apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I've been working with a company called Buy Mosaic Tile and they have beautiful tile from Opiocolor, Bisazza, Hakatai and Matrixcolor. I have a few colors from each of these manufacturers, and they mixed a custom blend for me for my bathroom. So far, it looks gorgeous!

I got nice little glass tiles for $5 a square foot at Bella Tile. I found them here on AT...

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/main/archives/000855.html

They weren't as spectacular as some of the $25 a sq foot Bizazza stuff, but Bella carries both, so you can do a side by side comparasion.

The glass tiles I plan to use in my kitchen renno as a backsplash come from Nemo Tile, near Union Square. My contractor recommended them. I had fallen in love with Ann Sacks glass tiles and these were much much less expensive.

Many of these glass tiles are shipped over in small batches. Keep in mind that the tiles often take several weeks to come in and the color could vary more than you expect.

I had hoped to do some comparison shopping at Bella Tile, after reading about them on here. I left work early to go see them, after calling to make sure they would be open. I raced downtown to see them and they had closed early. Never had the chance to get back there.

You might also give Peniel Tile a call as well. They also are in the Bronx and are extremely helpful. In general their prices run cheaper than Home Depot on ceramic and they have even been cheaper (and more helpful) than Quality Tile ever has been when I call them. If you call, they can at least get an estimate for you. They do havea website - penieltile dot com - which has their general info.

Since I'm a renter I don't want to put up a permanent tile back splash. It's just painted sheetrock now. So I have been contemplating various ways to put something in that can be removed easily later. I love the look of the glass tiles. What kind of backing could they be mounted on that could be hung more like a picture frame? Can they be purchased in small quanities?

Of course I don't really need another unfinished project, but I can at least dream.

Wonderboard would be my first suggestion, it might be able to resist warping. 3/4" pressure-treated plywood also might hold up without warping with heat/water effects from the kitchen.

Another idea could be to get glass sheets cut to the size of your backsplash and bond the tiles with UV glue and then fill in with grout. The only problem will be that you would never get the tiles off the glass once they have been bonded. The upside is that you could then have the option to back-light the whole panel which might look really cool!

I have a friend that bought some great tiles on ebay...obviously there is the problem of not being able to see or feel what you are purchasing but she was quite satisfied. They seem to have a great selection.

This has nothing to do with tiles but i couldn't figure out where else to ask the following...

A couple of weeks ago AT posted an online resource for paint color matching. Does anyone recall what it was?

www.colorcharts.org

Well, it's not a shop (although I think a number of shops do carry their tiles), but Hakatai tile (hakatai.com) make great-looking glass tile in a number of styles, and you can order direct from them. (I got mine through The Artful Crafter (mosaictileusa.com) in Pennsylvania, who offer somewhat lower prices on these tiles than going direct from Hakatai. I think you can get their basic line of Carter tiles for under $5sf, delivered, and they look great.

We got our lovely Carter tiles directly from Hakatai. They were several dollars per square foot cheaper than we saw them for at Mondial Tiles (in Brooklyn and a good place to look at what you're getting before you buy).

Some of you who have purchased mosaic tile from various places in the NY area should post pictures of the work you've done...I for one would love to see it. I think there is a way to do that on the site?

Larry,
Please post the contact information for Buy Mosiac Tile, can't seem to find them online.

thx.

I love these diamond shaped tiles from Ann Sacks, but dont want to pay the $30 square foot. I have thought of turning square tiles to make a diamond shape if I cannot find diamond shaped tiles.

Can anyone give advice on glass tiling the inside of a cast iron tub? I can't find any info: on the net.
Thankyou

Larry,
Im curious to know how much it cost to have the bathroom done? I want my floor done, just want an estimate. Also did you have to get your own conractor or did the place you brought the tile do it for you?
Thanks.

I am doing 2 apartments in Gramercy Park--so here is what I have found. Oceanside is a great product for glass tiles, the TESSERRA line--and you can DEAL with your dealer--$23/sf is what i got. Also, call MIRAGE directly in West Virginia; and Crossville--- look at Expo Design Center for their product----they will direct you to dealers. As to HAKATAI, look at the Ashland series--the iridescent glass 1x1 tiles are exquisite--buy direct from them.

I just finished my condo with a beautiful backsplash done by Firefly Mosaics. They mixed some Bisazza tile and some gold accent tiles and shipped me my custom blend in 7 days - and the cost was less than that of Expo Design. And very helpful people there at Firefly, full of suggestions. Now I think I'll do my bathroom remodel in tile...

I just remodeled my apt. in Park Slope with glass tiles as well as limestone and marble from Mondial Tiles in Brooklyn. By far the best prices and service around!!!

I want to do a mosaic tile project using colored ceramic pieces. Most everything I find is glass mosaics. Any leads?
Judy

Wow! Have you seen the prices at www.moderntilestudio.com? I got Ashland iridescent glass 1x1's (ginger tea color) which look exactly like Oceanside glass, but they cost SO much less! My kitchen backsplash needs to be done and I'm going back for more :)

Phyllis - I am getting my clear white 3'x6' glass tiles for my kitchen backsplash from theglassmosaicoutlet.com. They have free shipping. I got mine at $15/sqfeet.

If you are looking for high quality glass tiles check out, Glass Tiles, Etc. - Affordable elegant luxury for bath, kitchen and more.. They also offer a good variety of Granite, Marble, Stainless Steel, and Ceramic tiles. Based out of New York City too!