Karak Collabs

We last covered the creatives at Karak back in 2017, providing their in-depth story, and an insight into their production processes. The Raku revivalists are still going strong, creating custom pieces, and utilising their expertise in developing dynamic and geometric designs created to highlight and magnify the unique finish. Last year the company experimented with a few firsts, including the creation of custom tiles for … Continue reading Karak Collabs

Birds in Trees Charcoal Smoke and Fire Tiles

A Story of Smoke and Fire

With a group of designers whose priority is in the art, Smoke and Fire Tiles is a ceramic treasure trove. Founded in Stamford, Lincolnshire by Mark Aldridge, the company now resides in a converted granary in Suffolk. Their artistic skill is shown in spades throughout their collections which not only covers tile, but also other forms of ceramic art. Their hand-made artisanal tiles are predominantly … Continue reading A Story of Smoke and Fire

Etruscan design by Mario Montanari

Maestro Montanari

Although I have been writing about ceramic tiles for decades, and have visited Cersaie every year for over a quarter of a century, I still get a flush of excitement at the thought of this year’s show. I guess I really am a Tile Addict! So, in just four weeks, Hanna and I will pack our bags and head off to Bologna … full of … Continue reading Maestro Montanari

Ceramic Pop Art

Retro-feel products, toys, and scenes grace the glazed earthenware tiles of Greg Hicho. These whimsical pop art creations are filled with life, nostalgic scenes hand sculpted and moulded, and finished in vibrant colours. Hicho’s ceramic art subjects range from the popular TV dinner, Fluffo Pancakes and messy kitchen, to Troll Dolls, Sea Monkeys, and gumball machines. This take on American culture gives consumers an opportunity … Continue reading Ceramic Pop Art

Hand-crafted Haveli

Fabric and wallpaper designer Neisha Crosland has always had an eye for pattern. Transforming her gift onto textiles and wall coverings allowed others to enjoy her keen sense of style – to simply marvel at her creations or to be lucky enough to incorporate them into their own homes. When finding inspiration for her house Crosland met with luxury surface specialist Alvaro de Ferranti. His … Continue reading Hand-crafted Haveli

Iznik Inspired

We are lucky today to have the pleasure of enjoying Iznik tiles, and for new ones to still be created. Originally produced in the 15th and 16th Centuries in the Ottoman Empire, by the 17th Century the practice of creating these tiles had all but disappeared. Although these magnificent ceramics could still be viewed in vast numbers in Mosques and museums, the replicas for sale … Continue reading Iznik Inspired

Keep it Karoistanbul

Using their education and experience in design and craft, Karoistanbul have created an extensive portfolio showcasing their impressive product range. Creating encaustic cement-based tiles since 1990, they have produced copious amounts of flooring and wall coverings and also offer a restoration service. In order to create tiles that have been lost to time, they take an original sample tile which is cleaned to fully reveal … Continue reading Keep it Karoistanbul

The Wall Project

Lisbon based artist Maria Ana Vasco Costa is a treasure of the ceramic world. With a degree in Ceramics and Fine arts and a Masters in Architecture, combining these two worlds into her work seems to be something she does best. Resulting from a creative need to experiment with the possibilities of ceramics by playing with colour, pattern, texture, and form, The Wall Project was … Continue reading The Wall Project

Granby Grows Great

Experimenting with production technique is something of a specialty for Liverpool based Granby Workshop. Formed by Assemble in an attempt to rebuild the almost derelict neighbourhood of Granby, the Workshop brought together a group of creative residents to breathe life back into the area. After decades of regeneration initiatives which were utlimately doomed, in 2011 this new attempt saw ten empty houses secured in a … Continue reading Granby Grows Great

Metal-Waste Marvels

It is always inspiring to hear of new ways that old waste materials are being transformed into something completely different – benefiting the planet and appealing to the style conscious among us. One non-renewable resource that we do not hear nearly enough about re-purposing is metal, and few are clued in to the various industries that produce copious metal waste such as water treatment plants. … Continue reading Metal-Waste Marvels

Redesigning Recycling in Rwanda

A new Rwandan start-up is seeking to reduce plastic waste one tile at a time. Coldharbour Tiles was founded by Emily Packer and Jake Calhoun in an attempt to take the world in a new, stylish direction whilst also benefiting the planet and creating something beautiful out of waste. They collect high-density polyethylene (HDPE), plastics marked with the #2 code, usually used in household waste … Continue reading Redesigning Recycling in Rwanda

Rivoli Grey, Luserna and Saboya from Mainzu (150x300mm)

Old Meets New

Both tradition and its partner, craftsmanship, are things consumers are excitedly welcoming into their homes. Whether it’s the comfort factor that comes along with natural textures and colour variations, or the uniqueness they provide that can be hard to locate in modern, sterile environments, the incorporation of artisanal interior elements is a trend that cannot be ignored in 2019. Thankfully it’s also a trend that … Continue reading Old Meets New

Tremendous Trends 2019

After trawling through list after list of proposed tile and interior trends of 2019, it seems there are a few things everyone is ready to see a lot of (predominantly those growing on the success of last years trends), and a couple of others from left-field that stand alone. There are also a some things trend-spotters really can’t agree on. For the benefit of Tile … Continue reading Tremendous Trends 2019

Tech Rail Aspen Teak by Natucer

Extruding Excellence

Natucer’s extruded porcelain products have an on-trend hand-crafted look. The subtle variation in size and surface texture is a desirable characteristic and adds to the appeal of the company’s tiles. At Cevisama, Natucer explored geometry through different formats, combining irregular with traditional forms; adding value while delivering new decorative options. Continue reading Extruding Excellence