I first saw these arresting blue and white tiles when heading out for coffee with Gregory in Silverlake last June (that's his feet and sandals below). It was the Intelligentsia coffee shop and it was True Blue (aka Andree) who actually found the source (though I didn't know it at the time) in the comments. The space was designed by Barbara Bestor, but it was the tile that made the biggest impact. I thought it was Moroccan...
These blue and white beauts are called Fez and come from a Los Angeles based company, Granada Tiles, that makes all their tile in Nicaragua with an extremely environmental approach. The tiles come in blue and white, black and white, as well as blue, green and white. What is particularly interesting about them is the sharpness of their design and the way in which they are made:
The Echo collection revitalizes an art form that developed in France in the mid-1800's.... Unlike ceramic tiles, which are usually glazed and fired, decorative cement tiles are made by first pouring a mixture of cement and color pigment into separate compartments in a metal mold (a sort of oversized cookie cutter). This first color layer is 1/8" thick. Next we add concrete and press the tile under 3,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.
If you are thinking about tile or using tile in any part of your home, I recommend bookmarking Granada as a possible resource. Checkout the links:
>> TileVault: Blue & White Tile
>> Granada Tiles (scroll to page 21 for Fez)
>> Barbara Bestor
>> Intelligentsia Coffee
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We just bought a very small mediterranean house outside NYC. It's a mess, but I'd love to tile the porches -- I think crazy tiles would look great in a more is more kinda way on this mini-house. BUT tile floors? Outside? in the NE? wouldnt I just break my neck in the snow? Anyone know if there is patterned tile that works in snow?
view Julianna's profile
@Julianna,
You could put radiant heat under the tiles and when it is snowing or below freezing just set the thermostat very low to melt off any ice or snow.
How small-big is your porch?
INTELLIGENTSIA IS A GREAT COFFEE ROASTER
view art's profile
I thought of that but wondered about $$$. The porch is maybe 8x20.
view Julianna's profile
Tiled front paths were very common in Victorian England -- you often see them, still. It may require a particular kind of glazing or baking; presumably a tile expert would know. It is colder in the northeast than it is in London, but most of the time not that much colder.
view Deborah's profile
this tile was posted last week.
view closertotheocean's profile
@Julianna,
You could use it just for the steps and the walkway to the front door.
http://www.suntouchmats.com/site/page
view art's profile
cool idea, art. thanks
view Julianna's profile
After seeing this we're going to tile our bathroom in a similar style. Love how floor and the counter sides meet.
view Jennyb's profile
I'd have to take a tranquilizer to go in that coffee shop. WAAAAAAY too big a dose of color & pattern -- but lovely in smaller portions.
view madampince's profile
Beautiful tiles, I recently just remodeled my kitchen backsplash and my bathroom and I've chosen to go with Moorish style or Moroccan style. Check out this place they have some amazing handmade tiles: http://www.sainttropezboutique.us/products/tiles/moroccan-tiles.aspx
Cheers,
Sandra,
view sandracohen1950's profile