Tile Trends
By
Christine Wilson
Tile these days
is moving. It’s shifting away from the standard, functional floor
and wall covering we’re all used to seeing, and towards becoming
an art form in its own right. Out are the endless seas of tooth-white
square tile of the past, and in its place have come pieces so striking
that they’ve become a focal point all their own. Feel free to
finally take down last decade’s framed prints of cappuccino mugs
and super-sized onions, and let the tile do the talking — the
latest pieces can update that tired kitchen and bath décor.
Living Color
Gone are the pale, genteel palettes of the ‘90s. Today’s
homeowners want color — rich, vibrant color. And that’s
especially true here in the Northwest. Let’s face it, the sun
doesn’t dominate the skies here every day. We want a little bit
of cheer to greet us when we arrive home to the cozy nests we’ve
worked so hard to create for ourselves. Maybe even a little of the
humor that’s provided by a carefree, eclectic grouping of knock-your-socks-off
hues.
Colors are still
inspired by nature, certainly, but they’re not necessarily limited
to the pastel celery and wheat colors that first come to mind. What
about the punch of a saffron leaf? The dreamy blue of a spring sky
in Portland or the deep azure of an evening tide at Cannon Beach?
Daffodil yellow, wetlands green, and leek green are all hot. Last
decade’s cobalt blue is still a popular choice, but recent installations
have seen it paired with shades such as lemon yellow and terra cotta
for a little visual interest.
Gleaming metallics
— glazes that bring the punch of metals such as copper and pewter—
are becoming popular.
Timeless Shapes
Keeping in mind that a room’s tile is made to last decades, how
can a homeowner choose colors and patterns that won’t look dated
in a few years? The trick is to take a look back at history. Designs
that have stood the test of time are boldly colored geometrics like
cobalt diamonds and black hexagons, and simple shapes like the classic
square. Another time-honored choice is the rectangular subway tile,
still going strong after its surge in popularity in the late 1800s.
Sought after in
the Northwest and nationwide right now are organic images: frogs,
roosters, salmon, starfish, and garden vegetables, for example. They’re
a little trendier than the classic geometrics, so they’re often
best in smaller, more focused areas, like a single kitchen backsplash.
A tile-inlaid bathroom mirror surround or a rectangular kitchen grouping
is a good place for the trendy stuff, especially for the faint of
heart. If the installer plans ahead, the entire piece can be mounted
like a picture frame and easily replaced when styles change.
Another trick
to updating your home’s tile work, without inadvertently dating
it, is to take a cue from your home’s own unique architectural
style. A typical stumptown bungalow gains a real boost in character
with the addition of a grouping of rich, historically appropriate
Craftsman-style pieces along a kitchen oven hood or fireplace mantel.
An early 1900s farmhouse seems at home with gleaming, sunny-hued tile
squares along the kitchen countertops. Even a seemingly anachronistic
ranch-style home can warm up nicely to a cowboy-style log mantel trim.
Or add a southwestern ranch-style terra cotta floor, punctuated with
cobalt and yellow diamonds.
Hands-On Pieces
As in computers these days, the biggest trend in tile is 3-D. Look
for tactile appeal in high-relief tile pieces like round, rough logs,
lumbering out almost two inches from the wall’s flat surface.
Or life-size dragonflies mounted on crackly, glossy squares. Looking
for new window moldings? Replace the old ones with rich, durable,
deep-etched tile pieces.
In fact, tile
has really returned to its functional roots. It was originally favored
by the ancients for its durability, and that hasn’t changed.
But what about a tile that holds your bath towel — or the family’s
array of toothbrushes? Check out the matching ceramic soap holders
that nestle right into the surrounding tile’s design. There’s
even an elegant, cozy little inset to hold a roll of bath tissue that
looks gorgeous laid into a wall of glazed tile.
