| I don't know about you, but I thought that I have | | | | exquisite pieces for yourself to feel the charm |
| been there, done that and got the t-shirt when it | | | | and warmth that radiates from each piece. |
| comes to wall tile. I never imagined that I would | | | | Before I move on to Modern Wall Tile, I would like |
| ever experience the awesome feeling of seeing | | | | to delve into the Olde California Collection. This |
| something new and breathtaking in the world of | | | | collection consists of multi-colored designs fired |
| wall tile. Was I living in a cave wearing blinders in | | | | into these tiles making them a desirable addition to |
| the dark? Was I transported to another planet | | | | any room in which they are displayed. With titles |
| where wall tile was nonexistent? Was I stranded | | | | such as Adobe, Patio, Plaza, Benecia, Clara, Diego, |
| on an island in the middle of the South Pacific? | | | | Mojave, San Gabriel, San Luis Rey and Vallejo, |
| No, I was living in the Chicago area and the | | | | you just have to see the rich Spanish heritage |
| thought came to me that I should take a look to | | | | devoted to these extraordinary works of tile art. |
| see what has happened to wall tile in the 21st | | | | Other collections in the handcrafted tile category |
| century. What a splendid idea! So I did... | | | | are the First Choice Collection, the Casual |
| As I began to explore all the possibilities I began | | | | Elements Series, the Confetti Collection, the |
| to realize that wall tile has become an amazing | | | | Campagna Collection and the Heritage Pecos. |
| decorating art form that has truly evolved over | | | | Take a few minutes and explore these and all the |
| the past few years. As I researched the forms | | | | others I mentioned. You will discover how you can |
| of wall tile available today, each step of my | | | | create an enchanted atmosphere in the comfort |
| search brought me into new and exciting | | | | of your own home. |
| materials, styles, colors, shapes and textures that | | | | Now it is time to take a look at modern wall tile. |
| are sure to please even the most scrupulous of | | | | This version of tile is creating a new frontier that |
| individuals. | | | | will pave the way to future generations of artfully |
| At first, I came across wall tiles that are familiar | | | | expressive fashion. |
| to even the most novice wall tile seeker. These | | | | I will start with tile categories. Here you will find |
| wall tiles were those made of ceramic, glass, | | | | modern wall tiles in topics such as Glass Tile, Tile |
| limestone, marble/granite, porcelain, slate, | | | | Blends, Ceramic/Porcelain Tile, Cork tile, Pebble |
| travertine and mosaic. | | | | Tile, Steel Tile, Brio, Lush, Mod Dots and Mod |
| The ceramic wall tile I first came across came | | | | Rocks. Now I will attempt to provide you with |
| only in earth tone shades. The glass wall tile had | | | | some basic information on each of these. |
| more to choose from. Different shapes of glass in | | | | Remember, this is all Modern Tile. |
| each tile, multi-colored tiles and an array of | | | | For modern glass tile you have Mosaic, Blends, |
| surface textures. | | | | Square, Subway, Recycled and Tattoos. Out of all |
| When I looked at glass tile I found that you are | | | | of these modern glass tiles, I thought I would give |
| able to get glass tile in every color under the | | | | you an idea of the styles of Glass Tattoos |
| rainbow. The options for glass tile textures are | | | | offered. You have Sailor Girl, Compass Blue, |
| open to exactly what you are looking for. The | | | | Anchor, Compass Red, Koi, Swallow, Dagger |
| variety of styles is one of the largest of the tile | | | | Heart and Mom Heart. If you are familiar with |
| family. | | | | regular tattoos, then you will have an idea of |
| The limestone wall tile was mostly of earth tone, | | | | what these glass tiles look like. Otherwise, just go |
| but offered a multitude of design patterns and | | | | online and have a look at these and all the |
| borders. This made it possible to mix and match | | | | modern glass tiles that I have mentioned. |
| designs to create works of wall tiles art on your | | | | Moving over to Modern Tile Blends. This is just |
| surrounding walls. | | | | exactly what it sounds like. These tiles are made |
| The marble/granite wall tile was presented mostly | | | | with blends of different tile materials. Here you |
| in shades of off-white and beige, but dark brown | | | | can pick from stock blends that are tile blends |
| marble and an aqua blue granite tile are also | | | | that the manufacture has already catalogued, or |
| offered. It was nothing new. This type of wall tile | | | | you can put together your own custom blended |
| has been around a long time. | | | | tiles with unlimited possibilities. |
| The porcelain wall tile came mostly in medium to | | | | Now we will discuss Modern Ceramic/Porcelain wall |
