RSSTile Style
Karen Cummings & Pamela Blythe of Design Directions. To contact either one of them, call (970) 778-2356
Contemporary tiles are imitating textitles. Tone on tone silk textures combined with damask patterned tile gives this bedroom design a refined look.
Tan tiles are inserted into a cut opening in the cream base tile for a unique, modern look in this retail setting.
Style and refinement have hit the tile scene — again. I say again because few people know about the interesting history of artistic tile. Art tile was present as early as 3000 B.C. when Babylon discovered how to make cobalt blue glazes and began producing tiles to embellish temples and palaces.
At the center of the city’s social life, tiles from the Pompeian Forum survived the volcano. Egyptian artists lined the walls of tombs and palaces with turquoise inlaid tile in 2700 B.C. Italian tile makers have earned a reputation of producing lavish designs to adorn their homes.
In Julia Roberts’ latest movie “Eat, Pray, Love,” blue tile makes an important social status statement implying the wealth of those who own such beautiful tile.
North American tile-making began in the 1800s and was started by artisans from Europe who brought the trade to America, setting up tile-making factories all over the country. Then along came the 1920s. The development of the International Style promoted a simplification of form and expulsed ornament. In other words, elaborate design was despised. Hence the white tile. Now back to my original argument.
Today, tile manufacturers have made a strong commitment to a more artful approach to tile design. Hiring artists, graphic designers, and architects to produce creative, innovative designs that are hard to resist, tile style is back in the game. The results are rich in handwork, pattern, and ornamentation. Bye-bye white tile.
For the curious-minded, visit http://www.artistictile.com. As well as amazing tile, the home page displays men and women in mosaic-tiled clothing and accessories. I never knew tile could bend that way.
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