
What: Blue & White FEZ Cement tile
Source: Granada Tile
Where: Intelligentsia Coffee, Silverlake, LA
Why: This has got to be one of the most stunning uses of tile we've ever seen. It totally transforms the space and gives a cheery, almost otherworldy feeling to the space. Designed by Barbara Bestor for Intelligentsia, she obviously sourced this tile carefully. We first ran this post in 2008 when we didn't know the source and it collected a ton of comments.



Nomade Express Slee...
Hot Tranny mess.
NO, seriously the floor looks dirty..
One day, hopefully soon, it won't be generally acceptable to denigrate trannies. Genifur 2, I'm looking in your direction.
i love the tile
not the dirt
i love trannies too
xo
Those are Encaustic Tiles. Cement tiles. You can google them for various sources.
http://www.saharadesigns.com/moorish-tile.html
Are you looking for a that specific pattern? Looks like encaustic tile: http://www.villalagoontile.com/history-of-encaustic-tiles.html.
i don't know what you mean by trannies.
love the tiles and the dirt.
That reminds me - I need an espresso.
"Hot trannie mess" is one of the catch phrases the winner of last season's Project Runway said all the time when he didn't like a project or piece of clothing, attitude etc.
The over reactions of people on AT have gotten out of hand. Seriously, people. Lighten up.
Seaside, thanks for the explanation. I guess "Project Runway" is/was a TV show? I don't watch TV.
I think people are sensitized at this point, because of several very bad posts here and it will take a whole lot of very good posts to make up for those mistakes.
Sometimes those things will never go away.
Besides, for me, the thing that always comes to mind when hearing "tranny" is something to do with vehicle transmissions. Too much time around mechanics, I guess. Which were a result of too many crappy cars. Ha! Or dating the mechanics.
TRUE BLUE I am cracking up about transmission "trannys." You made my day!
:)
Yay Seaside! Who knew automotive problems could bring such joy?
THIS is what I think of for a "Hot Tranny Mess":
http://volt914.blogspot.com/2008/04/replacing-transmission-main-seal.html
This thread has become a hot mess! haha!
This tile is Nicaraguan blue and white tile. Not sure what the actual source is, but I found that bit of info here:
http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/retail/silverlake
come on...nobody has said the other big catch phrase from christian?
F I E R C E!
thanks to hessilou's find, I was able to find this:
"We stopped by the shop last week for a quick look around and saw beautiful blue and white Nicaraguan tile, procured from locally owned Granada Tile"
Source:
http://la.eater.com/archives/2007/07/16/intelligentsia_coffee_debuts_in_august.php
Which led me to their site:
http://www.granadatiles.com/news1.php
And to the blue and white pattern:
http://www.granadatiles.com/index.php?p=stock.php
It is called Fez - 928A
I would have looked around earlier, but I saw that there were links already...which I assumed went right to the product. Just now I was going browse the tiles and they weren't linked to...so, here ya go.
Quiltmaster likes...
Have made pattern in fabric many times....
Undoubtedly easier in tile......
Love the tiles, love the blue - reminds me of Greek island vacays... So fresh.
I love intelligentsia's coffee/cappuccinos and i love their space. its oldworld on the outside and I love the tile and Fustis inside. only problem is the mega-trendy-richie-skinny hipsters that cause all those long lines (that is why the tile is always dirty)!
One day, hopefully soon, it won't be generally acceptable to denigrate coffee shop floors. It's not their fault that they are dirty.
I think they look great dirty as well!!! Dream source.
I'm very familiar with these blue & white tiles they are called encaustic tiles or cement tile. Once of the best source for quality handmade Cement tiles in California is called Saint Tropez Boutique, they are located in San Francisco they have the finest selection of quality handmade Moroccan mosaic tile also called zillij tile or zelllige also they carry encaustic cement tiles, Mediterranean terracotta tiles, Moorish lighting, Moroccan lighting including Moroccan lamps, moroccan sconces, Moroccan lanterns, Moorish lanterns, Mediterranean carved wood doors, Moroccan wood screens, Moroccan furniture, Moorish home decor, and much more.
You must check out their websites they are amazing:
http://www.sainttropezboutique.us
http://www.sainttropezstone.com
Cheers,
Mimoon,
This exact tile: http://www.sainttropezboutique.us/products/tiles/encaustic-cement-tiles/encaustic-cement-tile-07.aspx
Hi Everyone,
My name is Adil and I am a native Moroccan tile amd Moroccan mosaics expert and maker with a factory in Fez and warehouse/showroom in California.
The cement tile pattern is a basic Moorish diamond design dating back from the Alhambra era. The pattern could be made as a hand cut mosaic as well. Moroccan name is " Marbaa betalet" which basically means "squares and triangles".
I made the same encaustic cement tile at my Zellige factory in Fez, Morocco for one of my client's house in La Quinta, CA. We will adding the installation picture of that specific tile to our online portfolio.
This is the link to the same tile:
http://www.saharadesigns.com/moroccan_cement_tile_3.html
Enjoy
Adil
Same beautiful tile and no dirt. This is a clean application we did for the same tile in a pool. check it out
http://www.mymoroccantile.com/pd-moroccan-cement-tile-16c1.cfm
same tile and a lot cleaner:
http://www.mymoroccantile.com/pd-moroccan-cement-tile-16c1.cfm
Guys, the shot of the dirty tile is a actually outside. It extends to the inside.
@Sydneybristow: I think that was inevitable when they named themselves 'Intelligentsia Coffee'. (Blerg.)
LOVE the tiles though; they are delicious. Even dirty.
Am I the only one who things this could easily be replicated with blue painters tape? That's all I can think of when I look at it... about the same color, size and everything.
Would be awesome in the right room, not my thing though.