No Place Like
Home
Whether you’re a homeowner or a pro renovator — or both
— you’ve got one of the nation’s hottest tile makers
right here under your nose. The pros know Pratt and Larson tile as
one of the big names in high-end, handmade ceramic tile, but most
homeowners don’t deal in tile every day. If your last experience
with the stuff was a walk down the aisles at Home Depot, you owe it
to yourself to stop by the local company’s SE Portland showroom.
 |
| Portland
artist Lou Scorca. |
 |
| Dolma
Tsering at the tile press. |
First, there are
the factory tours. These tiles are designed and manufactured by artists,
and the tile-making process is a pretty interesting one. Ribbons of
soft brown clay ooze off the extruder, and then designs are stamped
and inspected one by one on a hand press. Edges are hand-finished
and larger pieces, like ceramic sinks, are smoothed and shaped in
a fairly time-consuming process. Back in the showroom, you’ll
get the chance to glean valuable decorating advice from the people
who actually design and make the tile.
The little-known
treasure trove in the back of the shop is a factory seconds room where
budget-savvy do-it-yourselfers can cull through the racks and pick
up stacks of high-quality single-color tile for a measly $1.50 a pound.
Gorgeous, hand-colored
relief tiles here in tile heaven go for a few dollars a pop, as labeled
on the back. Pratt and Larson makes each batch of tile as it’s
ordered by the homeowner or contractor. That’s how they are able
to offer over a thousand designs, each available in any of the maker’s
300 colors. As a result, the variety here is immense, and the stock
changes day by day. So a Manhattan couple doesn’t think the shading
on a bas-relief pear matches what they saw in the catalog? That Bartlett
yellow, crackle-finish 2x2 looks positively delicious to us.
Bringing It
Home
Intrepid do-it-yourself homeowners may want to tackle an installation
project themselves. There are a number of excellent books on the market
that outline the step-by-step details — almost any how-to book
with photos will do. The important thing is to keep in mind that you’re
taking on a time-consuming, messy, and wet project and to plan accordingly.
Allow a good, solid weekend to complete a small project, as the unexpected
is inevitable and you won’t want to limit your family’s
access to important rooms like the kitchen any longer than you have
to. Always buy an extra 10% to 20% more tile than your project requires
in case of breakage or future wear. And consider renting a portable
toilet if you’re undertaking a large bathroom project like a
floor.
Leigh O’Dell,
Pratt and Larson’s marketing director, recommends hiring a pro,
especially for the bigger jobs. A list of installers familiar with
the Pratt and Larson line is available in the showroom, or check with
your local contractor.
The key to finding
the best deal — and a contractor who’ll do the job well
— is to shop around according to O’Dell. Take the time to
secure a few bids, because the same installer’s rates may vary
over time depending on how busy he is during any given month. And
be certain to discuss the details ahead of time. A cheaper installer
who charges extra for cleanup is no bargain in the long run, unless
you’re willing to do the work yourself.
|
Taking
Care of Your Tile
Tile
is pretty durable stuff, but here are a few tips that will help
your installation stay beautiful through the years.
1. Counters and other tiled surfaces should be wiped frequently
with a mild cleanser or bit of Windex.
2. Tile floors are best vacuumed frequently and periodically
swabbed with a mop, dampened with a floor cleaner designed for
tile.
3. Avoid using harsh cleaning formulas or acidic products like
vinegar, which can break down grouting over time. Soaps can
leave a film and encourage mildew.
4. For heavy-duty grout cleaning in small, high-traffic areas,
an old toothbrush and some scouring powder should do the trick.
Larger areas may need a power scrubber or a pro’s help.
Consider colored grout to lessen the need for deep cleaning. |
Whether your home
is in the West Hills or on a farm in the Estacada countryside, today’s
tile can add a touch of the artistic to any room — without breaking
the bank.
Visit Pratt
and Larson’s showroom at 1201 S.E. 3rd Ave. in Portland, just
south of Grand Avenue and Salmon Street. Showroom hours are 8am to
6pm Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. For more
information call 503-231-9464 or logon at www.prattandlarson.com. |
