Arts and Crafts designing with tile

by Karen Hovde
Arts and crafts designing with tile
by Karen Hovde
Interior Vision
As an historic interior designer, I work in restoration, renovation and new construction. To put it simply, I create comfortable and aesthetically pleasing spaces by using appropriate materials and balanced color choices, textures and surfaces.
Q. How does one create 100 years of patina?
A. By choosing materials that have the added element of the human touch.
Q. How can one satisfy all the requirements of appropriate material, texture, surface AND the human element?
A. By using handmade tile.
In a great recipe some ingredients are essential, and others, like spices, are optional. For the best result, both types are used in proportion. But creating great food and designing beautiful homes also takes a human element, and in the latter, that element is handmade tile.
The color variations of handmade tile are determined by how a glaze responds to firing, and a surface is varied when clay is moved, modeled and moved again.Each of these procedures communicates the element of human touch. When remodeling and installing tile, aesthetic decisions must be made to incorporate all elements, such as a counter, backsplash and window trim. This kitchen design began with a large decorative tile made by Weaver Tile. The large tree motif tile (approximately 12" x 18") became the focal point of the entire kitchen, prominently placed in the backsplash behind the Aga stove. The beautiful variations of brown and green directed the color scheme. To accompany this impressive piece, field tile was created by North Prairie Tile using three standard glazes. Surprisingly, the custom counters and backsplash cost less than the granite originally planned for the remodel. The owners of this kitchen tell me that every day they are pleasantly conscious of the feeling created by using handmade tile. As a building material, handmade tile is one of the most aesthetically pleasing elements one can use, and it connects one's own creative spirit with that of the artist.
As an historic interior designer, I work in restoration, renovation and new construction. To put it simply, I create comfortable and aesthetically pleasing spaces by using appropriate materials and balanced color choices, textures and surfaces.
Q. How does one create 100 years of patina?
A. By choosing materials that have the added element of the human touch.
Q. How can one satisfy all the requirements of appropriate material, texture, surface AND the human element?
A. By using handmade tile.
In a great recipe some ingredients are essential, and others, like spices, are optional. For the best result, both types are used in proportion. But creating great food and designing beautiful homes also takes a human element, and in the latter, that element is handmade tile.
The color variations of handmade tile are determined by how a glaze responds to firing, and a surface is varied when clay is moved, modeled and moved again.Each of these procedures communicates the element of human touch. When remodeling and installing tile, aesthetic decisions must be made to incorporate all elements, such as a counter, backsplash and window trim. This kitchen design began with a large decorative tile made by Weaver Tile. The large tree motif tile (approximately 12" x 18") became the focal point of the entire kitchen, prominently placed in the backsplash behind the Aga stove. The beautiful variations of brown and green directed the color scheme. To accompany this impressive piece, field tile was created by North Prairie Tile using three standard glazes. Surprisingly, the custom counters and backsplash cost less than the granite originally planned for the remodel. The owners of this kitchen tell me that every day they are pleasantly conscious of the feeling created by using handmade tile. As a building material, handmade tile is one of the most aesthetically pleasing elements one can use, and it connects one's own creative spirit with that of the artist.