GRATITUDE

It's been a long time since I've written a post and for that I am very sorry.  As I learn more and more about this techno world I discovered that over 27,000 of you have visited my blog and not only have I not thanked you for coming, I didn't even know that you had been here before now!  So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.  For the comments that have come in lately for me to keep writing, I heard you and here I am.

My goal is to build a community for tile layout patterns.  Movies are a great place to look at floors, actors crossing a room usually have a great floor to walk across!  Just watch Angels and Demons and see the beautiful floors of the Vatican.  Actually most of them were recreated on a sound stage... but you get the point.  This octagon and dot pattern is absolutely timeless.

I see the floor as a canvas onto which all other design flows.  Floors set the tone, backsplashes in kitchens can tie all the elements in a kitchen together and bathrooms can allow you to feel as if you are walking on water, feel crisp and clean or surprise with a wow factor.  It's all in the choices you make as a homeowner or designer.  

So stay tuned and there will definitely be more to follow.  I am truly grateful to all of my visitors, you won't be disappointed. For more tile layout pattern ideas please visit my Pinterest site or Unique Design Resource.  

WEDNESDAY WEARABLE ART

I don't think this outfit will ever show up on a red carpet, but it should!!!  Absolutely amazing wearable art that is made from porcelain fragments from the Ming and Qing dynasties by artist Li Xiaofeng from China.

He cuts each piece to size, polishes the edges, drills tiny holes and laces all the pieces together with silver wire.  If you live in earthquake country, like I do in California, next time you find your china on the floor here is something to create besides a mosaic table top for the back yard.

His works have been displayed at Virginia Miller Galleries in Florida.  Visit them online at virginiamiller.com for more information.

WEDNESDAY WEARABLE ART

"Bold, rich and unique" is how many clients describe BonTon Handmade Tile.  Based in Minneapolis, Mary Anderson created a line of ceramic tile with exclusive hand mixed glazes.  All tiles are made to order custom designs using old world techniques. Tile styles include: Art Deco, Art Nuevo, Contemporary and Traditional.  For more information on tiles or purses, go to BonTondesigns.com.

I love the designs of her purses.  Just like Mary's tile designs they are fresh and unique works of art.

So for handbag aficionado's here are some new choices for you.  

Love the look of  purple/blue mosaic with a deco from Landmark Metalcoat (landmarkmetalcoattile.com).  There are many more to choose from, so please visit BonTon Handmade Tile at their website or Facebook Fan Site.  Prepare to add BonTon to your list of suppliers for that bathroom renovation that you've planned for the future!!!

For kitchen and bath designers, here's a new way to advertise your business whenever anyone asks about your purse!!  Happy Wednesday and visit the BonTon FB fan page and boost them over their 400 fan goal by 4th of July.  

TILE TUESDAYS AT DWELL

New patterns in either ceramic or concrete or both can be found at ogassian.com.  The organic flow from walls to floors with the same design in different sizes and materials is stunning.  The design concepts of Daniel Ogassian are individual works of art for those searching for that bold expressive signature.

The architectural impact on an indoor or outdoor wall of this cast concrete pattern is amazing.  Paired with hexagonal flooring in cast concrete in the same 16" size, or even larger hexs would be such a unique custom look.  Blend the concrete or ceramics into your choice of colors.

Add a concrete cast sink in the same or complementary color and you have an unforgettable combination for yourself or your client.  A Los Angeles based artisan, Daniel Ogassian also designs furniture.

DWELL ON DESIGN

Enjoyed my visit to the Dwell on Design Show at the LA Convention Center.  Since this show was all about sustainability, I honored the adventure with a ride on three subway lines to get there.  

The first Heath Ceramics pattern is Little Diamond Mix shown in Campari Red, Paprika and New Chamois.  

I've always love the visual effect of this pattern from ancient times until now.  Roman artisans worked this pattern below into a church floor.

Found some great new layout patterns by Heath Ceramics called Dwell Patterns.  Heath believes modern design can be functional and expressive, bold and organic.

This is a Wide Hex Twist shone in Canvas Sage and Vanilla Bean.  There are very few patterns for pickets and I love this twist.  If used for a kitchen back splash or bathroom wall it would be fun to cut a few pieces of milk glass or mother of pearl to occasionally drop in for layered texture and reflections.  Go to heathceramics.com for more tiles and patterns.

Another favorite find at the show were these great wall pouches.  Vertical walls on a roof top garden or patio walls can be used for cooking herbs or flowers bring a whole new look to outdoor art.  For more ideas and products have some fun at rootpouch.com.

NEW PRODUCTS

I love finding new products that make your life easier.  Using Laticrete's epoxy grout was the only way to have a stain resistant grout and generally no need to re-seal, bad news was that it is gritty and clean up with vinegar made it impossible to use on marble or travertine and it's inflexibility ruled out using it with glass. That leaves ceramic, porcelains and some granite tiles.  Now there appears to be a new product that is a lot more versatile.

Doing some research into GroutBoost and would like some feedback, especially with my Facebook friends who are in the stone business.  I know everyone has a favorite brand of grout and this is an additive that you use instead of water and can be mixed with Laticrete, Custom, Mapei or Tec.  Do you get the consistency that you want when it's mixed?  Does it clean up with water well?  Has anyone used it with slate or sandstone?  My favorite sealer is Bulletproof by StoneTech but it's not on GroutBoost's approved list so I'm wondering why.  I prefer to use products that I know won't change the look of the stone and that one is a personal favorite.  Hopefully GroutBoost has been out long enough that someone is a real fan or did you try it once and decide it's not for you?  Please let me know.

TILE TUESDAYS

The fun of making lots of new friends on Facebook allows me to see new products (at least they are new to me) that are amazing.  I love the pottery and tiles that come from this factory near Naples, Italy.  May just be the excuse I need to visit the Amalfi Coast for the first time in years!!  Romeo Cuomo's factory hand paints with such beautiful colors that making a choice is going to be almost impossible!!  You can find Romeo on Facebook or go to his website http://www.officinaceramica.com.  The ceramic infused lava-stone tables will dress up any patio, breakfast room or sidewalk bistro!!

There are so many sizes, shapes and patterns to choose from for the tables... I honestly can't pick just one as a favorite!!  Poppies, lemons, oranges, sunflowers...  The same is true for the dinnerware or tiles!!  Check them out and find something special for your clients.