in each tile body and in the glaze.

Hay ranges from yellow to light brown.

Arles Field Tile & Trim in Hay

These tiles are suitable for all indoor wall applications. They can be used in outdoor locations; but, not in frosty environments.

Cork is a mixture of rich, matte chocolate shades.

Arles Field Tile & Trim in Cork

Wheat is a saturated earth brown that varies from medium to dark.

Arles Field Tile & Trim in Wheat

With its slightly irregular, handmade rustic-body, Arles looks great when laid with wider grout lines. Because there is a high degree of variation in the hand-painted glaze colors, it adds interest and movement to any installation. Arles is a great way to achieve a rustic or relaxed feel with field tiles and bring the colors of Provence into your home.