| dark shades of tans and browns. With the | | | | tiles. There are 2 main styles to choose from |
| exception of Flagstone (a mosaic porcelain style) | | | | when it comes to modern Ceramic/Porcelain tiles. |
| and Cognac (with a design pattern), most of your | | | | First you have your Mod Dots. These are glazed |
| porcelain wall tile is solid color. | | | | porcelain penny rounds. With a variety of colors |
| The slate tile in general has a mixture of earth | | | | to choose from, you can mix and match color |
| tone colors creatively combined into each tile. With | | | | dots for a modern look to any wall indoors or |
| grays, tans, browns and reddish browns mixed | | | | outdoors. |
| into the display depending on what particular color | | | | The other style of Modern Ceramic/Porcelain wall |
| combination you are looking for. | | | | tiles is called RAW tiles. RAW Tiles are derived |
| With Travertine wall tiles, you have a diverse | | | | from fabric designs and graphics. The process for |
| selection of colors to choose from. From earth | | | | making these tiles was first used by Persians and |
| tones of brown and beige, from rustic walnut to | | | | over the years the technique was introduced to |
| golden volcano, from Egyptian Gold to Tuscany | | | | California from immigrating Spaniards. The modern |
| Blend, these tiles have a natural beauty that has | | | | version introduces patterns or designs on the tile |
| descended through the ages. | | | | that match well with contemporary decor. |
| I'm sure you are familiar with mosaic tiles. Each | | | | Next we have Modern Cork Tile. This cork tile |
| tile consists of small tile or stone pieces placed in | | | | follows in the footsteps of Mod Dot tile. This is a |
| some sort of geometric pattern. There are a | | | | cork mosaic in a penny round style. You have the |
| variety of pastel colors to choose from. You can | | | | option to stain the cork rounds to any color of |
| also choose from tile pieces or stone pieces with | | | | your choice or using wood stain you may retain |
| a flat or polished finish. | | | | the natural color of the cork. Before grouting the |
| Now let's get to what I call the interesting wall | | | | cork tile a sealer must be applied. You have to |
| tiles. These are wall tiles that you have to see in | | | | see examples of the finished product in order to |
| order to get the full impact of their unique | | | | fully appreciate the beauty. |
| elegance. So let's get started. | | | | Our next example of Modern Wall Tile is Pebble |
| I will now take a look at what is offered in hand | | | | Tile. These are natural polished pebbles. They are |
| crafted wall tile. First I will describe the hand | | | | now available in six color combinations. These tiles |
| crafted tiles available in an array of colors such as | | | | are mesh mounted and are shaped in an |
| Mojave, Dijon, Vermouth, Espresso, Savannah, | | | | interlocking pattern. With outstanding durability, |
| Breakwater and several other artful shades. | | | | these tiles can be applied indoors or outdoors. |
| This is the Ashbury collection. As for the textured | | | | So now we have come to Stainless Steel Tile. |
| surfaces of these tiles, they are presented in | | | | This tile is constructed with a heavy porcelain |
| Anchor Bay, Du Bois, Ghiradelli, Montreaux, | | | | base and a 1mm stainless steel overlay. This tile is |
| Presidio, Soledad and several other elegant | | | | ideal for kitchen backsplash applications. Not |
| textured designs. You have to see for yourself | | | | recommended for standing water applications, |
| how beautiful these truly are. | | | | such as spas or pools. With six styles to choose |
| Next, we will take a look at the Classic Shapes | | | | from, you're sure to find a style to match your |
| Collection. Here we have classic shades of beige | | | | application. |
| tones with elegant shapes called Mini Acanthus, | | | | For those who wish to go green, most all of the |
| Acanthus, Dot and Dash, Acropolis, Crown and | | | | Glass Modern Wall Tile that I have gone over is |
| Stop Corner, Peter's Lattice and Sonia's Flower. | | | | also available in recycled material. All of these |
| To see the articulate detail of these pieces, you | | | | products are environmentally safe and are |
| have to examine them online. | | | | generally easy to apply. |
| The Artisan-Heritage Collection consists of | | | | If you are ready to make a striking and |
| Country Hen, The Rooster and Plentiful Platter. | | | | dramatically pleasing appearance to one or more |
| The title of each of these pieces does describe | | | | rooms of your home, then you should seriously |
| what is present on the tile, but does not express | | | | consider wall tile. You will see how an ordinary |
| the detail these beautiful tiles will bring to your | | | | room will suddenly turn into a masterpiece. |
| kitchen decor. You truly have to see these | | | | |