When Tile Becomes Art
Once relegated to floors and countertops, ceramic tile has evolved into a fresh and exciting way to decorate a home and give it a touch of true panache. In fact, the artistic DNA of tile, which traces its roots back to ancient eras, is emerging anew to rival the practicality and functionality of the material as interior designers and homeowners discover untold uses for it in their decorating projects.
'Homeowners increasingly are finding creative ways to use tile in their homes,' says Tamara Christian, CEO of National Trade Productions (NTP), the company that manages Coverings, the premier international trade show and conference dedicated exclusively to showcasing the newest in ceramic tile and natural stone.
According to Christian and the trends she's observed at Coverings over the past few years, the style and innovations that manufacturers from Italy, Spain and here in the U.S., among others, are bringing to tile is tantamount to an artistic renaissance.
'The extraordinary new concepts being introduced in tile are breathtaking,' she said. 'The material is inspiring architects, designers, builders and homeowners to fashion spaces and decor that are works of art. The tiles, themselves, are works of art.'
With the scorecards for tile reading win-win for both beauty and performance, the possibilities for using it in any room of the home and in unconventional ways now are limitless. Every surface is a potential canvas for creativity. Here are just a few ideas.
* Kitchen -- Thanks to tile's durability and easy clean-up, it's ideally suited to a variety of kitchen applications: backsplashes for stove and sink, edging under cabinets, walls under breakfast bars, or whole countertops. Even cabinet doors can beautifully display a tile motif.
* Bathroom -- A water-themed mural -- such as a colorful seascape or serene beach scene -- is just one option that can transform the bath and spruce up a staid daily routine.
* Artwork -- Recreate a favorite painting as a tile mural, or convert a family photograph into photo tiles for a fresh, enduring take on a beloved keepsake.
* Fireplace -- Ceramic tile is a perfect -- and perfectly practical -- option for fireplace surrounds, given its durability and flame resistance. Even without a crackling fire, tile creates visual interest around the hearth.
* Ceiling -- Throughout history, tile has crowned the magnificent domes of basilicas and mosques around the world. Why not replicate the same idea in the home? Use tile to turn a ceiling into a canvas -- or replace crown molding with a tile border for a finished look that's truly special.
* Outside -- Whether it's hand-painted, glazed, metallic, carved or inlaid, tile can artfully frame doors, windows or even delineate walkways, or connect the pool with the deck in unusual and exciting ways.
'Homeowners increasingly are finding creative ways to use tile in their homes,' says Tamara Christian, CEO of National Trade Productions (NTP), the company that manages Coverings, the premier international trade show and conference dedicated exclusively to showcasing the newest in ceramic tile and natural stone.
According to Christian and the trends she's observed at Coverings over the past few years, the style and innovations that manufacturers from Italy, Spain and here in the U.S., among others, are bringing to tile is tantamount to an artistic renaissance.
'The extraordinary new concepts being introduced in tile are breathtaking,' she said. 'The material is inspiring architects, designers, builders and homeowners to fashion spaces and decor that are works of art. The tiles, themselves, are works of art.'
With the scorecards for tile reading win-win for both beauty and performance, the possibilities for using it in any room of the home and in unconventional ways now are limitless. Every surface is a potential canvas for creativity. Here are just a few ideas.
* Kitchen -- Thanks to tile's durability and easy clean-up, it's ideally suited to a variety of kitchen applications: backsplashes for stove and sink, edging under cabinets, walls under breakfast bars, or whole countertops. Even cabinet doors can beautifully display a tile motif.
* Bathroom -- A water-themed mural -- such as a colorful seascape or serene beach scene -- is just one option that can transform the bath and spruce up a staid daily routine.
* Artwork -- Recreate a favorite painting as a tile mural, or convert a family photograph into photo tiles for a fresh, enduring take on a beloved keepsake.
* Fireplace -- Ceramic tile is a perfect -- and perfectly practical -- option for fireplace surrounds, given its durability and flame resistance. Even without a crackling fire, tile creates visual interest around the hearth.
* Ceiling -- Throughout history, tile has crowned the magnificent domes of basilicas and mosques around the world. Why not replicate the same idea in the home? Use tile to turn a ceiling into a canvas -- or replace crown molding with a tile border for a finished look that's truly special.
* Outside -- Whether it's hand-painted, glazed, metallic, carved or inlaid, tile can artfully frame doors, windows or even delineate walkways, or connect the pool with the deck in unusual and exciting ways.
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